Ficedula parva is a widespread summer visitor to north-eastern and central Europe, which accounts for less than half of its global breeding range. Its European breeding population is very large (>3,200,000 pairs), and was stable between 1970-1990. Although there were declines in a few countries during 1990-2000, populations were stable across the majority of its European range-including in the Russian stronghold-and the species probably remained stable overall.
This flycatcher has a wide distribution in the temperate and boreal regions of Eurasia, from central Europe to eastern Siberia. It is wintering mainly in India and Pakistan. In Denmark and northern Germany it is breeding in old beach (Fagus sylvaticus) forests. In southern Germany it inhabits mixed forests with beach and fir (Abies) or maple (Acer). Its populations seems stable, and since the 1980's a slight westwards expansion has been noticed

Broedt in loof- en gemengde bossen met hoge bomen

Mid May to end of June in Central and East Europe. Nest site is in hole in tree or wall, among side shoots against tree trunk, occasionally in bush. Nest is a cup of moss, dry grass stalks and leaves, root fibres, and hair, lined with hair. Nest in bush may be domed. 5-6 eggs, incubation, 12-13 days by female only.

Mainly insects and other invertebrates. In breeding season food taken mostly from trees, though some is caught in the air and on the ground.

This species has a large range, with an estimated global Extent of Occurrence of 10,000,000 km². It has a large global population, including an estimated 6,400,000-9,200,000 individuals in Europe (BirdLife International in prep.). Global population trends have not been quantified, but the species is not believed to approach the thresholds for the population decline criterion of the IUCN Red List (i.e. declining more than 30% in ten years or three generations). For these reasons, the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

All populations migratory, wintering in southern Asia, from Pakistan and India east to southern China, Indo-China, and Malay peninsula. Autumn movement protracted. European birds typically adopt south-east heading, but also regularly pass in small numbers south or south-east through central and eastern Mediterranean and north-east Africa. Some arrive in India mid-September, while others still in Europe late October or early November. Departure from north-west India and Pakistan begins in mid-March, peaking April, straggling well into May. Main passage through Black Sea area late April to late May; arrival on European breeding grounds mainly mid-May to early June. Increasing autumn vagrancy (especially of juveniles) to north-west Europe in recent years, typically during anticyclones, apparently due to reverse migration.

article number 1 Title
The influence of male age and phenology on reproductive success of the red-breasted flycatcher (Ficedula parva)
Author(s): Mitrus, C. 2006
Abstract: I studied arrival time, breeding phenology, and breeding success in relation to the age class (second year and older) of male red-breasted flycatchers for six breeding seasons (2000-2005) in the prim ..[more]..
Source: Ann. Zool. Fennici 43: 358-365
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article number 2 Title
Is the later arrival of young male red-breasted flycatchers ( Ficedula parva ) related to their physical condition?
Author(s): Cezary Mitrus
Abstract: Intraspecific variation in the arrival time of migratory birds to breeding grounds is common. Although this phenomenon has been explained in various ways, the condition-dependency of arrival is often ..[more]..
Source: J Ornithol (2007) 148:53-58
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article number 3 Title
First evidence of phenological change in a transcontinental migrant overwintering in the Indian sub-continent: the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva
Author(s): C. Mitrus, T.H. Sparks & P. Tryjanowski
Abstract: We analysed data on the Red-breasted Flycatcher Ficedula parva collected in old- growth, oak-hornbeam stands in the primeval Forest, Poland during 1973- 2002. In this period, the Red-breasted Flycatch..[more]..
Source: Ornis Fennica 82:13-19. 2005
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