Description

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Context:

Red-breasted Flycatcher’s magnificent journey across continents not only defies its size but reminds one of the good adage.

About Red-breasted Flycatcher:

It is a small passerine bird in the Old-World flycatcher family. It breeds in Eastern Europe and across Central Asia and is migratory, wintering in South Asia. It is a regular passage migrant in Western Europe, whereas the collared flycatcher which breeds further east is rare.

Scientific name: Ficedula parva.

Common Name	A small passerine bird of the Old-World Flycatcher family.
Size	11-12 cm
Habitat	Urban gardens, forests, woodlands, orchards, parks, and roadside trees.
Feeding Habits	Occasionally feeds on figs (banyan, peepal).
Appearance (Male)	Reddish-orange throat extending to the upper breast.
Appearance (Female)	Overall brown.
Toe Arrangement	Three toes pointing forward and one backward, aiding in clinging onto branches.
Breeding Season	Spring to summer.
Breeding Habitat	Deciduous mixed forests of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
Migration Pattern	Migrates from Eastern Europe to South Asia during winter to escape harsh winters.
Winter Presence	Found in peninsular India from October to March.
Conservation Status	IUCN: Least Concern.

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.With reference to the Red-breasted Flycatcher, consider the following statements:

It is a migratory bird commonly found in Europe and Asia.
This bird is known to inhabit dense tropical rainforests exclusively.
The Red-breasted Flycatcher is listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: a

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva) is a migratory bird found in Europe and parts of Asia. It migrates to South Asia, including India, during winters.

Statement 2 is incorrect: This bird is not exclusive to dense tropical rainforests; it prefers open deciduous forests, woodlands, and shrublands.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The Red-breasted Flycatcher is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List due to its wide distribution and stable population trends.