Rand's warbler

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Rand's warbler (Randia pseudozosterops) is a small bird found only in Madagascar’s eastern rainforests. It belongs to the Bernieridae family and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its numbers are slowly decreasing due to deforestation.

Appearance: It is grey on the back and pale on the belly, with a strong pale eyebrow stripe. The bill is strong and slightly curved; some individuals have a pale orange lower mandible.

Habitat: It lives in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, up to about 1200 meters above sea level.

Behavior: Rand's warbler often joins mixed-species flocks and feeds on branches that are horizontal or angled. It tends to sing for long periods from the canopy.

Population trend: Not currently threatened, but the population is believed to be declining because of habitat loss.

Relationship: A 2019 study found Randia pseudozosterops to be the sister species of Thamnornis, another Malagasy bird.