The yellow-breasted boatbill is a species of bird found in New Guinea and Far North Queensland, Australia. The yellow-breasted boatbill is a species of bird belonging to the Machaerirhynchidae family, of the genus Machaerirhynchus. The yellow-breasted boatbill is a common avian animal, and it is well known within communities of ornithologists. Its natural habitat is primarily that of subtropical or tropical regions, particularly moist forests; the yellow-breasted boatbill has no preference for altitude within its environment and can be found abundantly in its natural habitat.
Region
New Guinea and northeastern Australia
Typical Environment
Found across lowland and foothill rainforests of New Guinea and the Cape York region of Far North Queensland. It inhabits primary and secondary moist forests, forest edges, gallery forests, and well-vegetated riparian zones. The species forages mostly in shaded mid-canopy to subcanopy layers, but will descend to edges and clearings to hawk insects. It tolerates light disturbance and uses regrowth, provided sufficient canopy cover remains.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The yellow-breasted boatbill is a small, agile rainforest flycatcher with an unusually broad, flattened bill adapted for snapping up insects. It occurs in New Guinea and Far North Queensland, Australia, where it frequents the midstory and canopy of moist forests. Often joining mixed-species flocks, it is more often heard by its sharp, high-pitched calls than seen in dense foliage.
Simple map of Oceania.
An illustration depicting a yellow-breasted boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) and a Wallace's fairy-wren (Sipodotus wallacii) perched on a branch.
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies and hover-gleaning
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, and commonly associates with mixed-species foraging flocks. Nests are small cups placed on horizontal forks or suspended from slender branches, bound with spider silk and camouflaged with lichens. Both parents participate in care of the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include sharp, high-pitched chips and thin whistles, often delivered in short, excited sequences. The song is a delicate series of trills and piping notes that carry through the mid-canopy.
Plumage
Compact bird with a contrasting dark upperparts and bright yellow underparts; wings show pale edging and a faint wingbar. The bill is conspicuously broad and flat, giving a paddle-like profile. Females and immatures are duller, with more brownish-olive tones above.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and spiders. It employs sallying flights from perches and hover-gleaning from leaves and twigs. Occasional consumption of other small arthropods is reported.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the midstory and subcanopy of dense rainforest, along edges, and in riparian thickets. It uses shaded perches to launch short aerial sallies and searches vine tangles and leafy clusters.
