Birds of Madagascar – 115 Species Are Endemic to Madagascar

List Birds of Madagascar - Species Are Endemic to Madagascar — Birds of Madagascar

Madagascar is home to many special birds that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. In fact, 115 bird species only live on this large island off the coast of Africa. Let’s explore the amazing birds of Madagascar!

Table of Contents

Birds of Madagascar – 115 Species Are Endemic to Madagascar
- Why Madagascar’s Birds Are So Special
- Endemic Bird Families of Madagascar
  - Mesites
  - Ground-Rollers

Why Madagascar’s Birds Are So Special

Madagascar split off from other land masses millions of years ago. This allowed the birds there to evolve in isolation, resulting in many one-of-a-kind species. Some key things that make Madagascar’s birds special:

5 bird families are only found on Madagascar
Over 100 species live nowhere else
Many have odd features not seen in other birds
Some are very rare and hard to spot

Endemic Bird Families of Madagascar

Madagascar has 5 bird families that live only on the island:

Mesites

White breasted Mesite — Subdesert Mesite

Mesites are small ground-dwelling birds. There are 3 species:

Brown Mesite
White-breasted Mesite
Subdesert Mesite

They have long legs and short wings. Mesites eat insects on the forest floor.

Ground-Rollers

Rufous headed Ground Roller — Long tailed Ground Roller

Ground-rollers are colorful birds that spend time on the ground. The 5 species are:

Short-legged Ground-Roller
Scaly Ground-Roller
Pitta-like Ground-Roller
Rufous-headed Ground-Roller
Long-tailed Ground-Roller

They have big heads and strong bills for catching insects and small animals.

Asities

Asities are small, brightly colored birds. The 4 species are:

Velvet Asity
Common Sunbird-Asity
Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity
Schlegel’s Asity

Male asities have bright wattles around their eyes to attract females.

Malagasy Warblers

This family has 11 species of small songbirds, including:

Gray Emu-tail
Wedge-tailed Jery
Cryptic Warbler

They hop through bushes and trees looking for insects to eat.

Vangas

Vangas are a diverse family with 22 species of different shapes and sizes. Some examples:

Sickle-billed Vanga
Helmet Vanga
Nuthatch Vanga
Hook-billed Vanga

Vangas have evolved to fill many different feeding niches in Madagascar’s forests.

Other Notable Endemic Birds

Besides the 5 special families, Madagascar has many other birds found nowhere else. Here are some of the most interesting:

Cuckoo Roller

This odd bird is the only member of its family. It has a large head, hooked bill, and long tail. Cuckoo rollers eat insects and small animals.

Couas

Couas are related to cuckoos. The 9 species in Madagascar include:

Giant Coua
Running Coua
Red-breasted Coua

They have long tails and strong legs for walking on the ground.

Madagascar Fish Eagle

This large bird of prey lives near water and catches fish. Fewer than 250 are left in the wild.

Madagascar Serpent Eagle

Another rare bird of prey, it hunts snakes and lizards in the rainforest.

Madagascar Pochard

This diving duck was thought extinct until rediscovered in 2006. Only about 25 remain in the wild.

Habitats for Madagascar’s Birds

Madagascar has several types of habitat where birds live:

Rainforest

The eastern part of the island has thick, wet forests. Many endemic birds live here, like:

Short-legged Ground-Roller
Red-fronted Coua
Madagascar Blue Pigeon

Dry Deciduous Forest

The western side has forests that lose leaves in the dry season. Birds here include:

White-breasted Mesite
Coquerel’s Coua
Sickle-billed Vanga

Spiny Forest

The southwest has odd-looking spiny plants. Special birds found here:

Long-tailed Ground-Roller
Subdesert Mesite
Lafresnaye’s Vanga

Wetlands

Lakes, rivers, and coastal areas host water birds like:

Madagascar Plover
Sakalava Rail
Madagascar Sacred Ibis

Threats to Madagascar’s Birds

Many of Madagascar’s special birds are in danger. The biggest threats are:

Cutting down forests for farming
Hunting birds for food
Climate change affecting habitats
Introduced animals like rats eating eggs

Over 40 endemic species are at risk of dying out. Protecting forests and educating people about birds can help save them.

Birding in Madagascar

Birdwatchers from around the world come to see Madagascar’s special birds. Some top spots for birding include:

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park – great for ground-rollers and rainforest birds
Ranomafana National Park – home to many rare species
Berenty Reserve – good for seeing lemurs and dry forest birds
Ifaty spiny forest – to find birds of the southwest

The best time to visit is September to December when many birds are breeding. Hiring a local guide can help find hard-to-spot species.

Fun Facts About Madagascar’s Birds

The elephant bird, which went extinct around 1000 AD, was the largest bird ever at 10 feet tall!
Male vangas sing duets with their mates, taking turns singing parts of the song.
The long-tailed ground-roller can run very fast on its long legs.
Couas make their nests out of saliva and plant fibers.
The hook-billed vanga uses its curved bill to pry insects out of tree bark.

Conclusion

Madagascar’s birds are truly special. With so many species found nowhere else, the island is a treasure trove for bird lovers. Protecting these amazing birds and their habitats is important to make sure future generations can enjoy them too.

Here is a table summarizing some key facts about Madagascar’s endemic birds:

Bird Group	Number of Species	Interesting Features
Mesites	3	Ground-dwelling, long legs
Ground-Rollers	5	Colorful, catch prey on ground
Asities	4	Bright wattles on males
Malagasy Warblers	11	Small insect-eaters
Vangas	22	Wide variety of shapes/sizes
Couas	9	Long tails, walk on ground

Madagascar’s birds show how isolation can lead to amazing diversity. From the odd cuckoo roller to the colorful ground-rollers and vangas, the island’s birds are unlike any others on Earth. Seeing these special birds in their natural habitats is an unforgettable experience for any bird lover.

FAQs:

Q: What are some of the bird species endemic to Madagascar?

A: Some bird species endemic to Madagascar include the Madagascar Fish Eagle, the Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher, and the Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher. These species are unique to the island and aren’t found anywhere else in the world.

Q: Can you provide product details for a good field guide on the Birds of Madagascar?

A: A recommended field guide for birding Madagascar is “Field Guide to the Birds of Madagascar” by Hawkins, Sinclair, and Langrand. This guide features detailed descriptions and photographs of various species, including endemic ones, making it an essential resource for birdwatchers.

Q: Are there any customer reviews for “Field Guide to the Birds of Madagascar” available online?

A: Yes, customer reviews for “Field Guide to the Birds of Madagascar” can be found on platforms like Amazon.com. Many reviewers appreciate the comprehensive species coverage and high-quality photographs.

Q: What is special about birding in Madagascar compared to other Indian Ocean islands like Mauritius or Seychelles?

A: Birding in Madagascar is unique because over 50% of the bird species on the island are endemic. Unlike Mauritius and Seychelles, Madagascar’s diverse habitats support a higher number of unique species, making it a prime destination for birding enthusiasts.

Q: Are any of Madagascar’s birds globally threatened?

A: Yes, some of the bird species in Madagascar, such as the Madagascar Fish Eagle and the Madagascar Pochard, are considered globally threatened. Due to habitat loss and other factors, these species are at risk of extinction.

Q: What types of seabirds can be found around Madagascar?

A: Seabirds such as frigatebirds, terns, and boobies can be found around Madagascar. These birds are often gregarious and can be spotted along the island’s extensive coastline.

Q: Are elephant birds from Madagascar still alive?

A: No, elephant birds, which were once endemic to Madagascar, are now extinct. These gigantic, flightless birds went extinct several centuries ago due to human activity and environmental changes.

Q: What is the significance of the Madagascar Sunbird?

A: The Madagascar Sunbird is an important species endemic to Madagascar. Known for its vibrant plumage, this bird plays a crucial role in pollination within its habitat.

Q: Can drongos be found in Madagascar?

A: Yes, the Crested Drongo is a common bird species found in Madagascar. Known for its glossy black plumage, this bird is often seen in the island’s forests.

Q: Why is the Madagascar Pochard significant in terms of conservation?

A: The Madagascar Pochard is significant due to its critically endangered status. Conservation efforts are crucial to save this species from the brink of extinction, as there are very few individuals left in the wild.

Table of 115 Species Are Endemic to Madagascar:

No.	Common Name	Scientific Name	Habitat	Status
1	Gray Mouse Lemur	Microcebus murinus	Western and southern forests	Least Concern
2	Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec	Echinops telfairi	Various habitats, forest edges	Least Concern
3	Fossa	Cryptoprocta ferox	Forests	Vulnerable
4	Radiated Tortoise	Astrochelys radiata	Southern Madagascar	Critically Endangered
5	Greater Bamboo Lemur	Prolemur simus	Bamboo forests	Critically Endangered
6	Malagasy Civet	Fossa fossana	Tropical forests	Vulnerable
7	Madagascar Fish Eagle	Haliaeetus vociferoides	Northwest coastal regions	Critically Endangered
8	Aye-aye	Daubentonia madagascariensis	Various forests	Endangered
9	Madagascan Flying Fox	Pteropus rufus	Lowland forests	Vulnerable
10	Tomato Frog	Dyscophus antongilii	Northeastern Madagascar	Least Concern
11	Darwin’s Bark Spider	Caerostris darwini	Rainforests, along rivers	Least Concern
12	Silky Sifaka	Propithecus candidus	Northern rainforests	Critically Endangered
13	Panther Chameleon	Furcifer pardalis	Various forests, shrubs	Least Concern
14	Golden Mantella	Mantella aurantiaca	Swamps and moist forests	Critically Endangered
15	Leaf-tailed Gecko	Uroplatus phantasticus	Rainforests	Least Concern
16	Ploughshare Tortoise	Astrochelys yniphora	Dry forests in the northwest	Critically Endangered
17	Madagascar Pochard	Aythya innotata	Lakes and marshes	Critically Endangered
18	Madagascar Giant Day Gecko	Phelsuma madagascariensis	Rainforests, urban areas	Least Concern
19	Blue Coua	Coua caerulea	Various forests	Least Concern
20	Madagascar Tree Boa	Sanzinia madagascariensis	Rainforests, dry forests	Least Concern
21	Madagascar Periwinkle	Catharanthus roseus	Dry coastal regions, disturbed areas	Least Concern
22	Madagascan Fish Eagle	Haliaeetus vociferoides	Northwest coastal regions	Critically Endangered
23	Hildebrandt’s Elephant Bird	Aepyornis hildebrandti	Extinct, former forests	Extinct
24	Giant Elephant Bird	Aepyornis maximus	Extinct, former forests	Extinct
25	Madagascar Tomato Frog	Dyscophus antongilii	Northeastern Madagascar	Least Concern
26	Tapia Tree	Uapaca bojeri	Tapia forests	Least Concern
27	Malagasy Flying Fox	Pteropus rufus	Subtropical and tropical forests	Vulnerable
28	Madagascar Heron	Ardea humbloti	Wetlands and marshes	Endangered
29	Fanaloka (Malagasy Civet)	Fossa fossana	Tropical forests	Vulnerable
30	Flat-tailed Tortoise	Pyxis planicauda	Dry deciduous forests	Critically Endangered
31	Black-and-White Ruffed Lemur	Varecia variegata	Eastern rainforests	Critically Endangered
32	Blue-eyed Black Lemur	Eulemur flavifrons	Northwest dry deciduous forests	Critically Endangered
33	Claire’s Mouse Lemur	Microcebus mamiratra	Northern Madagascar	Endangered
34	Diademed Sifaka	Propithecus diadema	Eastern rainforests	Critically Endangered
35	Eastern Voalavo	Voalavo antsahabensis	High-altitude rainforests	Vulnerable
36	Fleurete’s Sportive Lemur	Lepilemur fleuretae	Northwest dry deciduous forests	Endangered
37	Gerp’s Mouse Lemur	Microcebus gerpi	Eastern rainforests	Endangered
38	Golden Bamboo Lemur	Hapalemur aureus	Southeastern rainforests	Critically Endangered
39	Golden-crowned Sifaka	Propithecus tattersalli	Northern dry deciduous forests	Critically Endangered
40	Grandidier’s Mongoose	Galidictis grandidieri	Spiny forests of the southwest	Endangered
41	Gray-headed Lemur	Eulemur cinereiceps	Southeastern lowland forests	Critically Endangered
42	Greater Big-footed Mouse	Macrotarsomys ingens	Western dry forests	Endangered
43	Hairy-tailed Antsangy	Brachytarsomys villosa	Eastern rainforests	Vulnerable
44	Hawks’ Sportive Lemur	Lepilemur tymerlachsonorum	Northwestern dry deciduous forests	Endangered
45	Indri	Indri indri	Eastern rainforests	Critically Endangered
46	Isalo Serotine	Neoromicia malagasyensis	Western dry forests	Data Deficient
47	James’ Sportive Lemur	Lepilemur jamesorum	Southeastern rainforests	Endangered
48	Jenkins’ Shrew Tenrec	Microgale jenkinsae	Eastern rainforests	Data Deficient
49	Lac Alaotra Bamboo Lemur	Hapalemur alaotrensis	Wetlands around Lac Alaotra	Critically Endangered
50	Madagascar Fish-eagle	Haliaeetus vociferoides	Northwest coastal regions	Critically Endangered
51	Madagascar Buzzard	Buteo brachypterus	Various forest habitats	Least Concern
52	Madagascar Hoopoe	Upupa marginata	Forests and savannas	Least Concern
53	Short-legged Ground-roller	Brachypteracias leptosomus	Forest floor of rainforests	Vulnerable
54	Scaly Ground-roller	Geobiastes squamiger	Rainforest undergrowth	Vulnerable
55	Long-tailed Ground-roller	Uratelornis chimaera	Dry spiny forests	Vulnerable
56	Pitta-like Ground-roller	Atelornis pittoides	Lowland rainforests	Near Threatened
57	Rufous-headed Ground-roller	Atelornis crossleyi	Eastern rainforests	Near Threatened
58	Madagascar Pygmy-kingfisher	Corythornis madagascariensis	Forested areas near water	Least Concern
59	Banded Kestrel	Falco zoniventris	Various open habitats	Least Concern
60	Black Parrot	Coracopsis nigra	Forests	Least Concern
61	Grey-headed Lovebird	Agapornis canus	Forest edges and clearings	Least Concern
62	Velvet Asity	Philepitta castanea	Rainforests	Near Threatened
63	Schlegel’s Asity	Philepitta schlegeli	Dry deciduous forests	Near Threatened
64	Common Sunbird-Asity	Neodrepanis coruscans	Rainforests	Least Concern
65	Yellow-bellied Sunbird-asity	Neodrepanis hypoxantha	Montane forests	Endangered
66	Common Newtonia	Newtonia brunneicauda	Various forest habitats	Least Concern
67	Red-tailed Newtonia	Newtonia fanovanae	Rainforests	Endangered
68	Northern Dark Newtonia	Newtonia amphichroa	Rainforests	Vulnerable
69	Tylas Vanga	Tylas eduardi	Rainforests	Least Concern
70	Helmet Vanga	Euryceros prevostii	Eastern rainforests	Near Threatened
71	Pollen’s Vanga	Xenopirostris polleni	Dry deciduous forests	Near Threatened
72	Lafresnaye’s Vanga	Xenopirostris xenopirostris	Dry deciduous forests	Near Threatened
73	Van Dam’s Vanga	Xenopirostris damii	Western dry forests	Endangered
74	Bernier’s Vanga	Oriolia bernieri	Rainforests	Endangered
75	Sickle-billed Vanga	Falculea palliata	Dry forests and spiny forests	Least Concern
76	White-headed Vanga	Artamella viridis	Rainforests	Least Concern
77	Madagascar Lark	Eremopterix hova	Open grasslands	Least Concern
78	Green Jery	Neomixis viridis	Rainforests	Least Concern
79	Common Jery	Neomixis tenella	Various forests and scrublands	Least Concern
80	Stripe-throated Jery	Neomixis striatigula	Rainforests	Least Concern
81	Subdesert Jery	Neomixis pallidior	Dry forests and scrublands	Least Concern
82	Subdesert Brush-warbler	Nesillas lantzii	Dry deciduous forests	Least Concern
83	Madagascar Swamp-warbler	Acrocephalus newtoni	Wetlands	Least Concern
84	Brown Emu-tail	Bradypterus brunneus	Forest undergrowth	Least Concern
85	Madagascar Grassbird	Amphilais seebohmi	Grasslands and wetlands	Least Concern
86	Painted Mantella	Mantella madagascariensis	Eastern and central rainforests	Near Threatened
87	Satanic Leaf-Tailed Gecko	Uroplatus phantasticus	Tropical forests	Vulnerable
88	Madagascar Serpent Eagle	Eutriorchis astur	Eastern rainforests	Endangered
89	Meller’s Duck	Anas melleri	Freshwater bodies in forested areas	Endangered
90	Bernier’s Teal	Anas bernieri	Wetlands and shallow water bodies	Endangered
91	Madagascar Fody	Foudia madagascariensis	Various habitats	Least Concern
92	Madagascar Hissing Cockroach	Gromphadorhina portentosa	Forest floor	Least Concern
93	Madagascar Long-Eared Owl	Asio madagascariensis	Forests	Least Concern
94	Lowland Streaked Tenrec	Hemicentetes semispinosus	Lowland tropical rainforests	Least Concern
95	Verreaux’s Sifaka	Propithecus verreauxi	Western and southeastern dry forests	Critically Endangered
96	Bamboo Lemur	Hapalemur spp.	Bamboo forests	Vulnerable to Endangered
97	Madagascar Blue Pigeon	Alectroenas madagascariensis	Northern and eastern Madagascar	Least Concern
98	Red Fody	Foudia madagascariensis	Various habitats	Least Concern
99	Madagascar Green Pigeon	Treron australis	Subtropical or tropical dry and moist forests	Least Concern
100	Crested Drongo	Dicrurus forficatus	Dry and humid lowland forests, savannas	Least Concern
101	Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk	Aviceda madagascariensis	Forests and savannas	Vulnerable
102	Red-fronted Coua	Coua reynaudii	Forests	Least Concern
103	Red-capped Coua	Coua ruficeps	Forests	Least Concern
104	Red-breasted Coua	Coua serriana	Forests	Near Threatened
105	Yellow-browed Oxylabes	Crossleyia xanthophrys	Forests	Vulnerable
106	Madagascar Starling	Hartlaubius auratus	Forests	Least Concern
107	Wedge-tailed Jery	Hartertula flavoviridis	Forests	Least Concern
108	Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher	Corythornis madagascariensis	Forests	Least Concern
109	White-throated Rail	Dryolimnas cuvieri	Wetlands	Least Concern
110	Broad-billed Roller	Eurystomus glaucurus	Forests and savannas	Least Concern
111	Madagascar Crested Ibis	Lophotibis cristata	Forests	Least Concern
112	Madagascar Buttonquail	Turnix nigricollis	Dry forests and scrublands	Least Concern
113	Madagascar Partridge	Margaroperdix madagarensis	Various habitats	Least Concern
114	Madagascar Sandgrouse	Pterocles personatus	Arid and semi-arid areas	Near Threatened
115	Subdesert Mesite	Monias benschi	Dry forests	Vulnerable

Nathan

I absolutely adore birds, especially lovebirds, and I’m passionate about exploring forests for bird watching. I wanted to create a space for fellow bird lovers to connect, learn, and share experiences.