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Overview
White-browed forest flycatcher

White-browed forest flycatcher

Wikipedia

The white-browed forest flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae.

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Distribution

Region

West and Central Africa

Typical Environment

Occurs in the humid Guineo-Congolian forest belt, frequenting dense lowland and riparian forests from West Africa through the Congo Basin. It prefers the shaded understory and forest edges, especially along streams, swamps, and forested river corridors. Birds are most often encountered in mature evergreen forest but also use tall secondary growth and gallery forest. It avoids open habitats and heavily logged areas.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 1500 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm
Wing Span18–22 cm
Male Weight0.013 kg
Female Weight0.012 kg
Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The white-browed forest flycatcher is a small, shy insect-eater of African lowland forests, recognized by its crisp white eyebrow. It often hunts from low, shaded perches along streams, sallying out to catch insects before returning to the same perch. While sensitive to heavy forest degradation, it can persist in secondary growth near water. Its unobtrusive habits make it more often heard than seen.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo

Behaviour

Temperament

solitary and skulking

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with quick sallies from low perches

Social Behavior

Typically found alone or in pairs, keeping to the shaded understory near water. It nests low in dense vegetation, building a small cup nest concealed in tangles or shrubs. Both parents likely share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Occasionally joins mixed-species understory flocks.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a series of thin, high-pitched whistles and soft trills delivered from a concealed perch. Calls include sharp 'tsit' notes and soft contact chips, often given while foraging along streams.

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