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Least Concern

Brown Emutail

Bradypterus brunneus

Brown Emutail (Bradypterus brunneus) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.

The Brown Emutail (Bradypterus brunneus) is a member of the Locustellidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 14.2 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Passeriformes
  3. Family Locustellidae Grassbirds & Allies
  4. Genus Bradypterus
  5. Species brunneus

Where it lives

Montane northwestern, eastern Madagascar

Quick facts

Weight
14.2 g
Family
Locustellidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Brown Emutail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.

Migration

The Brown Emutail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Brown Emutail (Bradypterus brunneus) is a species of bird in the Locustellidae family, part of the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF montane nw, e Madagascar.

It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 14.2 g, with a wing length of about 5 cm and a tail of around 8.1 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 52,000 km².

Songs & calls

Brown Emutail — Song

Recorded by Joost van Bruggen Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Brown Emutail?

The Brown Emutail is a very small bird that weighs around 14.2 g.

Where does the Brown Emutail live?

The Brown Emutail is found across Africa with a range covering AF montane nw, e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Brown Emutail belong to?

The Brown Emutail (Bradypterus brunneus) belongs to the Locustellidae family, in the order Passeriformes.

What does the Brown Emutail eat?

The Brown Emutail is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Brown Emutail migrate?

The Brown Emutail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Brown Emutail endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

What sound does the Brown Emutail make?

1 real field recording of the Brown Emutail — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Brown Emutail's range?

The Brown Emutail has a mapped global range of about 52,000 km².

Conservation

Least Concern

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

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