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Overview
Dusky-blue flycatcher

Dusky-blue flycatcher

Wikipedia

The dusky-blue flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It has a wide range of presence across the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

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Distribution

Region

West and Central Africa

Typical Environment

Found from the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa through the Congo Basin and into parts of western East Africa. It favors subtropical and tropical moist lowland evergreen forest, including secondary growth, swamp forest, and shaded plantations. Regular along forest edges, clearings, and riparian corridors where insect activity is high. Generally absent from open savanna and very dry habitats.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size13–15 cm
Wing Span22–25 cm
Male Weight0.016 kg
Female Weight0.015 kg
Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Often quiet and unobtrusive, the dusky-blue flycatcher is easily overlooked despite being fairly widespread in Africa’s wet forests. It hunts with short sallies from low to mid-level perches, snapping insects in mid-air. Pairs hold small territories and may join mixed-species flocks along shaded forest edges. Its muted slate-blue tones provide excellent camouflage in dim understory light.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
Bradornis comitatus aximensis, Ghana

Bradornis comitatus aximensis, Ghana

Behaviour

Temperament

quiet and unobtrusive

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches

Social Behavior

Usually solitary or in pairs that defend small feeding territories. Joins mixed-species foraging flocks along edges and in the midstory. Builds a small cup nest placed on a forked branch or horizontal limb, typically a few meters above ground.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Soft, thin whistles and short trills delivered intermittently from shaded perches. Calls include high, sibilant 'tsip' notes that can be hard to localize in dense foliage.

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