The flycatcher-shrikes are two species of small Asian passerine bird belonging to the genus Hemipus. They are now usually placed in the Vangidae.
They are 12.5to in length.[1] They are slender birds with fairly long wings and tails. The bill and feet are black.[2] The plumage is dark above and pale below with white on the rump. The bar-winged flycatcher-shrike has a large white patch on the wing which the black-winged flycatcher-shrike lacks.[1]
They are found in broad-leaved forest, forest edge and secondary forest in southern Asia. Both species have large ranges and are not considered to be threatened. The bar-winged flycatcher-shrike occurs in the Indian Subcontinent, south-west China, mainland South-east Asia and on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.[1] The black-winged flycatcher-shrike is found in the Malay Peninsula and on Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Bali.[2]
They forage actively in the forest canopy for insects. They are often found in groups and frequently join mixed-species foraging flocks.[2] They will also catch insects in flight.[3]
The nest is cup-shaped and built on a tree branch. Two or three eggs are laid; they are greenish or pinkish with darker markings.[1] Both parents are involved in building the nest, incubating the eggs and rearing the young.[3]
| Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemipus hirundinaceus | Malay Peninsula to Sumatra, Borneo, Java and Bali. | ||
| Hemipus picatus | Western Ghats of India | ||
The two shrike-flycatcher species of Africa are also occasionally known as flycatcher-shrikes: