The black-throated wattle-eye is a species of bird in the family Platysteiridae. It is found in Angola, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Region
East and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from coastal and lowland forests to inland riverine thickets and secondary growth, including miombo and coastal woodlands. Prefers dense understory, forest edges, and tangled thickets where it can forage unobtrusively. Found in mosaics of woodland and scrub as well as along forested streams. Tolerates degraded habitats and secondary bush if cover remains, and may enter wooded gardens near natural forests.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small flycatcher-like bird is notable for its bright red orbital wattle and the male’s bold black throat patch. Pairs often perform coordinated duets and keep close contact within dense understory vegetation. It forages by gleaning from foliage and making short sallies to catch insects. Despite its secretive habits, it can be common in suitable thicket and forest-edge habitats.
Temperament
active and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically found in pairs or small family groups, maintaining territories in dense cover. Pairs often duet, strengthening pair bonds and signaling territory. Nest is a small cup placed low in a forked branch or thicket, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers clear, high-pitched whistles often given as antiphonal duets between mates. Calls include sharp tsip or tsee notes and short rattles, carrying well through thickets.
Plumage
Compact bird with a glossy black throat and upper breast in the male, contrasting with white underparts and grey to slate upperparts; female has a paler or buff-washed throat. Both sexes show a neat, clean pattern with a conspicuous wing patch. Plumage is smooth and crisp, suiting its active foraging in the understory.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects such as flies, beetles, ants, termites, and caterpillars, as well as spiders and other small arthropods. Forages by gleaning from leaves and twigs, making quick sallies to snatch airborne prey. Frequently inspects the underside of foliage and probes tangles and vine clusters. May join mixed-species flocks along forest edges.
Preferred Environment
Usually feeds within dense understory, thickets, and forest margins where there is ample cover. Often works along riparian corridors, secondary growth, and woodland edges, occasionally near human-altered habitats with dense shrub layers.
