Red-faced Woodland-warbler
Encyclopedia
The Red-Faced Woodland-warbler (Phylloscopus laetus) is a species of Old World warbler
in the family Phylloscopus. It forms a superspecies with the closely related Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler
and the Laura's Woodland-warbler
. Two subspecies are recognised, the nominate P. l. laetus ranges from Western Uganda
and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
(the Ruwenzori Mountains), south through SW Uganda, western Rwanda
and western Burundi
. The second subspecies, P. l. schoutedeni, has a more restricted range, being confined to Mt Kabobo in eastern DRC. It is one of several species known as Albertine Rift Valley endemics. Overall the species has a total range of 77,000 square kilometres (29000 sq mi). Its natural habitat
is highland forest between 1200-3100 m, especially in bamboo; it also occurs in areas of secondary forest.
The Red-faced Woodland-warbler is a medium sized (11 cm) warbler with a distinctive reddish face, which is richer on P. l. schoutedeni. Overall the rest of the plumage
is greenish above with a paler off white belly and rump.
Little is known about the breeding biology of this species. Two or three eggs are laid in a ball nest suspended in a tangle of vines in shrubs and trees (up to 10 m above the ground). Both parents care for the young. Red-faced Woodland-warblers feed on insects and other invertebrates, particularly bugs, beetles and spiders. They hunt in pairs and will sometimes join small feeding flocks.
The Red-faced Woodland-warbler is not considered threatened by human activities. It has a small worldwide range but is relatively common where it occurs.
Old World warbler
The "Old World Warblers" is the name used to describe a large group of birds formerly grouped together in the bird family Sylviidae. The family held over 400 species in over 70 genera, and were the source of much taxonomic confusion. Two families were split out initially, the cisticolas into...
in the family Phylloscopus. It forms a superspecies with the closely related Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler
Yellow-throated Woodland-warbler
The Yellow-Throated Woodland-Warbler is a species of Old World warbler . It is found in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe...
and the Laura's Woodland-warbler
Laura's Woodland-warbler
The Laura's Woodland-warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the Phylloscopidae family.It is found in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia....
. Two subspecies are recognised, the nominate P. l. laetus ranges from Western Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
(the Ruwenzori Mountains), south through SW Uganda, western Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
and western Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
. The second subspecies, P. l. schoutedeni, has a more restricted range, being confined to Mt Kabobo in eastern DRC. It is one of several species known as Albertine Rift Valley endemics. Overall the species has a total range of 77,000 square kilometres (29000 sq mi). Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
is highland forest between 1200-3100 m, especially in bamboo; it also occurs in areas of secondary forest.
The Red-faced Woodland-warbler is a medium sized (11 cm) warbler with a distinctive reddish face, which is richer on P. l. schoutedeni. Overall the rest of the plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
is greenish above with a paler off white belly and rump.
Little is known about the breeding biology of this species. Two or three eggs are laid in a ball nest suspended in a tangle of vines in shrubs and trees (up to 10 m above the ground). Both parents care for the young. Red-faced Woodland-warblers feed on insects and other invertebrates, particularly bugs, beetles and spiders. They hunt in pairs and will sometimes join small feeding flocks.
The Red-faced Woodland-warbler is not considered threatened by human activities. It has a small worldwide range but is relatively common where it occurs.