Stiphrornis erythrothorax
The Orange-breasted Forest Robin, *Stiphrornis erythrothorax*, is a small, strikingly plumaged passerine belonging to the family Muscicapidae, which encompasses Old World flycatchers and chats. This secretive bird typically measures 11-12 cm (4.3-4.7 in) in length and weighs between 12-16 g (0.4-0.6 oz), instantly recognizable by its diagnostic, vivid orange breast and throat. Its upperparts are a dark olive-brown, contrasting with a darker head and a short, stout black bill, while its belly ...
This species primarily inhabits the dense understory and mid-story of tropical and subtropical moist lowland forests, preferring areas with thick leaf litter and tangled vegetation. It is typically found at elevations from sea level up to around 1,000-1,200 meters.
Its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, including various insects such as ants, beetles, and termites, which it forages for by gleaning and probing in the undergrowth.
The Orange-breasted Forest Robin is a largely diurnal, highly secretive bird that spends most of its time foraging within the dense forest understory, often close to the ground. It primarily forages by gleaning insects from foliage, probing into leaf litter, or making short sally-flights to snatc...
The Orange-breasted Forest Robin exhibits a broad but fragmented distribution across West and Central Africa, primarily within the Guineo-Congolian rainforest biome. Its range extends from Sierra Leone and Liberia eastward through Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of th...
Least Concern
- Despite its vivid plumage, the Orange-breasted Forest Robin is incredibly shy, often revealing its presence only through its distinctive, high-pitched calls rather than visual sightings. - It is one of the few species in its genus, *Stiphrornis*, which itself was once considered monotypic, high...