Melaenornis silens
Fiscal Flycatchers inhabit open woodland, grasslands with scattered trees, scrubland, thickets, plantations, parks and gardens where they feed on insects, berries and nectar. Adults are about 18cm long and weigh around 26g.
Fiscal Flycathers are monogamous. The females are responsible for building the sturdy cup-shaped grass-nests lined with softer material, most often in thorn trees. The breeding season in this species stretches from late winter to the end of summer, reaching a peak from October to December. The female alone incubates the clutch of 2-4 eggs for a period of two weeks and is fed by the male during this time. The male however doesn’t take much of an interest in the chicks, and the female alone feeds them until they leave the nest about two weeks after hatching.
Thanks to a large and stable population, and no obvious threats, the IUCN lists the Fiscal Flycatcher as being of Least Concern. They are found only in South Africa, Lesotho and marginally into Botswana. Mozambique and Swaziland. There does appear to be a seasonal dimension to their occurrence, being more common in the warmer, lower-lying areas during the cold of winter.
DeWetsWild 
Another pretty little bird.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And surprisingly inconspicuous despite their bold colour scheme; they don’t really attract attention to themselves.
LikeLike
Beautiful captures. I don’t know how you do it, but you’ve got so many great shots. Really like the last one best.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So kind of you, thank you very much! Truth be told it took a few years to put together even this small collection of images, and a professional photographer would probably grimace in anguish at having to look at them, but as long as we can show off our country’s natural beauty we are happy!
LikeLike
Lovely post 👌 You have spent a lot of time observing this little beauty and capturing it. It looks adorable 😍 Thanks for sharing it 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is our pleasure sharing our country’s natural treasures!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hy lyk darem baie soos ‘n fiskaallaksman, né Dries. Weereens pragtige foto’s, veral die boonste een. Jy maak seker al reg vir die Kgalagadi? Ek is al skoon opgewonde vir julle ontwil!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Die tweetjies kan mens maklik uitvang, en selfs hierdie stel fotos moes ek omtrent met n fynekam deurgaan om seker te maak ek maak nie n blaps nie!
Jy ken ons al te goed, Dina. Ja, ons klein sitkamer is n warboel van goed wat regstaan om gepak te word! Ek is so opgewonde oor ons trippie soos n kind 2 dae voor Vader Krismis kom!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Geniet en ry versigtig!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dankie Dina!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cute little bird.😊 Reminds a little bit of a swallow.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s what I thought at first glance!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks John & Teresa. Yes, at first glance and seen from the right (or wrong?) angle they do have a similar pose to swallows!
LikeLike
What an intriguing name they have.
LikeLiked by 2 people
In reference to another local black-and-white bird, the fiscal (a kind of shrike), which this species closely resembles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cute little bird!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That they certainly are, thanks Montucky!
LikeLike
The poor female–she never stops!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I bet many of our female friends here can commiserate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
great photos, thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for visiting with us, Julie!
LikeLike