The yellow longbill is a species of Old World warbler in the family Macrosphenidae. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Region
West and Central Africa
Typical Environment
Occupies lowland and foothill rainforests from West Africa across the Congo Basin into western parts of East Africa. Prefers dense understory in primary forest, but also uses secondary growth, forest edges, and vine tangles. Often along streams, in gullies, and in tangled liana thickets where cover is abundant. It is a year-round resident throughout its range and generally avoids open habitats.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Yellow Longbill is a shy understory warbler of African rainforests, placed in the family Macrosphenidae. Its long, slightly decurved bill is adapted for probing leaves, vines, and bark for hidden arthropods. It is more often heard than seen, frequently joining mixed-species flocks that move through dense thickets. Although assessed as Least Concern, it depends on areas with thick understory and can be affected by extensive forest loss.
Temperament
skulking and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but readily joins mixed-species flocks moving through the understory. Nests are typically well-concealed cups placed low in dense vegetation. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with soft contact calls while foraging.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a series of thin, high-pitched whistles delivered from within cover, often accelerating slightly. Calls include sharp tsip notes and soft scolds that help it stay in contact with flock-mates.
Plumage
Olive-brown upperparts with bright yellow underparts and a paler yellow throat and belly. Feathers are smooth and plain, giving a relatively uniform appearance from above. The bill is long and slightly decurved, and the face shows a faint pale supercilium. Wings and tail are dusky-brown with minimal patterning.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and small orthopterans. Forages by gleaning from leaves, twigs, and vine tangles, and by probing crevices with its long bill. Occasionally hawks short distances to snatch flushed prey.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in dense understory and midstory, especially in liana tangles, saplings, and along forest edges. Frequently uses shaded stream margins and thickets where insect prey is abundant.
