Madagascar is home to 258 bird species, of which 115 are endemic. Malagasy birdlife can be observed in various protected areas across the island, ideally between October and December. From the ankoay to the kingfisher, passing through pink flamingos, birdwatching enthusiasts are always delighted. So grab your cameras and binoculars!

The Legendary Birds of Madagascar

Madagascar is best known for its lemurs, but the Great Island is also a bird paradise. 258 species have been recorded to date, most of which are endemic. Giant land birds once populated the island, but they gradually disappeared with the arrival of humans around the year 1000. However, stories and testimonies tell of rare elephant bird specimens spotted in the seventeenth century. This great bird measured approximately 3 meters and weighed nearly 500 kg. It could not fly due to its atrophied wings and weight, but its legs were powerful and allowed it to run quickly. A single one of its 10 kg eggs could have fed more than 150 people! Fossil eggs and skeletons are displayed in various museums, notably at the Tsimbazaza zoological park (Antananarivo).

Birds in Beliefs and Symbolism

Today, many other bird species face extinction due to environmental degradation and the beliefs of the people around them. The Madagascar fish eagle (Haliaetus vociferides), known as ankoay, is for example considered the bird of sorcerers and symbolizes evil. The small population that remains is found in the western part of the country, but deforestation and pollution may doom them without human intervention. These raptors measure 60 cm to 70 cm with a wingspan of 165 to 180 cm, with a cap, throat and nape of grayish-white color with a few brown or reddish feathers. Regarding symbolism and beliefs, the hawk represented the power of Malagasy monarchy during the time of royalty. The entrance to the queen's palace is moreover decorated with a bronze statue of a hawk. Another example: the Mijoa bird (Ibis) symbolizes the passage between the dead and the living among the Sakalavas, an ethnic group in western Madagascar (one of the 18 main Malagasy ethnic groups).

Endemic Ground Birds of Madagascar

Concerning ground birds, we can mention as endemic species the Madagascar serpent eagle, a small eagle (66 cm with a wingspan of around 1 m) feeding on chameleons and geckos. It inhabits the rainforests of northeastern Tsaratanana (northeastern Madagascar). Another species worth mentioning: the long-tailed ground-roller (Uratelornis chimaera), the only species of the uratelornis genus, inhabiting the spiny and arid forests near the southeastern coast of Madagascar. Measuring 34 to 47 cm, of which 30 cm is tail, this small gray bird with a few blue feathers feeds on invertebrates.

Endemic Aquatic Birds of Madagascar

The aquatic birds are the easiest to observe and boast the most beautiful specimens, namely the Madagascar kingfisher, adorned with magnificent reddish and white plumage. Bernier's teal (Anas bernieri) is a species that interests all birdwatching tourism enthusiasts, inhabiting Lakes Ambondro and Sirave (Androy region, southern Madagascar). It distinguishes itself from gray teals by its reddish-tinted plumage. The Coua is a celebrated species inhabiting the eastern humid forests, characterized by a patch of blue skin behind the ears, with a head crowned by a grayish-blue crest. Its name is an onomatopoeia associated with the peculiar call it makes from the top of a tree over 15 m high.

Observing Birds in Protected Areas

Among the protected areas most favorable to birdwatching during your trip to Madagascar, we can mention among others Ankarafantsika National Park, home to 129 bird species, of which 75 are endemic. Still in northeastern Madagascar, Masoala Park counts around 60 endemic species including the serpent eagle. In the northeast of the island, the Mahavavy–Kinkony Wetlands Complex (258,900 hectares of protected area) is a paradise for birdwatchers who marvel at the sight of birds in 1001 colors, notably pink flamingos, fishing eagles and sacred ibises of Madagascar. In the northwestern part of the great island, the Tsimembo-Manambolomaty protected area is the ideal place to observe the ankoay. In the south, Tsimanampetsotsa National Park allows you to observe birds nestled on the edge of turquoise waters or at the top of a baobab. 72 species are to be discovered, notably pink flamingos or the red-shouldered calichedon (calicalicus rufocarpalis).