Sickle-billed Vanga
Falculea palliata
The Sickle-billed Vanga (Falculea palliata) is a rare vangas, helmetshrikes, and alli found only in Madagascar, weighing about 111 g. The sickle-billed vanga is a species of bird in the vanga family Vangidae.
About the Sickle-billed Vanga
The sickle-billed vanga is a species of bird in the vanga family Vangidae. It is monotypic within the genus Falculea. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are tropical dry forests and tropical dry shrubland.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The sickle-billed vanga is the largest of the vangas, measuring 32 cm (13 in) in length and weighing 106 to 119 g (3.7–4.2 oz). The most striking feature is the bill, which is strongly decurved and measures 77 mm (3.0 in) and is blue-grey fading to ivory at the tip. The plumage is striking, with a white head, breast and belly and the back, wings and tail being black with a blue sheen. The iris is brown and the orbital ring around the eye is black. The legs are strong and coloured dark grey to pale blue. There is no sexual dimorphism.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: September, October, November, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Sickle-billed Vanga?
- The sickle-billed vanga is the largest of the vangas, measuring 32 cm (13 in) in length and weighing 106 to 119 g (3.7–4.2 oz). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Sickle-billed Vanga?
- The Sickle-billed Vanga is a medium sized bird weighing about 111 g.
- Where can you see a Sickle-billed Vanga?
- The Sickle-billed Vanga is endemic to Madagascar, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Sickle-billed Vanga?
- The Sickle-billed Vanga is most easily confused with the Ward's Vanga, the Chestnut-fronted Helmetshrike and the Maroon-breasted Philentoma.
- Is the Sickle-billed Vanga endangered?
- The Sickle-billed Vanga is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Sickle-billed Vanga for real
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