The yellow-throated woodland warbler is a species of Old World warbler in the family Phylloscopidae. It is endemic to the Afromontane, from Kenya to South Africa. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Region
East and Southern Africa
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in Afromontane forests and adjacent moist lowland and coastal forests from Kenya and Tanzania through Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and into northeastern South Africa. Prefers mature evergreen and semi-evergreen forest with dense foliage, but also uses forest edges, ravines, and well-wooded riparian corridors. Often persists in fragmented forest patches where canopy cover remains. Will enter secondary growth and mixed woodland if sufficient under- and mid-story complexity is present.
Altitude Range
0–2500 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This small leaf warbler is confined to Afromontane and adjacent lowland forests from Kenya south to South Africa. It forages actively in the mid to upper canopy, often hanging briefly to glean insects from leaves and twigs. Its bright yellow throat is a key field mark that stands out in dim forest light. Pairs maintain territories during breeding and give thin, high-pitched songs.
Phylloscopus ruficapilla (above), illustration by Keulemans, 1879
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually found singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging flocks. During breeding it is territorial and pairs build a neat, domed or cup-like nest concealed in dense foliage or creepers. Clutch size is small, and both adults participate in care.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a thin, high-pitched series of trills and sibilant phrases delivered from mid to upper canopy perches. Calls include soft ‘tsip’ notes and rapid, whispery sequences that can be hard to locate in dense foliage.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with a clean, bright yellow throat and upper breast; underparts otherwise pale yellow to whitish. The head is greyish-olive with a subtle pale supercilium and darker eye-line, and the wings show faint pale edging or weak bars. Fine, neat feathering gives a smooth appearance.
Diet
Feeds primarily on small arthropods such as caterpillars, beetles, flies, and spiders, gleaned from leaves and twigs. Occasionally hawks tiny flying insects on short sallies. May take small amounts of soft fruit or nectar opportunistically, but animal prey dominates.
Preferred Environment
Forages in the mid to upper canopy of evergreen and moist deciduous forest, especially along edges, gaps, and vine tangles. Frequently works along shaded ravines and riparian zones where insect abundance is high.
