The little grey flycatcher or little grey alseonax, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is found throughout the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
West and Central African Rainforest
Typical Environment
Occurs across lowland evergreen rainforest from West Africa through the Congo Basin into western Uganda. Prefers moist primary and mature secondary forests, forest edges, and well-shaded gallery forests. Most often seen in the understory and lower midstory, typically near clearings, streams, or along shaded trails. It tolerates some habitat disturbance if a closed canopy and dense understory remain.
Altitude Range
0–1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also called the little grey alseonax, this small forest flycatcher is an inconspicuous understory bird that often goes unnoticed despite being widespread. It forages by sallying from low, shaded perches to snatch tiny insects, then quickly returns to the same or nearby perch. Its plain plumage and quiet, high-pitched calls make it easier to detect by behavior than by looks.
Temperament
solitary and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually seen alone or in pairs, quietly moving through the shaded understory. Builds a small cup nest placed low to mid-level in vegetation. Breeding is timed to local rainy seasons; both parents participate in feeding the nestlings.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, high-pitched seeps and thin trills given sporadically from cover. Calls are faint, almost whispery tsip notes that can be hard to localize.
Plumage
Plain grey-brown above with paler grey to whitish underparts; subtly warmer or buffy wash on the flanks; minimal patterning overall.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small flying insects such as midges, flies, and tiny beetles. Captures prey by sallying out from a shaded perch and often returns to the same spot. Also glean-hawks insects from leaves and twigs and may hover briefly to pick prey from foliage.
Preferred Environment
Understory and lower midstory of humid evergreen forest, especially along trails, edges, and near streams or gaps with filtered light. Often forages 1–6 meters above ground where insect activity is concentrated.
