Bradornis comitatus
The Dusky-blue Flycatcher, *Bradornis comitatus* (though often classified under *Melaenornis* in modern taxonomy), is a distinctive and agile member of the Old World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae. Measuring approximately 17-18 cm (6.7-7.1 inches) in length and weighing between 20 and 28 grams, this medium-sized passerine is characterized by its uniformly dark slate-grey to dusky-blue plumage, which can appear almost black in subdued light, with a slightly paler belly. Its robust black bill,...
Found primarily in forest edges, secondary growth, open woodlands, plantations, and gardens, the Dusky-blue Flycatcher inhabits lowland to lower montane areas, typically up to 2000 meters in elevation.
The diet of the Dusky-blue Flycatcher consists almost exclusively of a wide variety of insects, including beetles, ants, flies, moths, and grasshoppers, primarily captured in agile aerial pursuit.
The Dusky-blue Flycatcher is a diurnal and highly active insectivore, typically observed singly or in pairs, rarely joining mixed-species flocks. It habitually perches upright on exposed branches within the mid-story or canopy, keenly scanning for prey with its sharp eyesight. Its primary foragin...
The Dusky-blue Flycatcher has a wide and continuous distribution across West and Central Africa. Its range extends from Senegal and Gambia in the west, eastward through Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, and th...
Least Concern
- Often confused with other dark flycatchers due to its subdued plumage, making careful identification challenging for birders. - Despite its name, its plumage is more accurately described as dark slate-grey rather than true blue, though it can exhibit bluish tints in certain lighting. - Known fo...