Black-necked Wattle-eye

Platysteira chalybea

A distinctive wattle-eye with iridescent blue-black upperparts and throat, off-white underparts, and bright green eye wattles. Unlike many other wattle-eyes, sexes are similar, with the female looking like a male with dull plumage. Similar to Red-cheeked Wattle-eye, with which it overlaps locally in western Cameroon. Where overlap occurs, Black-necked Wattle-eye is found at higher elevations and shows more off-white underparts, brighter green eye wattles, and a uniformly iridescent black head and throat. Song varies, but is often a distinctive phrase of two high rising whistles and then two lower ones, “sweeswee-huuhuu.” 

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Platysteira chalybea
Authority
(Reichenow, 1897)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Platysteiridae
Genus
Platysteira

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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