Platysteira concreta
The Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye (Platysteira concreta) is a captivating small passerine bird belonging to the family Platysteiridae, known for its distinctive fleshy supraorbital wattles. Averaging 12-14 cm in length, this plump bird exhibits striking plumage: adult males typically boast a glossy blue-black back, white throat, and a vibrant yellow belly, accentuated by a prominent bright red-orange wattle above each eye. Females often present a similar pattern but may have a black or dark grey ...
This species primarily inhabits the dense undergrowth and mid-canopy of tropical lowland and montane rainforests, as well as mature secondary growth. It is typically found at elevations ranging from near sea level up to 2,200 meters.
The diet consists predominantly of insects and other small invertebrates, including spiders, beetles, caterpillars, and flies. They forage actively by gleaning prey from vegetation and making aerial sallies.
Yellow-bellied Wattle-eyes are active and restless birds, typically observed singly or in pairs, though they may join mixed-species foraging flocks. They are diurnal, spending their days meticulously gleaning insects and spiders from foliage, branches, and tree trunks, or making short, rapid sall...
The Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye exhibits a disjunct distribution across tropical West and Central Africa, encompassing several distinct subspecies. Its range extends from Sierra Leone eastward to Ghana in West Africa, representing the westernmost populations. A much larger, more continuous populati...
Least Concern
- The Yellow-bellied Wattle-eye's bright red-orange wattle is not just for show; it's a fleshy extension above the eye that can change in prominence and color intensity, likely playing a crucial role in communication and courtship displays. - Unlike many birds, wattle-eyes are known for a distinc...