Newtonia brunneicauda (A.Newton, 1863)

General Morphology

Newtonia brunneicauda is a small, short-winged bird resembling a warbler, with relatively long legs.

Size and Measurements

It measures 12 cm in length, weighs 7–14.5 g, and has an average wing length of 54.5 mm. The sexes are similar in appearance.

Plumage - General

This bird has grayish brown upperparts and pale warm buff underparts.

Nominate Subspecies Plumage

The nominate subspecies has cold grayish brown head and upperparts, with lighter grayish-brown coloring on the sides of the head and neck. Its tail is also grayish brown, and it has off-white undertail coverts.

Soft Part Features

It has very pale yellow irises, a slender, short, black bill, and yellow mouth lining. Its tarsi are pale pinkish to grayish brown.

Juvenile Plumage

Juveniles look similar to adults, but have browner upperparts, rufous-brown tips on their greater wing coverts, and a ginger tinge on their tertials. Juveniles also have darker irises than adults.

Distribution Range

This species is found across Madagascar, ranging from sea level up to 2,300 m in elevation.

Habitat Preferences

It occurs in a wide variety of forests and other wooded habitats, but is mostly restricted to native forest.