Jan 16

Bird of the day

Abyssinian slaty flycatcher

Melaenornis chocolatinus

The Abyssinian slaty flycatcher (Melaenornis chocolatinus), also known as Abyssinian flycatcher, Abyssinian black flycatcher or Abyssinian chocolate flycatcher, is a species of bird in the family Muscicapidae, the Old World flycatchers. It is often placed in the genus Dioptrornis. It is native to Africa, where it occurs in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The Abyssinian slaty flycatcher is a rather dingy, undistinguished grey brown bird which normally perches with the typical vertical posture of an Old World flycatcher. It has a yellow eye set in a plain brownish face, the upperparts are dark sooty brown and the underparts are buff brown. It measures 15–16 cm (5.9–6.3 in) in length and weights 20–25 g (0.71–0.88 oz).

It makes various "tseep" calls and has a harsh chiiering alarm call.

Aliases

Melaenornis chocolatinus, Abyssinian slaty flycatcher

Data retrieved on October 15, 2025 at 5:33 AM