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Juvenile Snowy-browed Flycatcher Ficedula hyperythra and Feeding Behaviour

On 18th May 2023 I was at approximately 1,800m ASL at Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia when I saw a family unit of Snowy-browed Flycatcher (Ficedula hyperythra). Both adults were collecting prey, to feed one or two juveniles (unsure if 1 or 2 juveniles).

Once I arrived, the adults became very confiding. Although they ‘stashed’ their juvenile(s) in the undergrowth, out of my view, they approached me at close range. Often, they were too close for the long lens to focus on, and at times they were at my feet. Very often they dashed past my body or face.

Image 1: Adult male Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia-18th May 2023

 

Image 2: Adult female Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia-18th May 2023

 

I then realised they were using me as their ‘feeding station’. I had been walking up slopes quite a bit that morning and was hot and sweaty. A number of insects were attracted to the salt on my body and the heat. These crafty Snowy-browed Flycatchers used this ‘captive’ opportunity over the next 20 minutes to feed their juvenile(s).

Fortunately for me, the juvenile(s) were not content to wait for feeds and they also joined the feeding activity and I was able to see them well. One juvenile, that was imaged well from the back, had a slate-bluish tail, suggesting it was a male.

Image 3: Juvenile Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia-18th May 2023
Image 4: Juvenile male Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Cameron Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia-18th May 2023

 

Food items given to juvenile(s) were the many different small flying insects buzzing around me; ID unknown. The only clear prey I saw in an adult’s beak was a small caterpillar.

Needless to say, I took many images of the birds. Images of juveniles and one each of the adults shown.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

Amar-Singh HSS

Dato’ Dr Amar-Singh HSS, Cert Theology (Aust, Hons), MBBS (Mal), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Glasg), MSc Community Paediatrics (Ldn, dist), is a Consultant Paediatrician. He served the Malaysian civil service for more than 35 years, led regional Paediatric and Research departments, is an active child advocate and the recipient of a number of international awards. He has been a bird watcher for around 50 years, published two bird books, has a number of international bird publications, contributed to more than 20 international bird books/guides, and contributes to online bird image and audio databases. He is an active contributor to the Bird Ecology Study Group with a large number of detailed posts and write-ups on bird ecology. He is a life member of the Malaysian Nature Society, a member of the BCC-MNS Records Committee, a member of the Oriental Bird Club and supports eBird. He is interested in spending time getting to know bird behaviour and considers himself a bird-friend. Amar is based at Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

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