Tylas Vanga Tylas eduardi Scientific name definitions

Tylas Vanga is relatively widespread, at least in eastern Madagascar, and is not rare, but it remains a relatively poorly known, indeed almost enigmatic, species. It is only recently, in fact, that it has been confirmed to be a vanga at all; previously it had been included in Pycnonotidae (bulbuls), in Oriolidae (Old World orioles), or even classified in its own family. Presumably the structure of the bill of Tylas Vanga led earlier ornithologists astray: its relatively short and slender bill did not closely resemble the heavier, shrike-like bills of many "typical" vangas. On the other hand, both the pattern and colors of the plumage of Tylas Vanga are remarkably like those of Pollen's Vanga (Xenopirostris polleni). Typically the entire head, including the throat, is black or blackish, forming a hood. There is a narrow white collar across the nape, otherwise the upperparts are olive brown. The color of the underparts is variable, ranging from whitish to buffy. Subspecies albigularis, of western Madagascar, has a black crown but the throat is white. Confusingly, however, there are reports of white-throated birds in eastern Madagascar, and at least one report of a black-hooded bird in the west. Tylas Vanga is common in humid evergreen forest in eastern Madagascar, but is rare and local in the west, where it occupies deciduous forest and mangroves. It forages in pairs, which frequently associate with mixed species flocks.