Featured Creature Rainbow Parrotfish Rainbow parrotfish schools graze over the coral reef much like a herd of cattle over a grassy field. One adult male (the "supermale") often leads these schools. Females if needed may transform into males in order to reproduce. The supermales are typically sex-reversed females and are very territorial, habitually driving other males from the area. Learn more about the Rainbow Parrotfish.   Join the Featured Creature Mailing List Would you like to receive a notice and link when the new Creature Feature is posted? Enter your e-mail address below:   HTML   Text-only Privacy Policy Need more Thyolo Alethe facts? Enter your search terms Submit search form

Scientific Name:
Alethe choloensis

Other Names and/or Listed subspecies:
Cholo Alethe

Area(s) Where Listed As Endangered:
Malawi, Mozambique

The Thyolo alethe is a small, thrush-like bird found in the forests of southeastern Malawai (east of the Shire river) and the Namuli and Chiperone mountains of Mozambique. Its coloration is a rusty brown and its underparts are lighter in color. The outer tail feather has a white tip.

The Thyolo alethe prefers subtropical or tropical moist montane evergreen forest for its habitat. It usually feeds at ant-swarms where it catches small arthropods flushed by ants. Breeding occurs at altitudes above 1200 meters, and during non-breeding season the birds may travel to lower altitudes. It is believed that the females lay eggs between September and January and prefer to nest high up in the forks of trees. It is also believed that males and females remain in pairs.

The Thyolo alethe is threatened by loss of habitat due to deforestation and forest degradation, and there may soon be very little habitat remaining for the species to dwell in. Some individuals are protected in forest reserves, but they provide very little protection, and the remaining range of the species is not protected.