The rufous-chested flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Sundaland (Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra) and southern Thailand
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and mature secondary evergreen forests, especially in shaded understorey near streams and gullies. It inhabits lowland and hill forests and can be found in selectively logged tracts if dense undergrowth remains. Most often seen within dense thickets, bamboo patches, and along forest edges adjoining intact interior. Sensitive to extensive canopy loss and fragmentation, with reduced presence in plantations and heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understorey flycatcher of Southeast Asia’s humid forests, the rufous-chested flycatcher is best recognized by its warm rufous breast contrasting with a whitish belly. It perches low and makes short sallies to snatch insects in dim, mossy gullies and along forested streams. The species tolerates lightly logged forest but declines sharply with fragmentation and conversion to plantations.
Temperament
shy and retiring
Flight Pattern
short rapid sallies between low perches
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs during the breeding season. Nests are likely small cups placed low in shrubs or on banks near streams, with both parents tending young. Outside breeding, it may loosely associate with mixed-species understorey flocks but remains unobtrusive.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, sweet whistles and thin, high-pitched notes delivered from concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips and a delicate, descending phrase in quiet forest understory.
Plumage
Fine, smooth plumage with a warm rufous breast and throat contrasting with a whitish belly and brown-olive upperparts; two faint whitish wingbars are often visible.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small flying and crawling insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and ants; may take small spiders. Forages by sallying from low, shaded perches and by gleaning from foliage, twigs, and vine tangles. Often hunts along stream margins and damp gullies where insect activity is high.
Preferred Environment
Dense, shaded understorey of humid evergreen forest, especially near watercourses and ravines. Uses thickets, bamboo clumps, and forest edges adjacent to intact interior for cover while foraging.
