Long-billed Tailorbird

The long-billed forest warbler is a small, plump, inconspicuous warbler, growing to a length of about 10 cm (4 in). The upper parts are greyish and the underparts a rather paler grey. The head sometimes has a brownish tinge, and bears filoplumes. The beak is long and slender, and the tail is long and is frequently cocked when the bird is excited. The call is a distinctive metallic "peedoo peedoo"; this bird is easier to detect by hearing its call than by sight. It is similar in appearance to the red-capped forest warbler (Artisornis metopias), but that species has a much shorter beak, a more russet head and a rust-washed breast.

Subspecies moreaui is endemic to the East Usambara plateau in Tanzania. In the Usamabaras it is present in the Amani Nature Reserve and the Nilo Nature Reserve. The East Usambara plateau is known as a biodiversity hotspot and has many endemic species. The Mozambique forest warbler (Artisornis moreaui sousae) is endemic to the Njesi Highlands of northern Mozambique. Its natural habitat is evergreen Afromontane forest patches and riparian forests. It has been observed between 1,430 and 1,850 meters elevation on the three highest mountains – the Njesi Plateau, Mount Chitagal, and Mount Sanga – in the highlands. It was found in the mid-storey and canopy (never the understorey), particularly around forest gaps and tree falls, forest clearings, and dense vine tangles.