Ward's flycatcher, also known as Ward's flycatcher-vanga, is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is monotypic within the genus Pseudobias. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen lowland and foothill forests along the eastern side of Madagascar. It favors intact and lightly disturbed forest with a dense understory and mid-story, often near clearings, stream gullies, or forest edges. The species uses secondary growth when structure remains complex but generally avoids heavily degraded or open habitats. It forages from near ground level up to the mid-canopy, moving between shaded perches.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Ward's flycatcher is the sole species in the genus Pseudobias, a distinctive member of Madagascar’s diverse vanga radiation. Despite its name, it behaves much like an Old World flycatcher, sallying from low to mid-story perches to catch insects. It is a quiet forest bird that can be inconspicuous in dense foliage. Habitat loss in Madagascar’s eastern rainforests is its main long-term threat.
Temperament
shy but active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs within forest understory to mid-story. During breeding it maintains small territories and forages methodically from low perches. Nests are placed in dense foliage; both adults are presumed to participate in care, as is typical of small insectivores.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, thin series of high-pitched whistles and brief trills delivered from shaded perches. Calls are unobtrusive and can be easily overlooked amid rainforest background noise.
Plumage
unknown
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including flies, beetles, and caterpillars. It hunts by sallying from perches to snatch prey in the air or by gleaning from leaves and twigs. Occasional hover-gleaning is used to pick prey from foliage. It forages deliberately, pausing between short dashes.
Preferred Environment
Most often forages within dense understory and mid-story layers of humid forest. It works along forest trails, clearings, and edges where visibility to prey is better while cover remains nearby.
