Leaden Flycatcher

The Leaden Flycatcher, Myiagra rubecula, presents a striking figure in the avian world. Males are adorned with a lustrous azure plumage and pristine white underparts, while females exhibit a more subdued leaden hue on their head, mantle, and back, complemented by a rufous throat and breast. This passerine bird measures approximately 15 cm in length and is a member of the Monarchidae family.

Identification Tips

To identify the Leaden Flycatcher, look for the male's darker grey lores and white breast and belly. Females can be recognized by their orange-tan throat and breast, contrasting with a white belly. Both sexes have a shiny lead-grey coloration with a brownish tinge to the wings, a bluish-black bill, black legs, and dark brown irises. Juveniles resemble adult females but have paler wing edges.

Habitat

The Leaden Flycatcher thrives in a variety of habitats, including subtropical or tropical mangrove forests in the northern parts of its range. Further south and inland, it favours eucalypt woodlands.

Distribution

This species is found across eastern and northern Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. Its range extends from King Sound in northwestern Australia, across the Top End to Cape York, and down the east coast to central-southern Victoria, with rare sightings in Tasmania.

Behaviour

The Leaden Flycatcher is an insectivorous bird, known for its agility and active nature. It frequently hops between branches and captures insects mid-flight, showcasing its acrobatic ability.

Breeding

The breeding season spans from September to February, during which the Leaden Flycatcher raises a single brood. The nest, a deep cup constructed from bark strips and dry grass bound with spider webs and adorned with lichen, is typically placed on a small branch well away from the trunk of a large tree, 5-10 meters above ground. The species lays two or three unusual swollen oval-shaped eggs, white with tints of blue, grey, or lavender, and splotched with dark grey-brown. Both sexes share incubation duties, with the female also incubating at night. However, nesting success is relatively low.

Diet and Feeding

The Leaden Flycatcher's diet consists primarily of insects, which it catches in flight with remarkable agility.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies the Leaden Flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating that the species does not currently face a significant risk of extinction.