The chestnut-capped flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Erythrocercidae.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Inhabits humid lowland and foothill rainforests, including secondary growth, gallery forests, and forest edges. Most frequently encountered in the shaded understory and lower midstory where it forages among leaves and small branches. It tolerates selectively logged areas and older secondary forests provided dense cover remains. Proximity to streams and riparian thickets is common, but it also uses dry forest patches with continuous canopy.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A small, active forest flycatcher of West and Central Africa, the chestnut-capped flycatcher is noted for its rich chestnut crown and lively tail-flicking behavior. It often joins mixed-species flocks in the shaded understory, gleaning insects from foliage and making short sallies. Despite its broad range, it is generally overlooked due to its quiet, high-pitched calls and skulking habits.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick, agile sallies
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the understory. Pairs are likely monogamous and maintain small territories with soft contact calls. Nests are small cups placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation when habitat allows.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of high, thin notes and soft trills delivered from shaded perches. Calls include sharp ticks and faint seee notes that can be hard to locate in dense foliage.
Plumage
Compact flycatcher with a distinct chestnut crown, olive-green upperparts, and yellowish underparts; throat often paler with subtle grayish wash.
Diet
Consumes small insects and other arthropods such as flies, beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders. Forages by gleaning from leaf surfaces and twigs and by making short aerial sallies to snatch prey. Occasionally hovers briefly at foliage to pick off hidden invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Feeds primarily in the shaded understory and lower midstory of moist forests. Often works along edges, vine tangles, and riparian thickets where insect activity is concentrated.
