Yellow-eyed Black-Flycatcher Melaenornis ardesiacus Scientific name definitions

c. 18 cm; 26–35 g. Chin, lores and forehead are blackish; plumage otherwise entirely dark blue-grey , slightly paler on belly and flanks, with primaries and secondaries black; iris bright pale yellow; bill and legs black. Differs from M. edolioides and M. pammelaina in having pale eyes, less black overall appearance. Sexes alike. Juvenile has fine whitish spots on breast, especially at sides, and less distinct spots on belly and undertail-coverts, iris dark or greyish-yellow; immature not properly described.

Mountain forests of Albertine Rift in SW Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable Forest), W Rwanda, Burundi and E DRCongo (W of L Edward to Ruzizi area, and Itombwe Highlands to N end of L Tanganyika).

Edges of primary and secondary forest and forest clearings; also at bottoms and on slopes of open bushy valleys, where it uses scattered shrubs, small trees and lianas. Altitudinal range 1300–2450 m.

None recorded.

Insects, including caterpillars (Lepidoptera) and beetles (Coleoptera). Solitary or in pairs, or in family groups of 3–4 birds; does not join mixed-species flocks. Perches conspicuously 1–12 m up, on projecting branches of bare or leafy bushes and on tall flowering spikes of Lobelia; sometimes quite high in tall trees at side of forest roads. Restless; makes sallies from perch and searches foliage in manner of a sylviid warbler; also pounces and hops on bare ground and roads.

Calls a rasping “raap, raap” and harsh “tch-tchec”.

Jan–Apr in DRCongo. Monogamous; territorial. Nest a loosely built cup of two types of soft green moss, lined with fine stems and fibres, external diameter 18–20 cm, internal diameter 6 cm, depth 4–5 cm; placed on fork 4–12 m (usually 4–5 m) up in small tree. Clutch 2 eggs; no information on incubation and nestling periods.

Not globally threatened. Restricted-range species: present in Albertine Rift Mountains EBA. Fairly common in Uganda; frequent and locally common in DRCongo. No information available on any possible threats.