{{Short description|Species of bird}} {{Speciesbox | image = Velvet asity (Philepitta castanea), Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar.jpg | image2 = Philepitta castanea 456153464.jpg | image_caption = Adult breeding male | image2_caption = Adult female | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | genus = Philepitta | species = castanea | authority = (Müller, 1776) | synonyms = }}
The '''velvet asity''' ('''''Philepitta castanea''''') is a bird species in the family Philepittidae that is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Non-breeding males have yellow-tipped feathers, while breeding males have a velvety black plumage with a pair of green fleshy supraorbital caruncles above the eyes. Adult females are greenish and have underparts striped with pale yellow-green longitudinal lines. Velvet asities eat berries and other fruits in the undergrowth. They build hanging nests with a little roof over the entrance. The species is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
== Taxonomy == The velvet asity is a member of a monophyletic group within the order Passeriformes and the family Philepittidae.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Hawkins |first=Frank |date=2020 |title=Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea), version 1.0 |url=https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/velasi1/cur/introduction |journal=Birds of the World |language=en |doi=10.2173/bow.velasi1.01 |issn=2771-3105}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Prum |first=Richard O. |last2=Razafindratsita |first2=Vololontiana R. |date=1997 |title=Lek behavior and natural history of the velvet asity (Philepitta castanea: Eurylaimidae) |url=https://prumlab.yale.edu/sites/default/files/prum_razafindratsita_1997.pdf |journal=Wilson Bulletin |volume=109 |issue=3 |pages=371-392}}</ref> Philepittidae was originally considered a distinct and isolated family within the suboscine passerines.<ref name=":2" /> However, phylogenetic analysis revealed that asities were closely related to the Old World broadbills (family Eurylaimidae).<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Prum |first=Richard O. |date=1993 |title=Phylogeny, biogeography, and evolution of the broadbills (Eurylaimidae) and asities (Philepittidae) based on morphology |journal=The Auk |volume=110 |issue=2 |pages=304–324 |doi=10.1093/auk/110.2.304}}</ref>
Within Philepittidae, two genera are currently recognized: ''Philepitta'' and ''Neodrepanis.''<ref name=":2" /> ''Philepitta'' and ''Neodrepanis'' comprise four species of asities, all of which are endemic to Madagascar.<ref name=":2" /> The genus ''Philepitta'' includes the velvet asity and the Schlegel’s asity (''Philepitta schlegeli''), while ''Neodrepanis'' contains the common sunbird-asity (''Neodrepanis coruscans'') and the yellow-bellied sunbird-asity (''Neodrepanis hypoxantha'').<ref name=":2" /> ''Philepitta'' asities are mainly frugivores and have short, slightly decurved bills.<ref name=":2" /> In comparison, ''Neodrepanis'' sunbird-asities are nectarivores and possess a long decurved bill adapted to their diet.<ref name=":2" />
== Description == The velvet asity has a minimum longevity of about 7 years.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Woog |first=Friederike |last2=Ramanitra |first2=Narisoa |last3=Rasamison |first3=Andrianarivelosoa Solohery |last4=Tahiry |first4=Rasolondraibe Lovahasina |date=2018-07-03 |title=Longevity in some Malagasy rainforest passerines |url=https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2018.1502693 |journal=Ostrich |volume=89 |issue=3 |pages=281–286 |doi=10.2989/00306525.2018.1502693 |issn=0030-6525}}</ref> Its body is small and plump, measuring ~14–16.5 cm in length and weighing ~38.9 g.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Rakotomanana |first=Hajanirina |last2=Hino |first2=Teruaki |last3=Kanzaki |first3=Mamoru |last4=Morioka |first4=Hiroyuki |date=2003 |title=The role of the Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea in regeneration of understory shrubs in Madagascan rainforest |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/osj/2/1/2_1_49/_article |journal=Ornithological Science |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=49–58 |doi=10.2326/osj.2.49}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last=Rakotomanana |first=Hajanirina |date=2009 |title=Ecomorphology and foraging height in the Malagasy endemic Velvet Asity (Philepitta castanea) |url=https://doi.org/10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.30.110 |journal=Ostrich |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=305–307 |doi=10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.30.110 |issn=0030-6525}}</ref> The tail (~42.5 mm) and wings (~82.1 mm) are rounded and short.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> The bill is slightly decurved and narrow, measuring ~18.1 mm in length and ~6.0 mm in width.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> The legs are relatively short.<ref name=":0" /> thumb|305x305px|Top: adult breeding male, middle: adult female, bottom: adult non-breeding male The morphology of the velvet asity is not suited for strong or sustained flight because of its poor wing structure and chunky body.<ref name=":8" /> Instead, it is well adapted for perch foraging, where its short and narrow bill allows it to easily pick fruit from a perch.<ref name=":8" />
=== Sexual dimorphism === The male and female velvet asity are both similar in size but strongly sexually dimorphic.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Rakotomanana |first=Hajanirina |last2=Rene De Roland |first2=Lily-Arison |date=2007 |title=Breeding ecology of the endemic, Madagascan, Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea |url=http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2326/1347-0558%282007%296%5B79%3ABEOTEM%5D2.0.CO%3B2 |journal=Ornithological Science |language= |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=79–85 |doi=10.2326/1347-0558(2007)6[79:BEOTEM]2.0.CO;2 |issn=1347-0558}}</ref>
The adult female has dull green upperparts with brown-olive wings and tail.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> Its underparts are dark olive and marked with pale yellow-green longitudinal stripes.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> The ear-coverts are dark olive green, with a creamy stripe that extends from the base of the bill.<ref name=":0" /> The bill is black and the eyes are dark brown.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Juveniles are similar in appearance to adult females.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> left|thumb|225x225px|Supraorbital caruncles of an adult breeding male velvet asity When newly molted, non-breeding males have a black throat, with most feathers tipped in olive-green, especially on the wings, breast, and belly.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> During the breeding season, the green tips disappear, and the feathers turn velvety black.<ref name=":2" /> Breeding males also develop a yellow spot on the edge of the underwing-coverts and alula,<ref name=":0" /> though it is not noticeable when the male is perched.<ref name=":2" /> Additionally, breeding males have a pair of bright green, fleshy supraorbital caruncles above the eyes,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> marked with a narrow blue line only visible when the caruncles are raised.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last=Prum |first=Richard O. |last2=Morrison |first2=Randall L. |last3=Ten Eyck |first3=Gary R. |date=1994 |title=Structural color production by constructive reflection from ordered collagen arrays in a bird (Philepitta castanea: Eurylaimidae) |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jmor.1052220107 |journal=Journal of Morphology |language=en |volume=222 |issue=1 |pages=61–72 |doi=10.1002/jmor.1052220107 |issn=1097-4687}}</ref> The size and shape of the caruncles at rest vary between individual males.<ref name=":2" />
== Distribution and habitat == thumb|234x234px|Ranomafana National Park The velvet asity is endemic to Madagascar and is distributed along the eastern side and northwestern corner of the island, between sea level and altitudes of 1,800 m.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> It is commonly found in Ranomafana National Park (southeastern Madagascar) and the mountainous rainforest of the Masola Peninsula (northwestern Madagascar).<ref name=":0" />
Velvet asities live in subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=Species factsheet: Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea |url=https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/velvet-asity-philepitta-castanea |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=BirdLife DataZone |language=}}</ref> More specifically, they inhabit primary and secondary rainforests, as well as forested areas bordering zones affected by human disturbance (adjacent degraded rainforests).<ref name=":0" /> The species tends to favor locations with an open understory, especially along valley sides and bottoms.<ref name=":0" /> It has been recorded at both low and mid-elevations, but is most commonly found between 600 and 1,400 m.<ref name=":0" /> It is uncommon below 400 m and above 1,600 m, and is absent from montane sclerophyllous forests.<ref name=":0" />
== Behaviour ==
=== Vocalization === Males produce a high-pitched advertisement call, consisting of a pair or short series of “''whee-doo''” with an emphasis on the first syllable.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> A “''whee-doo''” phrase typically has an initial note that increases from 5.5–6.3 kHz over 100 ms, followed by a 50 ms pause, and a final note that decreases from 5.4–4.8 kHz over 150–190 ms.<ref name=":2" /> While interacting with each other, males give a series of long, energetic call notes “''weet''”.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Each “''weet''” note rises from 1–3 kHz over 80 ms from between 5.5–6.3 kHz to 7.4–8.2 kHz.<ref name=":2" /> Territorial males also emit high-pitched "''see''" calls during interactions, although these calls are rare, as they vocalize infrequently.<ref name=":2" />
=== Diet === The velvet asity is the only frugivorous bird species feeding in understory shrubs in Madagascar’s rainforests.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Razafindratsita |first=Vololontiana |last2=Zack |first2=Steve |date=2009 |title=Frugivory and facilitation of seed germination by the Velvet Asity, Philepitta castanea (Müller, 1776), in the rainforest understory of Ranomafana National Park, Madagascar |url=https://protectedareas.mg/biodiv/content/documents/61de9674-36fc-4fe1-b958-8679b2f7594c/4d8b18fdb83d494b8a96f70e111be840.pdf |journal=Malagasy Nature |volume=2 |pages=154-159}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Rakotomanana |first=Hajanirina |last2=Hino |first2=Teruaki |date=1998 |title=Fruit Preference in the Velvet Asity Philepitta castanea in a Rain Forest of Madagascar |url=https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjo1986/47/1/47_1_11/_article |journal=Japanese Journal of Ornithology |volume=47 |issue=1 |pages=11–19,29 |doi=10.3838/jjo.47.11}}</ref> It consumes small fleshy fruits (5–10 mm in diameter) that typically contain one or two seeds.<ref name=":3" /> Fruits eaten are mostly red and orange in colour, but they can also be yellow, white, dark blue, or black.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> The velvet asity picks fruit while perched or in mid-air during a brief hover.<ref name=":0" /> left|thumb|246x246px|''Psychotria'' sp. (Rubiaceae) Since the species eats a wide variety of fruiting plants, it is considered a generalist forager.<ref name=":3" /> Key plant families in its diet include Rubiaceae, Myrsinaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Piperaceae, and Melastomataceae.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> Plants belonging to the genera ''Oncostemum'', ''Psychotria'', ''Jasminum'', ''Macaranga'', ''Pittosporum'', and ''Chassalia'' are also important food sources.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> Fruits brought to nestlings are mainly from ''Tambourissa'' spp. and ''Aphloia theiformis'' shrubs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" />
Small seeds are defecated (1–2 mm in diameter) while larger seeds are usually regurgitated.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":3" /> This process contributes to the seed dispersal of shrubs, which is essential to support the regeneration of Madagascar's rainforests.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />
Seasonally, the velvet asity feeds on nectar, particularly from terrestrial and shrub-layer plants such as ''Bakerella.''<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /> It can also occasionally consume arthropods (spiders and caterpillars).<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
=== Reproduction ===
==== Display ==== thumb|280x280px|Yellow spot on the edge of the underwing-coverts and alula of an adult breeding male velvet asity Males form dispersed leks, where each holds a small territory used for display.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last=Frith |first=Clifford B. |last2=Chen |first2=Dustin |date=2025-03-05 |title=Photographic evidence of bi-parental nest-building by Schlegel's Asity Philepitta schlegeli (Philepittidae) |url=https://bioone.org/journals/bulletin-of-the-british-ornithologists-club/volume-145/issue-1/bboc.v145i1.2025.a7/Photographic-evidence-of-bi-parental-nest-building-by-Schlegels-Asity/10.25226/bboc.v145i1.2025.a7.full |journal=Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club |volume=145 |issue=1 |doi=10.25226/bboc.v145i1.2025.a7 |issn=0007-1595}}</ref> To courtship females, they perform the erect posture and the wing-flap pump display.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> In the erect posture, the male elongates its neck and body, leans forward over a perch, and erects its bright green supraorbital caruncles, revealing a vivid blue horizontal stripe above the eye.<ref name=":2" /> The wing-flap pump display begins with the male maintaining the erect posture for 1–2 seconds and rapidly leaning forward into a horizontal position over the perch.<ref name=":2" /> It then pumps its body upward by fully extending its neck and briefly returns to the erect posture.<ref name=":2" /> This is followed by a second vertical pump, during which the male simultaneously opens and closes its wings, revealing a yellow spot on the edge of the underwing-coverts and alula, which is clearly visible against the bird’s otherwise dark profile.<ref name=":2" />
During interactions with rival males, additional displays are performed, including the horizontal posture, open gape display, hanging gape display, and perch-somersault display.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> In the horizontal posture, the male adopts a sleek, elongated, and horizontal stance on the perch, typically in response to hearing another male’s call.<ref name=":2" /> During the open gape display, the male perches with its head tucked in and mouth wide open, either silently or while giving a series of strong, energetic calls.<ref name=":2" /> In the hanging gape display, the male transitions from the open gape posture by suddenly lunging forward and downward with a distinct wing movement, then hangs from the perch for several seconds.<ref name=":2" /> The perch-somersault display appears to begin as a hanging gape display, but instead of hanging, the male rotates around the perch to return to the open gape posture.<ref name=":2" /> Most of the time, the open gape and hanging gape displays are performed between competitive males.<ref name=":2" />
==== Nesting and fledging care ==== thumb|314x314px|Adult female velvet asity in Ranomafana, Madagascar Although research findings vary, most studies suggest that velvet asities are polygynous, with females solely responsible for nest building, incubation, and post-hatching care.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> Males typically play little to no role in raising the young.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":6" />
Breeding has been recorded between November and February at Ranomafana.<ref name=":2" /> Nest building may take more than ten days.<ref name=":2" /> The nests are pear-shaped and suspended from the tips of hanging branches, typically 2 to 5 meters above the ground.<ref name=":1" /> They feature a small overhanging roof above the entrance and are covered with moss, bamboo fibers, and grass filaments, with the interior lined with twigs and dried leaves.<ref name=":1" />
Egg-laying occurs between September and December, with the female laying three white eggs.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> She incubates the clutch for at least 13 days, and after hatching, continues to brood and feed the chicks.<ref name=":1" /> Nestlings are fed with regurgitated fruit pulp and fledge approximately 17 days after hatching.<ref name=":1" />
== Conservation status == The velvet asity is not globally threatened and found in all protected areas within its range, including Ranomafana, Andringitra and Andohahela National Parks, Anjanaharibe-sud Special Reserve, and Perinet Special Reserve.<ref name=":0" /> The species is listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List due to its large range and relatively stable population.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=Philepitta castanea |url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22698763/130195996 |access-date=2025-10-13 |website=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22698763A130195996.en}}</ref> Although the population trend appears to be decreasing due to habitat loss, the rate of decline is believed to be too slow to raise concern.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":10" /> The population size has yet to be quantified, but it is thought to be above the threshold that would qualify the species as “Vulnerable”.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":10" />
==References== <references />
==External links==
* [https://ebird.org/species/velasi1/ Velvet asity] on eBird (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) * [https://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/species.jsp?lang=EN&avibaseid=90A9B4AC55C6E6B1 Velvet asity] on Avibase * [https://xeno-canto.org/species/Philepitta-castanea Velvet asity] sound recordings on Xeno-canto * [https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=velasi1 Velvet asity] pictures on the Macaulay Library (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) * [https://www.worldbirdphotos.com/photo/asity-velvet-philepitta-castanea-nest-endemic-madagascar/ Velvet asity nest] on World Bird Photos {{Taxonbar|from=Q853478}}
Category:Philepitta Category:Birds described in 1776 Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot