Common newtonia

The common newtonia (Newtonia brunneicauda) is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.

Common newtonia

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Vangidae
Genus: Newtonia
Species:
N. brunneicauda
Binomial name
Newtonia brunneicauda
(Newton, 1863)

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

It is a small bird with greyish-brown upper parts, tannish-white underparts, a black bill and golden-yellow eyes.

Taxonomy and systematics

There are two subspecies of the common newtonia:

Newtonia brunneicauda brunneicauda, Newton 1863- It is found in forested regions throughout Madagascar. Newtonia brunneicauda inornata is considered to be a synonym.

Newtonia brunneicauda monticola, Salomonsen 1934- It is found in the Ankaratra mountains of central Madagascar.[2]

Description

It is a small, short-winged, warbler like bird with relatively long legs. It is 12 cm in length and weighs 7-14.5 g, with a wing length of 54.5 mm. Sexes look similar to each other. It has grayish brown upperparts and is pale warm buff in colour under. The nominate species has a cold grayish brown head and upperparts, with the sides of head and neck being a lighter grayish-brown. Its tail is also grayish brown, with off-white undertail coverts. They also have very pale yellow irises with a slender, short, and black bill. The lining of the mouth is yellow. Its tarsi are pale pinkish to grayish brown.

Juveniles look similar to adults, but have browner upperparts, with rufous-brown tips on greater wing coverts and a ginger tinge on their tertials. Irises are darker than in adults.[3]

Ecology and behaviour

Diet

It is insectivorous.

Distribution and habitat

The species is found throughout Madagascar, from sea level up until an elevation of 2,300 m.[4] It is found through a variety of forests and wooded habitats, but is mostly restricted to native forest.

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References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Newtonia brunneicauda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. "Systematics - Common Newtonia - Newtonia brunneicauda - Birds of the World". birdsoftheworld.org. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  3. "Appearance - Common Newtonia - Newtonia brunneicauda - Birds of the World". birdsoftheworld.org. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  4. "Distribution - Common Newtonia - Newtonia brunneicauda - Birds of the World". birdsoftheworld.org. Retrieved 2020-05-16.


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