Silverbird

Empidornis semipartitus

Other Names

    Gobemouche argenté   Silberschnäpper     Silverfågel     Empidorne semipartito

World: East African species whose range extends from S Sudan and W Ethiopia, south to N Uganda, western Kenya and N Tanzania.

Kenya: Found west of the Rift Valley. The main populations are concentrated in the Lake Victoria Basin, Lokochokio and Kongelai, with a further concentration in the area of the Kerio Valley and Baringo south to Mongotio and Rongai.

This is a distinctive and uniquely coloured flycatcher. Both the male and the female are silvery grey above and a rich dark orange colour below. They perch prominently on dead trees, wires and low branches from where they watch out for prey which they take from the ground. They can often be found in pairs although they also frequently occur singly. They are locally common in regions of open bush and savannah, preferring areas dotted with tall acacias.