African Warblers | Macrosphenidae

Afrikaanse zangers | Crombecs y afines

A recently erected family, based on molecular work, that unites a varied group of African warbler-like birds formerly scattered among the Old World warblers. It is one of the oldest branches of the warbler group and occurs only in Africa. Its members differ greatly in form. Crombecs (Sylvietta) are tiny, round birds with a long bill and a tail so short it seems absent, and they creep along branches like nuthatches. Longbills (Macrosphenus) live in forest. The Cape Grassbird (Sphenoeacus) and Moustached Grass Warbler (Melocichla) are large warblers of rank grass and scrub with long, ragged tails. The Rockrunner (Achaetops) lives on rocky slopes in Namibia and Angola, and Victorin's Warbler (Cryptillas) in damp mountain fynbos. Almost all are insectivores that keep hidden in dense scrub, grass or forest understorey and are hard to see, so their loud, distinctive songs are usually the best way to find them. Crombecs hang a purse-shaped nest from a twig, while the grass-dwellers build deep cups low in vegetation.