Alethe choloensis
cholo alethe
(Also: thyolo alethe)

Alethe choloensis populations are found in disjunct forest fragments in southeastern Malawi and nearby Mozambique. They are known from approximately 16 forest fragments: 13 in Malawi and 3 in Mozambique. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009)

Cholo alethes are found in mid-altitude montane evergreen forests and in lower elevation habitats during the non-breeding season. An important habitat feature for these birds is the presence of ant nests, which are critical for their foraging habits. When ant nests are present, breeding pairs can persist in forest fragments as small as 0.5 hectares. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009)

Cholo alethes have warm brown plumage that is a deep, rich tone on the back and becomes pale and grayish on their ventral surfaces. The chin and throat are white and the outer tail feathers are white. The plumage is grayish on the sides of the face and neck. They have long, pink or flesh-colored legs and toes and are approximately 16 cm in total length. They are thrush-like in general appearance. No sexual dimorphism is described. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009; Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001)

There is no information on longevity in cholo alethes. Related birds of similar sizes can live up to 14 years in the wild.

Observations suggest that cholo alethes forage on or near the forest floor among swarms of red ants. They may undergo small elevational migrations between higher elevation forests during the breeding season and lower elevation forests during the non-breeding season. (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001)

Home Range

Home range sizes are not reported in cholo alethes.

Cholo alethes have melodic songs and a soft alarm called described as a "trrrp." (Luhanga et al., 2009)

Cholo alethes feed among ant swarms, catching the small arthropods that flee the oncoming mass of ants. It has also been suggested that they may consume ants that crawl onto their bodies when they are foraging near and within the swarm. They hop into swarms from logs or low branches and then quickly fly away again - at which point they make beak-clicking noises and flap their wings. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009; Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001)

Predators on cholo alethes are not reported in the literature. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009)

Cholo alethes have an important symbiotic relationship with ants, following ant swarms to take advantage of fleeing arthropods. They occupy a niche similar to the antbirds of the neotropics (Thamnophilidae).

There are no adverse effects of Alethe choloensis on humans.

Cholo alethes are rare birds that may attract some ecotourism interest. They are important members of native ecosystems, exploiting a niche similar to the neotropical antbirds.

Cholo alethes are considered endangered by the IUCN red list. They are endemic to a very small range, fragmented populations, and high levels of habitat destruction via deforestation. Concerns about the rates of deforestation increasing in their range, caused some researchers to call for a new listing as critically endangered in the near future. Two populations were recently discovered in approximately 1600 hectares of montane forest on Mt. Chiperone and approximately 5000 hectares of evergreen forest on Mt. Mabu, both in Mozambique. These population increase estimated global population sizes. At least for the time being, those populations are not currently threatened with high levels of deforestation. It is likely that populations of cholo alethes have been shrinking with the reduction and fragmentation of tropical montane forests in Africa, as the extent of these forests has continued to shrink since the last glacial maxima, approximately 20,000 years ago. Humans have greatly hastened this habitat fragmentation and reduction in recent years. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009; Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2001; Spottiswoode et al., 2008)

Some of the forest fragments occupied by cholo alethes are protected as forest reserves, although enforcement of land protection in these areas is often poor. An effort to protect Mulanje Mountain, in Malawi, will help to protect a substantial population of these birds. Efforts are underway to protect areas in Mozambique where cholo alethes are found. Current population estimates range from 2,500 to 10,000 individuals. (BirdLife International, 2008; Luhanga et al., 2009)

Beresford (2003) suggested a new genus for the cholo alethes and close relatives: Pseudoalethe based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data. Based on those data the genus Alethe was polyphyletic, calling for the separation of Alethe castanea and Alethe diademata from other species of Alethe: Alethe poliocephala, Alethe fuelleborni, Alethe choloensis, and Alethe poliophrys. Currently, however, the Howard and Moore Checklist of Bird Species of the World (2003) only recognizes 5 species and retains them in the genus Alethe: Alethe diademata, Alethe poliophrys, Alethe poliocephala, Alethe fuelleborni, and Alethe choloensis. Alethe castanea is recognized as a subspecies: A. diademata castanea. Beresford (2003) suggested sister-species relationship between A. choloensis and A. fuelleborni. (Beresford, 2003; Dickinson, 2003)

Alethe choloensis is also known by the common names: Thyolo alethe and Cholo Mountain alethe. (BirdLife International, 2008)