frasina

Frasina is a genus of small, ground-dwelling birds belonging to the family Muscicapidae, commonly known as Old World flycatchers. These birds are native to Europe and Asia. The genus currently contains only one recognized species, Frasina rubra, often referred to as the red-breasted flycatcher.

The red-breasted flycatcher is a migratory bird, spending its breeding season in boreal forests across Scandinavia and northern Asia. During winter, it migrates south to Africa. It is a small passerine bird, characterized by its relatively short tail and broad, flat bill, typical of insectivorous species. The plumage of the red-breasted flycatcher varies with age and sex, but adults typically exhibit a pale underside with a distinct rufous or reddish breast, which gives the species its name. The upperparts are generally grayish-brown.

These birds are primarily insectivores, feeding on flying insects that they often catch in mid-air through sallying flights from a perch. They also forage on the ground for small invertebrates. The red-breasted flycatcher typically builds its nest in tree cavities or dense vegetation. The genus name, Frasina, is derived from Latin, though its exact etymology is not clearly established in ornithological literature. The species is not considered globally threatened, though its populations can be influenced by habitat changes and climate.