Prepare to be dazzled by the extraordinary beauty of Schlegel’s Asity (Philepitta schlegeli), a rare bird adorned with a stunning combination of bright yellow and olive green plumage. What makes this avian wonder truly stand out is its vivacious, tie-dyed face, featuring a vibrant and featherless bright blue and green wattle around each eye.
Belonging to the Philepittidae family, Schlegel’s Asity showcases its resplendent appearance during the breeding season. The male displays bright yellow feathers on his upperparts and mantle, while the rest of this area is adorned with olive green hues. His underparts feature shades of yellow with olive-green tinges, and his rump is a dark gray. The male’s head is black, and his eyes are brown, but what steals the show is the flamboyant, featherless, and brilliantly colored bright blue and green wattled area surrounding each eye. Completing his striking ensemble, his bill is black with an orange-yellow gape, and his legs are a shade of gray.
In contrast, the female resembles a non-breeding male, with more olive coloring above and white to yellow-olive underparts.
Schlegel’s Asity is native to the island paradise of Madagascar, where it can currently be found in the Northern, Northwestern, and Western regions.
This delightful bird prefers to inhabit seasonally dry rainforested areas near humid or sheltered locations at elevations of around 800 meters.
Within its range, Schlegel’s Asity primarily feeds on small fruits during the rainy season. However, during the dry season, it will dine on nectar and insects.
Sadly, the habitat of Schlegel’s Asity is under significant threat from human activities, such as grazing and deforestation for firewood, leading to a decline in its population. As a result, this magnificent bird is now classified as near-threatened, urging the need for conservation efforts to protect its habitat and ensure the survival of this captivating species.
As we marvel at the splendor of Schlegel’s Asity and its strikingly vibrant appearance, let us also take collective action to safeguard its natural habitat and preserve the rich biodiversity of Madagascar for generations to come.
