Red-breasted or taiga flycatcher Zhejiang China (1 Viewer)

[Dawsy]

I saw this flycatcher this morning in a wooded urban park in lowland Zhejiang province China. I would think taiga should the the default in that location (though ebird has slightly more red-breasted in winter) but I can't find any images of taiga flycatcher with a bill that pale. I could convince myself either way on the upper tail coverts that are apparently such an important ID feature.

It cocked it's tail almost constantly and called frequently: a harsh ticking call a little similar to a stonechat. I found calls from red-breasted online that are similar but haven't found equivalent calls for taiga. The tail has obvious white sides in flight.

Michael

 

[Grahame Walbridge]

Its a 1st-winter Red-breastd Dawsy on account of pale brown upperparts, uppertail coverts paler (i.e not jet black) than tail, buff throat and breast + bill with extensive pale base. One can readily age it by the retained juvenile outer GC's which have small buff tips.

Grahame

 

[Sherpa]

As far as I know, the 'tek' call is the same for both species. However, the dry Wren-like rattle is a good way to separate them. Taiga has a faster version, where you cannot discern the individual notes, whereas RBF is slower and the individual notes are clearly audible. Well worth listening for.

 

[Dawsy]

As far as I know, the 'tek' call is the same for both species. However, the dry Wren-like rattle is a good way to separate them. Taiga has a faster version, where you cannot discern the individual notes, whereas RBF is slower and the individual notes are clearly audible. Well worth listening for.

Thanks. I thought that might be the case with the "tek" but couldn't find that stated anywhere or any recordings of it in taiga. Useful to know.