Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher

The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, or Culicicapa ceylonensis, is a diminutive bird, approximately 12 to 13 centimeters in length. It boasts a distinctive squarish grey head, a vibrant canary yellow belly, and yellowish-green upperparts. This bird is characterized by its upright perching stance and a remarkably flat bill, fringed with elongated rictal bristles, which presents as an equilateral triangle when viewed from above.

Identification Tips

Both sexes of the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher are similar in plumage, making sex differentiation by appearance alone a challenge. Observers should note the bird's square crest, grey hood, and the contrast between the yellow underparts and the yellowish-green upperparts. The flat bill and rictal bristles are also key identification features.

Habitat

The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is typically found in upland to montane oak and other broadleaved forests. It favors temperate to tropical southern Asia's wooded areas, thriving in habitats that range from mature secondary forests to overgrown gardens, often near water and streams.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across southern Asia, from Pakistan, Central India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, extending east to Indonesia and southern China. While many populations are resident, some Himalayan birds are partial migrants that winter in peninsular India, and others may exhibit altitudinal movements.

Behaviour

An insectivorous bird, the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher engages in flycatcher-like sallies from low perches to catch aerial insects. They are often seen foraging in pairs and are known to join mixed-species foraging flocks. Their active and noisy demeanor is observable throughout the day as they forage at various forest levels.

Song & Calls

The calls of the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher are a distinctive aspect of its presence in the forest, often heard as it makes its foraging sallies.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in summer, with the female constructing an unlined cup-shaped nest bound by cobwebs and frequently camouflaged with moss. The nest is typically placed against a mossy tree trunk or on a rocky ledge. Clutches usually consist of three to four eggs.

Similar Species

While the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is unique in its appearance, observers should be aware of other flycatcher species in the region which may have some superficial similarities.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is primarily composed of insects, which it catches in flight using agile maneuvers typical of flycatchers.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List currently classifies the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher as Least Concern, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population levels.