Eremomela badiceps
The Rufous-crowned Eremomela (Eremomela badiceps) is a diminutive and active African warbler, embodying the often-overlooked charm of the Cisticolidae family. Measuring approximately 9-10 cm (3.5-4 inches) in length and weighing a mere 6-9 grams (0.2-0.3 oz), this bird is characterized by its most distinctive feature: a striking rufous-chestnut crown that contrasts sharply with its otherwise plain appearance. Its upperparts are a soft grey, while the underparts are whitish, often with a subtl...
This species primarily inhabits the canopy and sub-canopy of lowland to mid-altitude evergreen rainforests, secondary forests, and often favors forest edges and clearings, typically occurring up to 1,400 meters elevation.
Feeds primarily on small insects and other invertebrates, which it gleans actively from leaves, twigs, and bark in the forest canopy.
Rufous-crowned Eremomelas are diurnal and highly active, spending their days meticulously gleaning insects from foliage and branches, often hanging upside down to reach prey. They are frequently observed participating in mixed-species foraging flocks, moving rapidly through the forest canopy alon...
The Rufous-crowned Eremomela is a resident species found exclusively in the tropical forests of Central Africa. Its distribution spans from southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon, eastward through the Central African Republic, northern Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea, extending south into th...
Least Concern
- The Rufous-crowned Eremomela weighs about the same as two U.S. dimes, making it one of the rainforest's smallest avian residents. - Its distinctive rufous crown is often the first and only visible field mark in the dense forest canopy. - Despite its "warbler" designation, it belongs to the Cist...