Common newtonia

Newtonia brunneicauda

Photo by David Cook (Flickr)

Common name:
common newtonia (en); newtonia-comum (pt); newtonie commune (fr); newtonia común (es); rostbauchnewtonie (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Passeriformes
Family Sylviidae

Range:
This species is endemic to Madagascar, being found throughout the country.

Size:
These birds are 12 cm long and weigh 7-14 g.

Habitat:
The common newtonia is mostly found in the undergrowth of both moist and dry tropical forests, also using scrublands and mangroves.

Diet:
They feed on small arthropods, including spiders, beetles, cockroaches, bugs and flies.

Breeding:
Common newtonias breed in July-March. The nest is a deep cup hidden in low vegetation. There is no further information regarding the reproduction of this species.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as very common in native forests throughout Madagascar. There is no information regarding population trends.