Blue-Mantled Crested-Flycatcher
A Delightful Encounter with the Blue-Mantled Crested-Flycatcher Recently, I had the absolute privilege of spending hours observing a pair of Blue-Mantled Crested-Flycatchers as they nested and raised their chicks in a beautiful Milkwood forest along South Africa’s stunning Garden Route. The nest was tucked away on the edge of this compact indigenous forest in the charming town of Sedgefield, Western Cape, right where the trees meet residential gardens, creating a perfect blend of wild and suburban habitat. These elegant little birds, also known as African Crested-Flycatchers, are a joy to watch. The male and female worked tirelessly as a team, taking turns to dart back to the nest with beaks full of protein-rich prey essential for their growing chicks. As dedicated insectivores, they specialize in small invertebrates, and I was thrilled to see them arriving with butterflies, moths, caterpillars, and even aerial insects snatched mid-flight. They expertly gleaned tiny prey from twigs, under lichens, and in graceful hawking manoeuvres through the canopy. One of the most fascinating behaviours I noted was the female’s diligent nest hygiene. She frequently removed the chicks’ faecal sacs, carrying them far from the nest before dropping them, a clever strategy to avoid drawing predators to their vulnerable family. These diminutive forest gems measure about 15 cm in length and weigh a mere 10 grams, yet their glossy blue-black crests (especially prominent in males) and agile flight make them stand out beautifully against the dappled green backdrop.
Watching this nesting pair was a reminder of how resilient and adaptable these birds are, thriving even on the fringes of human settlements. If you’re birding the Garden Route, keep an eye (and ear) out for their distinctive calls in the forest understory, you might be lucky enough to witness similar magic!
