Dusky Tetraka
Xanthomixis tenebrosa
Passeriformes Order – Bernieridae Family
INTRODUCTION:
The Dusky Tetraka is endemic to Madagascar and occurs in the eastern humid evergreen forest, mainly in NE of the island.
It was formerly included in the family Pycnonotidae, but it is now part of the separate Malagasy radiation, alongside other Xanthomixis and Bernieria species in the family Bernieridae.
The Dusky Tetraka has restricted range in which it is rare and local. It is currently listed as Vulnerable.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRD:
Biometrics:
Length: 14-15 cm
Weight: 21-22 g
The Dusky Tetraka has dull olive-green plumage on the upperparts, with slightly browner wings and tail. The flight-feathers have dark green outer edges.
On the underparts, chin and throat are yellow. Breast, flanks and undertail-coverts are dark olive-green, whereas belly and vent are yellow green.
The top of the head is like the upperparts, but the remaining face is dark olive-green. The supraloral area is yellow and joins the yellow broken eyering. We can see a dark eye stripe. The malar area is yellow.
The fairly short bill is grey with dark culmen. The lower mandible has pinkish-orange base. It is slightly inflated centrally, and slightly upcurved towards the tip. The eyes are mid-brown. The robust legs and feet are pinkish.
Male and female have similar plumage, but the female is smaller.
The juvenile is not described.
RANGE:
The Dusky Tetraka occurs in NE Madagascar, but there are few records since several years. It is probably present from Marojely S to Zahamena.
HABITAT:
The Dusky Tetraka is found in the rainforest, usually below 1,000 metres of elevation.
CALLS AND SONGS: SOUNDS BY XENO-CANTO
The Dusky Tetraka gives series of metallic, piercing, descending “seet…seet…seetseetseetseet” fairly similar to the calls of other members of the genus. We can also hear a quieter “tsit”. It often calls from low shrubs.
BEHAVIOUR IN THE WILD:
The Dusky Tetraka feeds on small insects, larvae and spiders. It is mainly terrestrial, hopping rapidly while foraging both on the ground and in low shrubs. It usually avoids the dense undergrowth.
This species is often seen in small groups, and may join sometimes mixed-species flocks.
There is no information on breeding behaviour and reproduction.
The Dusky Tetraka is presumed sedentary.
It is largely terrestrial and only performs short-distance flights.
REPRODUCTION OF THIS SPECIES:
No information.
PROTECTION / THREATS / STATUS:
The Dusky Tetraka has very restricted range in the eastern rainforest. It is vulnerable to slash-and-burn cultivation and commercial logging involving habitat destruction.
The population is roughly estimated to number 1,500/7,000 mature individuals and is suspected to be declining.
The Dusky Tetraka is currently listed as Vulnerable.
Fr: Bulbul obscur - Fouditany obscur
Ang: Dusky Tetraka - Dusky Greenbul
All: Sianakabülbül
Esp: Bulbul Oscuro
Ita: Bulverde fosco
Nd: Sianakatetraka
Sd: mörk tetraka
Mal: vorontainaomby
Text by Nicole Bouglouan
Sources:
HANDBOOK OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD Vol 10 by Josep del Hoyo-Andrew Elliott-David Christie - Lynx Edicions - ISBN: 8487334725
Birds of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands Par Roger Safford, Adrian Skerrett, Frank Hawkins – ISBN: 1472924118, 9781472924117- Editeur: Bloomsbury Publishing, 2015
The Birds of Africa: Volume VIII: The Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Seychelles, Comoros, Mascarenes - Par Roger Safford, Frank Hawkins – ISBN: 1408190494, 9781408190494- Editeur: A&C Black, 2013
CREAGUS - MALAGASY WARBLERS Bernieridae
Fatbirder - Bernieridae - Malagasy Warblers
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Family Bernieridae
Page Order Passeriformes