Sheppardia cyornithopsis
The Lowland Akalat, Sheppardia cyornithopsis, is a small, plump, robin-like songbird, typically measuring 12-14 cm in length. Its striking plumage features a rich rufous-orange on the crown and nape, transitioning to an olive-brown on the upperparts, wings, and tail. The throat and breast display a vibrant rufous-orange, sharply contrasting with a clean white belly and vent, sometimes separated by a greyish wash on the flanks. A distinctive field mark is its relatively large, dark eye, often ...
Primarily inhabiting the dense understory of primary and mature secondary lowland rainforests, gallery forests, and occasionally forest edges, from sea level up to around 1800 meters. It strongly prefers undisturbed, humid broadleaf evergreen forest with a well-developed shrub layer and ample lea...
Feeds primarily on a variety of small insects and other invertebrates, including beetles, ants, termites, caterpillars, and spiders. It primarily forages by gleaning from leaf litter and low vegetation on the forest floor, supplemented by occasional aerial sallies.
The Lowland Akalat is a diurnal species, yet notoriously secretive, often remaining hidden in dense vegetation. It is most vocally active during dawn and dusk, when its complex song echoes through the forest; it roosts concealed within thick undergrowth. Foraging occurs predominantly on or near t...
The Lowland Akalat is a resident species distributed across a wide, though often fragmented, range in central and western Africa. Its distribution spans from southeastern Nigeria and Cameroon, extending eastward through the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo...
Least Concern
- The Lowland Akalat is often referred to as a 'ghost of the forest' due to its extremely secretive nature, making it one of the most challenging African forest birds to observe visually. - Its scientific name honors George Sheppard, a British ornithologist who collected specimens in Africa durin...