Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher

Culicicapa ceylonensis

Order:

Passeriformes

Family:

Stenostiridae

Size:

11 to 12 centimeters (4.3 to 4.7 inches)

Weight:

8 to 12 grams (0.28 to 0.42 ounces)

Taxonomy:

(Swainson, 1820)

Short Description:

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher (Culicicapa ceylonensis) is a small, charming bird species with subtle yet distinctive features. It possesses a grey head and upperparts, contrasting with a yellowish underbelly and a bright yellow rump. Its wings are dark with prominent white wing-bars, and its tail is long and slightly forked. The bill is slender, suited for capturing small insects, its primary food source. This bird's delicate appearance and melodious calls make it a delightful sight and sound in the forests and woodlands of Pakistan.

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Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher is found in various forested habitats across Pakistan, particularly in the northern and northwestern regions, including Azad Kashmir and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It inhabits dense forests, wooded valleys, and montane scrublands, often near streams or water bodies where insect activity is abundant. Although it may be locally distributed, it is relatively common within its suitable habitat range.

Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher exhibits typical flycatcher behavior, perching on branches or vegetation and sallying forth to catch flying insects in mid-air. Its agile flight and quick movements make it an adept hunter, darting after small prey with precision. During the breeding season, which typically occurs from April to July, males engage in courtship displays, singing melodious songs and performing aerial acrobatics to attract mates. Nests are constructed in concealed locations, such as in tree hollows or behind loose bark, where females lay their eggs and incubate them. Both parents participate in feeding and caring for the chicks until they fledge and become independent. Overall, the Grey-headed Canary-Flycatcher’s behavior reflects its adaptability to forested environments and its role as an insectivorous predator essential for maintaining ecological balance.