Myiagra eichhorni
The Velvet Flycatcher (Myiagra eichhorni) is a captivating passerine belonging to the Monarchidae family, renowned for its striking sexual dimorphism. Males are instantly recognizable by their intensely velvety, glossy blue-black head, throat, upper breast, and upperparts, contrasting sharply with a clean white belly and undertail coverts. Females, while sharing similar upperpart coloration, possess a distinctive rufous-chestnut wash across their throat, breast, and flanks, transitioning to a...
This species primarily inhabits lowland rainforests, forest edges, secondary growth, and cultivated areas like plantations. It can be found from sea level up to elevations of approximately 1,200 meters.
The diet of the Velvet Flycatcher consists almost exclusively of small to medium-sized insects, including flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars. They primarily capture prey through aerial flycatching and gleaning from vegetation.
Velvet Flycatchers are active insectivores, primarily foraging by making swift aerial sallies from an exposed perch to snatch flying insects in mid-air. They also employ gleaning, plucking insects from foliage and bark while in flight or briefly perched. These birds are typically observed singly ...
The Velvet Flycatcher is endemic to the Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville, an island of Papua New Guinea. Its primary distribution includes the larger islands of New Britain and New Ireland, along with numerous smaller associated islands such as New Hanover, Duke of York Islands, and Tabar Is...
Least Concern
- The male Velvet Flycatcher's head and upperparts have a unique, short-piled 'velvety' texture that absorbs light, making its black plumage appear exceptionally deep and rich. - Its range is entirely confined to the Bismarck Archipelago and Bougainville, highlighting its status as an island ende...