Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Typically difficult to observe in dense montane forest clearings, but often detected by its loud and extraordinary duet song.

Development

Information needed.

Vocal Array

Song. Often a duet, with one bird (probably the male) typically whistling a drawn-out “eeeee” (very similar to the call) that alternates with “dewy-dewy-dewy-dewy…” of female; recordings from the Uluguru Mountains (xeno-canto, XC440096) and Ukaguru Mountains . The duet song is often varied with the second bird (probably the female) singing different phrases , or joining in at intervals only, sometimes with just a short, buzzy note “dzz-dzz….dzz…dzz-dzz-dzz…” (17 Fry, C. H. (1997). Mrs. Moreau’s Warbler (Bathmocercus winifredae). In The Birds of Africa. Volume V (E. K. Urban, C. H. Fry, and S. Keith, Editors). Academic Press, London, United Kingdom. pp. 81–82. Close ).

Call. The call (but perhaps a song, presumably given by male) is a long drawn-out whistle on one pitch “weeeeee”, lasting ca. 1.5 s, repeated every two seconds; recording from the Uluguru Mountains (xeno-canto, XC430103).

Geographic Variation

No consistent variation has been noted among populations or between the two subspecies.

Phenology

Information needed.

Daily Pattern of Vocalizing

Information needed.

Places of Vocalizing

Singing birds usually sit low in the undergrowth, at a height of 0.5–2 m.

Sex Differences

None known.

Repertoire and Delivery of Songs

Information needed.

Social Context and Presumed Functions of Vocalizations

Song likely has a territorial function.

None known.