August 04, 2011
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Female velvet asity collecting leaves in Madagascar. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.
The velvet asity is a small bird endemic to Madagascar. The species is a part of a family of birds that only includes four species, all native to Madagascar. As a forest dweller, the velvet asity eats mostly fruit, but also insects.
Males have a lek where they try to entice females to breed with them. Females do all the rearing duties.
The velvet asity is not considered endangered, but the population has never been formally surveyed.
For more photos of Madagascar birds.
Velvet asity. Photo by Rhett A. Butler.