Apalis binotata
The Lowland Masked Apalis (Apalis binotata) is a captivating, small passerine bird, renowned for its striking facial pattern. Measuring approximately 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 inches) in length and weighing around 8-10 grams, it boasts dark olive-green upperparts and clean white underparts, sometimes with a subtle yellowish wash. Its most distinctive feature, giving it its name, is a broad, jet-black mask covering the lores, eye-stripe, and ear-coverts, sharply contrasted by a bright white superciliu...
This apalis strictly inhabits primary lowland rainforests, favoring undisturbed, mature forest with dense undergrowth. It is typically found at elevations from sea level up to about 1,200 meters.
Its diet consists almost exclusively of small insects and other invertebrates, which it primarily gleans from the foliage and bark of trees and shrubs within the forest mid-story.
The Lowland Masked Apalis is a diurnal and highly active bird, often seen flitting restlessly through the mid-story and sub-canopy of its dense forest habitat. It employs a gleaning foraging strategy, meticulously searching leaves, twigs, and bark for small insects and other invertebrates, occasi...
The Lowland Masked Apalis is resident throughout its restricted range in Central Africa. Its distribution spans from southeastern Cameroon, extending eastward through the Central African Republic, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo. It is also found in the northern parts of the Democratic Repub...
Least Concern
- The 'mask' that gives this apalis its name is one of the most striking facial patterns among the generally more subtly marked Apalis species. - It is a highly active and restless bird, rarely staying still for more than a few moments while foraging. - This species is a frequent and important pa...