Chapin's Flycatcher

Fraseria lendu

Chapin's Flycatcher (*Fraseria lendu*) is a small, rather drab Old World flycatcher, measuring approximately 13-14 cm (5.1-5.5 inches) in length and weighing around 15 grams (0.5 ounces). Its plumage is characterized by dull, dark brownish-grey upperparts, a slightly paler, greyish-white belly, and dark grey head often accented by a faint, inconspicuous pale eye-ring. The wings and tail are dark brown, and it possesses a relatively broad, dark bill typical of insectivorous flycatchers, along ...

Habitat

This species primarily inhabits submontane and montane evergreen forests, preferring dense primary or mature secondary growth, often found near streams or forest edges, at elevations typically between 800-2,500 meters (2,600-8,200 feet).

Diet

The diet of Chapin's Flycatcher consists predominantly of insects, including flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, which it procures through both aerial sallying and gleaning from vegetation.

Behavior

Chapin's Flycatcher is a diurnal and often secretive bird, spending its active hours foraging alone or in pairs within the forest understory. Its primary foraging strategy involves making quick, agile sallies from a low perch to snatch aerial insects, often returning to the same or a nearby branc...

Range

Chapin's Flycatcher is a resident species found exclusively in a restricted band of montane and submontane forests in East-Central Africa. Its core distribution encompasses the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, notably within the Ituri Forest and the Albertine Rift mountain ranges. Population...

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Fun Facts

- This species is named after James P. Chapin, an influential American ornithologist renowned for his work in Central Africa. - It is a prime example of an 'Old World Flycatcher' (family Muscicapidae), a highly diverse group with over 300 species worldwide. - Its dull, cryptic plumage provides ex...

Back to Encyclopedia