Thyolo Alethe (Chamaetylas choloensis)

About the Thyolo Alethe

The Thyolo alethe or Cholo alethe (Chamaetylas choloensis) is an endangered species of bird in the Old World flycatcher family Muscicapidae. The Thyolo alethe is a medium-sized chat, usually measuring 17–20 cm in length and weighing around 43 grams. It has a cinnamon-brown head, upperparts, and wings, contrasting with the pure white throat and pale gray to dirty white underparts. The back, rump, and scapulars are rufous-brown. The tail is dark brown with white spots at the tips. The Thyolo alethe is only found on several isolated mountain peaks in southeastern Malawi and northeastern Mozambique. It was previously more widespread in both countries, but has had its range reduced due to the deforestation of many of the submontane forests it inhabits. It feeds on a variety of small invertebrates, including beetles, spiders, and Dorylus driver ants.