Vanikoro Flycatcher Myiagra vanikorensis Scientific name definitions

13 cm; 13–13·5 g. Male nominate race has glossy blue-black head, chin and throat, dark blue-grey back, blackish upperwing and tail; rich orange underparts, paler on abdomen; iris dark; bill black; legs greyish. Female is blue-grey above, blackish wings and tail, chin and throat whitish, sharply defined from orange of underparts. Immature is similar to female but paler below, may have white scalloping on wings; bill grey. Races exhibit minor differences in plumage and measurements: <em>rufiventris</em> is rather pale ; <em>kandaven­sis</em> is darker, male more richly orange-tinged below; dorsalis is larger, male very dark below, especially on breast, female darker, especially on head, but has much whiter throat; townsendi is large, male usually very dark, also glossy black of throat extends well on to breast.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Native forest and forest edge, town gardens, regrowth, and cultivated areas with scattered trees; in lowlands and hills, from sea-level to at least 1100 m. Tolerant of disturbed habitats.

Sedentary.

Insectivorous; small lizards and small fruits also recorded as eaten. May be seen singly, in pairs, or in noisy groups of 5–6 individuals. Forages mainly in canopy in closed forest; more catholic in disturbed habitats, and hunts at all levels, even foraging around buildings in villages. Snatches insects by sallying out, often taking food items from underside of leaves. Inquisitive.

Song a series of level high-pitched excited “chwee chwee” whistles, or quavering upslurred whistle. Typical rufiventris call a rattling, harsh “chuik chuik chuik” series, repeated 2–4 times or more; also quiet “chik” contact note.

Sept–Feb in Fiji. Nest built by both sexes, a small and inconspicuous cup of fine fibres, grass stems and rootlets, bound with cobwebs and decorated with lichen moss and leaf debris, often lined with animal hair (from cattle or horses), placed fairly high on horizontal limb of large tree. Clutch 1–2 eggs, pinkish-white with red-brown and pale purple freckles; both sexes incubate eggs and tend young; no information on incubation and nestling periods.

Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Vanuatu and Temotu EBA and Fiji EBA. Common in most of range. Race rufiventris is common on the main Fiji islands; recorded as uncommon to very common in all of the twelve Important Bird Areas within its range, and is tolerant of disturbed habitats and gardens.