Northern Black-Flycatcher
Melaenornis edolioides
A slim, long-tailed all-black flycatcher with a dark eye. Found in savanna, woodland, and cultivated areas. Single birds or pairs sit out on conspicuous perches, sometimes quite low. Very similar to Southern Black-Flycatcher, but there is virtually no overlap in range, and Northern lacks gloss in the black plumage. Distinguished from drongos by the slimmer bill and dark brown eye. Could be confused with certain black cuckooshrikes or boubous, but has a more vertical posture, and sits motionless for much longer periods. Not very vocal, but does have a pretty song of various trills, wheezes, and whistles given with long pauses between phrases.
Identification
The northern black flycatcher is 20 centimetres (7.9 in) long. It is a large upright long-tailed flycatcher. The adult is uniformly black. Juveniles are blackish-brown with buff scaling.<p>The long square-ended tail helps to distinguish this species from two other all-black insectivores, the fork-tailed drongo and the shorter-tailed and red-eyed common square-tailed drongo.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Melaenornis edolioides
- Authority
- (Swainson, 1837)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Melaenornis
Range and habitat
The northern black flycatcher is found in moist wooded areas and cultivation. It nests in a hole or reuses the old nest of another species, and lays two or three eggs. Breeding takes place in the wet season. This is an insectivorous species which is a resident breeder in tropical Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to Zaire and Tanzania.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gray-headed Spinetail
Cranioleuca semicinerea
Distinctive-looking species with a short crest and a long spiky tail. Pale gray head and underparts contrast strongly with rusty back, tail, and wings. Note the indistinct whitish eyebrow. Inhabits forest vegetation, where normally forages acrobatically in the canopy and sub-canopy. Sings high-pitched, thin descending notes finishing with a trill: “tseet-tseet-tseet-tseet-titititititit.”
Gilded Flicker
Colaptes chrysoides
Large woodpecker, very similar to Northern Flicker. Overall pale sandy brown with gray face and brown crown. Spotted below with black oval on chest. Underwing and shafts of flight feathers bright yellow. Males have red mustache stripe; sexes otherwise alike. Combination of face pattern and yellow in wings helps distinguish from both "Red-shafted" and "Yellow-shafted" Northern Flickers. Shows a strong affinity for saguaro cactus but also found in nearby woodland. Gives a piercing "kleer" call similar to Northern Flicker.
Paperbark Flycatcher
Myiagra nana
A sturdy songbird with fairly long tail, substantial bill. Glossy black above, bright white below. Female may show a buffy patch on upper breast. Similar to Restless Flycatcher; best identified by range. Inhabits wetlands, foraging near the ground/water. Compare Willie Wagtail. Calls loudly with a clear whistled "tui-tui-tui” and an incomparable buzzing scissors-grinder sound.
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