Madagascar spinetail

Zoonavena grandidieri

Photo by Markus Lagerqvist (PBase)

Common name:
Madagascar spinetail (en); rabo-espinhoso-de-Madagáscar (pt); martinet de Grandidier (fr); vencejo malgache (es); Madagaskarflagermussejler (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Apodiformes
Family Apodidae

Range:
This species has two disjunct subspecies. Z.g. grandidieri is found throughout Madagascar, while Z.g. mariae is only found on the island of Grand Comoro, in the Comoro Islands.

Size:
These birds are 12 cm long.

Habitat:
They are mostly found over forests, including both dry and moist tropical forests, and gallery forest, also using arable land. They occur from sea level up to an altitude of 1.750 m.

Diet:
They forage low over the forest canopy, taking various flying insects.

Breeding:
Madagascar spinetails are believed to breed in April-January, but there is no further information regarding their reproduction.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a large breeding range and is described as rather common, especially in eastern Madagascar. The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.