Archbold's Newtonia

Newtonia archboldi

Least ConcernRareEndemicInvertebratesShrublandCup nestTiny · 8 g

About the Archbold's Newtonia

Archbold's newtonia is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. The birds have a greyish brown back and tail, with a rufous forecrown and a buffy white belly, throat, and undertail coverts. They have a conspicuous rufous eye-ring, accompanied with a black bill and pale yellow eyes. The species is sexually monomorphic, and there is no major difference between the sexes. There is no breeding plumage for the males.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

It is a small, short-winged, and long-legged bird with a short and slender beak. It is 12 cm (4.7 in) long and weighs 7.2–8.3 g (0.25–0.29 oz). The average bill length is 13.5 mm (0.53 in). The top of the head and the upperparts are greyish brown, with a rufous wash on the forecrown and a dark rufous ring around the eyes. The central chin and throat are buffy white, along with the belly and undertail coverts. The breast and flanks are cinnamon buff. The cheeks and auriculars are greyish brown and the tail is grey brown. It has a black bill with pale yellow eyes. Voice: Songs are generally made from concealed perches. Their calls have been described as "a rapid series of strong, rather low-pitched whistles". The songs are distinctive variable warbles composed of 4-5 syllables, either "tee-too tekhew" or "chichichich wit-tee tew". Other calls include "tchiew". Songs are described as varying from individual to individual.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where it lives

Regular range

When to see it

Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Learn the Archbold's Newtonia for real

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