Most species are fairly similar in appearance and are easier to separate by voice than by plumage.

They typically forage by perching on an open branch and looking outward and downward for prey, which primarily consists of insects.

Once it spots a potential meal, the flycatcher rapidly and directly flies at the insect, which is normally on the exposed upper surface of a leaf or twig.

It hovers briefly before the insect before grabbing it in its beak and flying away to typically a new perch.

[3] Cabanis did not specify a type species for the genus but this was designated as the short-crested flycatcher by George Gray in 1855.