Photo: Paul van Giersbergen / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Sao Tome Shorttail
Motacilla bocagii
Sao Tome Shorttail (Motacilla bocagii) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Sao Tome Shorttail (Motacilla bocagii) is a member of the Motacillidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 7 g.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Motacillidae Wagtails, Pipits
- Genus Motacilla
- Species bocagii
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Motacillidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Sao Tome Shorttail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Sao Tome Shorttail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Sao Tome Shorttail (Motacilla bocagii) belongs to the Motacillidae family of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.).
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 7 g, with a wing length of about 6.3 cm and a tail of around 3.4 cm.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sao Tome Shorttail?
The Sao Tome Shorttail is a very small bird that weighs around 7 g.
Where does the Sao Tome Shorttail live?
The Sao Tome Shorttail is found across Africa with a range covering AF São Tomé (sc Gulf of Guinea Is.), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Sao Tome Shorttail belong to?
The Sao Tome Shorttail (Motacilla bocagii) belongs to the Motacillidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Sao Tome Shorttail eat?
The Sao Tome Shorttail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Sao Tome Shorttail migrate?
The Sao Tome Shorttail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
What sound does the Sao Tome Shorttail make?
1 real field recording of the Sao Tome Shorttail — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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