How to identify the African Grey Flycatcher

To correctly identify the African Grey Flycatcher (Melaenornis microrhynchus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

13-15 cm

Wingspan

20-23 cm

Weight

10-15 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Adults are uniformly dull grey on the upperparts, head, and breast, fading to a paler, whitish-grey on the belly and undertail coverts. The flight feathers and tail are slightly darker grey. There is often a faint, paler eye-ring, though this can be indistinct. The overall impression is of a small, slender, and rather featureless grey bird.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   The bill is relatively short, slender, and pointed, typical of an insectivorous flycatcher, and is black in color.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Dark brown

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Black

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Its small size, uniform dull grey plumage, upright stance, and sallying flight from a perch are key identifiers. The lack of strong markings or contrasting colors is itself a distinguishing feature.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adults but often have a slightly browner wash to their plumage, particularly on the upperparts, and may show faint pale spotting or scaling on the back and wing coverts, which quickly fades.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes are observed.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   None apparent; males and females are outwardly identical in plumage and size.

Key field marks

• Overall Plumage. Look for a uniformly dull grey bird with paler underparts. The lack of strong patterns or colors is a key characteristic.
• Size and Shape. It's a small, slender bird with an upright posture when perched. The head appears relatively large for its body.
• Bill. Observe the small, slender, black bill, typical for an insectivorous flycatcher.
• Behavior. Watch for its characteristic 'sallying' flight: perching on an exposed branch, darting out to catch an insect in mid-air, and returning to the same or a nearby perch.
• Vocalizations. Listen for its quiet, scratchy, and often hesitant song, or its soft 'churr' calls. These are not particularly striking but are distinctive once learned.

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