The papyrus yellow warbler, papyrus flycatcher-warbler or thin-billed flycatcher-warbler is a species of tree warbler; formerly, these were placed in the paraphyletic "Old World warblers". It is monotypic in its genus. It is found in Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is swamps. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
East-Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in extensive papyrus swamps in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. It favors the interiors and edges of mature papyrus beds along shorelines, floodplains, backwaters, and slow-flowing rivers. Birds keep low to mid-levels in dense stems but may sing from exposed perches. Habitat quality declines where papyrus is cut, burnt, or converted, leading to fragmented populations.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive warbler is confined to dense stands of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) around large lakes and rivers of East and Central Africa. It is the sole member of its genus and is specially adapted to clambering among reed-like stems. Often detected by voice, it can sally out to catch insects, reflecting its alternative name, flycatcher-warbler. Ongoing drainage and burning of papyrus swamps are its main threats.
Temperament
secretive and skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief dashes between papyrus stems
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, sometimes with dependent juveniles. Likely monogamous, nesting deep within papyrus where a cup nest is woven among stems. Territories are maintained within continuous patches of suitable habitat. Breeding timing can align with stable water levels and fresh papyrus growth.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of high, thin trills and buzzy phrases delivered from an exposed stem or just within cover. Calls include sharp chips and soft ticking notes, often the first clue to its presence in dense vegetation.
Plumage
Upperparts olive to olive-brown with slightly darker wings and tail; underparts bright yellow, clean and uniform from throat to belly. Feathers are sleek and smooth, giving a neat appearance. The bill is thin and pointed, and the bird often appears long-tailed and slim.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small insects such as flies, beetles, caterpillars, and other arthropods, and will take spiders. Forages by gleaning from papyrus stems and leaves, probing into leaf sheaths, and occasionally making short sallies to catch flying insects. Diet reflects its flycatcher-like foraging style within a warbler framework.
Preferred Environment
Forages within dense papyrus stands, particularly along edges, channels, and sheltered interior pockets. It often works at low to mid-heights above water, where invertebrate abundance is high.
