Southern Black Flycatcher
Melaenornis pammelaina
Woodland. Dark eyes. Tail with small indentation. Quiet bird.
Flycatchers
LC
Not Endemic
Description
Common resident. The tail shows a small indentation at the tip (not a distinct fork), the outer tail-feathers being straight, not splayed. Delicate insectivorous bill; eye has a dark-brown iris. Sexes are alike; immature as illustrated. Not very vocal, uttering various low sibilant sounds ‘swee’ or ‘swee-ur’. Singly or in pairs in any woodland, thornveld or bushveld. Catches insects on the ground, flying down from a perch in typical flycatcher fashion. Often occurs alongside [Chat Flycatcher] but, by contrast, is quiet.
Quick Facts
Size
19-22 cm - S
Names
A: Swartvlieëvanger
Z: umMbesi
G: Drongoschnäpper
Bird Family
Small, insectivorous birds with prominent bristles protruding from the base of their bills. Many of the soberly coloured species catch insects on the ground or in flight after watching from a low perch; others, especially the colourful and ornate species, are leaf-gleaners, but also hawk insects in short aerial sallies.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
