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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Monarchidae
  4. ›
  5. Myiagra
  6. ›
  7. Shining Flycatcher
Shining Flycatcher
Photo · (c) Tony Eales, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

BirdUp · Species

Shining Flycatcher

Myiagra alecto(Temminck, 1827)

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Native
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Monarchidae
Genus
Myiagra

At a glance

The Shining Flycatcher is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long, native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
17–20 cm
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Shining Flycatcher look like?

The Shining Flycatcher is a small bird, about 17–20 cm long and weighing 15–25 g.

The shining flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. It is found in northern Australia, and from the Moluccas to the Bismarck Archipelago. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical mangrove forest.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
17–20 cm
Weight
15–25 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Shining Flycatcher?

The Shining Flycatcher is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

James H · Donnybrook QLD, Australia

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Shining Flycatcher eat?

The Shining Flycatcher feeds on terrestrial invertebrates and intertidal invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Shining Flycatcher live in Australia?

The Shining Flycatcher is native to Australia, recorded across 26 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNorth and south Moluccas to Bismarck Arch. and north and east Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded