Short-tailed Akalat
Sheppardia poensis
Short-tailed Akalat (Sheppardia poensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Short-tailed Akalat (Sheppardia poensis) is a member of the Muscicapidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 18.3 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 Muscicapidae Chats, Old World Flycatchers
- Genus Sheppardia
- Species poensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 18.3 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Muscicapidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Short-tailed Akalat 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 Short-tailed Akalat is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Short-tailed Akalat (Sheppardia poensis) is a species of bird in the Muscicapidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF se Nigeria and Bioko I. to e DR Congo and w Tanzania.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 18.3 g, with a wing length of about 6.9 cm and a tail of around 4.7 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 118,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Short-tailed Akalat?
The Short-tailed Akalat is a small bird that weighs around 18.3 g.
Where does the Short-tailed Akalat live?
The Short-tailed Akalat is found across Africa with a range covering AF se Nigeria and Bioko I. to e DR Congo and w Tanzania, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Short-tailed Akalat belong to?
The Short-tailed Akalat (Sheppardia poensis) belongs to the Muscicapidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Short-tailed Akalat eat?
The Short-tailed Akalat is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Short-tailed Akalat migrate?
The Short-tailed Akalat is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Short-tailed Akalat endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Short-tailed Akalat's range?
The Short-tailed Akalat has a mapped global range of about 118,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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