Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher
Culicicapa ceylonensis
The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) is a uncommon fairy flycatcher found in 18 countries, weighing about 8 g. The grey-headed canary-flycatcher, sometimes known as the grey-headed flycatcher, is a species of small flycatcher-like bird found in tropical Asia.
About the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher
The grey-headed canary-flycatcher, sometimes known as the grey-headed flycatcher, is a species of small flycatcher-like bird found in tropical Asia. It has a square crest, a grey hood and yellow underparts. They are found mainly in forested habitats where they often join other birds in mixed-species foraging flocks. Pairs are often seen as they forage for insects by making flycatcher-like sallies and calling aloud. Several subspecies are recognized within their wide distribution range. In the past the genus Culicicapa was considered to be an Old World flycatcher but studies have found them to belong to a new family designated as the Stenostiridae or fairy flycatchers that include the…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The grey-headed canary-flycatcher is about 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long with a squarish grey head, a canary yellow belly and yellowish-green upperparts. They forage actively like flycatchers and perches in a very upright posture. The sexes are indistinguishable in plumage. They have a very flat bill (which gave it the earlier genus name of Platyrhynchus) which when seen from above look like an equilateral triangle and is fringed with long rictal bristles.
What the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher sounds like
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Brunei.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December, with peak activity in February. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher?
- The grey-headed canary-flycatcher is about 12–13 cm (4.7–5.1 in) long with a squarish grey head, a canary yellow belly and yellowish-green upperparts. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher?
- The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is a tiny sized bird weighing about 8 g.
- Where can you see a Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher?
- The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher occurs in 18 countries, including India, Thailand, Nepal, China and Malaysia.
- What does a Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher sound like?
- You can listen to 2 field recordings of the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher on this page, contributed to xeno-canto under open licences.
- What birds look similar to a Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher?
- The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is most easily confused with the Citrine Canary-flycatcher.
- Is the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher endangered?
- The Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
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