Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Madagascar Flufftail
Sarothrura insularis
Madagascar Flufftail (Sarothrura insularis) — Cranes & Rails of Africa.
The Madagascar Flufftail (Sarothrura insularis) is a member of the Sarothruridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 26.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Gruiformes
- Family Sarothruridae Flufftails & Forest Rails
- Genus Sarothrura
- Species insularis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 26.8 g
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Sarothruridae
- Order
- Gruiformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Critically Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Madagascar Flufftail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of dense scrub and shrubland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Madagascar Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Madagascar Flufftail (Sarothrura insularis) is a species of bird in the Sarothruridae family, part of the order Gruiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF c, e Madagascar.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 26.8 g, with a wing length of about 7 cm and a tail of around 4.5 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 290,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Madagascar Flufftail?
The Madagascar Flufftail is a small bird that weighs around 26.8 g.
Where does the Madagascar Flufftail live?
The Madagascar Flufftail is found across Africa with a range covering AF c, e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Madagascar Flufftail belong to?
The Madagascar Flufftail (Sarothrura insularis) belongs to the Sarothruridae family, in the order Gruiformes.
What does the Madagascar Flufftail eat?
The Madagascar Flufftail is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Madagascar Flufftail migrate?
The Madagascar Flufftail is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Madagascar Flufftail 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 Madagascar Flufftail make?
1 real field recording of the Madagascar Flufftail — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Madagascar Flufftail's range?
The Madagascar Flufftail has a mapped global range of about 290,000 km².
Conservation
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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