(Image changed to show breast-bar) |
(ID and behaviour added) |
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[[Image:2007_06_08_Barthroated_Apalis.jpg|thumb|352px|right|Photo by Alan Manson<br>Pietermaritzburg, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]] ]] | [[Image:2007_06_08_Barthroated_Apalis.jpg|thumb|352px|right|Photo by Alan Manson<br>Pietermaritzburg, [[KwaZulu-Natal]], [[South Africa]] ]] | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | Length 12-13 cm, mass 8.3-13.1 g. | ||
| + | '''Adult''': Narrow black breastband together with pale eyes separate this species from others. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
Eastern and southern [[Africa]]: [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]], [[Mozambique]], [[Malawi]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], and [[Swaziland]]. | Eastern and southern [[Africa]]: [[Kenya]], [[Tanzania]], [[Zambia]], [[Mozambique]], [[Malawi]], [[Botswana]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[South Africa]], [[Lesotho]], and [[Swaziland]]. | ||
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Some authorities split this taxon into four or five species. | Some authorities split this taxon into four or five species. | ||
| − | As many as 21 subpecies have been described. | + | As many as 21 subpecies have been described (9 in [[South Africa]]). The colours of the crown, back and underparts vary. |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Forest edges, moist woodlands and shrublands, gardens. | Forest edges, moist woodlands and shrublands, gardens. | ||
==Behaviour== | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Singly, in pairs or in groups of up to six individuals. Inquisitive and fairly bold. Forages restlessly for invertebrates, gleaned from bark, leaves and flowers; also eats fruit. | ||
| + | '''Breeding''': Monogamous and territorial. The nest is oval or dome-shaped with a side-top entrance; built of fine plant material, lichen, moss and spider web. Two to four eggs are laid August to April. Parasitised by [[Red-chested Cuckoo]] and [[Klaas's Cuckoo]]. | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. ''Robert's Birds of Southern Africa'', 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533 | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. ''Birds of Africa south of the Sahara''. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299 | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Apalis+thoracica}} | {{GSearch|Apalis+thoracica}} | ||
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Apalis | + | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Apalis]] |
Revision as of 18:11, 25 May 2008
- Apalis thoracica
Identification
Length 12-13 cm, mass 8.3-13.1 g.
Adult: Narrow black breastband together with pale eyes separate this species from others.
Distribution
Eastern and southern Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland.
Taxonomy
Some authorities split this taxon into four or five species.
As many as 21 subpecies have been described (9 in South Africa). The colours of the crown, back and underparts vary.
Habitat
Forest edges, moist woodlands and shrublands, gardens.
Behaviour
Singly, in pairs or in groups of up to six individuals. Inquisitive and fairly bold. Forages restlessly for invertebrates, gleaned from bark, leaves and flowers; also eats fruit.
Breeding: Monogamous and territorial. The nest is oval or dome-shaped with a side-top entrance; built of fine plant material, lichen, moss and spider web. Two to four eggs are laid August to April. Parasitised by Red-chested Cuckoo and Klaas's Cuckoo.
References
Hockey PAR, Dean WRJ & Ryan PG (eds) 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa, 7th edition. John Voelcker Bird Book Fund, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN 0620340533
Sinclair I & Ryan P. 2003. Birds of Africa south of the Sahara. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0620207299
