Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Restless Flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta)
Restless Flycatcher

Restless Flycatcher

Myiagra inquieta

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.

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

Restless 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
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.
Louise L
Easy to use and accurate
Love this app. It is easy to use and accurate, Their backup communication is really good. I noted a missing species. All through the process, I was kept informed about the progress in correcting the information. I now have the corrected, updated version. 😁 Thanks!
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
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.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.