Bar-throated Apalis
Apalis thoracica
Slim, pretty, long-tailed member of the cisticola family. Shows considerable geographic variation; the back can be olive-green or gray, the crown brown or gray, and the underparts white or yellow. Always shows a white eye, a black band across the chest, and white outer tail feathers. In most of its range, confined to montane forest. In South Africa, also found in dense woodland and thicket. The song varies geographically, but in general, is a duet in which the male gives repeated “chrup” notes while the female gives rapid-fire higher notes.
Identification
The bar-throated apalis is a slender bird with a long tail and is 11 to 13 cm in length. The plumage varies depending on the subspecies: the upper parts can be grey or green while the underparts are white or pale yellow. All forms have a narrow black band across the breast, white outer tail-feathers and a pale eye. The black bill is fairly long and slender and is slightly curved. Females are similar to males but have a narrower breast band. Juveniles have buffer underparts and may have an incomplete breast band.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Apalis thoracica
- Authority
- (Shaw, 1811)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Cisticolidae
- Genus
- Apalis
Range and habitat
It inhabits forest and scrub in Southern and East Africa from southern and eastern parts of South Africa north as far as the Chyulu Hills in Kenya. In the northern part of is range it is found only in highland areas where there are a number of subspecies restricted to isolated mountain ranges. Some of these may be treated as separate species including the Namuli apalis (A. lynesi) in Mozambique, yellow-throated apalis (A. flavigularis) of Malawi and Taita apalis (A. fascigularis) in Kenya.
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
Pairs sing a duetting song with the female's call being higher-pitched than that of the male.<p>The oval, purse-shaped nest is made mainly of plant material. Three eggs are laid, these are bluish-white with reddish-brown spots. The breeding season lasts from August to January.<p>This species forages for caterpillars and other insects amongst vegetation, often forming mixed-species flocks with other birds.
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Cinnamon-bellied Imperial-Pigeon
Ducula basilica
A distinctive large pigeon with a pale pink head and neck, a deep cinnamon belly, dark greenish upperparts and tail, and a broad pale band at the tail tip. Singles to small groups inhabit forest and forest edge, including degraded forest and plantations. Perches high, but rarely in the open. Overlaps with Spectacled Imperial-Pigeon, but differs in its pink head, its lack of a bold eye-ring, its cinnamon belly, and its pale tail band. Gives a signature deep two-note growl, “ku-woooo,” with a curt, rising first note and a longer second note.

White-bellied Redstart
Luscinia phaenicuroides
A dark, medium-sized songbird with a long orange-sided tail, totally unlike any other redstart. Breeds in shrubby montane areas, particularly in the transition zone between forest and more open habitats; winters in similarly dense habitat at lower elevations. Male is predominantly grayish blue, with orange tail edges and a white belly. Female lacks the namesake white underparts and is instead brown overall with darker upperparts. Immature males have a blue head and chest, but are otherwise brown overall. Other redstarts in its range have a noticeably shorter-tailed profile. Song is an alternating series of clear, bell-like whistles and slurred whistles; most common call is a hard “tuktuk,” like stones knocking together.

Grenada Wren
Troglodytes grenadensis
Small brownish wren found only on Grenada. Plumage cinnamon-brown overall, with dark barring on the wings and tail. Lacks white eyebrow. Generally more arboreal than mainland “House Wrens”, occurring in dense brushy woodland throughout the island. Often perches conspicuously when singing, but otherwise fairly secretive. Listen for loud song of chatters and clearer trills, as well as harsh scolding calls.
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