From Opus

Alternative names: Yellow Flycatcher Warbler, Dark-capped Yellow Warbler.

Photo by Alan Manson
Midmar Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, October 2007

Iduna natalensis

Chloropeta natalensis

[edit] Identification

Length 14-15 cm, mass 12 g. Upperparts olive-brown; tail and flight feathers darker. Underparts bright yellow. Bill dark, eyes brown, legs and feet slate-grey.
Sexes similar.

[edit] Distribution

Sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon to Ethiopia and eastern South Africa.

[edit] Taxonomy

There are three or four subspecies; There is variation in the plumage coloration (different shades of brown and yellow).

[edit] Subspecies^[1]

• I. n. batesi:

• Nigeria to northern Zaire and south-western Sudan

• I. n. massaica:

• South-eastern Sudan and Ethiopia to eastern Zaire, Uganda, Kenya and southern Tanzania

• I. n. major:

• Gabon and Angola to southern Zaire and northern Zambia

• I. n. natalensis:

• Southern Zambia and southern Tanzania to eastern South Africa

Formerly placed in genus Chloropeta

[edit] Habitat

Rank vegetation along watercourses and forest edges and near wetlands.

[edit] Behaviour

Usually found singly or in pairs, these birds are inconspicuous unless singing.

[edit] Diet

They forage for invertebrates low down in the vegetation.

[edit] Breeding

The nest is a cup of grass blades made within 2 m of the ground; 2-3 eggs are laid.

[edit] Vocalisation

Song rich and distinctive.

[edit] References

1. Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.

1. Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 0620340533
2. Lepage D. 2007. Avibase. Search for "Chloropeta natalensis" downloaded 29 October 2007.

• List of references

[edit] External Links

• View more images of this species on the African Bird Image Database.