Iringa Akalat
Image: Tom Field (CC BY 4.0)
NameIringa Akalat
Common NameIringa Akalat
Scientific NameSheppardia lowei
FamilyMuscicapidae
Wingspan (cm)20
Length (cm)13.5
Weight (g)15
Plumage DetailsUpperparts are dull olive-brown, contrasting with a paler throat and belly. The flanks and breast often show a rufous wash, and the head is dark.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalizations include a series of clear, piping, and often melancholic whistles, typically given from dense cover.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeEndemic to a few isolated patches of montane evergreen forest in the Udzungwa Mountains and possibly the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
Identifying FeaturesSmall, drab appearance, Dull olive-brown upperparts, Rufous wash on flanks/breast, Shy, ground-dwelling behavior, Distinctive whistled calls, Restricted geographic range in Tanzania
Description
This small, shy bird inhabits dense undergrowth of montane forests. It is characterized by its drab olive-brown plumage and secretive, ground-dwelling behavior, often detected by its distinctive calls.
