Animalia Life
Phyllastrephus scandens
TAXONOMY
Phyllastrephus scandens Swainson, 1837, West Africa. Closest allies
Thescelocichla and Chlorocichla flavicollis, based on bill shape.
Two races recognized based on plumage and wing length.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
English: Leaflove; French: Bulbul а queue rousse; German:
Uferbьlbьl; Spanish: Amante de Hojas.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
5.9 in (15 cm); 1.1–1.9 oz (33–53 g). Gray head, back grayolive,
bright, rusty tail, feathers of tail and rump fluffy. Some
black bristles on nape of neck and near bill. Belly creamy
whitish yellow. Sexes alike. Juvenile mostly olive-gray with
rusty wash, chin and underparts white, undertail pale rust.
DISTRIBUTION
Endemic to east central Africa; Sudan, western Gambia, Senegal,
Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana,
Togo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, southern Congo, Central
African Republic, and Zaire.
HABITAT
Forest and thickets near water.
BEHAVIOR
Moves in pairs or small flocks; will defend communal territory
with chorus. Drops from high perch into streams to bathe, flies
back to perch to shake and preen, then drops again. Groups
produce loud, raucous chorus.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Forages in canopy, on ground, and in vegetation for insects
and their larvae, also eats small snails, seeds, and berries.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Territorial during breeding season. Cup-shaped nest suspended
in twigs by cobwebs, appears too small for the bird. Incubation
by female only.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened. Locally common, though fragmented
DISTRIBUTION
.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
Photo Gallery of - Leaf-love
