Photo: Sharpe, 1904 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher
Trochocercus nitens
Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher (Trochocercus nitens) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher (Trochocercus nitens) is a member of the Monarchidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 11.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Monarchidae Monarchs
- Genus Trochocercus
- Species nitens
Quick facts
- Weight
- 11.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Monarchidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher (Trochocercus nitens) is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 11.8 g, with a wing length of about 6.5 cm and a tail of around 6.9 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.7 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is a very small bird that weighs around 11.8 g.
Where does the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher live?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher belong to?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher (Trochocercus nitens) belongs to the Monarchidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher eat?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher migrate?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher make?
1 real field recording of the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher's range?
The Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher has a mapped global range of about 3.7 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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