The Red-breasted Flycatcher (
Ficedula parva
) and Taiga Flycatcher (
F albicila) have long been considered
having a conspecific status under the species Red-throated Flycatcher (
F parva). Based on the studies on the morphology, vocalizations and molecular biology, the two subspecies have recently been split into separate species that are allopatrically distributed in the Palearctic region. Before our report, there was no formal record of taxon
parva in China. Between April and May of 2007, two birds of parva were recorded respectively at Potoi Island, Hong Kong SAR and Xiangyundao Tree Farm, Laoting, Hebei Province, the first known recording of this species in China. We also briefly discussed the general characteristics and field identification of Red-breasted Flycatchers in this article.
