title: Common newtonia
text: # Common newtonia
  
  The common newtonia (Newtonia brunneicauda) is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to Madagascar.
  
  Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
  
  It is a small bird with greyish-brown upper parts, tannish-white underparts, a black bill and golden-yellow eyes.
  
  ## Taxonomy and systematics
  
  There are two subspecies of the common newtonia:
  
  Newtonia brunneicauda brunneicauda, Newton 1863- It is found in forested regions throughout Madagascar. Newtonia brunneicauda inornata is considered to be a synonym.
  
  Newtonia brunneicauda monticola, Salomonsen 1934- It is found in the Ankaratra mountains of central Madagascar.
  
  ## Description
  
  It is a small, short-winged, warbler like bird with relatively long legs. It is 12 cm in length and weighs 7–14.5 g, with a wing length of 54.5 mm. Sexes look similar to each other. It has grayish brown upperparts and is pale warm buff in colour under. The nominate species has a cold grayish brown head and upperparts, with the sides of head and neck being a lighter grayish-brown. Its tail is also grayish brown, with off-white undertail coverts. They also have very pale yellow irises with a slender, short, and black bill. The lining of the mouth is yellow. Its tarsi are pale pinkish to grayish brown.
  
  Juveniles look similar to adults, but have browner upperparts, with rufous-brown tips on greater wing coverts and a ginger tinge on their tertials. Irises are darker than in adults.
  
  ## Ecology and behaviour
  
  ### Diet
  
  It is insectivorous.
  
  ## Distribution and habitat
  
  The species is found throughout Madagascar, from sea level up until an elevation of 2,300 m. It is found through a variety of forests and wooded habitats, but is mostly restricted to native forest.
  
  