Distribution Map
Lemon-bellied Flyrobin
Microeca flavigaster
EndemicStatus
Fairly CommonRarity
Bird Gallery
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Species Description
The lemon-bellied flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster) is a small insect-eating bird native to northern Australia, as well as parts of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. It is a familiar sight in tropical woodlands, mangroves, and the edges of rainforests, where it is often seen perched in the open. This species is known for its role in controlling insect populations and for its unique nesting habits.
Fun Facts
The nest of the lemon-bellied flycatcher is so small and camouflaged that it can be almost invisible from below, blending seamlessly with the branch.
1. Bright lemon-yellow belly and white throat form a clear colour contrast.
2. Olive-brown upperparts and a pale eyebrow stripe above the eye.
3. Kimberley subspecies is grey and white, not yellow.
These birds are agile hunters, catching insects in midair or picking them from leaves and branches. They prefer to hunt from a lookout perch, making quick flights to snatch prey. During the breeding season, which runs mainly from August to February, they build a very small, well-camouflaged nest in the fork of a tree or shrub, often barely wider than the branch itself. Lemon-bellied flycatchers are unusual among Australian songbirds in typically laying only one egg per clutch, focusing all parental care on a single chick
Lemon-bellied flycatchers are found across northern Australia, from the Kimberley in Western Australia through the Northern Territory to coastal Queensland. They inhabit mangroves, riverside vegetation, paperbark swamps, and the edges of rainforests and woodlands. They are most often seen perched in the open, especially at dawn and dusk when they are most active and vocal
Physical Attributes
Height
14 cm
Size Relative to Other Birds16%
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