African Dusky Flycatcher

Muscicapa adusta

Other Names

  Dusky Flycatcher, Dusky Alseonax   Gobemouche sombre, Gobemouche brunâtre   Dunkelschnäpper   Papamoscas Sombrío   Mörkgrå flugsnappare     Pigliamosche fosco africano

World: Africa: Mainly in the East ranging from the Ethiopian highlands South to the Cape, extending West to Angola around 12°S.

Kenya: Mainly in the West of the country its distribution in Kenya marks the eastern most extent of its range.

This is a common highland species which is typically found along forest edges and in wooded areas (including gardens). It is the smallest of the Kenyan flycatchers and with its short tail it has a somewhat dumpy appearance. The adults are plain brown above with a grey-brown underside. As in the individual pictured above the only facial marking is an indistinct narrow eye-ring. This individual was photographed at Naro Moru where it is quite common (although not as numerous or conspicuous as the White-eyed Slaty Flycatcher).