Stenostiridae – Fairy Flycatchers

Stenostiridae, (Fairy Flycatchers), are a family of small passerines proposed as a result of recent discoveries in molecular systematics. They are also referred to as stenostirid warblers. It unites several formerly separated flycatcher groups.

They were formerly allotted to two different flycatcher and one warbler family, but were re-assigned to this new family after DNA sequencing. This new clade is named after the Fairy Flycatcher; a distinct species placed formerly in the Old-World flycatchers. This is united with the ‘sylvioid flycatchers’: the genus Elminia (formerly placed in the Monarchinae) and the closely allied former Old World flycatcher genus Culicicapa, as well as one species formerly believed to be an aberrant fantail.

White-tailed Crested-Flycatcher Elminia albonotata – ©Dubi Shapiro

Other African or Asian species might conceivably fall into this novel clade. The tit-flycatchers (Myioparus) are apparently true flycatchers morphologically somewhat convergent to Stenostira.

The Stenostiridae as a whole are related to penduline tits, titmice and chickadees. All these appear to be closer to the Sylvioidea than to other Passerida.

The are small-bodied and rather dainty insectivores native to wooded areas of Asia and Africa. They are relatively small-billed compared to true flycatchers and have long tails. They are fast moving, flitting rapidly to and from perches from which they sally forth to catch flying insects, or flit to forage on nearby vegetation, often with frenetic wingshakes and stretches while they are perched. Despite being so active, these tiny birds are easily overlooked. There is very little known about their biology.

The Fairy Flycatcher Stenostira scita, is one of the commoner and better-known species in the family. It was formerly placed in the Old-World flycatcher family, Muscicapidae, but is now the only member of the genus Stenostira. It is an endemic resident breeder in southern Africa in Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia, and a vagrant to Zimbabwe and Eswatini. It is a common seasonal migrant, breeding in karoo scrub and fynbos in the southern highlands, and migrating north in to spend the southern winter in thorn scrub at lower altitudes.

Citrine Canary-flycatcher Culicicapa helianthea – ©Dubi Shapiro

Around 12 cm in length, the adult is pale grey above with a black mask through the eye and a white supercilium. The wings are black with a long white stripe, and the long black tail has white sides. The throat is white, the breast is pale grey, and the belly is white with a pinkish-grey wash to its centre. The sexes are alike, but the juvenile is browner than the adult. The eye is brown and the bill and legs are black.

White-bellied Crested-Flycatcher Elminia albiventris – ©Dubi Shapiro

They are monogamous unless a mate dies, when it will seek a new partner. It builds an open cup nest from thin stems and other plant material and lined with plant down. It is placed in the branches of a tree or shrub but well concealed. The female lays two or three green eggs. They are usually seen alone, in pairs, or small flocks feeding on small insects and other invertebrates, foraging in the foliage like a warbler.