The red-fronted antpecker is a species of songbird found in Western Africa. Like all antpeckers, it is placed in the estrildid finch family, Estrildidae. Jameson's antpecker has sometimes been considered as a subspecies.
Region
West Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in the Upper Guinea forests from Guinea and Sierra Leone through Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire to Ghana. Prefers lowland evergreen and moist semi-deciduous forest, including mature secondary growth and forest edges with dense understory. Often keeps to vine tangles, sapling thickets, and areas with abundant dead leaves where insects accumulate. Tolerates selectively logged forest but avoids open country and heavily degraded habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy understory songbird of West Africa’s lowland forests, the red-fronted antpecker belongs to the estrildid finch family yet feeds largely on insects. Males show a distinctive bright red forecrown, a key field mark in dim forest light. It forages quietly through vine tangles and dead leaf clusters, gleaning small arthropods. Jameson’s antpecker has sometimes been treated as a subspecies, reflecting close affinities within Parmoptila.
Temperament
shy and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through understory
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, moving quietly through dense understory. Likely monogamous, with nests placed low in thick vegetation or vine tangles. Outside breeding, may associate loosely with mixed-species understory flocks but remains unobtrusive.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, thin, high-pitched tsee notes and short trills, often delivered from concealed perches. Vocalizations are understated and easily overlooked amid forest ambient noise.
