Common Newtonia, Kirindy Reserve, Madagascar

A small common bird throughout Madagascar. Part of the Vanga family which is entirely endemic to Madagascar. The weird thing about that family is how unrelated in appearance the individual species seem:
https://www.jungledragon.com/wildlife/browse/animalia/chordata/aves/passeriformes/vangidae

comments (16)

Christine Young

Lion

Wow! Definitely a big difference in appearance for some of those! Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Maybe "Vanga" just means "Birds" in Malagasy :) Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    Maybe. It's like the whole "wild duck" conspiracy. Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      It's wild. It's duck. It's wild duck. Posted 3 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Hmm. Sounds like a "spherical cow" conundrum. Posted 3 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        What. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        What, what? Are you familiar with theoretical physics and the spherical cow? It basically means that things that are complex or hard to describe, so a "spherical cow in a vacuum" is used to simplify the issue, even though this simplification is inaccurate. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spherical_cow
        
        It's just an oversimplification. But....now the joke is no longer funny. Although, it may have never been funny. Posted 3 years ago
        
        Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        It is useful though, never heard of that and will use it in the future! Posted 3 years ago
        
        Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Definitely. Just drop the phrase "spherical cow in a vacuum" into conversations. It's very useful when you weren't paying attention or else want to end the conversation. No one will have any idea what you're talking about and will be afraid to question you further. Posted 3 years ago

Lisa Kimmerling

Lion

Dreamy photo! Posted 3 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  A proper positive spin on a failed shot, thanks :) Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Lisa Kimmerling
    
    Lion
    
    I don't think it is failed at all! <3 You are too hard on yourself, Ferdy! Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Ferdy Christant
      
      Lion
      
      Nah, not playing the false modesty card here. It failed in the sense that its in the shadow and blocked by a branch, after that it took of. Still, thank you for the compliment :) Posted 3 years ago
    2. 1. Lisa Kimmerling
        
        Lion
        
        Sounds like the bird was at fault. Not you! :D Posted 3 years ago
      2. Ferdy Christant
        
        Lion
        
        Agreed, little punk it is! Posted 3 years ago

The Common newtonia

The common newtonia is a species of bird in the Vangidae family.
It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is a small bird with greyish-brown upper parts, tannish-white underparts, a black bill and golden-yellow eyes.

Info 2 0

Similar species: Passerines

Species identified by Ferdy Christant