The Thyolo alethe or Cholo alethe is an endangered species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The Thyolo alethe is a medium-sized chat, usually measuring 17–20 cm in length and weighing around 43 grams. It has a cinnamon-brown head, upperparts, and wings, contrasting with the pure white throat and pale gray to dirty white underparts. The back, rump, and scapulars are rufous-brown. The tail is dark brown with white spots at the tips. The Thyolo alethe is only found on several isolated mountain peaks in southeastern Malawi and northeastern Mozambique. It was previously more widespread in both countries, but has had its range reduced due to the deforestation of many of the submontane forests it inhabits. It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including beetles, spiders, and Dorylus driver ants.
Region
Southeastern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs in isolated submontane and montane evergreen forests of southeastern Malawi and adjacent northeastern Mozambique. It favors dense, shaded understory along forested ravines, stream gullies, and steep slopes with thick leaf litter. The species persists in small forest patches on mountains such as Thyolo and Mulanje in Malawi and Namuli, Mabu, and Inago in Mozambique. It is sensitive to habitat degradation and generally avoids heavily disturbed or open secondary growth, though it may use forest edge if cover remains dense.
Altitude Range
700–1800 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This shy forest chat often forages by flicking leaf litter on the ground and will follow swarms of driver ants to snatch fleeing invertebrates. It performs quick tail flicks that reveal white tail spots, a helpful field mark in dim understory light. Its highly fragmented range on isolated mountains makes it very vulnerable to deforestation and fires. Conservation efforts focus on safeguarding submontane evergreen forests in Malawi and adjacent Mozambique.
Temperament
skulking and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low to the ground
Social Behavior
Typically found singly or in pairs in dense understory. Pairs defend small territories during the breeding season and nest low in shrubs, banks, or tree tangles with a cup-shaped nest. Both adults likely share incubation and feeding duties. Outside breeding, it remains quiet and secretive, rarely joining mixed-species flocks.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of clear, whistled phrases delivered from low perches within dense cover. Calls include sharp tchak notes and thin, high-pitched contact whistles, often given while foraging on the forest floor.
