Violet-backed Hyliota
NameViolet-backed Hyliota
Common NameViolet-backed Hyliota
Scientific NameHyliota violacea
FamilyHyliotidae
Wingspan (cm)17.5
Length (cm)11.5
Weight (g)10.5
Plumage DetailsMales have glossy violet-blue to blackish upperparts, including the crown, back, wings, and tail, with contrasting pure white underparts from throat to vent. Females are duller, with brownish-black upperparts and buffy-white underparts.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include high-pitched, sibilant 'tsip' or 'tsee' notes, often delivered in a rapid series. They can also produce thin, reedy whistles.
Primary Dietinsectivore
Primary Habitatsforest
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeFound in West and Central Africa, ranging from Sierra Leone eastward through countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, extending to Uganda and south to Angola.
Identifying Featuressmall size, glossy dark upperparts (violet-blue in males), pure white underparts, active canopy foraging, often in mixed-species flocks
Description
This small, active passerine is characterized by its striking plumage. Males display glossy violet-blue upperparts contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. They are typically found foraging for insects in the canopy of tropical moist lowland forests.
