March 28, 2025
The Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) project provides an essential refuge for flora and fauna in Sumatra, protecting various species from threats they face elsewhere and enabling them to flourish under RER’s unique production-protection approach. As of December 2024, 896 species of fauna and flora have been identified in RER, including 78 mammals, 106 amphibians and reptiles, 203 plants, 89 fish species, and 101 odonata (dragonfly/damselfly).
In addition, 319 bird species have also been documented. One of them is the brown-chested jungle flycatcher (Cyornis brunneatus), a rare winter visitor at RER. A successful forest restoration and protection would guarantee this species long-term survival in the wild.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the brown-chested jungle flycatcher, to reveal more about its appearance, behavior, its ecological role, and its current conservation status.
Taxonomy & Classification
The brown-chested jungle flycatcher was first described by British ornithologist Robert Swinhoe in 1863. Commonly known in Indonesia as “sikatan rimba dada-cokelat”, it is a small, passerine bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family; also known as the Old-World flycatchers, this group comprises a range of insectivorous birds usually found in forested habitats across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The genus Cyornis includes several flycatcher species that are generally small, vibrantly colored birds who are excellent flyers. The brown-chested jungle flycatcher is closely related to other Cyornis species. As in other member of Cyornis they share similar feeding behaviors, preferring mid and low strata on the forest canopy.
Physical Characteristics
The brown-chested jungle flycatcher is a medium-sized flycatcher with a body measuring around 13–15 cm and a wingspan of approximately 20 cm. It can be recognized by its relatively slender body; a short, pointed beak (perfectly adapted for eating insects), with slightly curved tip, and creamy-yellow lower beak. This last feature is used to identify this species in the field since other flycatcher species have black bills. In addition, their lightweight build and nimble wings make them agile flyers, adept at catching prey on the wing.
As the name suggests, this species has a brownish chest, which contrasts with paler underparts. Its coloration – typically a mix of mottled olive-brown and gray – provides excellent camouflage among the bark and foliage of trees. The brown-chested jungle flycatcher also has a distinctive, slightly rounded head. The species exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism (meaning males and females appear roughly the same), although in some cases the males may appear slightly browner than their female counterparts.
Juveniles, on the other hand, tend to have a more speckled appearance, particularly on the chest and wings. This coloration gradually fades as they mature and acquire their adult plumage.
Habitat & Distribution
The brown-chested jungle flycatcher lives mostly in subtropical and tropical forests, in both lowland and mountainous regions. It prefers dense, humid forests with abundant undergrowth and access to water sources. This means well-preserved forests are essential to their survival; without this habitat in place, the flycatcher cannot hunt, and avoid the winter.
Geographically, this species has a broad but fragmented distribution. Brown-chested jungle flycatchers breed in East Asia, China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. They migrate south during winter to Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
Habitat loss poses a significant threat to wild populations of brown-chested jungle flycatchers. As deforestation and land conversion for agriculture continue to shrink its natural habitat, the bird faces increasing challenges in finding suitable breeding and wintering grounds.
Significance & Ecosystem Role
Like other flycatchers, the brown-chested jungle flycatcher plays a crucial role in controlling insect populations. It primarily feeds on flying insects, including mosquitoes, beetles, and moths, which makes it an important pest controller in forest ecosystems. By maintaining healthy insect populations, the brown-chested jungle flycatcher helps sustain biodiversity and ecosystem stability.
The bird is also a prey species for other, larger birds and mammals, which gives it an additional role in the balance of delicate food webs. Additionally, its presence serves as an indicator of forest health, as this species thrives in well-preserved habitats with minimal human disturbance.
In addition, the brown-chested jungle flycatcher is also important from a scientific perspective. Studying its migratory patterns, breeding behaviors, and population trends provides valuable insights into the impacts of climate change and habitat degradation on avian species in Southeast Asia, and this is especially true in Riau, Sumatra, where bird banding research is revealing new insights into bird migrations and ecosystem health.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) currently classifies the Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher as Near Threatened (NT). This designation reflects concerns over its declining population due to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and illegal logging.
Although it is not yet considered Endangered, ongoing deforestation poses a severe risk to its long-term survival. Conservationists emphasize the need to protect primary forests and establish safe corridors for migratory populations.
Several conservation efforts focus on preserving its natural habitat, particularly within protected areas and national parks. Raising awareness about the importance of preserving old-growth forests is critical to ensuring the survival of this species.
RER Efforts in Protecting Biodiversity
With that in mind, the Restorasi Ekosistem Riau (RER) project plays a key role in protecting biodiversity, including the brown-chested jungle flycatcher. RER focuses on restoring and conserving peatland ecosystems, which serve as important habitats for numerous bird species. By implementing sustainable forest management practices, preventing illegal logging, and conducting scientific research, RER contributes to the conservation of various species, including the brown-chested jungle flycatcher.
Moreover, RER promotes community engagement and ecotourism as alternative livelihood strategies, thereby reducing ecosystem pressures such as deforestation and land conversion. By maintaining biodiversity-rich landscapes, RER supports the survival of numerous endemic and migratory bird species. Continued conservation efforts, habitat protection, and public awareness are crucial to ensuring that future generations can continue to appreciate and study the brown-chested jungle flycatcher in its natural habitat.
For more information about RER’s conservation efforts, please visit our website.
