Sulawesi streaked flycatcher

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Sulawesi streaked flycatcher (Muscicapa sodhii)

The Sulawesi streaked flycatcher is a small passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family. It is found only on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where it breeds.

It is about 14 cm long and has streaked brownish-grey feathers, a pale throat and breast, a white eye-ring, and a black bill. It typically lives in the forest understorey and midstory, feeding on insects such as flies, ants, and beetles.

Taxonomy and name: Its scientific name is Muscicapa sodhii. It was formally described in 2014 by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences. The species honors Navjot Sodhi, a conservationist who worked to protect Sulawesi’s wildlife. The bird was first announced in 1999, but the full scientific description came later.

Status and protection: The Sulawesi streaked flycatcher is considered vulnerable because its forest habitat is being lost to deforestation and conversion to agriculture. It is protected under Indonesian law, and conservation efforts are in place to protect its habitat and survival.

Relation to other birds: It looks similar to the grey-streaked flycatcher, which visits Sulawesi part of the year but breeds in Northern Asia. Genetically, it is most closely related to the Thai population of the Asian brown flycatcher (Muscicapa dauurica siamensis).