Platysteira chalybea
The Black-necked Wattle-eye (Platysteira chalybea) is a striking small passerine, typically measuring 12-14 cm in length and weighing 10-15 grams. Males boast iridescent blue-black upperparts, pristine white underparts, a distinctive broad black breast band, and most notably, prominent bright red fleshy wattles above their eyes. Females share a similar pattern but exhibit a narrower black breast band and often rufous-chestnut flanks, sometimes extending to the throat, showcasing clear sexual ...
Primarily inhabits dense lowland rainforests and mature secondary forests, frequently found near streams or forest clearings, ranging from sea level up to approximately 1,200 meters elevation.
Strictly insectivorous, consuming a wide variety of small beetles, caterpillars, spiders, and other arthropods, predominantly by gleaning from foliage and branches.
Black-necked Wattle-eyes are diurnal and highly active, constantly flitting through the understory and mid-canopy with agile movements, typically roosting in dense foliage. They are arboreal insectivores, primarily gleaning insects and larvae from leaves and bark, often hovering briefly or making...
The Black-necked Wattle-eye is a resident species distributed across the humid rainforests of Central Africa. Its range extends from southeastern Nigeria and southern Cameroon, eastward through the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. It is also wides...
Least Concern
- The striking red wattles above their eyes are not just decorative; they can swell and change intensity, especially during excitement or territorial displays, acting as a crucial visual signal. - Despite their small stature, Black-necked Wattle-eyes are remarkably bold and ceaselessly active, co...