Birdsong field guide
Blue-headed Crested Flycatcher
Trochocercus nitens
A small, active monarch flycatcher of African rainforests, distinguished by its glossy blue-black head and slender, restless profile.
What it sounds like
A series of dry, scratchy 'zheet' or 'tshirrr' notes, occasionally ending in a short, liquid trill.
Reference call, compare with what you heard
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Field notes
- Males exhibit a striking deep-blue iridescent hood, whereas females are primarily slate-grey with paler underparts.
- The bird frequently fans its tail and droops its wings to flush out insects from dense foliage.
- It is a core member of mixed-species foraging flocks, often leading the movement through the mid-story canopy.
- Despite its name, the crest is relatively small and often held flat unless the bird is agitated or displaying.
- Nests are meticulously constructed cups of fine fibers and spiderwebs, typically camouflaged with bits of lichen.
Habitat
Lowland primary rainforest, dense secondary growth, and gallery forests near water.
Range
West and Central Africa, ranging from Guinea and Sierra Leone to western Uganda and northern Angola.
Similar & commonly confused birds
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