Neomixis tenella
The Common Jery, *Neomixis tenella*, is a diminutive and active songbird endemic to the island of Madagascar, a jewel among the unique Malagasy avian radiation. Measuring just 10-12 cm in length and weighing a mere 5-8 grams, it sports olive-green upperparts, contrasting with clean greyish-white underparts, sometimes exhibiting faint streaking on the breast or a rufous wash on the flanks. Key field marks include a dark loral line extending through the eye, often bordered by a pale supercilium...
Found in a wide array of forested habitats across Madagascar, including humid evergreen rainforests, dry deciduous forests, spiny thickets, gallery forests, and secondary growth from sea level up to around 1,500 meters.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on small insects, larvae, and other invertebrates gleaned from foliage and bark.
Common Jerys are highly active and diurnal insectivores, constantly flitting through the understory and mid-canopy in search of food. They are frequently observed as core members, or even leaders, of mixed-species foraging flocks, moving quickly and deliberately through foliage. Foraging involves...
The Common Jery is a widespread resident endemic across the entire island of Madagascar, found in nearly all forest and scrub habitats. Its distribution spans from the humid eastern rainforests to the dry deciduous forests of the west and north, and even the spiny thickets of the arid south. Ther...
Least Concern
- The Common Jery is one of only three species in the family Neomixidae, all of which are endemic to Madagascar, making them unique to the island. - Despite being 'common', its small size and preference for dense undergrowth can make it surprisingly challenging to observe clearly. - It is frequen...