Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica rothschildi) - 15 January 2013 - Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. Photo © 2013 Joseph Morlan


Formerly called "Siberian Flycatcher," its name was changed to Dark-sided Flycatcher in 2004 in the 45th supplement to the AOU Checklist "to agree with general use in modern Old World literature." This species is a migrant and winter visitor to Thailand. It is usually illustrated without wing-bars, but it has white tips to the wing coverts in first fall (formative) plumage as seen here.

Of the four races, Robson illustrates nominate sibirica (lighter below) and rothschildi (darker below) but cacabata (intermediate) also occurs. However, HBW questions the validity of cacabata. Our bird is very dark on its throat and has limited white on its abdomen. In my opinion it best matches descriptions and illustrations of M. s. rothschildi, the darkest and most southeasterly breeding race.

Digiscoped with Panasonic DMC-LX5 | Nikon FieldScope III | 30XWA | hand-held (no adapter).
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