Melaenornis ardesiacus
The Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis ardesiacus) is a captivating passerine of the Old World flycatcher family (Muscicapidae), distinguished by its striking combination of glossy, jet-black plumage and intensely bright, almost luminous, yellow eyes. This medium-sized songbird typically measures 18-20 cm in length, with a slender build, relatively long tail, and an erect posture when perched. Its weight usually ranges from 28-38 grams. The contrast between its dark feathers and the vi...
This species typically inhabits open woodlands, forest edges, acacia savannas with scattered large trees, and riparian forests across its range. It is often found in mid-elevation to lower montane regions, favoring areas with ample perching sites and a relatively open understory.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide variety of arthropods including flies, beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and ants. Foraging methods include aerial hawking, gleaning from foliage, and ground foraging.
The Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher is a predominantly diurnal and conspicuous bird, frequently perching on exposed branches or dead snags from which it scans for prey. Its foraging strategy is characteristic of flycatchers: it makes sudden, agile sallies to catch insects in mid-air, often returning...
The Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher is hypothesized to be a resident species endemic to the Afromontane regions and associated woodlands of East and Central Africa. Its primary distribution would span across countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and ...
Least Concern
- The dazzling yellow eyes of the Yellow-eyed Black Flycatcher are believed to play a crucial role in intraspecific communication, possibly signaling health, age, or social status within their territories. - Despite their name, these birds are surprisingly agile, capable of executing complex aeri...