The bar-throated apalis is a small African passerine bird belonging to the genus Apalis of the family Cisticolidae. It is native to the eastern and southern Afrotropics.
Region
Eastern and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Found from the Cape region through the Drakensberg and eastern escarpments into Mozambique, Eswatini, Lesotho, eastern Zimbabwe, and adjacent highlands. It favors dense undergrowth in evergreen and montane forests, forest edges, riparian thickets, and fynbos. The species also occupies secondary growth and well-vegetated gardens and plantations. It commonly forages in the mid to lower strata, moving quickly through shrubs and tangles. Often accompanies mixed-species flocks in suitable woodland and scrub.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Bar-throated apalises are nimble foliage-gleaners that often travel in pairs and join mixed-species flocks. Pairs frequently duet, delivering tightly coordinated call-and-response songs. The species shows notable geographic variation in plumage across its range and readily uses forest edges, thickets, fynbos, and even gardens.
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and bouncing between shrubs
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species flocks. Monogamous pairs maintain territories and build neat, well-hidden nests in dense vegetation. Both sexes participate in foraging and vocal duets.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Fast, high-pitched series of thin notes, often delivered antiphonally by a pair. Calls include sharp chips and rapid trills that carry through dense shrubbery.
Plumage
Compact, long-tailed warbler with grey to olive upperparts and a clean white throat bordered by a distinct dark bar across the upper breast; underparts whitish to buff. Tail is graduated with contrasting white outer feathers. Subspecies variation may add yellowish or buff tones on the underparts.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, flies, and spiders. It actively gleans from leaves and twigs and will hover-glean to pick prey from the underside of foliage. Occasionally takes small berries or nectar when insects are scarce, but remains chiefly insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense shrubs, forest edges, thickets, and fynbos, often from near ground level up to the mid-story. Common around well-vegetated gardens and plantations where it can move quickly through cover.
