Common newtonia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common newtonia |
|
---|---|
![]() |
|
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification | |
Genus: |
Newtonia (bird)
|
Species: |
brunneicauda
|
The common newtonia (Newtonia brunneicauda) is a small bird that lives only on the island of Madagascar. It is part of the Vangidae bird family. You can find this bird in both dry and moist lowland forests.
Contents
What Does the Common Newtonia Look Like?
The common newtonia is a small bird. It has short wings and fairly long legs. This bird is about 12 cm (5 inches) long. It weighs between 7 and 14.5 grams. That's about as much as a few paper clips!
Both male and female common newtonias look alike. Their upper parts are grayish-brown. Their undersides are a pale, warm tan color. They have a slender, short, black bill. Their eyes are a very pale yellow. Young common newtonias look similar to adults. However, their upper parts are a bit browner. Their eyes are also darker than the adults'.
Where Do Common Newtonias Live?
This bird lives all over Madagascar. You can find it from sea level up to high mountains. It lives in many types of forests. However, it mostly stays in native forest areas.
What Do Common Newtonias Eat?
The common newtonia is an insectivore. This means it eats mostly insects.
Types of Common Newtonia
There are two main types, or subspecies, of the common newtonia:
- Newtonia brunneicauda brunneicauda - This type is found in forests all over Madagascar. It was first described by Alfred Newton in 1863.
- Newtonia brunneicauda monticola - This type lives in the Ankaratra mountains. These mountains are in central Madagascar. This subspecies was described in 1934.