Fairy Flycatcher (Stenostira scita) [XC392716]
by Toby Esplin from Kransvleipoort, Clanwilliam, Western Cape, South Africa (song)
Fairy Flycatcher (Stenostira scita) [XC308749]
by Alan Collett from Aberdeen Plain, Western District, Eastern Cape, South Africa (song)
Subspecies
Affinities disputed. Sometimes treated as an Old World warbler in family Sylviidae, sometimes regarded as a monarch-flycatcher in family Monarchidae, and it resembles Elminia in plumage and behaviour, but differs from this group in voice, mouth colour, lack of eyering and shape of carpometacarpus. Currently considered most likely to belong in present family, and probably closest to Grey Tit-Flycatcher (Fraseria plumbea), with which it may even be congeneric.
The following 3 subspecies are recognised:
scita (Vieillot, 1818) - Breeds south-western South Africa (southern northern Cape and north-western western Cape). Non-breeding north to southern Namibia, Botswana and occasionally Zimbabwe.
saturatior Lawson, 1962 - Breeds southern South Africa (Western Cape, eastern Cape). Non-breeding also north to western Free State.
rudebecki Clancey, 1955 - Breeds Lesotho highlands. Non-breeding South Africa (Free State, Gauteng highveld, highlands of KwaZulu-Natal).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet