Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher Trochocercus nitens Scientific name definitions

15 cm; 11·8 g. Has short but obvious crest, graduated tail. Male nominate race is wholly glossy blackish-blue above and to breast, with clearly delimited (by thin white line) and contrasting grey from lower breast to undertail-coverts; flight-feathers brownish-black; iris brown; bill blue-grey, upper mandible blacker, mouth yellow; legs blue-grey to blackish-brown. Female has crest shorter than male’s, glossy blackish-blue restricted to crown, upperparts dark slate-grey with faint bluish tinge, flight-feathers dark brown-grey, throat and underparts entirely grey; bill dark slate-grey, upper mandible blacker, mouth greenish, legs dark brown. Juvenile is like female but duller; immature male like female but head side, throat and upper breast speckled pale grey. Race reichenowi has underparts darker grey than nominate.

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Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Song a fast, long, far-carrying, hollow “hohohohohohohoho…” , often introduced (in conflicts) by some harsh notes or a dry, excited “tictictictictictic” rattle. Call a harsh “zwhee-zwheh” or “tchitt-tchitt”.