Sharpe's Akalat
NameSharpe's Akalat
Common NameSharpe's Akalat
Scientific NameSheppardia sharpei
FamilyMuscicapidae
Wingspan (cm)19
Length (cm)13.5
Weight (g)15
Plumage DetailsFeatures a dark grey to blackish cap, contrasting with a bright rufous-orange throat and breast that fades to paler rufous or buffy on the belly. Its upperparts, including the back and wings, are olive-brown. It has a dark bill and legs.
Vocalization / CallIts vocalization is a series of clear, whistled notes, often described as a repeated 'twee-twee-twee' or 'chip-chip-chip', sometimes followed by a trill.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest, mountain
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Albertine Rift mountains of East-Central Africa, found in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and Tanzania.
Identifying Featuresdark cap, bright rufous throat and breast, olive-brown back, shy behavior in forest undergrowth
Description
A small, shy forest bird, Sharpe's Akalat is characterized by its dark cap, rufous underparts, and olive-brown back. It typically forages in the dense undergrowth of montane forests, often near the ground.
