Furtive flycatcher

Furtive flycatcher
Conservation status
	; Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Muscicapidae
Genus:	Ficedula
Species:	F. disposita
Binomial name
	Ficedula disposita; (Ripley & Marshall, 1967)

The furtive flycatcher (Ficedula disposita) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is endemic to the Philippines found only on the island of Luzon.

Its natural habitats ar tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forests.

Description

EBird describes it as "A small bird of lowland secondary forest with bamboo in northern Luzon. Dark brown above with a gray band across the chest, a white throat and belly, a brown rump, rufous outer tail feathers, and a black terminal band on the tail. Similar to Ashy-breasted Flycatcher, but differs in tail pattern. Song is a variable three-noted whistled phrase, “piii puu piiit!” with the middle note lower."

This species is monotypic.

Up until 1991, it was only known from 1 single female specimen. Due to a lack of specimens , it was formerly conspecific with the Cryptic flycatcher and the Lompobattang flycatcher but is significantly different in plummage.

Ecology and behavior

It is a secretive bird usually found solitary or as a pair perched close to the forest floor often motionless for long periods. It is often found in bamboo groves and seems more tolerant of degraded secondary forest.Not much is known about its diet but it is believed to be an insectivore.

Birds found in breeding condition with enlarged gonads but otherwise nothing is known about its breeding habits, nest and fledgelings.^[2]

Habitat and conservation status

Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forest. It is classified as near threatened by the IUCN due to continuing forest loss on Luzon. ^[2]Its threats are mainly habitat loss due to deforestation for lumber, mining and farmlands. There are no known targeted conservation actions for this bird, but it will indirectly benefit from the conservation of other North Luzon species like the Critically Endangered Isabela oriole. The stronghold of the Isabela oriole in Baggao is being proposed as a protected area and will thus preserve key habitat.

It occurs in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Aurora Memorial National Park and Kalbario–Patapat Natural Park but enforcement from loggers and hunters is still lax. ^[3]