Bird Guide

Fiscal Flycatcher vs Siberian Stonechat

Fiscal Flycatcher (Sigelus silens)

Fiscal Flycatcher

Sigelus silens

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This black and white bird gets its name from its resemblance to the northern and southern fiscal shrikes (previously considered one species, common fiscal), shrikes that in turn get the name from their black and white suit-and-tie appearance reminiscent of the taxman ('fiscal'). The male may be confused with the fiscal shrikes, but the shrikes have heavy, hooked bills, white patches on the shoulder rather than the lower wing, and no white on their longer tails. The resemblance is assumed to be an example of Batesian mimicry. The fiscal flycatcher is 17–20 cm in length.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/dkeats/ · CC BY 2.0
Siberian Stonechat (Saxicola maurus)

Siberian Stonechat

Saxicola maurus

Siberian stonechat resembles its close relative relative the European stonechat (S. rubicola), but is typically darker above and paler below, with a white rump and whiter underparts with less orange on the breast. The male in breeding plumage has black upperparts and head (lacking the brownish tones of the European stonechat), a conspicuous white collar, scapular patch and rump, and a restricted area of orange on the throat. The female has pale brown upperparts and head, white neck patches (not a full collar), and a pale, unstreaked pinkish-yellow rump.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: (c) Константин Селивёрстов, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Константин Селивёрстов · cc-by

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Fiscal Flycatcher and Siberian Stonechat.