Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – Southern Black Flycatcher

MANY people frequently get confused in identifying some of our local black birds as they all look fairly similar. This week we will feature the Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) and help you to tell it apart from the similar, but more aggressive, Fork-tailed Drongo.

This is a medium size bird, with a length of 19cm to 22cm, is glossy blue-black all over with a slightly forked tail, rounded head and a slender bill. The eyes are dark red/black, which is another characteristic feature.

While identification can be confusing for beginners, with a bit of experience, it can easily be separated from other common resident black birds. The most difficult one to separate is the Forked-tailed Drongo. The Drongo features are: a slightly larger size, red eye, flatter head shape, heavier bill and a much deeper fork in the tail. The Square-tailed Drongo also has red eyes and a stockier build, but is unlikely to be seen in the same habitat as the Flycatcher.

Another potentially confusing species, although not so common, is the male Black Cuckooshrike. It is larger with square tail, orange gape and often, but not always, yellow wing tufts. In poor light, and from a distance, the larger Cape Glossy Starling also appears black, but the bright yellow eyes are a giveaway.

ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy: The Trumpeter Hornbill

Distribution

It can be found throughout the eastern part of South Africa and is a resident species in the Highway area often found in pairs.

Habitat

It is fairly common in treed gardens and in most of our parks and reserves in the areaThreatsIs not considered threatened.

Behaviour

It is mostly sedentary and territorial and can be easily observed perching motionless on a leafless branch, scanning for prey. It will suddenly fly out to catch an insect in flight or hop on the ground to pounce on an insect. It also plucks small fruit from trees. It then returns to the same, or nearby, position to eat the captured prey. Feeding on insects on the ground is another feature that distinguishes it from the more aggressive and vocal Fork-tailed Drongo. If you see a black bird with a forked tail feeding on the ground, it is most likely a Flycatcher.

Diet

It enjoys small insects often taking them in the air. It can also be frequently seen taking nectar from aloes and small fruit.

ALSO READ: Chirping with Kloof Conservancy – The African Crowned Eagle

Breeding

The Southern Black Flycatcher is monogamous. It pairs permanently with one mate and the nest is a small, cup nest usually placed in a hollow or open natural cavity in a tree. The breeding season is mainly between October and November in KwaZulu-Natal. It lays two to four eggs with an incubation period of 13 to 14 days. The nestling period is 15 to 20 days and the chicks are fed by both adults. Fledged chicks are fed by both adults after leaving the nest.

Local information

We are very fortunate to live in an area with abundant bird-life. May is an excellent time of the year for birding. Various Aloes, kniphofia (Red Hot Poker), and Leonotis (Wild Dagga) are in full flower attracting sunbirds and other nectar-eating species. Although the summer migrants have departed, the local residents are no longer in breeding pairs. Birds move around in large feeding parties for security, often moving through gardens in waves.

The Southern Black Flycatcher is a common garden bird in our area and, with a bit of experience, can be differentiated from other black coloured birds, by observing eye colour, head and bill shape, tail shape and general behaviour.

Visit the organisation’s website at www.kloofconservancy.org.za or like its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KloofConservancy).

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