Birds in Madagascar

Madagascar is an incredible place for birdwatching enthusiasts. Nearly 300 species have been documented, with more than 100 species found exclusively in Madagascar. Among the highlights are the four families that exist uniquely in this realm. Here we have the mesites, asities, bernierids, and ground rollers. Two additional families are confined to this area, which comprises only Comoros and Seychelles: the cuckoo roller and vangas. In Madagascar, the birds create a more subdued atmosphere compared to the lively sounds of mainland Africa, though their voices do become more pronounced during the Wet season. In Madagascar, birds are often more welcoming and easy to encounter.

Birding Specials–Delights for Passionate Birdwatchers

Appert’s tetraka
Archbold’s newtonia
Banded kestrel
Bernier’s vanga
Blue coua
Blue vanga
Brown emu-tail Brown mesite
Chabert vanga
Collared nightjar
Common sunbird-asity
Crested coua
Crossley’s babbler
Enigmatic songbird
Cuckoo roller
Shadowy Newtonia
Forest rock thrush
Greater vasa parrot
Grey emu-tail Grey-crowned tetraka
Helmet vanga
Henst’s goshawk
Hook-billed vanga
Humblot’s heron
Lafresnaye’s vanga
Lesser vasa parrot
Littoral rock thrush
Long-billed bernieria
Madagascan spinetail
Madagascar blue pigeon
Madagascar crested ibis
Madagascar cuckoo hawk
Madagascar cuckoo-shrike
Madagascar fish eagle
Madagascar green pigeon
Madagascar harrier hawk
Madagascar kestrel
Madagascar kingfisher
Madagascar little grebe
Madagascar long-eared owl
Madagascar nightjar
Madagascar plover
Madagascar pond heron
Madagascar red owl
Madagascar scops owl
Madagascar serpent eagle
Madagascar snipe
Madagascar sparrowhawk
Madagascar starling
Madagascar wood rail
Madagascar yellowbrow
Nelicourvi weaver
Nuthatch vanga
Pitta-like ground roller
Pollen’s vanga
Red-breasted coua
Red-fronted coua
Red-shouldered vanga
Red-tailed newtonia
Red-tailed vanga
Rufous-headed ground roller
Exploring the coua
Scaly ground roller
Short-billed tetraka
Short-legged ground roller
Sickle-billed vanga
Souimanga sunbird
Thamnornis Tylas vanga
Velvet asity
Verreaux’s coua
Ward’s flycatcher
Wedge-tailed jery
White-breasted mesite
White-headed vanga
White-throated oxylabes White-throated rail Yellow-bellied sunbird-asity

Optimal Moments for Avian Observation

Bird watching in Madagascar offers excitement all year long, with a variety of fascinating species available to observe at any time. The prime time to experience the wonders of nature is during the Wet season, from November to April, when the birds come alive with their songs, making them a delight to observe. Numerous birds create their nests during the wet season, and certain species, like the coveted helmet vanga, can be most readily located by their nesting sites. During the Wet season, certain migrating birds make their home on the island, only to journey to the mainland when the Dry season arrives.

Top Parks for Bird Watching – Features Birding Ratings
Many parks in Madagascar provide excellent opportunities for bird watching. It’s a challenge to experience all the incredible birding parks in just one journey. To experience a diverse array of species, it is beneficial to explore both the lush rainforest and the arid spiny forest regions. The lush rainforest environment of northern and eastern Madagascar brims with a vibrant array of species. Andasibe-Mantadia NP is incredibly easy to reach and offers immense rewards. Masoala NP may be a bit challenging to reach, but the journey is truly rewarding, offering the chance to encounter Madagascar’s premier bird, the helmet vanga. Exciting discoveries await in locations like Berenty PR, Isalo NP, and the lesser-known Zombitse-Vohibasia NP.