The green crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae. It is widespread across the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.
Region
West and Central African rainforests
Typical Environment
Occurs widely across the tropical rainforest belt from West Africa into the Congo Basin. It inhabits lowland primary and secondary moist forest, forest edges, gallery forests, and dense shrub thickets. The species tolerates selectively logged and regenerating habitats where sufficient understory and vine tangles remain. It typically forages from the understory to midstory, occasionally moving into the canopy with mixed flocks.
Altitude Range
0–1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The green crombec is an African warbler notable for its almost tailless silhouette, which gives it a rounded, compact look in foliage. It often joins mixed-species flocks, flitting rapidly through leaves as it gleans tiny arthropods. Pairs weave neat, purse-like nests from plant fibers and spider silk, suspended in shrubs or low branches. Formerly placed in Sylviidae, it is now grouped with African warblers (Macrosphenidae).
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Territories are defended with soft calls and displays. The nest is a finely woven, purse-like structure suspended from vegetation, with both parents participating in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of high, thin trills and short, repeated whistles delivered from inside foliage. Calls include sharp tsip notes used to keep contact while moving through dense leaves.
Plumage
Smooth, olive-green to yellow-olive upperparts with paler, buffy to whitish underparts and a clean throat. The tail is extremely short, giving a rounded rear profile. A faint pale supercilium contrasts slightly with dusky lores and ear coverts.
Diet
Primarily consumes small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders, gleaned from leaves and twigs. It picks prey delicately from the outer foliage and probes into rolled leaves and vine tangles. Occasional small berries may be taken, especially in degraded habitats when insects are scarce.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and midstory foliage, along forest edges, vine tangles, and secondary growth. Often forages with mixed flocks, moving quickly through leaf clusters and lianas.
