Swamp Flycatcher
Muscicapa aquatica
Chunky brown flycatcher with a white throat and brown chest band. Birds in the eastern part of the range show a lot of contrast on the underparts, while western birds are duller. Found in habitats adjacent to water, including papyrus swamp, marsh, riverbanks, and lakeshores. Not very vocal, but the quiet song is a mix of rasps, trills, and high-pitched whistles. Duller western birds can be confused with Cassin’s Flycatcher, which is also often found near water, but are brown rather than gray overall.
Identification
The swamp flycatcher or swamp alseonax (Muscicapa aquatica) is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. Its range stretches east across the Sudan (region) and south towards Zambia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist shrubland and swamps.
Taxonomy
Genus: Muscicapa; Family: Muscicapidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Muscicapa aquatica
- Authority
- Heuglin, 1864
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Genus
- Muscicapa
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: stable.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Amazonian Plain-Xenops
Xenops genibarbis
Active small bird of humid tropical forest. Usually found singly, often moving with mixed-species feeding flocks. Clambers and climbs on small branches, twigs, and vines, mainly at middle to upper levels inside forest. Often hangs upside down like a chickadee. Note the bold white whisker mark, faint white streaks on the throat and crown, boldly patterned black-and-rusty wings and tail, and short, wedge-shaped bill. Where range overlaps with other xenops species, note the generally much fainter streaking on Amazonian Plain. Song is a short, relatively slow, high-pitched series of wheezy peeping notes.
House Crow
Corvus splendens
A slender, blackish medium-sized crow with a long bill. The grayish nape and sides form a paler collar that contrasts with the glossy black body. Primarily a scavenger, feeding on leftover rubbish from humans. Found in a wide range of habitats mostly around human habitation. Their call is a loud and harsh “kaa kaa kaa.”
Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Long, curved bill. Adults mostly dark with iridescent green and reddish tones. Very thin white border surrounding the dark facial skin. Dark eyes. Usually gregarious, it is found mainly in salty marshes and shallow wetlands. Unmistakable in most of its range, though American birds are best distinguished from White-faced Ibis by distribution and facial pattern.
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