| Grey-crowned tetraka | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Bernieridae |
| Genus: | Xanthomixis |
| Species: | X. cinereiceps |
| Binomial name | |
| Xanthomixis cinereiceps (Sharpe, 1881) | |
 | |
| Range map of Xanthomixis cinereiceps in Madagascar | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Phyllastrephus cinereiceps (Sharpe, 1881) | |
The grey-crowned tetraka formerly known as the grey-crowned greenbul (Xanthomixis cinereiceps) is a species of Malagasy warbler in the family Bernieridae.[1][2] It is found only in eastern and northern Madagascar.
Description
The bird is slender, with a green back, pale grey crown and ear coverts, a white throat, yellow underparts, and grey legs. The slim bill is pale pink with a darker culmen.[1]
Habitat and range
Its natural habitat is primary humid montane forests along the length of eastern Madagascar. It ranges from 900 to 2000 meters elevation, and is most common in higher-elevation forests at 1,400 to 1,800 meters. It is seldom found in disturbed forests or drier forests in the mountains' rain shadow.[1]
It feeds on small insects on mossy tree trunks and sometimes on understory shrubs, but is seldom observed on the ground. It is often found in multi-species flocks.[1]
It is threatened by habitat loss.
Breeding
Birds have been observed nesting in November, and juveniles observed in November and December. Nests are bowl-shaped and made of moss lined with dry grass and palm fibers, built in horizontal branch forks one to two meters above the ground. Females generally lay three eggs per season. Observations suggest it is a cooperative feeder.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 BirdLife International (2016). "Xanthomixis cinereiceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22713039A94357585. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22713039A94357585.en. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
- ↑ Gill, F.; Donsker, D.; Rasmussen, P. (eds.). "Family Bernieridae". IOC World Bird List. International Ornithological Congress. Retrieved 17 August 2020.