The black-and-orange flycatcher or black-and-rufous flycatcher is a species of flycatcher endemic to the central and southern Western Ghats, the Nilgiris and Palni hill ranges in southern India. It is unique among the Ficedula flycatchers in having rufous coloration on its back and prior to molecular studies was suggested to be related to the chats and thrushes.
Region
Western Ghats, southern India
Typical Environment
Occurs in montane evergreen shola forests and adjacent grassland edges, favoring dense, moist understory. It also uses forest fragments, wooded ravines, and shaded coffee or tea estates where native thickets persist. Birds typically keep close to the ground or low shrubs, perching on logs and low branches. Territories are maintained in well-vegetated gullies and along stream margins.
Altitude Range
1200–2400 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This striking little flycatcher is confined to the high-elevation shola-grassland mosaics of the southern Western Ghats. Unusual among Ficedula, it has rich rufous on the back and underparts, which once led to speculation of affinities with chats and thrushes. It forages low, often from shaded perches, making quick sallies to the ground or into shrubs. Pairs are territorial, and the species can persist in forest fragments and shaded plantations if understory cover remains.
A pair, female left and male right
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs holding well-defined territories. Nests are compact cups placed low in dense shrubs, banks, or fern-covered ledges; both parents participate in care. Breeding occurs in the dry-to-early monsoon months, varying locally with elevation and rainfall.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, musical series of thin whistles delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp ticks and soft tsee notes given during foraging and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Male shows a black hood and upper breast contrasting with rich rufous-orange back, rump, and underparts; wings and tail are dark with warm edging. Female is similar but with duskier brownish head and less extensive black, and overall slightly duller rufous tones. Juveniles are mottled with buff spotting before attaining adult coloration.
Diet
Primarily hunts small insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, taken by sallying or short ground-gleans. It often drops to the leaf litter to snatch prey before returning to a perch. Small berries may be taken opportunistically, especially when insect activity is low.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory, along forest edges, and in thicketed gullies with abundant perches. Also uses shaded agroforestry habitats where native understory is retained.
