The Vanikoro flycatcher is a species of monarch flycatcher in the family Monarchidae. It has a slightly disjunct distribution, occurring on Vanikoro island and in Fiji.
Region
Southwest Pacific (Fiji and Vanikoro, Solomon Islands)
Typical Environment
The Vanikoro flycatcher occurs widely on Fiji’s larger and smaller islands and on Vanikoro in the Santa Cruz group. It occupies lowland and foothill rainforests, forest edges, secondary growth, plantations, mangroves, and village gardens. The species tolerates disturbance well and often persists near human habitation. It typically forages from mid-story to canopy but will drop to lower strata along edges and clearings.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This adaptable monarch flycatcher inhabits both primary forest and human-modified landscapes across Fiji and Vanikoro. It often hunts from exposed perches, sallying out to snatch insects in mid-air, and readily visits gardens. Subspecies vary in plumage, with some showing rich rufous underparts. Nests are neat cup structures placed on forked branches, typically with one to two eggs.
Female Vanikoro flycatcher, photographed near Suva, Fiji
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with frequent sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Often seen in pairs or small family groups and may join mixed-species flocks along forest edges. Territorial during the breeding season, with both sexes involved in nest defense. The nest is a small cup bound with spider silk on a horizontal fork; clutches are usually one to two eggs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, mellow whistles interspersed with sharp chips. Males deliver more elaborate phrases during territorial displays, while contact calls are brief and clipped.
Plumage
Glossy blue-black to slate upperparts with contrasting pale throat and rufous to buff underparts; plumage tone varies among islands and sexes. Females and immatures are generally browner above with warmer, paler underparts. The bill is broad, flattened, and slightly hooked at the tip, typical of Myiagra flycatchers.
Diet
Primarily captures flying and gleaned insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars. It hunts by sallying from open perches, returning to the same spot after each sortie. Occasional small fruits or arthropods taken from foliage supplement the diet, especially in edge habitats.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages along forest edges, gaps, and around gardens where perches and open airspace are abundant. Also works the mid-story and canopy in mature forest and secondary growth.
