Red-tailed newtonia

Overview

Wikipedia

The red-tailed newtonia is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.

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Distribution

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

Characteristics

Size13–15 cm

Wing Span18–22 cm

Male Weight0.012 kg

Female Weight0.011 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

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.

Behaviour

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.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

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The red-tailed tropicbird is a seabird native to tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. One of three closely related species of tropicbird (Phaethontidae), it was described by Pieter Boddaert in 1783. Superficially resembling a tern in appearance, it has almost all-white plumage with a black mask and a red bill. The sexes have similar plumage. As referenced in the common name, adults have red tail streamers that are about twice their body length. Four subspecies are recognised, but there is evidence of clinal variation in body size—with smaller birds in the north and larger in the south—and hence no grounds for subspecies.

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