Black-banded Flycatcher

The chest band Grundschnäpper ( Ficedula timorensis ) is a little known species from the family of flycatchers. It occurs on the island of Timor.

Description

The chest band Grundschnäpper reaches a length of 11 centimeters. In the male the head and neck are glossy black. Top, upper tail-coverts and shield feathers are chestnut -colored reddish or light. The hand and arm swing and tail are blackish. The underside is white. About the breast runs a wide black band. The iris is dark. The sharp beak is black. The legs are bright pink flesh. In the female the head and neck are grayish. The chest strap is dull black. The young birds are previously undescribed.

Voice

His singing is a set of two-syllable soft whistles, which are repeated at regular intervals. The call consists of up to four dull buzzing sounds that are repeated frequently or of a short, high-pitched whistle.

Habitat and behavior

The chest band Grundschnäpper inhabited monsoon forests in the lowlands, wet hill forests with limestone boulders and rocky scree slopes at altitudes up to 1200 meters. He lives singly or in pairs and is usually quiet and unobtrusive. Its food consists of insects that are picked in the dense undergrowth. Occasionally, he also catches flying insects. Through its breeding biology almost nothing is known. Two fledgling fledglings were observed in December.

Status

Due to its unobtrusiveness chest band Grundschnäpper is difficult to observe. It is most commonly found in forests with a closed canopy, but must give way to more and more agricultural land. Furthermore, destroyed the ground vegetation by livestock. The chest band Grundschnäpper is near threatened ( near threatened ) by the IUCN.