Dusky-blue Flycatcher Bradornis comitatus Scientific name definitions

12 cm; 12–16 g. Male nominate race has crown , neck side and upperparts , including scapulars and lesser upperwing-coverts, plain dark slate-grey; lores black, narrow white supraloral line continuing above eye; ear-coverts mottled grey and white; remiges brownish-black; median and greater upperwing-coverts brownish-black, edged slate-grey, tail brownish-black; chin and throat white; breast and flanks dark slate-grey, belly whitish, washed creamy ochre, thighs mouse-brown, undertail-coverts ochre; axillar­ies and underwing-coverts mouse-grey, broadly fringed whitish; iris olive; bill black; legs brownish-black. Distinguished from most congeners mainly by combination of dark underparts (including undertail-coverts), contrasting white chin and throat, and white supraloral line; from similar M. sethsmithi by larger size, white stripe on head, dark (not yellow) lower mandible and legs. Female is similar to male, but very slightly paler and washed brownish. Juvenile is unspotted dark greyish-blue, with paler underparts, white throat, wholly yellowish bill; immature like adult, but browner-tinged overall. Race <em>aximensis</em> is darker and more bluish-tinged than nominate, with white throat and belly washed buff; <em>camerunensis</em> has fulvous tinge on throat, also less white on belly than previous.

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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.

Insects , mostly beetles (Coleoptera), bees, wasps, winged ants and ichneumons (Hymenoptera), grasshoppers (Orthoptera), flies (Diptera), adult and larval lepidopterans, lygaeid bugs (Heteroptera) and winged termites (Isoptera); also spiders (Araneae); occasionally small fruit. Prey size 5–30 mm, mostly 5–15 mm. Solitary or in pairs; occasionally joins mixed-species flocks, but does not stay with them for long. Moves around frequently, although it may remain in one spot for half an hour or more; covers entire territory daily. Sits motionless on exposed perch , usually low but occasionally above 10 m (up to 20 m), and sallies to catch insects in flight; also swoops down or hovers to take prey from leaves.

Song a short and unobtrusive series of a few clear notes . Contact call a dry “prrrrt”; alarm a series of grating churrs (male) and prolonged high buzzing notes (female).