The lemon-bellied crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae. It is sparsely present throughout the African tropical rainforest. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist shrubland.
Region
Congo Basin and West-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Found patchily across the African tropical rainforest belt, especially within the Congo Basin and adjacent moist lowland forests. It inhabits primary and secondary rainforest, forest edges, clearings with thickets, and dense shrub layers. The species often uses vine tangles and mid-story foliage, and it tolerates selectively logged areas if dense understory remains. It is generally local but may be overlooked due to its small size and skulking habits.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The lemon-bellied crombec is a tiny African warbler with an almost tailless silhouette, making it look unusually compact. It forages nimbly through foliage, gleaning insects from leaves and twigs, often in pairs or small family groups. Its purse-like nest is neatly woven and typically suspended in dense vegetation. Despite living in vast rainforests, it can adapt to secondary growth and forest edges.
Temperament
active and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between foliage
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and occasionally joins mixed-species flocks. It forages by gleaning among leaves and twigs and may hover briefly to pick prey. The nest is a small, woven purse-like structure suspended in dense vegetation with a side entrance. Breeding territories are defended by duetting and soft calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of thin, high-pitched trills and soft whistles, often delivered from within cover. Calls include sharp tsee notes and soft contact chips used between mates. The song can be easily overlooked amid rainforest insect noise.
Plumage
Compact, almost tailless warbler with smooth olive-tinged upperparts and a distinctly lemon-yellow belly. Subtle pale supercilium and slightly paler throat contrast with darker wings. Feathers appear sleek, aiding its agile movement through foliage.
Diet
Primarily small arthropods, including caterpillars, beetles, ants, and spiders gleaned from foliage and twigs. It occasionally probes into curled leaves and vine tangles to reach hidden prey. Opportunistic feeding on small insect larvae is common during the breeding season.
Preferred Environment
Mid-story to subcanopy foliage in dense lowland rainforest and secondary growth. Frequently forages along forest edges, clearings, and vine-laden thickets where small insects are abundant.
