The brown-chested alethe is a species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. It has a discontinuous range of presence across the African tropical rainforest.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occupies evergreen lowland and foothill rainforests with dense understory, including primary forest and mature secondary growth. It keeps to shaded ravines, thickets along streams, and vine tangles where ground cover is moist and deep in leaf litter. In West Africa it occurs from Sierra Leone to Ghana; in Central Africa through the Congo Basin; and in East Africa in montane forest fragments of the Albertine Rift. It tolerates some selective logging if understory structure remains intact.
Altitude Range
0–2200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory bird of African rainforests, the brown-chested alethe often forages on or near the forest floor, flicking its tail as it moves through leaf litter. Its range is discontinuous across West, Central, and parts of East Africa, with several recognized subspecies. It is more often heard than seen, giving clear, whistled phrases from dense cover. Although currently not at risk, it is sensitive to forest degradation and fragmentation.
Temperament
solitary and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories within dense understory. Nest is a cup of leaves and fibers placed low in shrubs or on banks, with both sexes involved in nesting duties. Clutch size is usually small, and adults remain close to cover while foraging and attending the nest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, mellow whistles delivered from concealed perches, often repeated in simple phrases. Calls include sharp ticks and soft chups given when disturbed or alarmed.
Plumage
Smooth grey head with warm rufous-brown upperparts and tail; a distinct brown chest band contrasts with clean whitish underparts. Plumage is neat and thrush-like, with subtle tonal transitions rather than bold patterns.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other small arthropods such as beetles, ants, caterpillars, and spiders. It gleans from leaf litter, probes among roots, and occasionally sallies to the ground from low perches. It may sporadically follow army ant swarms to capture flushed prey.
Preferred Environment
Dense, shaded understory on the forest floor, especially along trails, stream margins, and thickets where leaf litter accumulates. Frequently forages in quiet, secluded microhabitats with ample ground cover.
