The green-backed flycatcher is a bird in the family Muscicapidae, which contains the Old World flycatchers. It was long considered to be a subspecies of the narcissus flycatcher, but morphological and acoustical differences between the two indicate they are instead separate species. It breeds in northeastern China and winters in southeast Asia.
Region
East and Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Breeds in northeastern China, including provinces such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and adjacent uplands, with passage through eastern and southern China. Winters in mainland Southeast Asia, notably northern Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and parts of southern China. Occupies temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, wooded hillsides, riparian groves, and well-wooded parks during migration. In winter it favors evergreen and secondary forests, forest edges, and shaded gardens.
Altitude Range
0–1800 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Once treated as a subspecies of the Narcissus Flycatcher, the green-backed flycatcher is now recognized as a full species based on distinct plumage and vocalizations. Males show an olive-green back rather than the black-backed look of Narcissus males. It breeds in northeastern China and migrates to spend the non-breeding season in Southeast Asia. It is a canopy-to-midstory insect hunter, often making quick sallies from shaded perches.
Temperament
active and moderately territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile sallies
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season; males sing from exposed perches in forest clearings and edges. Nests are placed in natural cavities or crevices, lined with fine plant material. Likely monogamous, with both parents contributing to chick care. Outside breeding, may loosely associate with mixed-species flocks while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
A bright, sweet series of clear whistles and phrases delivered from mid-canopy perches. Calls include sharp ticks and soft chup notes given during foraging and contact.
Plumage
Male with olive-green back and mantle, yellow underparts and throat, dark tail, and a distinct pale to whitish wing patch; female duller with brownish-olive upperparts and buffy underparts. Both sexes show fine, smooth feathering suited to forest understory and midstory perches.
Diet
Feeds primarily on flying and arboreal insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars; also takes spiders. Hunts by sallying from a perch, snatching prey in flight, and by gleaning from leaves and twigs. Occasionally consumes small berries during migration when insect availability is low.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and canopy of forests, along edges, and in riparian corridors. During winter and migration it uses semi-open woodlands, secondary growth, and large wooded parks.
