Malimbus coronatus
The striking Red-crowned Malimbe, *Malimbus coronatus*, is a medium-sized passerine, instantly recognizable by the male's vibrant scarlet crown contrasting sharply with its otherwise glossy black plumage. Females share the black body but typically exhibit a less extensive or duller reddish-orange crown, often limited to the forehead. Measuring approximately 16-17 cm (6.3-6.7 inches) in length and weighing around 28-35 grams, its stocky build and strong, conical bill are characteristic of its ...
Primarily inhabiting the sub-canopy and mid-strata of humid primary and mature secondary lowland rainforests, typically found below 900 meters (3,000 feet) elevation.
Predominantly insectivorous, feeding on a wide array of insects, including beetles, caterpillars, and ants, supplemented with small quantities of fruit. They primarily forage by gleaning from foliage and bark.
Red-crowned Malimbes are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging high in the forest canopy and sub-canopy. They often forage in pairs or small family groups, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks with other insectivorous birds, moving deliberately through the foliage. Foraging involves gl...
The Red-crowned Malimbe is found across a relatively restricted but stable range in west-central Africa. Its distribution extends from southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, through Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko Island), Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo, reaching eastward into t...
Least Concern
- The male Red-crowned Malimbe is a master architect, weaving an elaborate, retort-shaped nest that can take several days to complete, often as a courtship display. - These intricate nests are typically suspended from the tips of thin branches, often over water, making them less accessible to gro...