Red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

The red-breasted flycatcher is a small bird belonging to the Old World flycatcher family. It breeds in eastern Europe and Central Asia, migrating to South Asia for the winter. It often passes through western Europe during migration, while the collared flycatcher, which breeds further east, is uncommon there.

The Asian species Ficedula albicilla, once thought to be a subspecies of the red-breasted flycatcher, features a red throat bordered by grey and has a distinct song. It is commonly recognized today as the taiga flycatcher.

The breeding male of this small flycatcher, measuring 11–12 cm in length, is primarily brown on the upper parts and white on the underside, featuring a grey head and an orange throat. Its black bill has the broad yet pointed shape characteristic of aerial insectivores. In addition to catching insects in flight, this species also searches for caterpillars among the oak leaves.

and will consume berries. The base of the outer tail feather is white, and the tail is frequently flicked upwards while they perch, scanning for insect prey, which they catch in flight or occasionally from the ground. During winter, they are mostly silent but emit a characteristic chip-chip-chr-rrr flycatcher call. In the breeding season, their song is composed of melodious whistles, similar to that of the European pied flycatcher.