Southern Black-Flycatcher
Melaenornis pammelaina
A slim and lustrous glossy-black flycatcher with upright posture, dark brown eyes, and a straight-edged square tail. Females are less glossy, and juveniles are spotted brown. Singles, pairs, or small groups frequent woodland, savanna, forest edge, and parkland, where they join mixed-species flocks. This species perches on branches and either pounces to the ground to hunt prey or pursues passing insects; it often associates with Fork-tailed Drongo, which it may imitate. The call is a three-note “tseeep-tsoo-tsoo.” The similar Fork-tailed Drongo differs by having red eyes and a forked tail, and Northern Black-Flycatcher differs by having dull matte black rather than glossy plumage.
Identification
The southern black flycatcher is entirely black, with a black beak and black legs. The iris of the eye is brown and this, along with the square-cut tail, helps distinguish it from the otherwise similar fork-tailed drongo (Dicrurus adsimilis) which has a red iris and long forked tail.
Taxonomy
Genus: Melaenornis; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Melaenornis pammelaina
- Authority
- (Stanley, 1814)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Melaenornis
Range and habitat
The southern black flycatcher is native to eastern and southern Africa. It has been recorded from Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia, Eswatini, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and South Africa. It is typically found in habitats with open areas and light woodland, riparian corridors, the edges of plantations and in gardens. The trees in these habitats include miombo (Brachystegia spp.), thorntrees (Acacia spp.) and mopane (Colosphermum mopane).
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Tiny, short-tailed, streaky, brown cisticola. Has a longer tail in non-breeding plumage. Found in fynbos and grassland habitats. Inconspicuous for most of the year. Usually seen when doing a flight display over its breeding habitat. The song consists of an ascending series of high whistles, followed by lower “chek” notes, which sometimes continue as the bird dives to the ground. Very similar to other small, short-tailed cisticolas, especially in non-breeding plumage. Best distinguished by voice.
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Northern White-fringed Antwren
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An attractive, fairly long-tailed antwren of Colombia and western Venezuela. Males are grayish-brown above and black below with a thick white eyebrow that connects with the white sides. Also note bold white spots on wings and tail. Females are whitish below, often with bits of dark streaking on the breast sides. Also look for white eyebrow and wing spots. Look for pairs foraging in the lower levels of dense shrubby woodland, often remaining fairly hidden and difficult to see clearly. Typically occurs in the lowlands up to around 1,000 m. Listen for a series of rather musical clucking notes.
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