Alternative name: White-throated Foditany
- Oxylabes madagascariensis
Identification
17 - 18cm. A Babbler (or Warbler) from Madagascar1:
- Stocky appearance
- Top and side of head rufous-brown
- Dark olive-brown upperparts
- White supercilium, often only noticeable behind eye
- White throat and chin
- Dull brown underparts
- Dark brown tail
Distribution
Endemic to eastern Madagascar. Common and widespread in its range.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.2
Traditionally placed in the family Timaliidae. However, new studies show that this species could belong to the Old World Warblers Sylviidae. 1. Clements places it now in the new family Bernieridae .
Habitat
Evergreen humid forest, usually found on the ground and in the understorey. From sea-level up to 2000m. 1
Behaviour
Feeds on invertebrates (including spiders, beetles and bugs).
Forages on the ground, moving quickly. Usually in groups of 2 to 4 birds, sometimes with other terrestrial species like Dark Newtonia and Yellow-browed Oxylabes.
Breeding season from August to December. The nest is cup-shaped, often placed in the crown of a tree-fern. Lays 2 eggs.
Resident, no movements known.1
References
- del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Christie, D.A. eds. 2007. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 12. Picathartes to Tits and Chickadees. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 84-96553-42-6
- Clements James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN
