Photo: Grote, 1911 / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Kretschmer’s Longbill
Macrosphenus kretschmeri
Kretschmer's Longbill (Macrosphenus kretschmeri) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Kretschmer’s Longbill (Macrosphenus kretschmeri) is a member of the Macrosphenidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 20 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Macrosphenidae Crombecs, African Warblers
- Genus Macrosphenus
- Species kretschmeri
Quick facts
- Weight
- 20 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Macrosphenidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Kretschmer’s Longbill (Macrosphenus kretschmeri) is a species of bird in the Macrosphenidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF ec.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 20 g, with a wing length of about 6.4 cm and a tail of around 6.4 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 120,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Kretschmer’s Longbill?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is a small bird that weighs around 20 g.
Where does the Kretschmer’s Longbill live?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is found across Africa with a range covering AF ec, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Kretschmer’s Longbill belong to?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill (Macrosphenus kretschmeri) belongs to the Macrosphenidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Kretschmer’s Longbill eat?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Kretschmer’s Longbill migrate?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Kretschmer’s Longbill endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Kretschmer’s Longbill make?
1 real field recording of the Kretschmer’s Longbill — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Kretschmer’s Longbill's range?
The Kretschmer’s Longbill has a mapped global range of about 120,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
Explore more birds
More in Macrosphenidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
More in Songbirds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Guides for this bird
Best Bird Feeders for Garden Songbirds
How to choose a bird feeder for garden songbirds — the feeder styles compared, the seed they prefer, where to hang it, and how to keep birds safe. A decision framework grounded in real data, with no mystery picks.