Myrmecocichla nigra
The Sooty Chat, Myrmecocichla nigra, is a captivating member of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), renowned for its strikingly uniform, glossy black plumage. Measuring approximately 15-16 cm (5.9-6.3 inches) in length and weighing around 20-25 grams, adult individuals exhibit no significant sexual dimorphism, with both sexes appearing virtually identical. Key field marks include the entirely black body, beak, legs, and eyes, which create a distinctive silhouette against its typic...
The Sooty Chat primarily inhabits open grasslands, savannas, rocky hillsides, and cultivated areas, often frequenting human settlements. It occurs from sea level up to approximately 2,000 meters in elevation.
The Sooty Chat primarily consumes insects, including ants, termites, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and flies, supplemented by spiders and occasionally small fruits. They forage mainly by gleaning from the ground or making short aerial sallies.
Sooty Chats are largely diurnal, often seen perching conspicuously on rocks, termite mounds, bushes, fences, or wires, offering excellent views. They are primarily ground foragers, employing a "run-and-peck" strategy to snatch insects, frequently bobbing their tails while perched or after landing...
The Sooty Chat boasts a wide distribution across sub-Saharan Africa, primarily as a resident species with no significant migratory movements. Its extensive range stretches from Senegal and Gambia in West Africa, eastward through countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and the Central African R...
Least Concern
- The Sooty Chat's entirely glossy black plumage is quite unique among its chat relatives, making it easily identifiable in the field. - Despite its small size, it is a remarkably adaptable species, thriving in both wild savannas and close proximity to human habitation. - Males are known for thei...