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Context

In a remarkable addition to Arunachal Pradesh’s rich avian diversity, the rare Pale-chinned Flycatcher  was recently sighted in the Nong Loung (Bor Beel) forest area of Namsai district.

About the bird

The Pale-chinned Flycatcher (Cyornis poliogenys) also known as Brook's Flycatcher is a small passerine bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family. 

This species is primarily found in South and Southeast Asia inhabiting subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.​

Subspecies

There are three recognized subspecies of the Pale-chinned Flycatcher.

Cyornis poliogenys poliogenys

Found from the central Himalayas to northeastern India that is West & South Assam, Meghalaya.​

Cyornis poliogenys cachariensis

Inhabits northeastern India including Arunachal Pradesh, East & South East Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

This subspecies has a dull olive-brown head and back, lacks the grey tinge on the head and displays deeper chestnut on the uppertail-coverts and edges of the tail.​

Cyornis poliogenys vernayi

Occurs in the Eastern Ghats of eastern India. Males exhibit variable amounts of bluish-grey above with more blue in the southern populations that is northern Andhra Pradesh and browner tones in the northern populations that is Odisha. ​

Description

The Pale-chinned Flycatcher is a sparrow-sized bird characterized by

Male Plumage

• Bluish-grey upperparts.​
• Rufous throat.​
• White underparts.​

Female Plumage

Similar to the male but generally duller in coloration.​

Juvenile Plumage

Dark olive brown head and upperparts heavily speckled with pale buff and broadly barred darker patterns. ​

Distribution and Habitat

The Pale-chinned Flycatcher is distributed across several countries in South and Southeast Asia including Bangladesh, Bhutan​, China​, India​, Myanmar​ and Nepal​.

Its natural habitat consists of subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests where it prefers dense undergrowth and forest edges. ​

Behavior and Ecology

Primarily insectivorous feeding on various insects and small invertebrates.​

Nesting occurs from April to June.

Specific nesting habits are not well-documented but like other flycatchers it likely builds cup shaped nests in tree branches or shrubs.​

Conservation Status

IUCN classifies the Pale chinned Flycatcher as a species of Least Concern due to its extensive range. However the population is suspected to be in decline primarily due to habitat destruction. 

Sources:

NORTHEASTTODAY