The southern hyliota is a species of Hyliota. It is found in Angola, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and dry savanna.
Region
South-central and East Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs from Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo across Zambia and Tanzania to Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, with outliers in Uganda and Cameroon. It is most frequently found in dry woodland, especially miombo (Brachystegia/Julbernardia) and adjacent dry savannas. The species favors the mid to upper canopy and woodland edges, including lightly disturbed areas. It can persist in mosaics of woodland and fallow fields provided mature trees remain.
Altitude Range
200–1800 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The southern hyliota is a small canopy-dwelling songbird closely associated with miombo woodlands. It often joins mixed-species flocks and moves restlessly through the upper branches while gleaning insects. A distinctive white wing panel and white outer tail feathers often give it away as it flits between branches.
Southern Hyliota
Temperament
active and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the canopy. Nesting is in trees, with a small cup nest placed on outer branches. Pairs maintain territories during breeding but are more tolerant in the nonbreeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched twitters and trills delivered from the canopy. Calls include sharp chips and soft tsee notes given while foraging and in contact with flock mates.
Plumage
Upperparts grey-brown to olive with a conspicuous white wing panel; tail dark with white outer feathers. Underparts off-white to pale buff with a faint yellowish wash on the flanks. Throat and belly are generally paler, with subtle contrast to the darker upperparts.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small insects and arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, and spiders. It gleans prey from leaves and twigs and occasionally sallies to catch flying insects. Foraging is agile and continuous, often moving methodically along outer foliage. It may probe bark crevices and leaf clusters to extract hidden prey.
Preferred Environment
Forages mainly in the mid to upper canopy of dry woodland, especially mature miombo stands. It also uses woodland edges and scattered trees in savanna mosaics. Mixed-species flocks provide both foraging opportunities and vigilance benefits.
