Thyolo Alethe
NameThyolo Alethe
Common NameThyolo Alethe
Scientific NameChamaetylas choloensis
FamilyMuscicapidae
Wingspan (cm)22.5
Length (cm)17
Weight (g)30
Plumage DetailsDark brown cap, prominent white throat and malar stripe, rufous-brown upperparts (back, wings, tail), grayish-white breast and belly, dark eye with a faint pale eye-ring.
Vocalization / CallA series of clear, whistled notes, often ascending or descending, sometimes with a trill, described as melodious.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeEndemic to a few isolated montane forest patches in southern Malawi (Thyolo Mountain, Mulanje Massif) and adjacent Mozambique (Mt Namuli).
Identifying Featureswhite throat, dark brown cap, rufous-brown back, grayish underparts, shy forest behavior
Description
This shy forest bird is characterized by its dark brown cap, prominent white throat, and rufous-brown upperparts. It typically forages for invertebrates in the dense undergrowth of montane forests, often near the ground.
