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
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Handsome swallow endemic to Tahiti and Moorea. Adult is iridescent blue above and smoky gray below, with an orangish throat and forehead. Could potentially be confused with Tahiti Swiftlet, but note brighter coloration and different body structure. Occasionally seen close to coastal cities, but more frequently encountered in “wilder” native forest habitats. Sometimes perches on telephone lines.
Albertine Boubou
Laniarius holomelas
Mid-sized bushshrike that is completely black. Found in the undergrowth of humid forest at higher elevations. A skilled skulker that is most often detected by voice. Notable for its wide variety of vocalizations, which include whistles, explosive notes, frog-like calls, and ratchets. Also does a classic bushshrike duet in which the male sings a rising whistle accompanied by lower rasping notes from the female. Very similar to Willard’s Sooty Boubou, but prefers higher-elevation montane forest and has a dark eye.
Blue Mountain Vireo
Vireo osburni
A stout, plain vireo of woodlands with dense foliage, preferring higher elevation and wetter forests. This species lacks facial markings or wingbars of other Caribbean vireos. Its thick dark bill separates it from all warblers. This is a secretive species, typically first detected by vocalizations. The song is loud somewhat musical trill with a modest crescendo-decrescendo pattern. The call is a loud brrrrr, dropping in pitch towards the end.
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