Silverbird
Empidornis semipartitus
Silhouette: Martin Bulla, based on François Desbordes' illustration · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPasseriformes (Perching Birds)
- FamilyMuscicapidae (Old World Flycatchers, Robins, and Chats)
- GenusEmpidornis
- SpeciesEmpidornis semipartitus (Silverbird)
About the Silverbird
The silverbird (Empidornis semipartitus) is an Old World flycatcher native to Eastern Africa, from Sudan to Tanzania. The species is the only member of the genus Empidornis, although it is sometimes placed in the genus Melaenornis.
The silverbird is a stunning flycatcher of open areas west of the Rift Valley, silvery grey above and tawny orange below. Juveniles have black-bordered tawny spots on upperparts, mottled buff and black on throats and breasts. The species is 18 cm (7.1 in) long and weighs 22–23 g (0.78–0.81 oz).
The call of the silverbird uses short phrases which are slightly thrush-like. Sometimes the terminal note is higher and thinner, eee-sleeur-eeee or sweet siursur-eet-seet; also a longer eep-eep churEErip, eep-eep cherip chch chchch eee, embellished with chattering and seep notes.
Dale A. Zimmerman, Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania, Princeton University Press, 1999 del Hoyo, J.; Elliot, A. & Christie D. (editors). (2006). Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-06-X.
Image at ADW Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Silverbird in Serengeti National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Serengeti National Park
African Gray Flycatcher
Bradornis microrhynchus
Sooty Chat
Myrmecocichla nigra
White-browed Robin-Chat
Cossypha heuglini
Northern Wheatear
Oenanthe oenanthe
Capped Wheatear
Oenanthe pileata
White-browed Scrub Robin
Erythropygia leucophrys
Northern Anteater-Chat
Myrmecocichla aethiops
Isabelline Wheatear
Oenanthe isabellina
Spotted Flycatcher
Muscicapa striata
Northern Black-Flycatcher
Melaenornis edolioides
Spotted Morning-Thrush
Cichladusa guttata
Pied Wheatear
Oenanthe pleschanka
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murchison Falls National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 2 | Kidepo Valley National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 3 | Serengeti National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 4 | Tarangire National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 5 | Ngorongoro Conservation Area | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 6 | Masai Mara National Reserve | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 7 | Lake Manyara National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 8 | Arusha National Park | 🇹🇿 Tanzania | |
| 9 | Nairobi National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 10 | Lake Nakuru National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 11 | Lake Mburo National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 12 | Tsavo West National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 13 | Queen Elizabeth National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 14 | Bwindi Impenetrable National Park | 🇺🇬 Uganda | |
| 15 | Tsavo East National Park | 🇰🇪 Kenya | |
| 16 | Virunga National Park | 🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Silverbird in Serengeti National Park?
About 40% of wildlife watchers report a Silverbird sighting in Serengeti National Park, based on 2,003 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Silverbird in Serengeti National Park?
April has the highest sighting rate for Silverbird in Serengeti National Park in our monthly data.