About Muscicapa latirostris Raffles, 1822
This species, Muscicapa latirostris Raffles, 1822, measures 13 cm (5.1 in) long when its tail is held in the characteristic cocked position. It shares a similar overall shape with the larger spotted flycatcher, but has a relatively longer tail. Its dark bill is relatively large with a broad base. Adult birds have grey-brown upperparts that grow greyer as their plumage ages, and whitish underparts with flanks tinged brown. Juvenile birds have scaly brown plumage on their upperparts, head, and breast. If the brown-streaked flycatcher is not included as part of this species, Muscicapa latirostris is usually treated as a single, monotypic taxon with no described subspecies. However, in their work Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide, Rasmussen and Anderton argue that populations found in the Indian subcontinent and the Andaman Islands should be classified as a separate subspecies, poonensis, distinct from the nominate race that occupies most of the species' total range. They describe poonensis as being paler and browner on the upperparts, with a deeper bill that has a mostly pale lower mandible. When in fresh plumage, poonensis shows more mottling on the throat, breast, and flanks. It also has less contrasting white 'spectacles' and throat, and may have a more rounded wing shape.
