African grey flycatcher

The African grey flycatcher, grayish flycatcher, or large flycatcher is a passerine bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae that occurs in parts of East Africa.

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Distribution

Region

East Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs from southern Ethiopia and Somalia south through much of Kenya to northern and central Tanzania, favoring arid and semi-arid lowlands. It frequents open acacia woodland, thornscrub, and dry bush with scattered trees. The species also uses rocky slopes and dry riverine fringes where perches are available. It adapts to lightly human-modified habitats such as ranchlands and sparse gardens near natural scrub.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 2000 m

Climate Zone

Subtropical

Characteristics

Size14–15 cm

Wing Span23–26 cm

Male Weight0.014 kg

Female Weight0.014 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 2/5

Useful to know

A plain, gray-toned Old World flycatcher of dry East African bush and acacia savanna, it often hunts by sallying from exposed perches. It frequently flicks its tail and returns to the same lookout between forays. It can be confused with other drab flycatchers, but its small, broad-based bill and consistently gray, unspotted underparts help separate it.

Gallery

Lake Bogoria - Kenya

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches

Social Behavior

Usually seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in open scrub. Nests are neat cup structures placed in forks of shrubs or small trees. Both parents participate in provisioning the young.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Voice is soft and unobtrusive, consisting of thin, high-pitched whistles and short, simple phrases. Calls include sharp tseet notes given from exposed perches.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

African grey hornbill

The African grey hornbill is a member of the hornbill family of mainly tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World. It is a widespread resident breeder in much of sub-Saharan Africa and the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula. The African grey hornbill has escaped or been deliberately released into Florida, USA, but there is no evidence that the population is breeding and may only persist due to continuing releases or escapes.

African grey woodpecker

The African grey woodpecker is a species of bird in the woodpecker family Picidae. Is a widespread and frequently common resident breeder in much of Sub-Saharan and equatorial Africa. It is a species associated with forest and bush which nests in a tree hole, often in an oil palm, laying two to four eggs. It is a common bird with a very wide range, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

African hawk-eagle

The African hawk-eagle is a large bird of prey. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. This species' feathered legs mark it as a member of the Aquilinae subfamily. The African hawk-eagle breeds in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a bird of assorted woodland, including both savanna and hilly areas, but they tend to occur in woodland that is typically dry. The species tends to be rare in areas where their preferred habitat type is absent. This species builds a stick nest of around 1 m (3.3 ft) across in a large tree. The clutch is generally one or two eggs. The African hawk-eagle is powerfully built and hunts small to medium-sized mammals and birds predominantly, occasionally taking reptiles and other prey as well. The call is a shrill kluu-kluu-kluu. The African hawk-eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but a study in 2024 showed that this species is experiencing a severe population decline of ~91%, suggesting it be listed as critically endangered.