Vangas | |
---|---|
White-headed vanga (Artamella viridis) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Passeriformes |
Suborder: | Passeri |
Family: |
Vangidae Swainson, 1831 |
Genera | |
Artamella |
Artamella
Calicalicus
Cyanolanius
Euryceros
Falculea
Hypositta
Leptopterus
Mystacornis
Newtonia
Oriolia
Pseudobias
Schetba
Tylas
Vanga
Xenopirostris
The vangas (from vanga, Malagasy for the hook-billed vanga, Vanga curvirostris) are a group of little-known small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to Madagascar and the Comoros. They are usually classified as the family Vangidae. There are about 22 species, depending on taxonomy. Most species are shrike-like, arboreal forest birds, feeding on reptiles, frogs and insects. Several other Madagascan birds more similar to Old World warblers, Old World babblers or Old World flycatchers are now often placed in this family. Vangas differ greatly in bill shape and have a variety of foraging methods. Their stick nests are built in trees. They do not migrate.