Apalis thoracica
A denizen of wooded habitats ranging from thorn thickets in the arid Karoo to evergreen forests, and including exotic plantations, suburban parks and gardens, the Bar-throated Apalis is a curious and rather confident little bird that feeds mainly on invertebrates caught among the leaves and bark of trees and shrubs.
The Bar-throated Apalis is usually seen in pairs or small groups, often in association with other small insectivorous birds. They nest in spring and summer, rearing 2-4 chicks that hatch after an almost three week long incubation period. Both parents are equally involved in the incubation of the eggs and feeding of the chicks, which leave the nest at about three weeks of age but remain with their parents for a considerable time thereafter. Fully grown they measure approximately 13cm in length and weigh around 11g.
In South Africa, the Bar-throated Apalis is found in all provinces with the exception of most of the Free State and Northern Cape. North of our borders the species occurs through several countries in southern and eastern Africa as far as the border between Kenya and Tanzania. The IUCN considers it to be of least concern.
DeWetsWild 
I am very impressed by your photos of this hard to photograph bird that is usually concealed by twigs or foliage as it forages. When one gets a clear view of it, its looks are very striking.
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Thank you very much, Carol. They make you work for every photo, that’s true.
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Curious, confident birds are the best!
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They certainly make your work for a picture!
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Love the image of the two. It looks as if one is looking into a mirror. 🙂
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Thanks, John. Credit for the staging of the photo goes to the two models.
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Dit lyk n klein voeltjie te wees. Moes van fie fotos mooi bekyk voordat rk outjies kon raaksien. Lyk of hul ook baie bedrywig is as hul so insekte/goggatjies soek.
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Jy is heeltemal reg, Ineke. Klein en getrain!
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Haha, die Fantail hier is ook so ‘n rakker. Baie uitdagend en braaf vir sy klein ou lyfie maar te dierbaar om te sien.
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Ek het bietjie NZ se fantail gaan opsoek, en hy lyk nogal baie na ons kleinjantjie met die bandjie om die keel!
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Maak die kleinjantjie ook sy stertjie so oop as hy so op en af vlieg om goggas te vang en ook jou uit te daag om liewer pad te gee met sy gepiep en om jou vlieëry?
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Nee, Ineke – in daardie opsigte is hulle heelwat skamer.
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Nee wat die fantail mannetjies is baie voor op die wa en as hul nessie het raak hul baie opgewonde en probeer jou skrik maak sodat jy hul moet los. Dit maak natuurlik dat katte hul dan in die hande kry. Hul is egter baie rats.
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I love these spunky birds! There is a pair that lurks about our garden – heard more often than seen because their feeding habits ensure that they are mostly hidden by the foliage (of which there is plenty in the garden). Now and then one works its way through the outside of the shrubbery – seldom when I have a camera at hand – allowing me an opportunity to observe its quick, confident movements.
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They do seem very deliberate in their movements, don’t they, Anne? I would hate to be the object of their attention if I was something that’d fit in their gullets.
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No! Those piercing eyes alone would have me heading for the nearest leave or twig to hide behind 🙂
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Such a cute little one this is!
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Agreed, Lois. Always nice to watch.
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What a cute little guy! It appears you won the fight with WP at least for today. You go! 🙂
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One battle at a time, Janet. 😀
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Very nice little bird! Thanks, D. 🙂
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Thank you for reading and commenting, H.J!
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