Chestnut-throated Flycatcher

Myiagra castaneigularis

The Chestnut-throated Flycatcher (*Myiagra castaneigularis*) is a striking small passerine, often considered a distinct species within the diverse Monarchidae family (Monarch flycatchers), though some authorities historically treated it as a subspecies of the Broad-billed Monarch (*Myiagra ruficollis*). Measuring approximately 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 inches) in length with a slender build, this agile bird is characterized by its iridescent, glossy blue-black upperparts that contrast sharply with a ...

Habitat

Primarily found in coastal lowland habitats, including mangrove forests, riverine woodlands, and adjacent monsoon vine thickets, typically at elevations below 500 meters.

Diet

Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of small flying insects caught in mid-air through active sallies, or gleaned from foliage and bark.

Behavior

Chestnut-throated Flycatchers are diurnal and highly active, spending their days meticulously foraging within the mid-to-upper canopy of their preferred woodlands. Their foraging strategy is typical of many flycatchers, involving rapid sallies from an exposed perch to snatch flying insects in mid...

Range

The Chestnut-throated Flycatcher's primary distribution spans northern Australia, specifically across the "Top End" of the Northern Territory and along the coastal regions of Queensland. Its range also extends northward into the trans-Fly region of southern New Guinea, indicating a biogeographic ...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- The Chestnut-throated Flycatcher's striking chestnut throat and breast are its namesake and primary field identification mark. - It is often considered a 'split' from the Broad-billed Monarch (*Myiagra ruficollis*), highlighting the complex nature of avian taxonomy in tropical regions. - Unlike...

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