Restless Flycatcher

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Restless Flycatcher

Restless flycatcher in flight

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Passeriformes
Family:	Monarchidae
Genus:	Myiagra
Species:	M. inquieta

Binomial name

Myiagra inquieta
(Latham, 1802)

The Restless Flycatcher, Myiagra inquieta, is a passerine bird in the family Monarchidae.

Photographed at Dayboro, SE Queensland, Australia

Also known colloquially as Scissors Grinder, Razor Grinder, or Dishwasher on account of its unusual call,^[1] the Restless Flycatcher was first described by ornithologist John Latham in 1802. Its specific epithet is derived from the Latin inquietus 'restless'.^[2]

It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea. It is about 20 cm (8 in) long, with a glossy dark blue crown, a grey back and white underparts. It is similar to the Willie Wagtail, though the lack of a black throat & white eyebrow are distinguishing features. Its main food is insects.

This bird builds a cup-shaped nest from shredded bark & grasses, matted & bound with Spider-webbing. Linings used are soft bark, grasses, hair or feathers. It is often decorated with lichen, strips of bark or spiders' egg sacs. The nest site is in the fork of a well-foliaged tree mostly near or overhanging water, though it can be up to twenty or more metres above the ground.^[3]

[edit] References

^ Boles (The Robins and Flycatchers of Australia), p. 349
^ Simpson DP (1979). Cassell's Latin Dictionary, 5, London: Cassell Ltd., 883. ISBN 0-304-52257-0.
^ Beruldsen, G (2003). Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs. Kenmore Hills, Qld: self, p. 369. ISBN 0-646-42798-9.

BirdLife International (2004). Myiagra inquieta. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Cooloola Birds - Restless Flycatcher