Animalia Life
Muscicapa caerulescens
SUBFAMILY
Muscicapinae
TAXONOMY
Muscicapa caerulescens Hartlaub, 1865.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Ashy alseonax, blue-gray flycatcher, cinereus flycatcher;
French: Gobemouche а lunettes; German: Schieferschnдpper;
Spanish: Papamoscas Ahumado.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The body length is 5.5–6 in (14–16 cm). The sexes are colored
similarly, with a light blue-gray back, gray-white underparts, a
white eye-ring, and a black line bordered by a white one extending
through the eye. Several subspecies have been identified,
which differ somewhat in coloration.
DISTRIBUTION
A resident species of much of southern Africa.
HABITAT
Occurs in a wide range of tropical forest-edges and moist open
woodlands and savannas, and also cleared and agricultural areas.
Does not occur in the interior of closed forest. Occurs as
high as 5,900 ft (1,800 m).
BEHAVIOR
A nonmigratory species. Pairs of breeding birds defend a territory.
The song consists of three to five high-pitched notes.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Hunts from a perch for flying insects in the upper canopy.
Usually returns to its original perch after an aerial sally.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Builds a bulky cup-shaped nest of moss, grass, and rootlets
lined with finer material. Nest is placed in a shallow treecavity,
a bark crevice, or at a narrow branch-fork. Lays two or
three creamy colored, finely speckled eggs.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. A widespread and locally abundant species.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known, except for the economic benefits of bird-watching.
Photo Gallery of - Ashy flycatcher
