This uncommon, poorly known flycatcher is endemic to Angola. The candidate name Dioptrornis brunneus is an older generic combination; current accounts use Melaenornis brunneus.
The forehead, lores and eye-ring are grey; the head and upperparts are warm dark brown. The throat and breast are brown, with a pale buff-white upper belly and white lower belly and flanks. The sexes are similar.
It catches insects by hawking from the crowns of tall trees. It is resident; birds in breeding condition have been recorded from August to November, but breeding behaviour is otherwise poorly known.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.