Photo: Francesco Veronesi from Italy / CC BY-SA 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Spectacled Tetraka
Xanthomixis zosterops
Spectacled Tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Spectacled Tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops) is a member of the Bernieridae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 10.8 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Passeriformes
- Family Bernieridae Tetrakas & Allies
- Genus Xanthomixis
- Species zosterops
Quick facts
- Weight
- 10.8 g
- Diet
- Invertebrate-eaters
- Family
- Bernieridae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Spectacled Tetraka 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 Spectacled Tetraka is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Spectacled Tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops) is a member of the Bernieridae family, within the order Passeriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw, e Madagascar.
It is a very small bird. Adults weighs around 10.8 g, with a wing length of about 7.2 cm and a tail of around 7.1 cm.
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 210,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Spectacled Tetraka?
The Spectacled Tetraka is a very small bird that weighs around 10.8 g.
Where does the Spectacled Tetraka live?
The Spectacled Tetraka is found across Africa with a range covering AF nw, e Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Spectacled Tetraka belong to?
The Spectacled Tetraka (Xanthomixis zosterops) belongs to the Bernieridae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Spectacled Tetraka eat?
The Spectacled Tetraka is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.
Does the Spectacled Tetraka migrate?
The Spectacled Tetraka is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Spectacled Tetraka endangered?
The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.
What sound does the Spectacled Tetraka make?
1 real field recording of the Spectacled Tetraka — 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 Spectacled Tetraka's range?
The Spectacled Tetraka has a mapped global range of about 210,000 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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