Malimbus malimbicus
The Crested Malimbe (Malimbus malimbicus) is a truly spectacular passerine, instantly recognizable by its glossy jet-black plumage contrasted with a brilliant scarlet hood and a subtle crest, giving it its common name. Males boast a vivid red head and throat, while females typically display less extensive red, often limited to the crown and nape, with some subspecies having entirely black-headed females, showcasing notable sexual dimorphism. Measuring 17-19 cm in length and weighing 30-40 gra...
Found primarily in tropical and subtropical lowland rainforests, including gallery forests, dense secondary growth, and forest edges, typically at elevations below 1,200 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide array of invertebrates such as caterpillars, beetles, ants, termites, and grasshoppers, often supplemented by small fruits or nectar.
A diurnal species, the Crested Malimbe is active from dawn till dusk, often roosting communally or in small family units within dense canopy foliage. It employs an active foraging strategy, meticulously gleaning insects from leaves, branches, and tree trunks in the mid-to-upper canopy, sometimes ...
The Crested Malimbe exhibits a somewhat disjunct distribution across the tropical forests of West and Central Africa. Its western range stretches from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastward through Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. Further east, populations are found in Cameroon, Equatoria...
Least Concern
- The Crested Malimbe is a master architect, meticulously weaving its elaborate pendulous nest from fine plant fibers with remarkable precision. - Its vibrant scarlet crest, from which it derives its name, can be subtly raised and lowered by the male, acting as a dynamic visual signal. - The long...