Spotted a bird? Identify it instantly with the Birdby app
Open the appAbout
The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher (Terpsiphone rufocinerea) is a small, insectivorous passerine bird belonging to the family Monarchidae, commonly known as monarch flycatchers. It is characterized by its rufous (reddish-brown) tail and underparts, contrasting with a grey head and back. This species is endemic to the Afrotropical realm, inhabiting various forest types.
Size & lifespan
- Length
- 16-18 cm
- Wingspan
- 22-25 cm
- Weight
- 10-14 g
- Lifespan
- 5-7 years (estimated)
- Diet
- Insectivore
Physical characteristics
- Plumage
- Adults have a slate-grey head, neck, and upper back. The lower back, rump, and uppertail coverts are rufous. The tail is distinctly rufous, often appearing bright. The wings are dark grey to blackish with rufous edgings on the primaries and secondaries, and rufous inner webs. The underparts are rufous, becoming paler on the belly and undertail coverts. There is a subtle, narrow, pale grey eye-ring.
- Beak shape
- Relatively broad, flattened bill, typical of flycatchers, adapted for catching insects in flight. The bill is black.
- Eye color
- Dark brown.
- Leg color
- Dark grey to blackish.
- Distinguishing features
- The combination of a grey head and back with a bright rufous tail and underparts is distinctive. The lack of a crest (unlike some other Terpsiphone species) and the relatively short tail (compared to paradise-flycatchers) are key features.
- Juvenile appearance
- Juveniles are duller overall, with a browner wash to the grey areas and less vibrant rufous. The rufous on the tail and underparts may be more muted or mottled.
- Seasonal changes
- No significant seasonal plumage changes are noted for this species.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Males and females are generally similar in plumage, though males might be slightly brighter in coloration. There are no obvious differences in tail length or ornamentation as seen in some other Terpsiphone species.
How to identify
- 1
Plumage Coloration
Look for the distinctive combination of a slate-grey head and upper back, contrasting with a bright rufous lower back, rump, tail, and underparts. The wings are dark with rufous edgings.
- 2
Tail Shape and Length
Note the relatively short, broad, and entirely rufous tail. It lacks the elongated central streamers characteristic of many paradise-flycatchers (Terpsiphone species).
- 3
Absence of Crest
Unlike some other flycatchers in its range, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher does not possess a noticeable crest.
- 4
Behavior
Observe its foraging style: sallying from a perch to catch insects in mid-air, often returning to the same or a nearby perch. It frequently flicks its tail.
- 5
Vocalizations
Listen for its clear, melodious, whistled song, often a rising and falling series of notes. Its sharp 'chip' calls are also distinctive.
Habitat & range
- Biomes
- Tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, montane forests, gallery forests, and dense secondary growth.
- Geographic range
- West and Central Africa, including countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Angola.
- Elevation range
- Typically found from sea level up to 1,800 meters (occasionally higher, up to 2,200 meters in some areas).
- Preferred environments
- Favors the understory and mid-story of dense forest, often near watercourses. It can also be found in forest edges and clearings with sufficient tree cover.
Behavior
- Activity time
- Diurnal.
- Feeding habits
- Primarily an aerial insectivore, sallying from a perch to catch flying insects. It also gleans insects from foliage and bark. Diet includes various small invertebrates such as flies, beetles, moths, and caterpillars.
- Social behavior
- Typically observed singly or in pairs. It may join mixed-species foraging flocks, especially in the non-breeding season.
- Flight pattern
- Agile and direct flight when sallying for insects. Otherwise, it moves through the understory with short, undulating flights between perches.
- Migration pattern
- Generally considered a resident species throughout its range, though some local movements or altitudinal migrations may occur in response to food availability or weather conditions.
- Territoriality
- Pairs are likely territorial during the breeding season, defending their nesting area.
Song & calls
- Song
- The song is a series of clear, whistled notes, often described as a melodious, rising and falling 'wee-chew-wee-chew-wee' or 'twee-twee-twee-twee-twee-twee'. It can be quite varied and musical.
- Call
- Calls include a sharp 'chip' or 'tchip' note, and a harsher 'churr' or 'zzzzzt' when agitated. Alarm calls are typically sharper and more insistent.
- When they vocalize
- Most vocal during the breeding season, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. Calls can be heard throughout the day.
Breeding & reproduction
- Breeding season
- Varies geographically, generally coinciding with the rainy season. For example, in West Africa, it may breed from March to July, and in Central Africa, from September to March.
- Nesting habits
- Builds a neat, cup-shaped nest typically placed in a fork of a small tree or shrub, often at a height of 1-5 meters. The nest is constructed from fine plant fibers, moss, and lichens, bound together with spider silk, giving it a compact and camouflaged appearance.
- Clutch size
- Usually 2-3 eggs.
- Egg description
- Eggs are typically pale cream or whitish, often speckled or blotched with reddish-brown or purplish markings, particularly at the broader end.
- Incubation period
- Approximately 14-16 days (estimated, based on related species).
- Fledging period
- Approximately 14-16 days after hatching (estimated).
- Parental care
- Both parents participate in nest building, incubation, and feeding of the young.
Where to find
Dense Forest Understory
Focus on the lower to mid-canopy layers of primary and mature secondary forests, especially in areas with dense foliage.
Gallery Forests
Check along riverbanks and streams where gallery forests provide suitable habitat.
Forest Edges and Clearings
While preferring dense cover, they can sometimes be seen at the edges of forests or in clearings with scattered trees, particularly when foraging.
Field tips
- Listen for its song. Its distinctive whistled song is often the first indication of its presence, especially in dense vegetation where it can be hard to spot visually.
- Watch for movement. Look for quick, darting movements as it sallies for insects. It often returns to the same perch, making it easier to relocate.
- Join mixed-species flocks. In the non-breeding season, it may associate with mixed-species foraging flocks, so observing these flocks can increase your chances of seeing one.
- Patience and quiet observation. As a forest understory bird, it can be shy. Patience and quiet observation are key to spotting this species.
Similar species
African Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone viridis
The African Paradise-Flycatcher has a much longer tail in males (especially breeding males), often with elongated central tail feathers. It also typically has a more prominent crest and can show rufous or white morphs. The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher lacks the long tail streamers and crest, and its rufous coloration is more uniform across the underparts and tail.
Red-bellied Paradise-Flycatcher
Terpsiphone rufiventer
The Red-bellied Paradise-Flycatcher has a glossy blue-black head and breast, contrasting sharply with its rufous belly and tail. Its males also have elongated central tail feathers, though shorter than T. viridis. The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher has a grey head and back, and lacks the glossy blue-black plumage and long tail streamers.
Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher
Trochocercus nitens
The Blue-headed Crested-Flycatcher is smaller, has a distinct blue-black crest, and a white belly. Its tail is black with white outer tail feathers. The Rufous-tailed Flycatcher lacks a crest, has a grey head, and a rufous belly and tail.
Quick facts
- Family:
- Monarchidae (Monarch Flycatchers)
- Diet:
- Insects
- Habitat:
- Tropical and subtropical forests
- Conservation Status:
- Least Concern
- Vocalization:
- Melodious whistles and sharp 'chip' calls
Fun facts
- Despite its common name, the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher is not closely related to true flycatchers (family Muscicapidae) but belongs to the monarch flycatcher family (Monarchidae), which includes paradise-flycatchers.
- Its relatively short tail, compared to its long-tailed relatives in the genus Terpsiphone, is a key identification feature and gives it a more compact appearance.
- Like many forest insectivores, it plays an important ecological role in controlling insect populations within its habitat.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Genus
- Terpsiphone
- Species
- rufocinerea
Explore the Rufous-tailed Flycatcher
Identify birds anywhere
Free on iOS, Android, and Web. Photo & sound identification, full species database, and your personal life list.