Common Newtonia
Newtonia brunneicauda
Energetic and pugnacious little plain-brown vanga. The eye is white, and the center of the chest usually orange. Madagascar endemic that is found in all types of forest. Constantly on the move through the mid-story, usually in pairs. Often joins flocks with vangas and other mid-sized birds. Song is an explosive, rollicking series of two-parted notes: “chi-pu, chi-pu, chi-pu….” Pale eye and paler overall coloration separate it from Dark Newtonia. Pale eye also separates Common Newtonia from the rare Red-tailed Newtonia. Similar to Archbold’s Newtonia, but without rufous around the eye.
Identification
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.<p>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.
Taxonomy
There are two subspecies of the common newtonia:<p>Newtonia brunneicauda brunneicauda, Newton 1863- It is found in forested regions throughout Madagascar. Newtonia brunneicauda inornata is considered to be a synonym.<p>Newtonia brunneicauda monticola, Salomonsen 1934- It is found in the Ankaratra mountains of central Madagascar.
- Scientific name
- Newtonia brunneicauda
- Authority
- (Newton, A, 1863)
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Newtonia
Range and habitat
The species is found throughout Madagascar, from sea level up until an elevation of 2,300 m. It is found through a variety of forests and wooded habitats, but is mostly restricted to native forest.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Batis poensis
The only batis on Bioko. Patterned like a typical batis, with a white belly and throat, black wings with a white bar, and a black face. Males have a black crown, a black back, and a black chest band, whereas females have a gray crown, a gray back, and a rusty chest band. Both sexes have limited white above the eye that can appear like a broken eyeline. Infrequently encountered but widespread from lowland forest to mid-montane forest, where it can be seen in forest and disturbed forest, including plantations. Songs include a series of high-pitched whistled notes, and a few harsh notes followed by a fast trill that descends slightly in pitch.
Greater Adjutant
Leptoptilos dubius
Immense and imposing undertaker of a stork with a bare head and neck, pale eyes, and dark gray wings. Overlaps in some areas with similar but smaller Lesser Adjutant; note pale wing panel, paler heavier bill, prominent white neck ruff, and when in flight, grayer and less contrasting underwing. Forages in expansive wetlands and grasslands; also congregates in immense numbers at garbage dumps.
Kolombangara Monarch
Symposiachrus browni
A small black-and-white monarch. Mostly black above with a black head, back, and chest. Note the distinctive white cheek spot and large white wing patch. Note the significant amount of white on undertail. Endemic to Kolombangara, New Georgia, Vangunu, Rendova, and Tetepare, in the southwestern Solomon Islands. Prefers primary forest, but tolerates secondary growth. Occurs up to about 600 meters of elevation. Voice commonly consists of long pulsing whistles or harsh chattering.
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