Banggai Jungle Flycatcher

Cyornis pelingensis

The Banggai Jungle Flycatcher (*Cyornis pelingensis*) is a captivating, small passerine endemic to the Banggai Archipelago, Indonesia, primarily Peleng Island. Measuring approximately 14-15 cm in length and weighing around 12-16 grams, the male is strikingly adorned with a deep, iridescent blue on its upperparts, contrasting sharply with a bright cobalt-blue supercilium that extends behind the eye, and a blackish face. Its underparts are a clean white, often with a faint bluish wash on the fl...

Habitat

This species thrives in the dense, humid environments of tropical lowland and hill forests, typically found at elevations ranging from sea level up to approximately 800-1000 meters. It prefers the understory and mid-story layers of primary and mature secondary jungle, often near streams.

Diet

Its diet consists almost exclusively of small invertebrates, predominantly various flying insects such as flies, beetles, and moths, which it captures by sallying from perches, supplemented by gleaning insects and spiders from foliage.

Behavior

The Banggai Jungle Flycatcher is primarily a diurnal insectivore, spending its active hours darting through the forest understory, often sallying from a low perch to snatch insects in mid-air with remarkable agility. It exhibits classic "flycatching" behavior, swiftly returning to a favored branc...

Range

The Banggai Jungle Flycatcher is strictly endemic to the Banggai Archipelago, a group of islands situated off the eastern coast of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Its primary stronghold is Peleng Island, the largest island in the group, though it may also occur on smaller, adjacent islands such such as Bang...

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Fun Facts

- The Banggai Jungle Flycatcher is an island endemic, found nowhere else in the world except the remote Banggai Archipelago in Indonesia. - Its scientific name, *pelingensis*, directly refers to Peleng Island, the largest island in its restricted range and a primary stronghold. - Unlike many migr...

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