The yellow-bellied hyliota is a species of Hyliota. It is found in Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.
Region
Sub-Saharan Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs widely from West Africa (e.g., Senegal and Gambia) through Central Africa to East Africa, reaching south to Zambia and Mozambique. It favors subtropical and tropical dry forests, wooded savannas, and miombo and acacia woodlands. Common at forest edges, in gallery forests along rivers, and in secondary growth. Frequently uses the mid- to upper canopy and is tolerant of patchy woodland landscapes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small canopy-dwelling songbird belongs to the African family Hyliotidae, a distinctive lineage once confused with warblers and vangas. It often joins mixed-species flocks and is an active foliage gleaner of insects. A crisp white wing panel and bright yellow underparts help separate it from similar drab woodland birds. It adapts well to dry woodland mosaics and secondary growth.
Yellow-bellied Hyliota
Temperament
social and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups and readily joins mixed-species flocks in the canopy. Likely monogamous, with both sexes contributing to nest building and care. Nests are placed well above ground in trees, typically in a fork or on a horizontal branch.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched whistles and trills, delivered from the canopy. Calls include sharp tsee or tzip notes, often repeated during foraging and flocking.
Plumage
Upperparts gray-olive to brownish with a clean yellow belly and breast; contrasting pale panel in the wing formed by white at the bases of the primaries. Underparts smooth and unmarked; tail often slightly dark with paler edges.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, termites, ants, and spiders. Gleans insects from leaves, twigs, and bark, and occasionally makes short sallies to snatch prey. Forages methodically through the canopy while moving with mixed flocks.
Preferred Environment
Primarily in the mid- to upper canopy of dry forests, wooded savannas, and forest edges. Regular along riparian corridors and in secondary woodland with scattered tall trees.
