- Xenopirostris damii
Identification
23cm. A medium-sized Vanga.
- Black head with contrasting white throat and broad white collar, broken at rear
- Dark grey upperparts
- White chin, throat and underparts
- Blackish eye
- Stout, laterally compressed, dark grey bill
Females have a less extensive cap with forehead and lores whitish to pale buff. The upperparts are brown-tinged.
Juveniles are similar to females but generally paler and with a pale brown breast and belly.
Distribution
Endemic to north and northwest Madagascar.
Locally fairly common but with a tiny range, only recorded in Ankarafantsika National Park and Analamerana Special Reserve. Although both places are officially protected their long-term future is not secure and the species is endangered.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Primary dry deciduous forest.
Behaviour
Feeds on invertebrates (beetles, cockroaches, other insects and worms) and small vertebrates (chameleons).
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes in family groups of up to 8 birds. Also in mixed-species flocks with other vangas like Rufous Vanga.
Breeding season from October to January. A monogamous species. The nest is a cup made of dead lives and spider webs. It's placed 6 - 14m above the ground in a tree fork. Lays 3 - 4 eggs.
References
- Clements, JF. 2009. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2009. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliott, and D Christie, eds. 2009. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 14: Bush-shrikes to Old World Sparrows. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8496553507
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Van Dam's Vanga. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Van_Dam%27s_Vanga
