The velvet asity is a bird species in the family Philepittidae that is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Non-breeding males have yellow-tipped feathers, while breeding males have a velvety black plumage with a pair of green fleshy supraorbital caruncles above the eyes. Adult females are greenish and have underparts striped with pale yellow-green longitudinal lines. Velvet asities eat berries and other fruits in the undergrowth. They build hanging nests with a little roof over the entrance. The species is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid evergreen forests on the eastern slope of Madagascar, primarily in lowland and mid-elevation rainforest. It favors dense undergrowth, vine tangles, and fruiting shrubs and trees. The species also uses secondary forest, forest edges, and riparian thickets where fruit is abundant. It is typically most common in intact forest but persists in moderately disturbed habitats with sufficient cover. Nests are suspended in shaded, well-concealed sites.
Altitude Range
0–1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Velvet asities are striking Malagasy birds whose breeding males develop vivid green supraorbital caruncles and a velvety black plumage. Outside the breeding season, males lose the deep black sheen and show yellow-tipped feathers, while females remain greenish and streaked. They weave characteristic hanging nests with a small roofed entrance. By consuming many small fruits, they play an important role in forest seed dispersal.
Top: adult breeding male, middle: adult female, bottom: adult non-breeding male
Supraorbital caruncles of an adult breeding male velvet asity
Ranomafana National Park
Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae)
Yellow spot on the edge of the underwing-coverts and alula of an adult breeding male velvet asity
Adult female velvet asity in Ranomafana, Madagascar
Temperament
rather secretive and skulking in dense understory
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with agile, darting movements
Social Behavior
Usually encountered singly or in pairs, especially during the breeding season. They build hanging, pouch-like nests with a small roof above the entrance, suspended from branches in shaded sites. Outside of breeding, they may join mixed-species flocks loosely while following fruiting trees.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Song and calls are soft and subdued, consisting of thin whistles and quiet churring notes. Males give simple, repeated phrases during display from concealed perches.
