Myiagra  

Myiagra is a genus of monarch flycatcher, sometimes referred to as the broad-billed flycatchers or simply broadbills (not to be confused with the broadbills of the family Eurylaimidae). They are separated from other members of the family, particularly the Monarcha monarchs they resemble, by their consistent sexual dimorphism, egg patterning, and the crested heads that often lack facial patterns (a few Monarcha monarchs also lack facial patterns). The genus is spread across Australasia, with some representatives in Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Micronesia. Members of this genus occur as occasional vagrants in New Zealand and formerly occurred in Tonga and Guam.

Flycatchers in the genus Myiagra are small bids ranging in length from 13-20 cm in length. They have broad flattened bills adapted to catching insects. The bill is usually black, the exception being the blue-crested flycatcher of Fiji, whose bill is bright orange. The insides of their mouths are bright orange, noticeable when singing. When perched they have an upright stance. The satiny plumage of all species is sexually dichromatic, to a greater or lesser degree. Overall males tend to have dark blue or black heads, backs, wings and tails and pale bellies and rumps. Some males have red underparts, others have the dark upper plumage all over, and the slightly aberrant shining flycatchers have chestnut wings, backs and tails. The females follow a similar pattern to males but have lighter, more washed out colours. When perched the species in this genus constantly moves their closed tail, in the restless flycatcher the tail is shacked from side to side. The calls are general unmusical and are described as guttural, harsh and rasping.

The genus is adapted to feeding on insects in a manner similar to the Old World flycatchers in the family Muscicapidae. Prey is obtained by sallying from a perch to obtain flying insects or by hover-gleaning, snatching insects from the undersides of leaves while in flight.

Species[edit]

• Guam flycatcher (Myiagra freycineti) – extinct
• Palau flycatcher (Myiagra erythrops)
• Oceanic flycatcher (Myiagra oceanica)
• Pohnpei flycatcher (Myiagra pluto)
• Biak black flycatcher (Myiagra atra)
• Moluccan flycatcher (Myiagra galeata)
• Leaden flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula)
• Steel-blue flycatcher (Myiagra ferrocyanea)
• Makira flycatcher (Myiagra cervinicauda)
• Melanesian flycatcher (Myiagra caledonica)
• Vanikoro flycatcher (Myiagra vanikorensis)
• Samoan flycatcher (Myiagra albiventris)
• Azure-crested flycatcher (Myiagra azureocapilla)
• Broad-billed flycatcher (Myiagra ruficollis)
• Satin flycatcher (Myiagra cyanoleuca)
• Restless flycatcher (Myiagra inquieta)
• Paperbark flycatcher (Myiagra nana)
• Shining flycatcher (Myiagra alecto)
• Velvet flycatcher (Myiagra hebetior)

Fogg Dam, Middle Point, Northern Territory, Australia, March 2014

References[edit]

• del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-06-X.