Photo: Rob Foster / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Velvet Asity
Philepitta castanea
Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea) — Songbirds & Perching Birds of Africa.
The Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea) is a member of the Philepittidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 35.4 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 Philepittidae Asities
- Genus Philepitta
- Species castanea
Quick facts
- Weight
- 35.4 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Philepittidae
- Order
- Passeriformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Velvet Asity is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Velvet Asity is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea) belongs to the Philepittidae family of the order Passeriformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF nw, e Madagascar.
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 35.4 g, with a wing length of about 7.8 cm and a tail of around 4.2 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 46,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Velvet Asity?
The Velvet Asity is a small bird that weighs around 35.4 g.
Where does the Velvet Asity live?
The Velvet Asity 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 Velvet Asity belong to?
The Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea) belongs to the Philepittidae family, in the order Passeriformes.
What does the Velvet Asity eat?
The Velvet Asity is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Velvet Asity migrate?
The Velvet Asity is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Velvet Asity 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 Velvet Asity make?
1 real field recording of the Velvet Asity — 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 Velvet Asity's range?
The Velvet Asity has a mapped global range of about 46,000 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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