Region

New Guinea and Aru Islands

Typical Environment

Occupies dense lowland rainforest, secondary growth, and swampy thickets, where visibility is limited by vines and underbrush. It favors edges of sago palm swamps, streamside tangles, and forest fallows with heavy understory. The species typically forages from near ground level up to the lower midstory. It tends to avoid open forest and cleared areas, remaining within shaded, humid microhabitats.

Altitude Range

0–800 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Typically encountered singly or in pairs within dense cover. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with soft calls from hidden perches. Nest is a small, neatly woven cup attached to a low fork; clutch size is usually two eggs and both parents attend the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a series of soft, thin whistles and sibilant notes delivered from inside thickets. Calls include sharp tiks and scolding chatter when disturbed, often given while flicking the tail.

Diet

Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles. It flushes prey by flicking and fanning the tail, then darts to capture items by short sallies. Occasional hover-gleaning and brief ground foraging occur in dense leaf litter. It rarely ventures into open spaces while feeding.

Preferred Environment

Understory and near-ground layers of dense rainforest, swamp edges, and thick second growth. Often close to streams, sago stands, and vine-laden thickets where insect abundance is high.