The Nimba flycatcher is a small passerine bird of the genus Melaenornis in the flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It is native to the West African countries of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Region
Upper Guinea (West Africa)
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily from Sierra Leone through Liberia and Guinea to Côte d'Ivoire and western Ghana, mainly within the Upper Guinea rainforest belt. It favors primary and well-regenerated secondary evergreen forest, gallery forest, and forest edges with dense vine tangles. Birds are most often encountered in the shaded understorey and mid-storey along streams and on lower to mid-elevation slopes. It may also use selectively logged forest if sufficient canopy and undergrowth structure remain.
Altitude Range
200–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for the Mount Nimba massif, the Nimba flycatcher is a quietly unobtrusive forest bird that often remains in the dim understorey. It typically hunts by sallying from low to mid-level perches to snatch insects in flight or from foliage. The species is restricted to the Upper Guinea forests and is sensitive to forest degradation and mining activity. Its presence can indicate relatively intact evergreen forest.
Temperament
quiet and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from perches
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs and may accompany mixed-species understorey flocks while foraging. Breeding pairs defend small territories in suitable forest patches. Nesting is presumed to be a compact cup placed low to mid-height in dense vegetation, with breeding aligned to the local wet season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A soft, high-pitched series of thin whistles and short trills, interspersed with dry ticks. Vocalizations are modest in volume and can be easily overlooked amid forest insect noise.
Plumage
Subdued, dark flycatcher with fairly uniform tones and minimal contrast; understorey-adapted and often looks dusky in low light.
Diet
Consumes a variety of small flying and foliage-dwelling insects such as flies, beetles, termites, and caterpillars. Forages by sallying out from shaded perches to catch prey in short flights and by gleaning from leaves and twigs. May take advantage of disturbed insects along forest trails and stream margins.
Preferred Environment
Prefers the dim understorey and mid-storey of moist evergreen forest, especially along streams, gullies, and vine tangles. Uses forest edges and light gaps where insect activity is concentrated, provided adjacent cover remains.
