Narcissus Flycatcher

The Narcissus Flycatcher is a small, jewel-like forest bird with pronounced differences between the sexes. Males are glossy black above with a bold, contrasting bright yellow-orange stripe over the eye, a matching yellow-orange throat and breast, a yellow rump, and yellow underparts, along with a small white patch on the closed wing. Females are far plainer, olive-brown above with pale, buffy-white underparts, lacking the male's bright colors.

Although small, the male's vivid coloring makes it one of the more striking forest flycatchers in its range, and it is a much-anticipated migrant for birdwatchers as it passes through in spring and autumn.

Key field marks

• Male: black upperparts, bright yellow-orange supercilium stripe, throat, breast, and rump, yellow underparts, small white wing patch
• Female: plain olive-brown above, pale buffy-white below
• Small, compact flycatcher shape

Similar species

• Blue-and-white Flycatcher male is blue (not black) above with a white (not yellow) belly, easily separated by color.
• Mugimaki Flycatcher male has orange underparts too but shows a white supercilium (not yellow-orange) and different wing pattern.

Habitat

Breeds in dense broadleaf and mixed forest with a closed canopy; winters in tropical forest and forest edge.

Range

Breeds across Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and parts of the Russian Far East; winters in the Philippines, Borneo, and other parts of maritime Southeast Asia.

Migration

A long-distance migrant, traveling between East Asian breeding grounds and Southeast Asian wintering areas each year.

Behavior

Forages within the forest canopy and mid-story, sallying from a perch to catch flying insects; males sing from prominent perches to defend breeding territories.

Voice

A bright, rich, whistled song, along with sharp, dry call notes.

Feeding

Feeds primarily on flying insects, captured by short aerial sallies from a perch, supplemented with insects gleaned from foliage.

Nesting

Builds a cup nest in a tree cavity or crevice; lays 4-5 pale eggs with fine markings.