Photo: John Gerrard Keulemans / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Red-tailed Vanga
Calicalicus madagascariensis
Red-tailed Vanga (Calicalicus madagascariensis) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Red-tailed Vanga (Calicalicus madagascariensis) is a member of the Vangidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 16.4 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 Passeriformes
- Family Vangidae Vangas & Allies
- Genus Calicalicus
- Species madagascariensis
Quick facts
- Weight
- 16.4 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Vangidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Red-tailed Vanga is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Red-tailed Vanga is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Red-tailed Vanga (Calicalicus madagascariensis) is a member of the Vangidae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar (except c, far s).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 16.4 g, with a wing length of about 6.7 cm and a tail of around 4.7 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 341,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Red-tailed Vanga?
The Red-tailed Vanga is a small bird that weighs around 16.4 g.
Where does the Red-tailed Vanga live?
The Red-tailed Vanga is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar (except c, far s), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.
What family does the Red-tailed Vanga belong to?
The Red-tailed Vanga (Calicalicus madagascariensis) belongs to the Vangidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Red-tailed Vanga eat?
The Red-tailed Vanga is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Red-tailed Vanga migrate?
The Red-tailed Vanga is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Red-tailed Vanga 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 Red-tailed Vanga make?
1 real field recording of the Red-tailed Vanga — 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 Red-tailed Vanga's range?
The Red-tailed Vanga has a mapped global range of about 341,000 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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