Abyssinian slaty-flycatcher, Dioptrornis chocolatinus (synonym; Melaenornis chocolatinus; protonym; Muscicapa chocolatina), also known as the Abyssinian black flycatcher or Abyssinian chocolate flycatcher, photographed at Ghion Hotel in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Africa). [I will identify this bird for you in 48 hours]
Image: Dan Logen, 9 February 2011 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D300, 600 mm lens, ISO 1000, f/4.5, 1/2500 sec
Question: This Ethiopian mystery bird has a somewhat confused (and confusing) taxonomy at the genus level, but its family has been agreed upon. Can you tell me what its taxonomic family is?
Response: This is an adult Abyssinian slaty-flycatcher, Dioptrornis chocolatinus, which is a member of the Muscicapidae -- the chats and Old World flycatchers. These birds are mainly insectivorous, and as their common name implies, usually catch their meals on the wing. The muscicapids tend to be drably coloured as a group, although some species are brilliantly coloured.
The exact relationships within this large group of birds are quite confused and this family's phylogeny may be radically revised in the future after some DNA work has been completed.
You are invited to review all of the daily mystery birds by going to their dedicated graphic index page.
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