Thamnornis

Thamnornis chloropetoides

Odd, warbler-like, long-tailed and long-billed tetraka. Madagascar endemic that is the only tetraka regularly found in spiny forest. Mostly skulks in the understory, but will sing from an open perch at the top of a tree. Song is a sputtering trill that is sometimes followed by a series of lower “chup” notes. Larger, longer-tailed, and longer-billed than jeries. More greenish than Subdesert Brush Warbler, with white tips to the tail, and without fuzzy breast streaks. 

Identification

The thamnornis or thamnornis warbler (Thamnornis chloropetoides) is a species of Malagasy warbler in the family Bernieridae. It is endemic to Madagascar, where it is restricted to the spiny forest of the island's southwest. It is greyish above and whitish below, with narrow green fringes to the wing feathers and a marked supercilium. The outer tail-feathers have pale tips. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is usually seen near the ground, but sings from tall trees. It often associates in family groups or with Newtonias in mixed-species flocks. While not considered threatened, its population is inferred to be decreasing due to widespread deforestation across its range. A 2019 phylogenetic study found the Thamnornis to be the sister species of Rand's warbler.

Taxonomy

Genus: Thamnornis; Family: Bernieridae; Order: Passeriformes.

Scientific name
Thamnornis chloropetoides
Authority
(Grandidier, A, 1867)
Order
Passeriformes
Family
Bernieridae
Genus
Thamnornis

Range and habitat

Migration
Resident species

Behavior

Migration pattern: Resident species.

Conservation

Population trend: declining.

Population trend
declining

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

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