Little Pied Flycatcher male

Here’s a common montane species you never get tired of.  The Little Pied Flycatcher Ficedula westermanni is found in all levels of the forest as well as the edges of clearings.  Its behavior is typical of flycatchers while its tendency to perch on the same spot makes it a favourite with photographers.  Its call reminds me of a popular mobile phone ringtone.  Definitely one of my favourites.

They are back! Today we welcomed the first of the northern Asian migrant flycatchers back to our warm shores. On a very good morning of birding at the Penampang hills just outside of Kota Kinabalu, we found this energetic Asian Brown Flycatcher Muscicapa dauurica hawking for passing insects from this nice perch. This bird has never disappointed us, returning year after year. You get the nice feeling that Mother Nature is always around.

In the mountains of Sumatra, Java or Borneo, you will be really unlucky to miss the tame Indigo Flycatcher Eumyias indigo. This dark blue flycatcher displays a light blue or almost white forecrown and buff vent. Its habits are typical of flycatchers and will come out to the forest edges. I took this picture at the carpark in front of the Visitor Centre at Kinabalu Park HQ. Couldn’t have asked for an easier shot.

The days in northern Asia are getting longer and it is time for this beautiful Blue and White Flycatcher Cyanoptila cyanomelana wintering in Mt Kinabalu to start thinking about the forthcoming long and arduous flight back to its breeding ground. It had been a good stay here. We saw pairs of this flycatcher as well as first winter males. Some of them chose the cooler climes of mountain ranges while others basked in the sun of offshore islands. Be safe! See you in September.

This wintering flycatcher Muscicapa sibirica must feel really at home around the hilly habitat of Penampang, just south of Kota Kinabalu. I spotted this bird about two months ago and it is still around the same patch of forest today. Previously I have seen this bird in the montane forest of Mt Trus Madi around 1,600m above sea level, so it does get around. When not in flight, it is usually sitting upright on a bare branch.