Long-billed Forest Warbler

Overview

The long-billed forest warbler, or long-billed tailorbird, is a small songbird in the family Cisticolidae found in Tanzania and Mozambique. It inhabits subtropical or tropical moist montane forests and is currently classified as endangered due to habitat destruction.

Identification

• A small, plump, and inconspicuous bird approximately 10 cm long with greyish upper parts and paler grey underparts.
• Features a long and slender beak, a long tail that is frequently cocked when excited, and filoplumes on the head.
• Produces a distinctive metallic "peedoo peedoo" call, making it easier to detect by hearing than by sight.

Habitat

The species occupies subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, specifically evergreen Afromontane forest patches and riparian forests. Subspecies A. m. moreaui is endemic to the East Usambara plateau in Tanzania, while A. m. sousae is found in the Njesi Highlands of northern Mozambique between 1,430 and 1,850 meters elevation.

Did you know?

The species is significantly easier to detect by listening to its call than by sight, owing to its small size and inconspicuous appearance.