Restless Flycatcher

1. Glossy blue-black upperparts with a clean white underside.

2. Noticeable hovering behaviour with head and tail pointing down, often accompanied by a mechanical "scissors-grinding" call.

3. Longer, slender bill and larger size compared to similar species like the Paperbark Flycatcher

These birds primarily feed on insects, spiders, and centipedes, which they catch by hovering and plucking from foliage or mid-air. They usually hunt alone or in pairs and rarely feed on the ground. The breeding season runs from July to January, peaking in spring. Both parents help build a cup-shaped nest from bark, grass, and spider webs, often decorated with lichen and placed in a tree fork, usually near or over water. Clutch size is typically three eggs, and both adults share incubation and feeding duties. Restless Flycatchers are bold and may approach buildings to catch insects attracted to lights.

Restless Flycatchers are found throughout eastern, southern, and southwestern Australia, favouring open woodlands, eucalypt forests, and areas near water such as river red gums and lightly timbered farmland. They are also seen in semi-urban environments and gardens. During winter, some populations move northwards. Look for them perched on exposed branches, fence posts, or hovering as they hunt insects, especially at woodland edges or along watercourses