Archbold's newtonia is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. The birds have a greyish brown back and tail, with a rufous forecrown and a buffy white belly, throat, and undertail coverts. They have a conspicuous rufous eye-ring, accompanied with a black bill and pale yellow eyes. The species is sexually monomorphic, and there is no major difference between the sexes. There is no breeding plumage for the males.
Region
Southwestern and western Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in tropical dry deciduous forest, spiny thicket, and dry shrubland across the southwest and west of Madagascar. It favors low, thorny scrub and euphorbia-dominated thickets, often at the ecotone of forest edges and degraded secondary growth. The species keeps close to the ground and mid-story, using dense cover for foraging and nesting. It tolerates some habitat disturbance but remains tied to dry, open-canopy habitats.
Altitude Range
0–900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Archbold's newtonia is a small vangid named after explorer Richard Archbold and is confined to Madagascar’s dry west and south. It is often confused with the Common newtonia, but the rufous forecrown and conspicuous rufous eye-ring are key distinctions. The species is sexually monomorphic, with males and females looking alike, and it favors spiny thicket and dry scrub where it forages low in vegetation.
Temperament
active and somewhat skulking
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with brief sallies
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species foraging parties in dry scrub. Nests are likely small cups placed low in dense shrubs or spiny vegetation. Pairs maintain small territories and show year-round site fidelity.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song is a soft, thin series of high, tinkling notes interspersed with short trills. Calls include sharp chips and contact notes given while foraging in cover.
