The long-billed bernieria, formerly known as long-billed greenbul and sometimes as common tetraka or long-billed tetraka, is a songbird species endemic to Madagascar. It is the only species placed in the genus Bernieria. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Eastern and northern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Found primarily in subtropical and tropical moist evergreen forests, especially along the eastern escarpment. It frequents understory and midstory tangles, vine-choked gullies, and streamside thickets. The species can persist in secondary forest and forest edge but is less common in dry western or spiny habitats. Often accompanies mixed flocks as it forages methodically through dense foliage.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Formerly placed with bulbuls as the long-billed greenbul, this species is now in its own monotypic genus within the Malagasy warbler family Bernieridae. It is a skulking forest bird that often joins mixed-species flocks and uses its long, slightly decurved bill to probe leaf litter and tangles. Despite occurring in degraded forest edges at times, it depends most on humid evergreen forest. Its common name 'tetraka' is widely used in Madagascar for several similar warblers.
Temperament
skulking yet active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats through dense cover
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly or in pairs, but commonly joins mixed-species foraging flocks in the understory. Breeding is presumed monogamous with a cup-shaped nest placed low in dense vegetation during the rainy season. Territorial singing males advertise from concealed perches.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A thin, high-pitched series of whistles and chips, often delivered in short phrases. Calls include sharp ticking notes and soft scolds while foraging in flocks.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with paler, yellow-washed underparts and a whitish throat. Subtle pale supercilium and slightly darker ear coverts; overall plain and soft-textured plumage suited to forest understory. Tail and wings are dusky-olive with minimal patterning.
Diet
Primarily takes insects and other small arthropods such as beetles, caterpillars, and spiders. It probes dead leaf clusters, moss, and vine tangles, and gleaners from foliage and bark. Occasionally snaps small prey flushed from low vegetation and may take tiny fruits opportunistically.
Preferred Environment
Feeds in the shaded understory to midstory of humid evergreen forest, along streams, and in dense vine or bamboo thickets. Will use secondary growth and forest edge where cover remains thick.
