Yellow-throated Apalis Apalis flavigularis Scientific name definitions

11–12 cm; 10–12 g. A forest apalis. Male has crown and nape blackish washed dark olive, ear-coverts dark grey; upperparts dark olive-green; flight-feathers blackish-brown with greenish outer margins; tail blackish, outer two rectrices mainly white, T4 tipped white; throat and uppermost breast bright yellow, broad black breastband, remainder of breast and belly slightly duller yellow; flanks olive; iris whitish; bill black; legs flesh-pink. Female is slightly smaller than male, usually with narrower breastband. Juvenile is duller.

ENDANGERED. Restricted-range species: present in Tanzania-Malawi Mountains EBA. Fairly common, but has very small range. Total population estimated to be no more than 10,000 individuals, and decreasing owing to continuing habitat loss. Most of its range is protected within forest reserves, but this is ineffective at preventing gradual loss of habitat along edges of the reserves. Also adversely affected by severe fires on Mt Zomba in 1995/96. Possible presence on Mt Chiperoni, in N Mozambique, merits investigation.