The Philippine jungle flycatcher is a species of passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests up to 1,000 meters above sea level.
Region
Philippines
Typical Environment
Occupies tropical moist lowland forests, favoring dense understory, vine tangles, and streamside thickets. It uses both primary and older secondary forest but is most frequent in relatively intact lowland evergreen forest. Typically keeps to shaded ravines, forest edges with thick cover, and forest interiors with ample perches. It is scarce or absent from open farmland and highly degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A secretive understory flycatcher that keeps to shaded thickets and quiet gullies, making it easy to overlook. It sallies from low perches to snatch insects, often flicking its tail and wings between forays. Sexes are similar and plumage is rather plain, so voice and habitat are useful for detection. As a lowland forest specialist, it is sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation.
Temperament
solitary and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between low perches
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs in dense understory. Nests are typically placed low in vegetation or in sheltered nooks, with both parents involved in rearing. May join mixed-species flocks occasionally but generally forages alone.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high, whistled series of notes interspersed with thin chips. Calls are quiet and can be easily masked by cicadas and other forest sounds.
