Alternative name: Scarlet-crowned Malimbe
- Malimbus coronatus
Identification
17 cm.
- Scarlet-red oval patch on crown
- Glossy black rest of plumage
- Dark red eye
- Black bill and legs
Female without scarlet-red patch on crown. Juveniles with oval patch of light chestnut-brown from base of bill to hindcrown, rest of plumage matt black.
Distribution
Africa from southern Cameroon and southwestern Central African Republic to DR Congo and Gabon.
Locally not uncommon.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.
Habitat
Occurs in lowland primary forest. Sometimes also in swamp-forest and mature secondary forest.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on insects including eggs and larvae. Forages mainly in the canopy, usually in groups of 3 to 7 birds and often in mixed-species flocks.
Breeding
Breeding season mainly November to February in Gabon, January to March and September in DR Congo.
A monogamous species. 3 to 6 birds help in nest-building but then a single pair is left to breed. The nest is retort-shaped with a 9 cm long spout. It's made of dry spiral tendrils of vines with small twigs and leafs. It's usually suspended 8 to 9 m above the ground from dangling thorny vines, often over open space or a clearing. Lays 2 eggs.
Movements
A sedentary species.
References
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2015. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2015, with updates to August 2015. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F and D Donsker (Eds). 2016. IOC World Bird Names (version 6.2). Available at http://www.worldbirdnames.org/.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Red-crowned Malimbe. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Red-crowned_Malimbe
