The olivaceous flycatcher or olivaceous alseonax, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is sparsely distributed throughout the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest and subtropical or tropical swamps.
Region
Central and West African rainforests
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily through the African tropical rainforest belt from West Africa through the Congo Basin into parts of Central and East Africa. Prefers lowland evergreen forest, swamp forest, and gallery forest, including secondary growth and forest edges near water. Most activity is in the shaded understorey and lower mid-storey, where it perches quietly and makes short foraging sallies. It can be locally common in suitable swampy or riparian forest but is generally sparse elsewhere.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A quiet, unobtrusive forest flycatcher that often sits motionless in the dim understorey, making it easy to overlook. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks and forages by short sallies to catch insects. The species has a complex taxonomic history and has been placed in Alseonax and Muscicapa by different authorities. Vocalizations are soft and thin, so it is more often detected by movement than by song.
Temperament
shy and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies from low perches
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs within territories, but often accompanies mixed-species foraging flocks in the understorey. Nests are small cups placed low in vegetation or in tree forks, constructed from fine fibers and spider webs. Both parents are thought to participate in feeding the young.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft series of thin, high-pitched whistles delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include short, sharp tsip notes given during foraging and contact.
