Angola Slaty-Flycatcher

Melaenornis brunneus

A brown flycatcher that is endemic to the Angolan highlands. Dark on the upperparts and breast and white on the belly. Found in montane habitats including woodland, forest, and forest edge. Found in the same habitats as African Dusky Flycatcher, but larger, and easily separated by the solidly brown breast. Similar in size and coloration to Pale Flycatcher, but separated by the brown breast and white belly. The calls are high-pitched “seet” notes. 

Identification

The Angola slaty flycatcher (Melaenornis brunneus) is a small passerine bird in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is sometimes placed in the genus Dioptrornis instead of Melaenornis. As suggested by its common name, it is endemic to Angola.

Taxonomy

Genus: Melaenornis; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Melaenornis brunneus
Authority
(Cabanis, 1886)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Muscicapidae
Genus
Melaenornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

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Pied Cormorant

Phalacrocorax varius

Large black and white cormorant with a long ivory-colored bill. Note black "trousers" that help distinguish it from Little Pied Cormorant, which also has a shorter yellow bill. Common in marine environments, but also on inland waterways and large dams.

Rachel's Malimbe

Rachel's Malimbe

Malimbus racheliae

A beautiful malimbe locally distributed in Central Africa and restricted to lowland primary forest and its edges, where it is often found high above the ground in small groups or with mixed-species flocks, sometimes with other species of malimbe. Both males and females are wholly black with yellow vents and orange chests that fade to yellow at the edges. Males also have an orange crown and neck, giving them a collared appearance. Overlaps with several other species of malimbe, but distinguished by the yellow vent and orange chest with yellow edges. Calls are short, mechanical squeaks, while the song is a longer series of notes that incorporates dry rasps, similar to the songs of other weavers and malimbes. Rachel’s Malimbe appears to be particularly fond of musanga trees, also known as corkwood or umbrella trees.

Arabian Grosbeak

Arabian Grosbeak

Rhynchostruthus percivali

Handsome chunky gray-brown finch with a massive dark bill. Brown hood, white ear-patches, and brightly contrasting golden stripes in the dark wings and tail make this an easily recognizable species. Female has a less well-defined hood than the male, and less yellow in the tail. Juvenile is buffier (including ear-patches) and more streaky. An uncommon resident of woodland, dry scrubby rocky terrain, slopes and river beds, restricted to the southern Arabian Peninsula. Typically forages singly, in pairs, or in groups of up to 30, either on the ground, or in trees where they occasionally dangle by their feet like parrots. Song is a pleasant rolling series of sweet notes, with an almost thrush-like quality. Call a quick whip-like “weet.”

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