Yellow Longbill

Overview

The yellow longbill (Macrosphenus flavicans) is a species of Old World warbler in the family Macrosphenidae. It is a small bird found across West and Central Africa, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Measures approximately 13 cm from bill to tail and weighs between 11-16 g.
• Features a black, long, straight bill with a small hook at the tip.
• Possesses yellow irises and greenish-yellow underparts, with a dark olive-grey crown transitioning to dark olive-green upperparts.
• Long, loose feathers on the back and rump appear yellow-tinged.

Habitat

This species inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests, primarily in the lower and middle levels of primary and secondary forests. It is found in forest edges, clearings, and logged areas ranging from 1,000 to 1,800 m in elevation across countries including Angola, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Diet

The yellow longbill is omnivorous, feeding on spiders, insects such as moths, caterpillars, and beetles, as well as some fruit. It forages in pairs or family groups, sometimes mixed with other species, moving through thick and tangled undergrowth or in lower canopy areas, particularly during the dry season.

Did you know?

Despite its name, the bird has a lifespan of only 3.6 years.