The red-capped crombec is a species of African warbler, formerly placed in the family Sylviidae.
Region
South-central and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely in dry to moist woodlands and savanna thickets, especially miombo and mopane woodlands. Found from Angola and the southern Democratic Republic of the Congo through Zambia and Tanzania to Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, with local presence in adjacent regions. Prefers woodland edges, secondary growth, and well-developed scrub with scattered trees. Often forages from lower to mid-canopy levels and along dense bush where it can move rapidly between leaves and twigs.
Altitude Range
200–2000 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A tiny, short-tailed African warbler of the crombec group, the red-capped crombec is notable for its bright rufous crown and near-absent tail. It actively creeps and hops through foliage, gleaning insects with precision, and often joins mixed-species flocks in woodlands. Its nest is a neat, purse-like structure woven from plant fibers and spider silk with a side entrance. Formerly placed in Sylviidae, it is now classified within the African warbler family Macrosphenidae.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between bushes and low perches
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in pairs, maintaining small territories in suitable woodland. Frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks, moving quickly through foliage. Builds a small, purse-like suspended nest of plant fibers and spider webs with a side entrance, usually placed in dense shrubs.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of trills and piping notes delivered rapidly, often from concealed perches. Calls include sharp chips and soft tsee notes, repeated in quick sequences during foraging.
Plumage
Compact, short-tailed bird with warm brown-olive upperparts and pale buff to whitish underparts; crown distinctly rufous. Feathers are smooth and neat, giving a sleek appearance. The tail is extremely short, accentuating its round-bodied look.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, ants, termites, and spiders. Gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and bark, sometimes hovering briefly to pick items from the undersides of foliage. Occasional ingestion of small larvae and eggs supplements its insect diet.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the lower to mid-story of miombo and mopane woodlands, bushy savanna, and dense thickets. Often uses woodland edges, secondary growth, and tangled shrubs where prey is abundant.
