Restless Flycatcher

The Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta, is a small to medium-sized bird, approximately 20 cm in length. It boasts a glossy dark blue crest, a grey-blue back, and white underparts. This species is often mistaken for the Willie Wagtail due to its similar colouring, but can be distinguished by its lack of a black throat, the presence of a crest on its head, a white eyebrow, and a more slender body shape.

Identification Tips

When identifying the Restless Flycatcher, look for its distinctive dark blue crest and the absence of a black throat which sets it apart from the Willie Wagtail. The white eyebrow and slender body are also key features to note. Its flight is agile and acrobatic, a trait that can aid in identification.

Habitat

The Restless Flycatcher inhabits open and wooded forests, often found in river red gums near water. It also frequents inland and coastal scrubs, as well as some semi-urban environments, adapting to a variety of landscapes across its range.

Distribution

This species is native to eastern and southern Australia, with its range extending from Cairns in Far North Queensland, through most of New South Wales, Victoria, southern South Australia, and into the south-west of Western Australia. During the winter months, many individuals from the south and south-east migrate further north.

Behaviour

The Restless Flycatcher is known for its energetic foraging behaviour, often seen hovering with its head and tail pointed downwards as it picks insects off leaves. It rarely descends to the ground, preferring to hunt from mid-canopy. This bird is typically solitary or found in pairs.

Song & Calls

The Restless Flycatcher is colloquially known as the razor grinder or scissors grinder due to its distinctive call, which is reminiscent of the sound of sharpening blades or scissors being ground.

Breeding

The breeding season sees the Restless Flycatcher constructing a cup-shaped nest from shredded bark and grasses, bound together with spider-webbing. The nest is often adorned with lichen, strips of bark, or spiders' egg sacs, and is placed in the fork of a well-foliaged tree, usually near or overhanging water. The female lays a clutch of three light-grey to white glossy eggs, which are often spotted with brown or dark marks at the larger end.

Diet and Feeding

While its name suggests a diet limited to flies, the Restless Flycatcher feeds on a variety of insects and other invertebrates, including spiders and centipedes. It employs a unique hunting technique, hovering to pluck prey from foliage without the need to land.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Restless Flycatcher as Least Concern, although it is important to note that their population is on the decline. The exact number of individuals remains unknown, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts.