Little is known about the nesting and breeding behaviours of the tawny-chested flycatcher. It is believed to be a crevice-nesting species, with nests recorded up to six metres above ground, in hollows of large bamboo stems (Guada), non-native bamboo (Alchornea) (3), and the hollows of fairly large trees (2).
The tawny-chested flycatcher feeds mainly on insects, in particular beetles and ants. This species forages alone or in pairs, following regular foraging routes, generally in low, dense vegetation. It makes short darting flights upwards to capture prey from branches and the undersides of leaves (3).