Kemp's longbill is a species of Old World warbler in the family Macrosphenidae. It is found in Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
West Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Sierra Leone and Liberia east through Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria to western Cameroon. It inhabits subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests, particularly in dense understory, vine tangles, and thickets. The species uses primary rainforest and mature secondary growth and may visit forest edges and gallery forests near streams. It generally avoids open habitats and heavily degraded forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Kemp's longbill is a shy, understory warbler whose presence is often revealed more by its clear, piping song than by sight. It favors dense tangles and vine-choked thickets where its long, slightly decurved bill helps it probe for insects. Although sensitive to extensive forest loss, it can persist in mature secondary growth if understory cover remains. Its occurrence is a good indicator of relatively intact lowland rainforest structure.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense understory
Social Behavior
Typically encountered singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks in the understory. Nests low in dense vegetation; breeding is tied to rainy seasons in much of its range. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate frequently with soft calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, high-pitched whistles and piping notes delivered in short phrases, often repeated persistently from concealed perches. Calls include thin tseep or tik notes used to keep contact in dense cover.
