Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is expected to undergo a moderately rapid decline over the next three generations owing to the clearance and degradation of forest at middle elevations.
Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as nowhere common (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
Trend justification
The population is inferred to be in decline owing to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation (del Hoyo et al. 2006; Global Forest Watch 2020).
Between 2001-2019, the range experienced forest loss of 20% (Global Forest Watch 2020). This equates to a loss of 12% over the past three generations. Assuming that the population declines at a similar rate, the past rate of decline is placed in the band 1-15% over three generations. Between 2016-2019, the lost 7.8% of forest cover (Global Forest Watch 2020). Projected forward over three generations, this equates to a loss of c.24%. Assuming that the population declines at a similar rate, the suspected future rate of decline is placed in the band 20-29% over three generations.
Hartertula flavoviridis is endemic to Madagascar, where it occurs in most areas of the eastern rainforest from Manongarivo in the northwest to Andohahela National Park in the south (Morris and Hawkins 1998; Hawkins and Sartain 2013).
The species is most common in rainforest at mid-altitudes, between 600 and 1,400 m, being scarce or absent in most lowland forest and apparently absent from mossy forest at higher altitude (Morris and Hawkins 1998). It is a frequent member of mixed-species flocks, feeding in the understorey on insects which are gleaned from leaves (Morris and Hawkins 1998). Breeding has been recorded in January (del Hoyo et al. 2006). The nest, in which two eggs are laid, is an oval ball constructed with grass and other vegetation, with an entrance near the top, suspended 1-2 m above the ground (del Hoyo et al. 2006).
Mid-altitude forest is less threatened than most other forest-types in Madagascar, but is still decreasing steadily due to forest destruction for subsistence agriculture and commercial logging. Consequently, the species could soon become more threatened, given that it has a patchy distribution and is not particularly common within its restricted altitudinal range.
Conservation Actions Underway
No targeted conservation action is known for this species.
A small forest understorey warbler. Green above, with yellow throat, and grey earcoverts; bill rather solid and triangular. The tail is rather loose and feathers often point in different directions, particularly when the birds are feeding in their characteristic fashion, hanging upside-down from the ends of narrow shrub branches or dead-leaf clumps. Similar spp. From Spectacled Greenbul Phyllastrephus zosterops and Grey-crowned Greenbul P. cinereiceps by combination of grey ear-coverts, solid greyish bill, yellow throat and small size. Unlikely to be confused with jeries Neomixis owing to understorey habits, but grey ear-coverts are characteristic. Hints Often in mixed-species flocks, and most common at mid-altitude, between about 800 m and 1600 m, but rather patchy and appears absent from many areas.
Text account compilers
Clark, J.
Contributors
Evans, M., O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Starkey, M., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Westrip, J.R.S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Wedge-tailed Tetraka Hartertula flavoviridis. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/wedge-tailed-tetraka-hartertula-flavoviridis on 23/11/2024.
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 23/11/2024.