Macrosphenus pulitzeri
The Pulitzer's Longbill (Macrosphenus pulitzeri) is a small, enigmatic passerine bird, a member of the African Longbills (Macrosphenidae), endemic to the Angolan highlands. Measuring approximately 13-14 cm, it is characterized by its plain olive-greenish upperparts contrasting with paler, yellowish-olive underparts, and, notably, a relatively long, slender bill perfectly adapted for gleaning insects from dense foliage. This reclusive species exhibits minimal sexual dimorphism and lacks dramat...
This longbill inhabits dense, moist montane forests and associated secondary growth, typically found at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,500 meters along the Angolan escarpment. It prefers thick understory and tangled vegetation, often near forest edges or clearings.
Predominantly insectivorous, the Pulitzer's Longbill feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including insects and their larvae, gleaned from dense foliage and branches.
The Pulitzer's Longbill is a notoriously shy and skulking species, spending most of its time hidden within the dense undergrowth of its forest habitat. It is primarily diurnal, actively foraging during daylight hours, though specific roosting habits are poorly documented. Its foraging strategy in...
The Pulitzer's Longbill is endemic to the Angolan highlands, with its known distribution incredibly restricted and fragmented. Historically and currently, it is primarily found in a small area northeast of N'Dalatando in Cuanza Norte Province, Angola, particularly around the forests of Mt. Moco a...
Critically Endangered
- It was named after Mrs. Pulitzer, who financed the 1930 expedition to Angola where the species was first discovered. - For over 70 years, from its discovery in 1930 until its rediscovery in 2004, it was feared extinct, earning it the moniker of a 'Lazarus species. - Its known global range is in...