Animalia Life
Dyaphorophyia castanea
SUBFAMILY
Platysteirinae
TAXONOMY
Dyaphorophyia castanea Fraser, 1843.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Gobemouche caronculй chвtain; German: Weissbьrzel-
Lappenschnдpper; Spanish: Ojicarunculado Castaсo.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The body length is about 4 in (10–11 cm). The head is relatively
large, the tail extremely short, and the wings short and
rounded. The iris is dark brown, and there is a gray patch of
bare skin (an eye-wattle) around the eye. The male is colored
glossy black above, with a white rump and undersides except
for a black band across the breast. The female is a duller
brown-black with a gray head, white chin and belly, and sides
of head and chest chestnut.
DISTRIBUTION
A widespread, nonmigratory species of tropical, central, western
Africa.
HABITAT
Occurs in lowland, humid, primary and mature secondary tropical
and montane forest, including flooded forest. It occurs in
relatively shrubby and liana-dense habitats. It occurs as high as
about 5,900 ft (1,800 m)
BEHAVIOR
A nonmigratory species that occurs in pairs or as small family
groups. Breeding birds defend a territory. The song is a series
of simple notes.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Searches actively or from a perch for insects in the lower
canopy. Insects are gleaned from foliage and also caught in
flight.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Builds a small cup-shaped nest in a fork of a branch. Lays one
or two, glossy blue-green eggs that are incubated by the female
for 17 days. Pairs are monogamous but their immature progeny
help them with their breeding effort.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. An endemic species that is locally abundant in
parts of its range.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known, except for the economic benefits of birdwatching.
Photo Gallery of - Chestnut wattle-eye
