White-tailed Crested Flycatcher

Overview

The white-tailed crested flycatcher (Elminia albonotata) is a small, crested species in the family Stenostiridae. It has a discontinuous distribution across eastern Africa and is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Size and structure: A small bird measuring 13 cm in length with a long tail and a black crest.
• Plumage: Black wings and crest, otherwise generally grey with a white belly, rump, and underside of the tail.
• Features: Black bill, dark brown eye, and grey legs.
• Vocalisation: Weak and unstructured call.

Habitat

Resides in subtropical or tropical evergreen montane forest, surrounding shrubland, and bamboo. Typically found between 600 m and 1900 m in Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains, but can reach altitudes up to 2700 m elsewhere, often occupying higher altitudes than its relative, the white-bellied crested flycatcher.

Diet

Feeds on invertebrates including flies, ants, moths, and spiders, typical of most flycatchers. Forages in pairs or small family groups and occasionally joins mixed-species feeding flocks.

Did you know?

Breeding pairs exhibit a distinct division of labour where the female undertakes all incubation duties while the male is responsible for feeding the chicks once they hatch.