Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as locally fairly common to abundant (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction.
This species is endemic to eastern Madagascar.
The species is found in montane rainforest. It feeds on small insects while foraging close to the ground among dense damp herbaceous growth, often running in preference to flying (Morris and Hawkins 1998). Although a very shy, skulking species which can be difficult to detect, it is fairly common in suitable habitat within the altitudinal range of 800-2,500 m (Morris and Hawkins 1998).
Forest destruction, for subsistence agriculture and commercial logging, may cause the population to rapidly decline in the future.
A tiny understorey warbler. Small and rufous on upperparts, paler on throat, with grey earcoverts and a bizarre hardly-barbed tail, which is often kept tightly closed. Similar spp. From Madagascar Brush-warbler Nesillas typica by its more rufous colour, almost barbless tail, grey earcoverts and small size. Grey Emutail Dromaeocercus seebohmi, which does not occur in forest but in adjacent marshes, is more streaked, especially on mantle, and less rufous. Hints Found in dense humid understorey of montane forest, often in damp valleys, where it creeps along the ground in the manner of a mouse; this impression is strongly reinforced by the tightly-closed tail. The song, a loud tuuuu-tchwewewewe or wee-chechechecheche, is very distinctive.
Text account compilers
Ekstrom, J., Butchart, S., Harding, M., Fisher, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Brown Emu-tail Bradypterus brunneus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/brown-emu-tail-bradypterus-brunneus on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.