CLASSIC MADAGASCAR TOUR REPORT 2024

17 October - 3 / 7 November 2024

by Trevor Ellery

The 2024 Birdquest Classic Madagascar tour was an epic journey in every possible respect. As we trundled out of the capital in the half-dawn light of our first early morning, a banner above the road proclaimed ‘que l’aventure commence’ (let the adventure start).This banner could not have been more prophetic, as we set out on a trip that proved to be quite exceptional, both in respect of the wildlife we encountered and the places that we visited. We were to criss-cross much of this vast island and to visit a plethora of habitats, from misty cloud forests to beautiful sand-fringed islands and from ethereal Baobab-filled spiny forests to biodiversity-rich mudflats. In between we were to experience all the sights and sounds that this bustling country had to offer. The Malagasy people left a huge impression with their friendly and cheery waves, despite the daily hardships that many clearly faced.

Our tour commenced in the centrally located capital of Antananarivo. With everyone arriving during the day before the official start, we were all able to begin to familiarise ourselves with some of the common Malagasy birds that inhabited the hotel garden. Despite being in the centre of the capital and only a stone’s throw from the international airport, the grounds were surprisingly birdy. Species seen included tame Madagascar Wagtail and Madagascar Hoopoe, noisy Red Fody and scolding Malagasy Green Sunbird, a couple of skulking Malagasy Brush Warblers and our first African Stonechats. Olive Bee-eater occasionally hawked overhead and a couple of Madagascar Manikins showed well.

Our first full day was mainly a travel day. It was not ideal but with flights in Madagascar being incredibly unreliable, it was a necessary inconvenience that would put us in prime birding position for much of the rest of the tour. As we threaded our way out of Antananarivo, we passed many rice paddies and an abundance of herons. One brief stop allowed us to enjoy multiple Black, Squacco and Black-crowned Night Herons plus the ubiquitous Cattle, Great and Dimorphic Egrets. We did not linger and observed from the bus knowing that we faced a long journey. A second wetland did deserve a short fifteen-minute stop. Red-billed Teal were common, Madagascar Martins hawked overhead and Kittlitz’s and Three-banded Plovers scurried round the edges. In fact, this stop was extremely fortuitous, as these were the only Three-banded Plovers (a potential split), that we were to see in the entire tour. The rest of the day was taken up with travel, with endless vistas of rural Malagasy life and a few commoner species such as Pied Crow, Yellow-billed Kite, abundant Common Mynas and the occasional Hamerkop roadside. We eventually arrived at our pleasant lodge at Ranomafana in the mid-evening.

Our first full day on the trails was quite incredible. Starting on the edge of the forest we enjoyed Rand’s Warbler singing from a high perch, a very vocal Madagascar Cuckoo (a sound that was to be ubiquitous throughout the forests of Madagascar) and out first Crested Drongos and Madagascar Bulbuls, while a Lesser Vasa Parrot was scoped in a distant tree. Plunging into the forest we were to tease out a selection of targets and rarities. One of the toughest is the Brown Mesite and while it took some searching, we eventually had fantastic views of a pair at our feet, much to the credit of our skilled local guides. Ground-rollers are a key component of the Madagascar avifauna and a high on any visitors target list. By the end of the day, we had managed to log two key species, with stunning views of both Scaly and Pitta-like. Aside from the fantastic birding experience we also took time out to look at our first lemurs with good views of Red-bellied and Rufous-brown Lemurs, a single Greater Bamboo Lemur and a group of Golden Bamboo Lemurs. The birding didn’t let up and our first Coua was the dazzling Blue, while our first Vangas included Hook-billed and Tylas. We also added Spectacled Tetraka, Wedge-tailed Jerry, Malagasy White-eye and Madagascar Magpie-Robin, while noisy Cuckoo-rollers sailed over the forest canopy. Malagasy Paradise Flycatchers were common but nevertheless stunning, especially the long-tailed males. We didn’t ignore the skulkers, teasing out a pair of the much desired White-throated Oxylabes. We eventually broke for lunch but the wildlife didn’t let up, as a group of inquisitive Ring-tailed Vontsira visited our lunch spot and we also scoped our first Madagascar Blue Pigeons. We finally emerged from the forest and enjoyed good looks at some Malagasy Palm Swifts. A little roadside birding was very productive with good views of a male Forest Rock Thrush, a couple of brief Malagasy Turtle Doves and a small group of Madagascar Cuckooshrikes. We rounded out the day watching a bright male Forest Fody, a smart plus Nelicourvi Weaver and a stunning Red-tailed Vanga.

The next morning, we headed to higher elevations and within minutes of leaving the jeep we found a couple of obliging Madagascar Starlings, which were to be the only ones seen by the group during the trip. We continued down the trail noting Souimanga Sunbird and our first Malagasy Coucal. A visit to a marsh then produced Madagascar Swamp Warbler and the highly-desired Grey Emutail. On the walk out we ran across a Red-fronted Coua and with some patience, we all enjoyed good views, despite its reticent nature. It was now time for a visit to the rice paddies of the nearby village for the infamous snipe hunt. This involved rounding up what seemed to be most of the village, with a few young men and plenty of children, plus many women (often with babies slung over their backs). They fanned out across the fields with the aim of locating Madagascar Snipe. After a short while we were called to one spot and after a carefully organised flush, we enjoyed fantastic views of two snipe. These were not Madagascar Snipe though; these were a lovely pair of Greater Painted-snipe. It was time for take two, so after further searching we suddenly heard the locals erupt into excited shouting and whistling and we were soon able to enjoy two Madagascar Snipe that rocketed past. After some friendly smiles, handshakes and obligatory tipping it was time to head back into the forest. As we drove to the trailhead our first Madagascar Buzzard was seen well at the roadside. This seems to be a true forest species and we only saw it on a very few occasions in the tour. It was wholly absent from much of the open, wider countryside. The afternoon was rather sunny and activity was somewhat slow but not long after entering the forest we located a calling Rufous-headed Ground Roller, which showed wonderfully to the whole group. After this the birding was steady and we added Long-billed and Grey-crowned Tetrakas and a Cryptic Warbler high in the canopy. A Madagascar Yellowbrow bore an uncanny resemblance to a Radde’s Warbler, as it fossicked through the bamboo, while scanning of the treetops also produced the much-desired Pollen’s Vanga and our first Madagascar Blue Vanga. The simply stunning Common Sunbird-Asity put on quite a show while a Ward’s Flycatcher was rather brief. We ended the day roadside birding where we picked up our first Common Jery and then a huge highlight, when we enticed a skulking Crossley´s Vanga into view. This species, which behaves much like a neotropical antthrush, was much appreciated.

Our third day was also a travel day but we did manage to squeeze in some birding stops. The first was at the small remnant forest reserve of Anja. This produced our first Ring-tailed Lemurs along with an obliging Malagasy Kestrel and some sociable Grey-headed Lovebirds. We continued with a late afternoon stop producing our first Madagascar Cisticola and Madagascar Lark. Arriving near our accommodation in the late afternoon we made an unsuccessful search for Madagascar Partridge. We did however manage to find ‘Benson’s’ Rock Thrush at some nearby cliffs, where a pair showed well just before dusk. Some post dinner owling produced heard only White-browed Owl and Torotoroka Scops Owls, while a couple of Madagascar Nightjars were seen briefly hawking overhead and a Western Barn Owl flew through.

The following morning an early walk allowed us to locate a couple of Madagascar Partridges, that slinked away into the long grass but not before casting a number of sideways glances at us, allowing all the identification features to be appreciated. It was then time to hit the road again, as we made the relatively short transfer to the wonderfully preserved dry forest of the Zombiste National Park. Here a couple of local guides took us around the trails, showing us a pair of roosting White-browed Owls, a roosting Torotoroka Scops Owl, both Coquerel’s and Giant Couas, some overhead Madagascar Spinetails, Common Newtonia, Stripe-throated Jery, Rufous Vanga and after four hours of searching, the highly localised Appert’s Tetraka. We then continued on to the coastal town of Toliara, with a brief afternoon stop adding flight views of some Madagascar Sandgrouse, while Namaqua Doves started to appear roadside in the increasingly arid terrain.

The next morning it was time to go to the beach. Now I am personally not a huge beach fan but of course being a Birdquest tour this beach was all about birds. We jumped on a speedboat and were whisked out to the sand bars off Nosy Ve Island. We were quickly enjoying some Lesser Crested Terns and a couple of Greater Crested Terns, plus Ruddy Turnstone and a single Sanderling. The star of the show though was a group of immaculate Crab-plovers, glistening in the early morning light. Apparently, they had just arrived for the winter and they were much appreciated by the group, as they sauntered around with a distinctive regal gait. After we had had our fill of the sandbars it was time to land on the island. We continued adding waders with Eurasian Whimbrel and White-fronted and Grey Plovers. It was the Red-tailed Tropicbirds though, that were the star of the show, as we saw multiple pairs in flight and attending nests. We also enjoyed a splendid colony of Dimorphic Egrets, with many of the birds’ present being of the almost entirely black form. We then returned to the mainland where we made a visit to a beach resort of Anakao. As soon as we arrived, we found our first Subdesert Brush Warbler and Sakalava Weavers. A walk in the nearby dunes produced an obliging Madagascar Nightjar and then our main target the delightful Littoral Rock Thrush, with a male showing very well. It was now hot and after the obligatory celebratory cold drinks it was time to return to our hotel. Organising a stay in a quiet and relaxed beachside hotel was a stroke of genius. After days of trail birding and some long journeys, we all appreciated a little time to relax and reorganise. A photo may even exist of most of the group lounging around the pool (just don’t tell the office)! As the heat subsided in the late afternoon it was time to head out to some dry forest. This late afternoon stop proved very productive as we soon found three key targets. A Verreaux’s Coua perched up and this was followed by a couple of Lafresnaye’s Vangas, a species which can often be tricky, but which we managed to locate fairly quickly. Finally, a splendid male Red-shouldered Vanga was lured in, completing the set of some of the speciality birds of these dry forests of southern Madagascar. We then returned to the hotel stopping to enjoy some Mascarene Martins and a Kittlitz’s Plover en-route.

The next morning was to be one of those amazing birding mornings that will long live in the memory. We visited the infamous Baobab filled spiny forest. Watching the sunrise in this ethereal landscape was a trip highlight in itself but then there were the birds. The forest is famous for having some of the most highly desired of Madagascar’s endemics and with the help of some highly skilled local guides we gradually teased them out. First up was a confiding Running Coua, which paraded around in front of us giving superlative views. We then followed this with the iconic Long-tailed Ground Roller, which was similarly confiding, posing with its impossibly long tail but surprisingly cryptic plumage. The distinctive Thamnornis a dry forest Tetraka, slinked through the undergrowth and we also enjoyed good looks at the localised Archbold’s Newtonia. Chabert Vangas sang from the treetops and we located a noisy group of the incredibly distinctive Sickle-billed Vangas which were accompanied by our first White-headed Vanga. Several Crested Couas were also seen. After this the guides led us to yet another much-desired local speciality: a Subdesert Mesite that was perched motionless on a spiny cactus. This was our second mesite and it is confined to these dry forests of the southwest of Madagascar. It perched for an extended time much to the delight of the group. We were then taken to a nest of Madagascar Harrier-Hawk, where an adult showed well. We finished the morning with a very obliging Olive-capped Coua (a recent split from Red-capped Coua) before it was time to eke out the heat of the midday, relaxing at the wonderful palm-fringed beach, back at our hotel. In the afternoon we visited some nearby saltpans where after a short search we found the highly-desired Madagascar Plover. We also added our only Humblot’s Heron and a few Striated Herons. We then returned to the spiny forest for a late afternoon/nocturnal walk. This started off well with several Madagascar Buttonquail giving superlative views as they scurried about almost at our feet. We followed this with a repeat visit to the harrier-hawk nest, where an adult put on a much better display. As the night drew in, we located a Petter’s Sportive Lemur and then enjoyed good looks at Grey-brown Mouse Lemurs.

The next day we had some hours to spare before our flight. We gradually worked our way along the coast, with some early morning roadside stops producing Malachite Kingfisher, Common Tern, Grey Heron, plentiful Curlew Sandpipers and a single Common Sandpiper, both Ringed Plover and Greater Sand Plovers, our best views of Madagascar Lark and a wonderful nine Baillon’s Crakes! We also added our first Blue-billed Teal along with plenty of other waterbirds. During the late morning, we visited an arboretum near the airport, where we were given a fascinating tour of some of the plants, trees and reptiles of the region, while also enjoying another Grey-brown Mouse Lemur at a day roost and a selection of commoner bird species. It proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable and much appreciated diversion, as we whiled away some time before our flight back to the capital.

The following morning, we visited the Parc Tsarasoatra wetland in the middle of the capital Antananarivo, which was absolutely thronged with wetland birds. Among the concentrations of Red-billed Teal and White-faced Whistling Ducks, we found a few Blue-billed Teals, a single Fulvous Whistling Duck, a female Knob-billed Duck and an impressive seven Meller’s Duck – a highly threatened endemic and one of our main targets of the morning. We scrutinised the abundant herons and soon managed to pick out some elegant Malagasy Pond Herons, among the abundant Squacco and Black-crowned Night Herons. As well as being a key endemic, the adults of this species are truly stunning, with their Persil white plumage, elegant plumes and stunning electric blue bare parts. Aside from herons and ducks we also enjoyed an incredibly obliging White-throated Rail and followed this with a confiding Malachite Kingfisher, improving greatly on the views of the bird that we had seen the previous day. We then drove into the mountains and after a few hours were ensconced in our lovely lodge at the gateway to Andasibe NP. We had some time for afternoon birding and after setting out we were soon enjoying a fantastic and very confiding Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher. We followed this with a troop of Brown Lemurs that try to mob us and then a skulking Red-breasted Coua. The hardest of the Couas it eventually showed well. We followed this with a pair of Madagascar Crested Ibis that skulked along a stream and a Rainforest Scops Owl that was roosting in a shady spot.

The next morning, we drove to a more remote part of Mantadia NP. As soon as we were out of the car, we watched a lovely male Madagascar Flufftail. We then followed this with a very obliging Madagascar Rail. After this we entered the forest where we soon located our final Ground Roller – the quirky Short-legged Ground Roller. Not only does it look like a new world Puffbird but it is also mostly arboreal and sits stolidly in the subcanopy, again a bit like a new world Puffbird! We enjoyed splendid views of a couple of obliging birds. After this it was time for one of the true trip highlights and not even a bird. No, it was a couple of majestic Indri, the largest of the Lemurs, which perched above us and curiously kept half an eye on us. This was to prove the first of many sightings over the next few days but we never got bored at the antics of these majestic animals. After this a pair of skulking Madagascar Forest Rails were teased out and eventually showed well. We also enjoyed much better views of Ward’s Flycatcher before finding a pair of Nuthatch Vangas, a truly special species that we located with a mixed flock. In the evening a night walk produced Crossley’s Dwarf Lemur and Goodman’s Mouse Lemur plus various amphibians and reptiles.

The following morning was spent on a difficult hike looking for some of the rare Vangas. In the end the trail proved too tough and although we didn’t find the Vangas, we did enjoy a host of other birds, including a very confiding Rainforest Scops Owl, a Lesser Vasa Parrot taking palm fruits and a stunning male Velvet Asity. A very skulking Brown Emutail eventually showed well, meaning that we had completed the set of Emutails, while we also enjoyed our best views of Dark Newtonia. We finished the day back near the lodge with a successful search for Madagascar Green Pigeon, which had been eluding us up until that point.

The next morning a small troop of Eastern Grey Bamboo Lemurs were seen by the Hotel. We then enjoyed our final Owl, with a superb Madagascar Owl roosting in a tall pine. We also located our first Sifaka, the elegant Diademed Sifaka plus more Indris and a nice male Nuthatch Vanga. With the leader having to take some time out due to stomach issues, the group continued with the local guides, picking up many of the commoner species and adding a Purple Heron.

Our final morning was mostly taken up with looking for Henst’s Goshawk, which was only heard. We did enjoy further looks at more of the birds and mammals at the park and added our first Greater Vasa Parrot, which flew over. Just as we were leaving, a female Collared Nightjar with two chicks was located, a much-appreciated sighting that slightly delayed our departure but which was very much worth it! After this we made the slow trundle back to Antananarivo, with a last-minute stop by some rice paddies in the city producing our only Malagasy Black Swifts of the trip. They were busy scything above the bustling traffic of the afternoon rush hour.

The next day we set out on an all-day drive up to the north of Madagascar. We did though have some targets on the drive and at our first stop we found a delightful pair of Madagascar Pratincoles. After this and after much scanning of the semi-natural dry grasslands we enjoyed a distant pair of Malagasy Harriers, a fast-declining species. Though distant, views in the scope were more than adequate and it was then time to continue north through the increasingly arid countryside and the endless scenes of rural Malagasy life.

The following morning involved leaving very early as we pushed north to the pleasant coastal resort of Mayunga. We boarded a speed boat on the beach and were whisked across the vast mouth of the Betsiboke estuary and taken to some remote Mangroves. As soon as we arrived, we located a small group of Malagasy Sacred Ibis and then just as the tide began to fall, a pair of the highly endangered Bernier’s Teal, came out to feed on the newly exposed mudflats. In the end we were able to watch the Teal and the Ibis feeding together, quite a unique experience. We also enjoyed a selection of the commoner waders along with some Little Terns, a single Caspian Tern and a few Lesser Flamingos, before returning to the coastal resort for an early lunch. It was then a case of bumping back to our accommodation, where we took some time to look at commoner species in the garden and we followed this with a night walk on the edge of the National park where we found Grey and Golden-brown Mouse Lemurs.

The next morning it was time to search for an exquisite list of targets in the Park itself. Schlegel’s Asity proved tough but after perseverance we enjoyed a sub adult male scoped in the canopy. We then switched to another section of the park where we found the skulking White-breasted Mesite and the localised Van Dam’s Vanga. We also added Rufous Vanga, Greater Vasa Parrot and a lovely Mongoose Lemur. Red-headed Coua was the final Coua that we were lacking and was much appreciated, as it showed well. The morning was rounded off with an obliging female France’s Sparrowhawk and we also enjoyed our best views of Broad-billed Roller back at the car park. In the afternoon a pleasant boat trip around the nearby lake allowed us to enjoy both adult and juvenile Madagascar Fish Eagles and our only Madagascar Jacana of the trip. We also had good looks at several confiding Purple Herons. The very end of the day was spent in the vicinity of the Park headquarters, where a lovely male France’s Sparrowhawk was perched for an extended period. We also enjoyed further good looks at both Vasa Parrots, allowing a comparison of the distinct bill shapes and sizes of each species. A flashy group of Chabert Vanga provided our best views of this attractive species.

The following morning, we returned to the trails where we enjoyed great looks at many of the commoner species and a bonus Milne Edward’s Sportive Lemur at its day roost. After this we located a real surprise and one of the trip highlights, a vocal Banded Kestrel perched above us. This species is becoming increasingly hard to locate and we were very fortunate to obtain a sighting. It was a memorable way to finish our visit to this rather wonderful National Park, which had been full of avian and mammal highlights. We then journeyed north to Majunga where our much-delayed flight eventually took off in the evening and we returned to the capital for a rather late arrival at our Hotel.

The following morning it was time for a fairly early flight, for the short extension to the southeast of Madagascar. We arrived for a late lunch and after checking in to our hotel, we walked out to the nearby Cape. Here we located Kelp Gull (of the Madagascar endemic melisandae subspecies, a potential split) which eventually gave very good views. Despite much scanning we were unable to find any Humpback Whales, perhaps due to the rough sea state, and the parties of Terns offshore were generally too far out to allow positive identification.

The following morning, we left early and bumped our way up to the remote Andahahela NP. After a medium length hike through this beautiful forest we located the highly localised Red-tailed Newtonia, with a pair performing well in the canopy. We also logged a selection of commoner species before hiking out and enjoying the butterflies on the road by the jeeps, while we took a late morning snack. We then continued on to Berenty Reserve. We were to spend several days in the Berenty reserve. By this time in the tour, we had actually seen most of the possible bird species but Berenty allowed us a chance to enjoy a fantastic Lemur experience and to soak up more and better views of some of Madagascar’s wonderful avifauna. We did have one target in the form of Madagascar Cuckoo-Hawk but despite much searching we drew a blank with this species. Night walks added White-footed Sportive Lemur and more Grey-brown Mouse Lemurs, while we enjoyed plenty of time with the dancing Verreaux’s Sifakas and the charming Ring-tailed Lemurs. A group of Madagascar Sandgrouse provided improved perched and close flight views, while a colony of Madagascar Flying Foxes were simply superb. We also appreciated some magical experiences with further Giant and Crested Couas, White-browed Owls, France’s Sparrowhawks and many others.

After one final early morning search for the cuckoo-hawk, it was time to return to the airport for our final much delayed flight. It was then time to say our goodbyes in Antananarivo, as many had direct connections to international flights. It had been a wonderful three weeks in which we had seen the vast majority of Madagascar’s unique avifauna, combined with a good sampler of the Lemurs and plenty of other wildlife, from exotic chameleons to majestic Baobabs. The Madagascar tour is simply unmissable and must rate as one of the greatest wildlife spectacles on the planet.

SYSTEMATIC LIST OF SPECIES RECORDED DURING THE TOUR

Species marked with the diamond symbol (◊) are either endemic to the country or local region or considered ‘special’ birds for some other reason (e.g., it is only seen on one or two Birdquest tours; it is difficult to see across all or most of its range; the local form is endemic or restricted-range and may in future be treated as a full species).

The species names and taxonomy used in the bird list follows Gill, F., Donsker, D., & Rasmussen, P.(Eds). 2024. IOC World Bird List (v14.1).

Where the subspecies seen is/are known, these are often given in parentheses at the end of the species comment.

Where SE is written in parentheses in the species list, this species was only recored during the Southeast Madagascar Extension.

BIRDS

White-faced Whistling Duck Dendrocygna viduata Seen commonly at several wetlands.
Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor A single at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Knob-billed Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos A single female at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Blue-billed Teal Spatula hottentota Seen at several wetlands.
Meller’s Duck ◊ Anas melleri Seven at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Red-billed Teal Anas erythrorhyncha Common at several wetland sites.
Bernier’s Teal ◊ (Madagascar T) Anas bernieri A pair feeding on mudflats on the Betsiboke estuary.
Helmeted Guineafowl (introduced) Numida meleagris Scattered sighting mainly in arid areas.
Madagascar Partridge ◊ Margaroperdix madagarensis A pair in the grasslands near Isaola. A trip highlight.
Collared Nightjar ◊ Gactornis enarratus A female with two chicks at Andasibe at the eleventh hour.
Madagascar Nightjar ◊ Caprimulgus madagascariensis Heard and seen quite commonly through the tour.
Madagascar Spinetail ◊ Zoonavena grandidieri A group overhead at Zombiste and a single at Majunga.
Malagasy Palm Swift ◊ Cypsiurus gracilis Seen commonly throughout the tour.
Malagasy Black Swift ◊ Apus balstoni A group over rice paddies in the capital was our only sighting.
Malagasy Coucal ◊ Centropus toulou Seen commonly throughout the tour.
Crested Coua ◊ Coua cristata Several seen at Ankarafantsika.
Crested Coua ◊ (Chestnut-vented C) Coua [cristata] pyropyga Seen commonly at Berenty.
Verreaux’s Coua ◊ Coua verreauxi Seen well at La Table.
Blue Coua ◊ Coua caerulea Seen at a number of sites through the trip – often scolding us!
Red-capped Coua ◊ Coua [ruficeps] ruficeps Seen well at Ankarafantsika. Our last Coua species.
Red-capped Coua ◊ (Olive-capped C) Coua [ruficeps] olivaceiceps Seen well in the spiny forest.
Red-fronted Coua ◊ Coua reynaudii A skulking bird eventually showed well near Ranomafana.
Coquerel’s Coua ◊ Coua coquereli Seen well at Zombiste.
Running Coua ◊ Coua cursor Seen well in the Spiny forest.
Giant Coua ◊ Coua gigas Seen well at Zombiste and Berenty.
Red-breasted Coua ◊ Coua serriana A skulking bird eventually showed well at Andasibe.
Madagascar Cuckoo ◊ Cuculus rochii Vocal and omnipresent in many forested areas.
White-breasted Mesite ◊ Mesitornis variegatus Several seen well at Ankarafantsika.
Brown Mesite ◊ Mesitornis unicolor Close views of a couple at Ranomafana.
Subdesert Mesite ◊ Monias benschi A single bird showed well in the spiny forest.
Madagascar Sandgrouse ◊ Pterocles personatus Seen on two days with good views at Berenty.
Rock Dove (introduced) Columba livia Common in urban areas.
Malagasy Turtle Dove ◊ Nesoenas picturatus Widespread in forested and semi-forested areas.
Namaqua Dove Oena capensis Common in arid areas.
Madagascar Green Pigeon ◊ Treron australis  Seen at Andasibe and Ankarafantsika.
Madagascar Blue Pigeon ◊ Alectroenas madagascariensis Seen well at Ranomafana.
Madagascar Forest Rail ◊ (M Wood R) Mentocrex kioloides Good looks of a pair at Andasibe.
Madagascar Flufftail ◊ Sarothrura insularis A single male seen well near Mantadia NP.
Madagascar Rail ◊ Rallus madagascariensis A confiding bird near Mantadia NP.
White-throated Rail ◊ Dryolimnas cuvieri Stunning views at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Common at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Baillon’s Crake Zapornia pusilla Nine were seen at the Belalande wetlands.
Lesser Flamingo Phoeniconaias minor Small numbers on the Betsiboke estuary.
Madagascar Buttonquail ◊ Turnix nigricollis Seen well in the Spiny forest and at Berenty.
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus Scattered sightings from various wetlands.
Grey Plover (Black-bellied P) Pluvialis squatarola Small numbers at Nosy Ve and Betsiboke.
Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Three-banded Plover ◊ (Madagascar T-b P) Charadrius [tricollaris] bifrontatus A pair near the capital.
Greater Sand Plover Anarhynchus leschenaultia Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Madagascar Plover ◊ Anarhynchus thoracicus A single on the Ifaty saltpans.
Kittlitz’s Plover Anarhynchus pecuarius Fairly common at scattered wetlands.
White-fronted Plover Anarhynchus marginatus Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Greater Painted-snipe Rostratula benghalensis A couple of pairs seen at two wetlands.
Madagascar Jacana ◊ Actophilornis albinucha A single on the edge of Lac Ravelobe.
Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Madagascar Snipe ◊ Gallinago macrodactyla A couple seen in flight near Ranomafana.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos A few sightings at scattered wetlands.
Common Greenshank Tringa nebularia Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Sanderling Calidris alba Small numbers at coastal wetlands/mudflats.
Crab-plover Dromas ardeola A couple of groups on sand bars at Nosy Ve. A trip highlight.
Madagascar Pratincole ◊ Glareola ocularis A couple seen on the long drive to Ankarafantsika.
Little Tern Sternula albifrons A small group over the Betsiboke estuary.
Caspian Tern Hydroprogne caspia A single flew overhead at Majunga.
Common Tern Sterna hirundo Small numbers along the coast.
Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis Good views near Nosy Ve.
Greater Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii A pair on the sand bars off Nosy Ve.
Kelp Gull ◊ (SE) Larus [dominicanus] melisandae A single showed very well at Fort Dauphin.
Red-tailed Tropicbird ◊ Phaethon rubricauda Good views of a small number of nesting birds at Nosy Ve.
Malagasy Sacred Ibis ◊ Threskiornis bernieri Good views of multiple birds at the Betsiboke estuary.
Madagascar Ibis ◊ (M Crested I) Lophotibis cristata A pair in the forest at Andasibe.
Black-crowned Night Heron Nycticorax nycticorax Common at many wetlands.
Black Heron Egretta ardesiaca Seen commonly at some wetlands.
Dimorphic Egret ◊ Egretta dimorpha Common at many wetlands.
Striated Heron Butorides striata Scattered sightings at a few wetlands.
Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides Common at many wetlands.
Malagasy Pond Heron ◊ (Madagascar P H) Ardeola idea Small numbers at Parc Tsarasoatra.
Western Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis Common at many wetlands.
Great Egret Ardea alba Common at many wetlands.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea A single at the Ifaty saltpans.
Purple Heron Ardea purpurea Small numbers at Lac Ravelobe and Antasibe.
Humblot’s Heron ◊ Ardea humbloti A single at the Ifaty saltpans.
Hamerkop Scopus umbretta Scattered sighting at rice paddies and wetlands.
Madagascar Harrier-Hawk ◊ Polyboroides radiates A pair at a nest in the spiny forest.
Frances’s Sparrowhawk ◊ Accipiter francesiae Good views at Ankarafantsika and Berenty.
Henst’s Goshawk ◊ Accipiter henstii Heard at Andasibe.
Malagasy Harrier ◊ Circus macrosceles A pair seen on the long drive to Ankarafantsika.
Yellow-billed Kite Milvus aegyptius Common throughout.
Madagascar Fish Eagle ◊ Icthyophaga vociferoides An adult and an immature at Lac Ravelobe.
Madagascar Buzzard ◊ Buteo brachypterus Seen on several days with the first at Ranomafana.
Western Barn Owl Tyto alba Seen on several days including one on a day roost at Berenty.
White-browed Owl ◊ Athene superciliaris Seen on day roosts at Zombiste and Berenty.
Torotoroka Scops Owl ◊ Otus madagascariensis Seen on a day roost at Zombiste.
Rainforest Scops Owl ◊ Otus rutilus Seen on a day roost at Andasibe.
Madagascar Owl ◊ (M Long-eared O) Asio madagascariensis Seen on a day roost at Andasibe.
Cuckoo-roller ◊ Leptosomus discolour Fairly common in forested areas.
Madagascar Hoopoe ◊ Upupa marginata Scattered sightings throughout.
Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus Fairly common at several forested sites.
Short-legged Ground Roller ◊ Brachypteracias leptosomus Good views of a pair at Antasibe.
Scaly Ground Roller ◊ Geobiastes squamiger Great looks on the trails at Ranomafana.
Pitta-like Ground Roller ◊ Atelornis pittoides Great looks on the trails at Ranomafana.
Rufous-headed Ground Roller ◊ Atelornis crossleyi Great looks on the trails at Ranomafana.
Long-tailed Ground Roller ◊ Uratelornis chimaera Lovely views of several in the spiny forest.
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher ◊ Corythornis madagascariensis Seen well near Ranomafana.
Blue-bearded Bee-eater ◊ Nyctyornis athertoni A few seen at Ranomafana and Ankarafantsika.
Madagascar Kingfisher Alcedo vintsioides Great views at the spiny forest.
Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher ◊ Terpsichore [vasa] vasa A pair at Andasibe.
Madagascar Crested Ibis ◊ Lophotibis cristata A pair at Andasibe.
Long-tailed Ground-Roller ◊ Uratelornis chimaera Nice looks in spiny forest regions.
Madagascar Pygmy Kingfisher ◊ Corythornis madagascariensis Seen well at Antasibe.
Malagasy Kingfisher ◊ Corythornis vintsioides Scattered sightings at wetlands.
Olive Bee-eater (Madagascar B) Merops superciliosus Widespread, especially in more arid areas.
Malagasy Kestrel ◊ Falco newtoni Widespread.
Banded Kestrel ◊ Falco zoniventris A single at Ankarafantsika was a much appreciated surprise.
Greater Vasa Parrot ◊ Coracopsis vasa Scattered sightings in forested areas.
Lesser Vasa Parrot ◊ Coracopsis nigra Scattered sightings in forested areas.
Grey-headed Lovebird ◊ Agapornis canus Fairly common in arid areas.
Schlegel’s Asity ◊ Philepitta schlegeli Up to three at Ankarafantsika, including one in the scope.
Velvet Asity ◊ Philepitta castanea A couple near Andasibe including a male.
Common Sunbird-Asity ◊ Neodrepanis coruscans Seen well on the trails at Ranomafana.
Red-tailed Vanga ◊ Calicalicus madagascariensis Seen at several forested sites.
Red-shouldered Vanga ◊ Calicalicus rufocarpalis Good looks at La Table.
Hook-billed Vanga ◊ Vanga curvirostris Seen at several forested sites.
Lafresnaye’s Vanga ◊ Xenopirostris xenopirostris Good looks at La Table.
Van Dam’s Vanga ◊ Xenopirostris damii A pair at Ankarafantsika.
Pollen’s Vanga ◊ Xenopirostris polleni Seen well at Ranomafana.
Sickle-billed Vanga ◊ Falculea palliate Seen at the spiny forest, Ankarafantsika and Berenty.
White-headed Vanga ◊ Artamella viridis Seen at a couple of forest sites.
Chabert Vanga ◊ Leptopterus chabert Seen at several forested sites.
Madagascar Blue Vanga ◊ Cyanolanius madagascarinus Seen at several forested sites.
Rufous Vanga ◊ Schetba rufa Seen at Zombiste and Ankarafantsika.
Tylas Vanga ◊ Tylas eduardi Seen at Antasibe and Ranomafana.
Nuthatch Vanga ◊ Hypositta corallirostris Several pairs at Antasibe.
Dark Newtonia ◊ Newtonia amphichroa Our best views were at Antasibe.
Common Newtonia ◊ Newtonia brunneicauda Fairly widespread.
Archbold’s Newtonia ◊ Newtonia archboldi Good views in the Spiny forest.
Red-tailed Newtonia ◊ (SE) Newtonia fanovanae A pair seen well at Andahahela NP.
Ward’s Flycatcher ◊ Pseudobias wardi Our best views were near Andasibe.
Crossley’s Vanga ◊ Mystacornis crossleyi Seen well along the road at Ranomafana.
Madagascar Cuckooshrike ◊ Ceblepyris cinereus Our best views were at Ranomafana.
Crested Drongo Dicrurus forficatus Widespread.
Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher ◊ Terpsiphone mutate Widespread.
Pied Crow Corvus albus Widespread.
Madagascar Lark ◊ Eremopterix hova Widespread.
Malagasy Bulbul ◊ Hypsipetes madagascariensis Widespread.
Mascarene Martin ◊ Phedina borbónica Fairly widespread.
Madagascar Martin ◊ Riparia cowani Fairly widespread.
Malagasy Brush Warbler ◊ Nesillas typical Scattered sightings throughout including in the capital.
Subdesert Brush Warbler ◊ Nesillas lantzii Our best views were at Anakao.
Madagascar Swamp Warbler ◊ Acrocephalus newtoni Seen well near Ranomafana.
Grey Emutail ◊ Bradypterus seebohmi Seen well near Ranomafana.
Brown Emutail ◊ Bradypterus brunneus Seen well near Andasibe.
White-throated Oxylabes ◊ Oxylabes madagascariensis Seen well on the trails at Ranomafana.
Long-billed Bernieria ◊ (L-b Greenbul, Common Tetraka) Bernieria madagascariensis Scattered sightings.
Cryptic Warbler ◊ Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi Seen at several forested sites.
Wedge-tailed Jery ◊ Hartertula flavoviridis Good views at Ranomafana.
Thamnornis ◊ (T Warbler) Thamnornis chloropetoides Seen well in the spiny forest.
Spectacled Tetraka ◊ (S Greenbul, Short-billed T) Xanthomixis zosterops Scattered sightings.
Appert’s Tetraka ◊ (A Greenbul) Xanthomixis apperti A single in Zombiste after a four hour search.
Grey-crowned Tetraka (G-c Greenbul) Xanthomixis cinereiceps Seen at Ranomafana.
Madagascar Yellowbrow ◊ Crossleyia xanthophrys Good looks on the trails at Ranomafana.
Rand’s Warbler ◊ Randia pseudozosterops Seen at several forested sites.
Common Jery ◊ Neomixis tenella Scattered sightings.
Green Jery ◊ Neomixis viridis Seen at Ranomafana.
Stripe-throated Jery ◊ Neomixis striatigula Seen in the forest at Zombiste NP.
Madagascar Cisticola ◊ Cisticola cherina Widespread.
Malagasy White-eye ◊ Zosterops maderaspatanus Widespread.
Common Myna (introduced) Acridotheres tristis Widespread.
Madagascar Starling ◊ Hartlaubius auratus A couple at Ranomafana and a single at Andasibe.
Madagascar Magpie-Robin ◊ Copsychus albospecularis Widespread.
Forest Rock Thrush ◊ Monticola sharpie A single male near Ranomafana.
Forest Rock Thrush ◊ (Benson’s R T) Monticola [sharpei] bensoni A pair showed well at Isaola.
Littoral Rock Thrush ◊ Monticola imerina A single male showed well at Anakao.
Madagascar Stonechat ◊ Saxicola sibilla Widespread.
Souimanga Sunbird ◊ Cinnyris sovimanga Widespread.
Malagasy Green Sunbird ◊ (Long-billed G S) Cinnyris notatus Fairly widespread.
House Sparrow (introduced) Passer domesticus Fairly widespread.
Nelicourvi Weaver ◊ Ploceus nelicourvi Seen at several forested sites.
Sakalava Weaver ◊ Ploceus sakalava Fairly common in arid areas – Berenty, Anakao and Ankarafantsika.
Red Fody ◊ Foudia madagascariensis Widespread.
Forest Fody ◊ Foudia omissa Seen along the road at Ranomafana.
Madagascar Mannikin ◊ (M Bibfinch) Lepidopygia nana Fairly widespread.
Madagascar Wagtail ◊ Motacilla flaviventris Widespread.

MAMMALS

Ring-tailed Vontsira Galidia elegans A small group showed well at Ranomafana.
Malagasy Flying Fox Pteropus rufus A large roost at Berenty.
Crossley’s Dwarf Lemur Cheirogaleus crossleyi Seen well at Andasibe.
Grey-brown Mouse Lemur (SE) Microcebus griseorufus Seen well at Berenty and around Toliara.
Goodman’s Mouse Lemur Microcebus lehilahytsara Seen well at Andasibe.
Grey Mouse Lemur Microcebus murinus Seen well at Ankarafantsika.
Golden-brown Mouse Lemur (Golden M L) Microcebus ravelobensis Seen well at Ankarafantsika.
Rufous Mouse Lemur Microcebus rufus Seen well at Ranomafana.
Milne-Edwards’s Sportive Lemur Lepilemur edwardsi Seen well at Ankarafantsika.
White-footed Sportive Lemur (SE) Lepilemur leucopus Seen well at Berenty.
Petter’s Sportive Lemur (Black-shouldered S L) Lepilemur petteri A single in the Spiny Forest.
Brown Lemur Eulemur fulvus Seen well at Andasibe.
Mongoose Lemur Eulemur mongoz Seen well at Ankarafantsika.
Red-bellied Lemur Eulemur rubriventer Seen well at Ranomafana.
Rufous Brown Lemur (Red-fronted BL) Eulemur rufus Seen well at Ranomafana.
Golden Bamboo Lemur Hapalemur aureus Seen well at Ranomafana.
Gray Bamboo Lemur (Grey B L) Hapalemur griseus Seen well at Andasibe.
Ring-tailed Lemur (SE) Lemur catta Seen at Anja and Berenty.
Greater Bamboo Lemur Prolemur simus Seen well at Ranomafana.
Indri Indri indri Several groups were seen at Andasibe.
Coquerel’s Sifaka Propithecus coquereli Seen well at Ankarafantsika.
Diademed Sifaka Propithecus diadema Seen well at Andasibe.
Verreaux’s Sifaka Propithecus verreauxi Seen well at Berenty.
Milne-Edwards’s Tufted-tail Rat Eliurus myoxinus A single at Ankarafantsika.
Red Forest Rat Nesomys rufus Seen at Ranomafana and Andasibe.
Black Rat Rattus rattus A rat stealing fish food at Andasibe was probably this species.