Fairy flycatchers | Stenostiridae

Elfvliegenvangers | Estenostíridos

A small family of tiny, delicately built, flycatcher-like birds with soft, loose plumage. In southern Africa they are represented by the crested blue flycatchers (Elminia) and the Fairy Flycatcher (Stenostira). They were long placed with the true flycatchers or the monarchs, but molecular studies showed that they form a distinct lineage with a few Asian genera, closer to the tits. Colours are mainly blue-grey, slate and white. Elminia species are often crested and have long, white-edged tails. The Fairy Flycatcher is grey with a black mask, a white supercilium and a white wing bar. All are restless and fidgety, constantly fanning the tail, drooping the wings and flitting through foliage to flush small insects, which they snatch in mid-air or glean from leaves. Elminia keeps to the canopy and edges of montane and riverine forest. The Fairy Flycatcher breeds in Karoo and fynbos scrub and moves east to milder regions in winter. Calls are thin, high-pitched squeaks or brief, rapid trills.