Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto), male
Shining Flycatcher, Male

Shining Flycatcher

Myiagra alecto

The Shining Flycatcher, Myiagra alecto, presents a striking dichotomy in plumage between the sexes. The male is resplendent in glossy blue-black feathers, a sheen that catches the light as he flits through his domain. In contrast, the female boasts a rich chestnut on her upper parts, with a starkly white underbelly. Her crown and face are a deep black, which in dimmer conditions may give the impression of a more uniformly dark appearance.

Identification Tips

To identify the Shining Flycatcher, look for a long-tailed, slender songbird with a fine bill. Males are unmistakable with their glossy blue-black plumage. Females can be discerned by their chestnut upper parts and white underparts, complemented by a black crown and face. In the field, one might compare them with the Restless and Paperbark Flycatchers, noting the distinctive coloration and song.

Habitat

This species is at home in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, as well as subtropical or tropical mangrove forests.

Distribution

The Shining Flycatcher is found across northern Australia, and its range extends from the Moluccas to the Bismarck Archipelago.

Behaviour

Observations of the Shining Flycatcher in its natural habitat reveal a bird that is as active as it is vocal, engaging in the typical flycatcher manner of sallying forth from perches to snatch insects in mid-air with deft precision.

Song & Calls

The male's song is a clear, whistled "towhit-too-towhit," a melody that punctuates the forest soundscape and serves as an auditory beacon for this species.

Similar Species

When identifying the Shining Flycatcher, one might consider the Restless and Paperbark Flycatchers as similar species, though careful observation and attention to the song will aid in distinguishing them.

Diet and Feeding

As with other flycatchers, the Shining Flycatcher is an insectivore, adept at capturing its prey on the wing with remarkable agility and precision.

Conservation status

The Shining Flycatcher is currently classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, indicating that, for now, this species graces the forests with its presence without immediate threat of decline.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Shining Flycatchers on Birda

Photos
Sightings

More Monarchs

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life PokΓ©mon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Erna M
I really like Birda
I really like Birda. I also use other birding apps and have Birda with E-bird going at the same time.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright Β© 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.