Tylas Vanga
Tylas eduardi
Medium-sized vanga with a white collar, a black head, and normally rufous underparts. Madagascar endemic that is primarily found in the eastern rainforest, and occasionally in western dry deciduous forest, where a white-breasted subspecies occurs. Active mid-story bird that joins flocks with other birds. Most common vocalization is a couple of quick notes followed by an explosive whistle: “chu-chow-wheeeet.” Much smaller-billed than Pollen’s Vanga. Similar to Ashy Cuckooshrike, but has buffy, or occasionally whitish, but never gray underparts.
Identification
The tylas vanga (Tylas eduardi) is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is monotypic within the genus Tylas. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest.
Taxonomy
Genus: Tylas; Family: Vangidae; Order: Passeriformes.
- Scientific name
- Tylas eduardi
- Authority
- Hartlaub, 1862
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Family
- Vangidae
- Genus
- Tylas
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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