The forest penduline tit is a species of bird in the family Remizidae. It is native to the African tropical rainforest.
Region
West and Central African Rainforest
Typical Environment
Found in lowland tropical moist forests, including primary rainforest, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. It favors the midstory to canopy where it gleans small arthropods from foliage and twigs. The species tolerates selectively logged forest and wooded edges but is most abundant in intact forest. Often occurs in mixed-species foraging parties, especially along edges and light gaps.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny member of the penduline tit family, it inhabits the African tropical rainforest and is often overlooked due to its size and unobtrusive behavior. Like other penduline tits, it weaves intricate, hanging nests from plant fibers and spider silk. It frequently joins mixed-species flocks while foraging in the forest canopy and edges.
Temperament
active and unobtrusive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically seen in pairs or small family groups and commonly associates with mixed-species flocks. Both sexes participate in building elaborate, hanging nests from plant fibers and spider silk. Nest placement is usually on slender branch tips to deter predators.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin calls and short trills delivered from within foliage, often as contact notes while foraging. Song is soft and rapid, making it easy to overlook amid rainforest background noise.
Plumage
Small, compact tit with olive-green upperparts and yellowish underparts, often with a subtly brighter forehead. Plumage is soft and plain, suited to foliage gleaning, with minimal streaking.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. Gleans prey from leaves, buds, and fine twigs, and occasionally hawks minute insects in short sallies. May supplement its diet with tiny seeds or nectar opportunistically but remains primarily insectivorous.
Preferred Environment
Forages in foliage-rich midstory and canopy layers, especially along forest edges, light gaps, and secondary growth. Uses fine branches and leaf clusters where small arthropods are abundant.
