The Southern Black Flycatcher (Melaenornis pammelaina) is a small African bird.

The Southern Black Flycatcher is all black, with a black beak and black legs. Its eyes are brown. Its tail is square-cut at the end.

Southern Black Flycatcher

It grows to about 25 centimetres (10 inches) tall.

The Southern Black Flycatcher is from eastern and southern Africa. It prefers open areas, grasslands, and light woodlands.

It is insectivorous, eating beetles, termites and locusts, but it will also eat worms, spiders, and centipedes.

It is often seen in small flocks. It builds a cup-shaped nest in tree trunks or in bushes. Females lays about 4 eggs, which hatch about two weeks later. The young chicks leave the nest after 15-20 days.

Southern Black Flycatcher

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM