Cassin's flycatcher, also known as Cassin's grey flycatcher or Cassin's alseonax, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is native to the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical swamps.
Region
Central and West African rainforests
Typical Environment
Occurs along forested rivers and streams from West Africa through the Congo Basin to western Kenya and northwestern Tanzania. It favors shaded, fast-flowing waterways in lowland evergreen and gallery forests and can also be found in swamp forest margins. Typically keeps close to water, using midstream rocks, exposed roots, and low overhanging branches as hunting perches. Avoids open savanna away from riparian cover and rarely ventures far from the river corridor.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named after the American ornithologist John Cassin, this small flycatcher is closely tied to fast-flowing forest rivers. It often perches on low branches, rocks, or snags over water and sallies out to snatch insects. Its presence is a good indicator of intact riverine forest habitats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from a perch, returning to the same spot
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs along a defended stretch of river. During breeding, pairs nest close to water, placing a small cup nest on a sheltered ledge, bank, or low branch. Both parents typically participate in feeding the young and remain close to the nest site.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, thin series of high-pitched notes and short trills that can be easily overlooked against river noise. Calls include sharp, dry ticks and thin tseep notes given during foraging and territorial interactions.
Plumage
Plain grey-brown to slate-grey upperparts with paler, whitish underparts and a slightly duskier breast. Wings show faint pale edging or weak wingbars; throat usually whitish. Feathers are smooth and unpatterned overall, giving a clean, subdued look.
Diet
Feeds primarily on flying insects such as flies, mayflies, caddisflies, and small beetles, often caught in aerial sallies over water. It also takes emerging aquatic insects near the surface and occasionally gleans from nearby foliage. Foraging is methodical, with frequent returns to favored perches.
Preferred Environment
Hunts over shaded, fast-flowing streams and rivers within dense lowland forest. Prefers perches on rocks, exposed roots, low branches, or bridge railings directly above the water.
