The spectacled tetraka is a species of Malagasy warbler in the family Bernieridae. It is found only in Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in subtropical and tropical moist lowland evergreen forests, especially along forest edges, streamside thickets, and vine tangles. It forages mainly in dense understory and mid-understory layers, often within bamboo or secondary growth near intact forest. The species tolerates some habitat disturbance but depends on nearby mature forest structure. It avoids open farmland and heavily fragmented scrub far from forest.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The spectacled tetraka is a Malagasy warbler in the family Bernieridae, found only in Madagascar’s humid forests. It is an understory skulk that often joins mixed-species flocks while quietly gleaning insects from dense foliage. The species adapts to lightly degraded forest but declines where intact lowland rainforest is lost. Its pale eye-ring gives the distinctive “spectacled” look that inspired its name.
Temperament
shy and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and frequently joins mixed-species understory flocks. Nests are likely cup-shaped and placed low in dense vegetation or vine tangles. Breeding is thought to coincide with wetter months when insect prey is abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, high-pitched chips and thin trills delivered from cover, often easily overlooked in the forest understory. Calls include short tsip and tsee notes given while foraging, with brief, accelerating phrases during territorial or pair contact.
Plumage
Olive-green upperparts with yellowish to olive-yellow underparts and a clean, contrasting pale eye-ring. Subtle lighter throat and faint supercilium; wings and tail slightly duskier olive. Feathers appear smooth with minimal streaking, suited to blending into dense foliage.
Diet
Primarily feeds on small arthropods such as insects, spiders, and their larvae, gleaned from leaves, twigs, and suspended dead foliage. It probes leaf clusters and bamboo sheaths and may sally a short distance to snatch prey. Occasional consumption of small fruits or seeds is reported but is minor compared to invertebrates.
Preferred Environment
Forages in dense understory, vine tangles, and along shaded stream margins within lowland rainforest. Often keeps within 0.5–3 m of the ground, moving methodically through cover and following mixed flocks.
