Philepitta schlegeli – The stump-tailed species has the most outstanding plumage in the bird world and extremely unique eyes

This species is categorized as Near Threatened due to predicted significant population decline over the next 13 years (three generations) due to habitat degradation and expected tiny population. If a species is rapidly declining or has a limited population, it may be uplisted to a higher category.

The elevation spans from sea-level to 800 m (del Hoyo et al. 2003). The species is most prevalent in the moist and transition forests of the north-western Sambirano region, and very occasionally seen in western dry woods, notably limestone areas (Langrand 1990, Morris and Hawkins 1998). According to Morris and Hawkins (1998), this species consumes small fruits and nectar, both in the canopy and in the intermediate and lower strata.

October-December nesting has been documented (del Hoyo et al. 2003). This species is likely polygynous, having scattered male leks. The nest is spherical and hung from a branch of an understorey tree. Moss, bark, and leaf strips are used to build it, along with spider webs (del Hoyo et al. 2003). October–December are likely laying dates (Hawkins 2013).