Tessmann's flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae. It is sparsely distributed across the African tropical rainforest from Sierra Leone to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs sparsely across the African tropical rainforest belt from Sierra Leone east through Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and into Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It favors lowland evergreen forest, older secondary growth, and dense forest edge thickets. The species keeps close to shaded understory and tangles near clearings or along streams. It tolerates some habitat disturbance where shrub cover remains dense.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named for the German explorer Günther Tessmann, this elusive forest flycatcher stays low in dense undergrowth and is often detected more by its soft calls than by sight. It performs short sallies from shaded perches to snatch insects and will occasionally join mixed-species flocks. Its plain plumage makes it easy to overlook, so patience and attentive listening help in locating it.
Temperament
shy and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with quick sallying flights
Social Behavior
Typically solitary or in pairs within dense understory. Often perches quietly at low to mid-levels, making brief forays to capture prey. May associate with mixed-species flocks in forest edges or secondary growth. Nesting is presumed to be a small cup placed low in shrubs or vines, with both parents involved in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, simple series of high, thin whistles delivered from a concealed perch, often repeated at regular intervals. Calls include short tseep or tchip notes used during foraging and contact. Vocalizations carry poorly, matching its preference for dense cover.
Plumage
Plain brownish-olive upperparts with paler, slightly buff underparts and a subtly lighter throat; overall smooth, unmarked look with faint mottling at most on the breast.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small flying insects such as flies, beetles, moths, and other arthropods. It employs sit-and-wait tactics, sallying out to catch prey in short flights. Occasionally gleans from foliage or snatches prey from low leaves and vines. May take small berries opportunistically when insect activity is low.
Preferred Environment
Forages in shaded understory, thickets, and along forest edges where insect densities are high. Often hunts near clearings, trails, or stream margins that create small gaps and perching opportunities.
