Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher a New Species for Pakistan


From the outset I (Islbirder) will hold my hand up and admit a mistake and lapse. And, if you are going to make a gaffe, it might as well be a big one. I only overlooked a First Record for Pakistan. For a non-birder that may seem no big deal; however, for a birder it is a serious howler. The argument for the defence is that I received a number of fantastic (as always) photographs from RMK in Pakistan. Looking at them on my desktop in the UK, I identified each one and posted them onto our Islamabad Birding Blog. Two did puzzle me for a while and taking into account the time of year and location I identified them as a rather odd looking first-winter Himalayan (White-tailed) Rubythroat Luscinia pectoralis.

We have received about 20,000 or so hits on our Blog and we sometimes receive comments. I do not publish these because whilst some are complimentary, others involve advertisements and others are clearly from disturbed people. So, it’s easier not to publish any of them.

A few days ago we received a comment from an Anonymous contributor that stated excellent photos but the Rubythroat is a Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher. I admit to smiling, as I knew that species had never been recorded in Pakistan and the nearest records had been in northern central India. The smile soon left me when I checked the photographs again. The bird was indeed a RUFOUS-GORGETED FLYCATCHER Fidecula strophiata and to make it worse it appears to be a male due to the black on the throat and darker grey breast. This species is a resident of the Himalayas and known from Himachal Pradesh east to Arunchal Pradesh in India and into North-Eastern India. It is also known as an altitudinal migrant and this is obviously significant. Birdlife International lists this species as a native of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong (vagrant), India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam. Ok, enough from me I will let RMK, the finder of this First for Pakistan, to take up the story.

On Friday 24 January 2014, I decided to take a hike along the famous Trail 5 of the Margalla Hills National Park, near Islamabad, Federal Capital Area. I remember it well for the wrong reasons; it was a bad start to the day.  I had arrived at my chosen point early and setup my photographic hide and started to wait to see if I could capture some interesting altitudinal migrants as we had seen some wonderful species in this area during previous visits.

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Riaz
To my massive frustration, it was not long before a few youngsters appeared and started giggling around the stream, close to my hide. Humans eh!!!! So much for my solitude in this beautiful place. Whilst I welcome the youngsters of Islamabad using and enjoying the beauty of the Margallas, when one is out in the woodland why would someone make noise, listen to music on their cell phones and shout at the top of their voices to let people know they are around? Sorry readers but that’s what I felt that day (it must have been bad as RMK is one of the most patient easy-going people (and parent of teenagers) I know. However, youngsters peeking into your photographic hide whilst you are inside would test the patience of most! Islbirder).

Anyway more people started coming to the stream, so I quietly packed up my gear and walked half a kilometre to a dry patch inside the woods. It appeared that the place I chose to reset my hide had enough water in summer, but was dry during these winter days.

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher Riaz
I sat there and played my bird caller (a gift to me from Islbirder, that will go a long way in my life mate!)  After about 20 minutes, I saw a bird, chasing flies in the area. I ducked down inside my hide and let the bird come close. It was poor light but finally the bird came in and I got the shots. It’s so strange that one remembers everything that one has seen through in life. For me every picture is a story that I will remember the rest of my days.

Ironically, those noisy and boisterous kids were the cause of a new species being added to the List of Birds Recorded in Pakistan. My thanks to them, retrospectively, and special thanks to Anonymous who pointed out my oversight. Finally, congratulations to RMK for such a great find that will further assist in placing Pakistan on the Ornithological map.

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