The red-tailed newtonia is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in primary and mature secondary humid evergreen lowland forests, especially where a dense understory is present. It keeps close to shaded interiors but may use forest edges and riparian thickets when cover is intact. The species is patchily distributed and closely tied to undisturbed habitat structure. It avoids heavily degraded and open areas and is highly sensitive to fragmentation.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 900 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This elusive vanga is confined to humid forests of eastern Madagascar and is best recognized by its contrasting rufous tail. It forages quietly in the lower to mid understory, often joining mixed-species flocks. Ongoing deforestation and forest fragmentation are the main threats to its survival.
Temperament
skulking and secretive
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs within territories and frequently joins mixed-species foraging flocks. Nests are likely small cup structures placed low in dense vegetation. Both sexes participate in foraging within the lower to mid-levels of the forest.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Gives thin, high-pitched notes and soft trills that can be hard to locate in dense foliage. Calls include quiet, scolding chips and contact notes when moving with mixed flocks.
Plumage
Plain gray-brown upperparts with paler, buffy-gray underparts and a distinctly rufous tail. Subtle, clean appearance with minimal streaking and a slight pale eye-ring. Feathers are smooth and close-fitting, giving a sleek look in the understory gloom.
Diet
Feeds primarily on arthropods, including insects such as beetles, caterpillars, and small flies, as well as spiders. It gleans prey from leaves, twigs, and bark and may make short hover-gleans to pluck items from foliage. Prey is taken methodically and quietly within shaded understory layers.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory and lower midstory of humid evergreen forest, often along vine tangles and sapling thickets. It may use forest edges and along streams where cover remains intact.
