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Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) Alternate name(s): "Glossy Flycatcher", "Satin Bird*" Aboriginal name(s): Race "wardelli": "banayirrmban" [ngadjon] Size: 17-19 cm Body mass: 19-25 g

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Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Shining Flycatchers are small flycatchers. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Like all Australian flycatchers, they have "whiskers" on both sides of the bill. Male Shining Flycatchers are all glossy blue-black. Female Shining Flycatchers have a glossy blue-black head, down to the ear coverts and the nape of the neck. The front, from the throat to the undertail coverts, is white. The back, from the mantle to the tip of the tail, including the wings, is rufous-chestnut. Both sexes have eyes with dark-brown irises. They both have a small erectile crest. The bill is black; legs and feet are dark-grey. Juveniles resemble females, but with duller colours.

Taxonomy, classification See Shining Flycatcher at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Shining Flycatcher is available HERE . There are two races of Shining Flycatchers that are found in northern Australia, West Papua (eastern Indonesia), New Guinea and up to Latangai Island. Nominate race "melvillensis" populate a broad coastal margin along the North coast of Australia, from Derby (the Fitzroy River) on the Kimberley coast of WA to Lagoon Creek at the southern tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria in northern QLD. They also occupy the entire Top End of the NT and farther inland along the major water courses (Victoria River, Ord River) near the WA/NT border. Race "wardelli" populates only a thin margin along the tropical and subtropical East coast of QLD, from the tip of Cape York peninsula to about Fraser Island. Farther South, to about the QLD/NSW border, their distribution is uncertain. This race does not venture inland. Shining Flycatchers have a preference for wet, tropical forest, especially vegetation along water courses, and mangrove. Where to look? How to find this species? We have so far always found Shining Flycatchers near water, or at least in wet surroundings in coastal areas. They are regularly seen by us hunting from low perches, e.g. in mangrove, or on the surface of mud.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "melvillensis" B. Hensen reports spotting Shining Flycatchers, race "melvillensis", at Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, in July 2012, at East Point, Darwin, NT, in April 2013, and at Sandy Creek, Stuart Highway, NT, in July 2018. Since then, several contributors and we ourselves have spotted Shining Flycatchers, race "melvillensis", semi-regularly in various locations in and around Darwin, NT. J. Greaves reports spotting Shining Flycatchers, race "melvillensis", at Yellow Water, Kakadu NP, NT, in November 2014. Race "wardelli" Together with A. Ross-Taylor, we first found Shining Flycatchers, race "wardelli", at Coombabah Lakes SCA, Gold Coast, QLD, in May 2014, when two female birds were seen. M. Eaton reports spotting a Shining Flycatcher, race "wardelli", on the Daintree River, QLD, in July 2018, in December 2018, and again in October 2024. Another was found at Paluma Rainforest, near Townsville, QLD, in September 2020. The next sighting was at Yungaburra, QLD, in August 2023. J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours reports finding Shining Flycatchers, race "wardelli", regularly in Far-North QLD, e.g along the Daintree River and at Cape Tribulation.

Photos

Race "melvillensis"

ADULT

MALE

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Jingili Water Gardens, Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Near-lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher looking towards the observer (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, April 2013]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Jingili Water Gardens, Darwin, NT, March 2018]

Lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher with its crest erected (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[East Point, Darwin, NT, April 2013]

Lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 16 January 2019
(photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Robin Falls, near Adelaide River, NT, January 2019]

Close-up lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher issuing its call (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Howard Springs NP, near Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-dorsal view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Howard Springs NP, near Darwin, NT, February 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a male Shining Flycatcher issuing its call; this is the bird whose calls were recorded on 20 January 2018 (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Near-dorsal/ventral view of a male Shining Flycatcher with its tail fanned (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Jingili Water Gardens, Darwin, NT, March 2018]

FEMALE

Close-up frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2021]

Frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher issuing its call (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Sandy Creek, Stuart Highway, NT, July 2018]

Near-frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher looking sideways (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Close-up near-lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2021]

Near-lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher looking away from the observer
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fannie Bay, Darwin, NT, July 2019]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-dorsal view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Sandy Creek, Stuart Highway, NT, July 2018]

Close-up dorsal view of a female Shining Flycatcher looking sideways (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Rapid Creek, Darwin, NT, January 2021]

Dorsal view of a female Shining Flycatcher
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher in hovering flight (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Coomalie Creek, 90 km south of Darwin, NT, June 2018]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Shining Flycatcher; both the pale gape and the tapered length of the tail feathers indicate that this is a young bird (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Darwin, NT, January 2018]

Race "wardelli"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Shining Flycatcher looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Marrdja Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation, QLD, February 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, June 2022]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Shining Flycatcher looking sideways
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Marrdja Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation, QLD, November 2019]

Dorsal view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Dorsal view of a male Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

FEMALE

Close-up frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Madja Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation, QLD, November 2019]

Frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher issuing its call (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, June 2022]

Close-up near-lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, May 2020]

Close-up near-lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher issuing its call
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, May 2020]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher issuing its call (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, June 2022]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher at its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Near-dorsal view of a female Shining Flycatcher looking sideways (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Daintree River, QLD, August 2023]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Madja Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation, QLD, November 2019]

Ventral view of a female Shining Flycatcher (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Yungaburra, QLD, August 2023]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Mar

Eggs: 2 - 3

Incubation period: ? days

Fledging age: ? days

Nest building: Female & male

Incubation: Female & male

Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Basket

Material: Bark strips, webs, paperbark, lichen

Height above ground: 1 - 4 m

Shining Flycatcher nests are usually placed in a small fork in a paperbark tree or mangrove, 1-4 m above the high water mark.

Close-up lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher on its nest
(photo courtesy of J. Boettcher, FNQ Nature Tours)
[Madja Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation, QLD, November 2019]

Male Shining Flycatcher at its nest with three chicks (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Female Shining Flycatcher at its nest (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Daintree River, QLD, December 2018]

Male Shining Flycatcher on its nest (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Bird Billabong, Mary River NP, NT, December 2019]

Male Shining Flycatcher, here seen marking its territory while sitting on its nest (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Bird Billabong, Mary River NP, NT, December 2019]

Male Shining Flycatcher carrying nesting material (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Robin Falls, near Adelaide River, NT, January 2019]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 20 x 15 mm

Colour: White, with dense grey to dark-brown speckles

Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Pair

Shining Flycatchers are known to often hunt in tidal drains.

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher in its typical habitat, a tidal drain in mangroves (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Leanyer Swamp, Darwin, NT, July 2012]

Food, Diet

Lateral view of a male Shining Flycatcher with its prey
[East Point, Darwin, NT, August 2014]

Near-frontal view of a female Shining Flycatcher with its prey, a spider
[Burrell Creek Rest Stop, near Adelaide River township, NT, December 2020]

Lateral view of a female Shining Flycatcher with its prey, a spider (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Burrell Creek Rest Stop, near Adelaide River township, NT, December 2020]

Female Shining Flycatcher with its prey, an insect (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Coomalie Creek, 90 km south of Darwin, NT, June 2018]

Male Shining Flycatcher foraging around a hollow log (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Fannie Bay, Darwin, NT, May 2018]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

shnflyc_pb_20180921.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Contact calls (male)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20180921_2.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Contact calls (male)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20191108_m.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Contact calls (male)	© PB
shnflyc_20140819_4.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Contact calls (male)	© MD
shnflyc_pb_20180120.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Contact calls (male) + answer (female)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20190116.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Territorial calls? (male)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20201008.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Territorial calls? (male)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20230327.mp3	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	3 males courting 1 female	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20230327_2.mp3	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	3 males courting 1 female	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20210622.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	? (male)	© PB
shnflyc_20140820.mp3	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	? (male)	© MD
shnflyc_pb_20191108_f.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	Q&A (female)	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20200702.m4a	melvillensis (Top End, NT)	Q&A	© PB
shnflyc_20140820_2.m4a	melvillensis (Darwin, NT)	?	© MD
shnflyc_pb_20200702_2.m4a	melvillensis (Top End, NT)	?	© PB
shnflyc_pb_20200702_3.m4a	melvillensis (Top End, NT)	?	© PB
shnflyc_me_20200927.m4a	wardelli (N QLD)	Territorial calls(?)	© ME
shnflyc_me_20200927_2.m4a	wardelli (N QLD)	Territorial calls(?)	© ME
shnflyc_20140523_6.mp3	wardelli (SE QLD)	? (female)	© MD
shnflyc_20140523.mp3	wardelli (SE QLD)	? (female)	© MD
shnflyc_20140523_2.mp3	wardelli (SE QLD)	? (female)	© MD
shnflyc_20140523_3.mp3	wardelli (SE QLD)	? (female)	© MD
shnflyc_20140523_5.mp3	wardelli (SE QLD)	? (female)	© MD

More Shining Flycatcher sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.