The green hylia is a monotypic genus widespread in tropical Africa, where it mostly inhabits the understory and mid-stratum of moist forest. It is a canopy insectivore which had been tentatively placed within the family of Cettiidae warblers, but in 2019 its assignment to a new family, the Hyliidae, was strongly supported.
Region
Tropical Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs across moist lowland and foothill forests of West and Central Africa, including primary and well-developed secondary forest. It favors dense understory, vine tangles, and forest edges, and will use riparian thickets within forested landscapes. The species is largely sedentary and maintains territories year-round. It is often most numerous in mature forest with a stratified canopy.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The green hylia is the sole species in its genus and is widespread in tropical African forests. Once tentatively placed with Cettiidae warblers, it is now recognized in the family Hyliidae. It keeps to dense understory and mid-level foliage where it actively gleans insects and often joins mixed-species flocks. Its bright, ringing song is surprisingly loud for such a small bird.
Specimen at Nairobi National Museum
Temperament
active and furtive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense foliage
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and frequently joins mixed-species flocks in the midstory and understory. Pairs maintain territories and communicate with persistent song. The nest is a small, well-concealed structure placed low to mid-level in dense vegetation.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Delivers a clear, ringing series of high-pitched notes and whistles, often repeated with steady rhythm. Songs carry well through forest and are given persistently, especially at dawn.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed, with olive-green upperparts and yellow to yellow-olive underparts; subtle pale supercilium and slightly paler throat. Feathers are smooth and unspotted, giving a uniform greenish look above with cleaner yellow below.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small insects and other arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. Prey is mostly gleaned from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, with occasional hovering to pick items from suspended foliage. It may sally short distances to snatch flushed insects.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the shaded understory and midstory of moist forest, forest edges, and mature secondary growth. Often works along lianas, saplings, and dense shrubs where prey density is high.
