- Newtonia brunneicauda
Identification
12cm. A small grey-brown warbler-like vanga:
- Cold greyish-brown top of head and upperparts
- Lighter greyish-brown sides of head and neck
- Greyish-brown upperwing-coverts, uniform with back, slightly darker flight feathers
- Greyish-brown tail
- Pale warm buff below, whtier on chin, throat and on belly
- Pale creamy yellow to golden-yellow eye
- Black bill
Sexes similar. Juveniles are browner above with variable rufous-brown tips on greater coverts.
Distribution
Endemic to Madagascar.
One of the commonest bird in native forests of Madagascar.
Taxonomy
Two subspecies recognized:
- N. b. brunneicauda in all forested parts of Madagascar
- N. b. monticola in the Ankaratra Mountains in Central Madagascar
The proposed subspecies inornata from western Madagascar is usually treated as synonymous with the nominate form.
Habitat
Found in all native forest types. Occurs from sea-level up to 2000m.
Behaviour
Diet
Feeds on small invertebrates (including spiders, beetles, blattids, bugs and flies).
Often seen in mixed-species flocks.
Breeding
Breeding season apparently from July to March, in southeast Madagascar from December to January. The nest is a deep cup hidden in low vegetation. No other information.
A sedentary species.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and D Christie, eds. 2006. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 11: Old World Flycatchers to Old World Warblers. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553064
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Common Newtonia. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 4 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Common_Newtonia
