CRYPTIC FLYCATCHER of Mindanao

[Ramon Quisumbing]

CRYPTIC FLYCATCHER (Ficedula crypta)
Endemic to Mindanao and secretive.  Found in the understory of mid-mountain forest from 700 to 1500 meters above sea level.
Taken at Eden Mountain Resort, Mt. Talomo, Davao on 1/19/13.

Many thanks to Pete Simpson, the best birdguide in Davao, for finding a pair of these tiny and rare forest flycatchers.  This was a LIFER for me!   After doing some research, it appears that there are very few photos of the Cryptic Flycatcher in existence.


Canon 1DX camera, 600 mm lens, tripod. 


F/4, ISO-800, 1/80 second.


F/4, ISO-3200, 1/30 second.

While I don't care for the perch, this photo clearly shows the very pale feet and the long central toe.

F/4, ISO-3200, 1/200 second.


Taken by my brother JJ Quisumbing with my camera gear. F/4, ISO-800, 1/30 second.

Series of documentary, long-distance shots of a CFC feeding not on a fly but on a worm at a stream. The lighting was poor at the mountain stream under forest canopy.



F/4, ISO-3200, 1/80 second.

[Ely Teehankee]

This is certainly a good looking Flycatcher. You are certainly grovved with your 600mm. Well done Ramon &Mabuhay. I like JJ's picture too.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Ely.

[Tateo Osawa]

Nice shots of this uncommon flycatcher, Ramon. Very nice photo. Congratulations.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thank you, Tateo-san.

[Tonji Ramos]

I like the first photo best. The back and side view of this bird is more interesting to me than the front.

[Ramon Quisumbing]

Thanks, Tonji. I agree with you that the first photo is the best of the batch.