MADAGASCAR LITTLE GREBE  Tachybaptus pelzelnii

A pair at Mantady were observed displaying and mating.

MADAGASCAR POND HERON Ardeola idea

Observed at several sites in the west.

DIMORPHIC EGRET  Egretta domorpha

Common throughout.

HUMBLOTS HERON  Ardea humbloti

Singles at Sarodrano and Bonamary

MADAGASCAR CRESTED IBIS  Lophotibis cristata

Crippling views of the nominate species in the east and of ssp L.c.urshi in the west.

MADAGASCAR SACRED IBIS  Threskiornis bernieri

Several birds observed at Bonamary

BERNIERS TEAL  Anas bernieri

An amazing 64+ Birds at Bonamary

MELLERS DUCK  Anas melleri

One pair observed several times at Vohiparara marsh.

MADAGASCAR FISH EAGLE  Haliaeetus vociferoides

Adults and immature at Majunga and Ampijoroa.

MADAGASCAR HARRIER HAWK  Polyboroides radiatus

Birds on several dates at Perinet,Mantdy and Ampijoroa.

HENSTS GOSHAWK  Accipiter henstii

One bird observed at Mantdy others heard calling at Perinet.

MADAGASCAR SPARROWHAWK  Accipiter madagascariensis

A pair was observed calling, nesting and mating at Perinet.

FRANCES’S SPARROWHAWK  Accipiter francesiae

Seen on several dates in the east and west.

MADAGASCAR BUZZARD  Buteo brachypterus

Common throughout.

MADAGASCAR CUCKOO HAWK  Aviceda madagascariensis

leader only at Ampijoroa.

REUNION HARRIER  Circus maillardiv

Adults seen on two dates around Isalo.

BANDED KESTREL  Falco zoneventris

crippling views at Ifate also seen at Ampijoroa.

MADAGASCAR KESTREL  Falco newtoni

Common

MADAGASCAR PARTRIDGE  Margaroperdix madagascariensis

Small covey feeding below a fruiting tree at Zombise.

MADAGASCAR WOOD RAIL  Canirallus kioloides

Seen and herd most days at Perinet and Ranomafana.

BROWN MESITE  Mesitornis unicolor

A pair viewed down to a few feet at Ranomafana.

WHITE-BREASTED MESITE  Mesitornis variegata

Pairs seen on both days at Ampijoroa

SUBDESERT MESITE  Monias benshi

crippling views both days at Ifate.

MADAGASCAR BUTTON-QUAIL  Turnix nigricollis

Seen well at Ampijoroa and flushed many times around Isalo and Zombitse.

WHITE-THROATED RAIL  Dryolimnus cuvieri

One tape lured into the camp at Mantady, many at Majunga.

MADAGASCAR RAIL  Rallus madagascariensis

Taped out of a marsh at Mantady.

MADAGASCAR FLUFFTAIL  Sarothrura insularis

Unbelievable views, male and female walking in and around the group for several minuets.

MADAGASCAR SNIPE  Gallinago macrodactyla

Three birds flushed at Vohiparara marsh.

MADAGASCAR JACANA  Actophilornis albinucha

Several birds seen around Majunga and Ampijoroa.

MADAGASCAR PRATINCOLE  Glareola ocularis

Recorded on two dates 4th and 6th Oct, maximum of 3 birds.

MADAGASCAR PLOVER  Charadrius thoracicus

Maximum count of three birds at Ifate.

MADAGASCAR SANDGROUSE  Pterocles personatus

Superb views of a group at Tulear, individuals at Isalo.

MADAGASCAR BLUE PIGEON  Alectroenas madagascariensis

A bad year for Blue Pigeon, only three birds seen, all at Ranomafana.

MADAGASCAR GREEN PIGEON  Treron australis

Not uncommon in the west.

MADAGASCAR TURTLE DOVE  Sreptopelia picturata

Encountered at most sites in small numbers.

GREY-HEADED LOVEBIRD  Agapornis cana

Breeding above the camp at Ampijoroa,common in the west.

GREATER VASA PARROT Coracopsis vasa

Seen well at most sites.

LESSER VASA PARROT  Coracopsis nigra

Common.

MADAGASCAR COUCAL  Centropus toulou

Common
MADAGASCAR LESSER CUCKOO  Cuculus rochii

Common and vocal endemic breeder.

GREEN-CAPPED COUA  Coua olivaceiceps

Crippling views at Ifate.

RED-CAPPED COUA  Coua ruficeps

Encountered many times on the trails at Ampijoroa.

RUNNING COUA  Coua cursor

Stunning views at Ifate

GIANT COUA  Coua gigas

Seen down to a couple of feet at Zombitse.

COQUERELS COUA Coua coquereli

Superb views at Ampijoroa and Zombitse.

RED-BREASTED COUA  Coua serriana

Heard at Perinet, a pair seen well at Mantady.

RED-FRONTED COUA  Coua reynaudii

Heard at all eastern sites, seen well at vohiparara.

BLUE COUA  Coua caerulea

Common in the east.

CRESTED COUA  Coua cristata

More common in the west.

VERREAUXS COUA  Coua verreauxi

Several pairs around Sarodrano.

MADAGASCAR LONG-EARED OWL  Asio madagascariensis

Both adult and immature heard and seen at Perinet.

WHITE-BROWED OWL  Ninox superciliaris

Two individuals found spot lighting at Mantady.

RAINFOREST SCOPS OWL  Otus rutilus

Common and vocal in the east, one bird found in a low daytime roost.

TOROTOROKA SCOPS OWL  Otus madagascariensis

Superb close views at Ampijoroa.

MADAGASCAR NIGHTJAR  Caprimulgus madagascariensis

Seen on daytime roost down to a few feet.

COLLARED NIGHTJAR  Caprimulgus enarratus

An amazing 9+ birds were found at Perinet and Mantady,views down to a couple of yards.

MADAGASCAR BLACK SWIFT  Apus blastoni

Flocks seen at Ranomafana Zombisy and Isalo.

MASCARENE MARTIN  Phedina borbonica

Found throughout the island.

MADAGASCAR KINGFISHER Corythornis vintsioides

Common.

MADAGASCAR PYGMY KINGFISHER  Ispidina madagascariensis

Many pairs were found at Perinet, Mantady Ampijoroa and Ranomafana.

MADAGASCAR BEE-EATER  Merops superciliosus

Common.

CUCKOO-ROLLER  Leptosomus discolor

A common sight and sound in all forests.

SCALY GROUND-ROLLER  Brachypteracias squamiger

Birds were not responding to tapes,but finally got superb views over two days.

SHORT-LEGGED GROUND-ROLLER  Brachypteracias leptosomus

Crippling prolonged views.

PITTA-LIKE GROUND-ROLLER  Atelornis pittoides

Seen several times at Mantady and Ranomafana.

RUFOUS-HEADED GROUND-ROLLER  Atelornis crossleyi

Close views on two days at Vohiparara.

LONG-TAILED GROUND-ROLLER  Uratelornis chimaera

Stunning views on both days at Ifate.

VELVET ASITY  Philepitta castanea

Both male and female observed several times at Perinet,Mantady and Ranomafana.

SCHLEGELS ASITY  Philepitta schiegeli

One pair at Ampijoroa.

COMMON SUNBIRD-ASITY  Neodrepanis coruscans

Seen several times at Perinet.Mantady and Ranomafana.

YELLOW-BELLIED SUNBIRD-ASITY  Neodrepanis hypoxantha

Both male and female along with a male Common Sunbird-Asity were found at Vohiparara.

MADAGASCAR BULBUL  Hypsieptes madagascariensis

Common throughout the island.

APPERTS GREENBUL  Bernieria apprti

Great views of several birds at Zombitse.

GREY-CROWNED GREENBUL  Bernieria cinereiceps

Several small groups were found at Mantady.

LONG-BILLED GREENBUL  Bernieria madagascariensis

Common.

SPECTACLED GREENBUL  Bernieria Zosterops

Common.

YELLOW-BROW  Crossleyia xanthophrys

Superb views on two dates at Vohiparara.

WHITE-THROATED OXYLABES  Oxylabes madagascariensis

Seen several times at Mantady and Ranomafana.

CROSSLEYS BABBLER  Mystacornis crossleyi

Seen at Mantady and Ranomafana.

MADAGASCAR MAGPIE ROBIN  Copsychus albospecularis

Common.

MADAGASCAR HOOPOE Upupa marginata

Common in the west.

FOREST ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola sharpei

Females found at Mantady, male at Ranomafana.

LITTORAL ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola imerinus

Several males at Anakoa, females were probably incubating,

BENSONS ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola bensoni

Males at Isalo, females probably incubating.

MADAGASCAR WAGTAIL  Motacilla flaviventris

Common.

MADAGASCAR PARADISE FLYCATCHER  Terpsiphone mutata

Common.

WARDS FLYCATCHER  Pseudobias wardi

Common in the east.

COMMON NEWTONIA  Newtonia brunneicauda

Common.

DARK NEWTONIA  Newtonia amphichroa

Recorded most days in the east.

ARCHBOLDS NEWTONIA  Newtonia archboldi

Several pairs at Ifate.

MADAGASCAR CISTICOLA  Cisticola cherina

Common.

MADAGASCAR LARK  Mirafra hova

Common

MADAGASCAR SWAMP WARBLER  Acrocephalus newtoni

Common.

MADAGASCAR BRUSH WARBLER  Nesillas typica

Common.

THAMNORNIS WARBLER  Thamnornis chloropetoides

Several pairs at Ifate.

SUBDESERT BRUSH WARBLER  Nesillas lantzii

Common in the west.

GREY EMU-TAIL  Amphilais seebohmi

Two birds singing out in the open at Ranomafana.

BROWN EMU-TAIL  Dromaeocercus brunneus

Superb views of a bird at Perinet.

COMMON JERY  Neomixis tenella

Common.

STRIPE-THROATED JERY  Neomixis striatigula

Common.

GREEN JERY  Neomixis viridis

Several birds found at Mantady and Ranomafana.

WEDGE-TAILED JERY  Hartertula flavoviridis

A small group was tape lured in at Perinet.

RANDS WARBLER  Randia pseudozostrops

Common in the east.

CRYPTIC WARBLER  Cryptosylvicola randrianasoloi

Several birds at Mantady and Ranomafana.

MADAGASCAR WHITE-EYE  Zosterops maderaspatanus

Common.

LONG-BILLED GREEN SUNBIRD  Nectarinia notata

Observed most days.

SOUIMANGA SUNBIRD  Nectarinia souimanga

Found throughout the island.

NUTHATCH VANGA  Hypositta corallirostris

A superb year for Nuthatch Vanga sightings, seen every day at perinet and Mantady, with a maximum count of 10+ birds on 6-10-03.

WHITE-HEADED VANGA  Leptopterus viridis

A regular member of mixed flocks.

CHABERTS VANGA  Leptopterus chabert

The most common Vanga in Madagascar.

BLUE VANGA  Cyanolanius madagascarinus

Recorded most days in eastern forest.

SICKLE-BILLED VANGA  Falculea paliata

A roost above Harrys kitchen at Ampijoroa contained 11 birds, seen most days in the west.

RUFOUS VANGA  Schetba rufa

Observed every day at Ampijoroa.

RED-SHOULDERD VANGA  Calicalicus rufocapalis

despite extensive searching no Birds could be found along the st Augustine road area, eventually found a single male 15 km from normal site.

RED-TAILED VANGA  Calicalicus madagascariensis

Regularly found in mixed flocks.

LAFRESNAYES VANGA  Xenopirostris xenopirostris

Several pairs found at Sarodrano and Ifate.

HOOK-BILLED VANGA  Vanga curvirostris

Observed nesting at Ampijoroa.

POLLENS VANGA  Xenopirostris polleni

Crippling views of male and female at Ranomafana.

VAN DAMS VANGA  Xenopirostris damii

Male and female observed feeding at Ampijoroa.

TYLAS  Tylas eduardi

Observed most days in the east.

MADAGASCAR CUCKOO SHRIKE  Coracina cinerea

Common member of mixed flocks.

MADAGASCAR STARLING  Hartlaubius auratus

Singles and pairs observed at Mantady and Ranmafana.

CRESTED DRONGO  Dicrurus forficatus

Common throughout the island.

MADAGASCAR RED FODY  Foudia madagascariensis

Common throughout the island.

FOREST FODY  Foudia omissa

Several small parties found at Ranomafana.

SAKALAVA WEAVER  Ploceus sakalava

Common in the west.

NELICOURVI WEAVER  Ploceus nelicourvi

Recorded most days in the east.

MADAGASCAR MANNIKIN  Lonchura nana

Small flocks observed at most sites.

A total of 128 regional endemic birds were observed on the tour, inevitably we failed to see a few species as follows:  

MADAGASCAR SERPENT EAGLE  Eutriorchis astur

A Masoala speciality, has been recorded at Mantady but not in recent years.

SLENDER-BILLED FLUFFTAIL  Sarothrura watersi

Very rare, almost impossible to see in the wild due to habitat.

SAKALAVA RAIL  Amaurornis oliveri

Only found at three inaccessible sites in the west.

MADAGASCAR RED OWL  Tyto soumagnei

Last record for Matady in 1999 by myself and Brian Finch.

DUSKY GREENBUL  Bernieria tenebrosa

Only known from 8 specimens, lowland species, many recent duff records.

AMBER MOUNTAIN ROCK-THRUSH  Monticola imerinus

Only found at the very north of the island.

RED-TAILED NEWTONIA  Newtonia fanovanae

One regular site in the south-east.

HELMET VANGA  Eurycerops prevostii

A Masoala speciality.

BERNIERS VANGA  Oriolia bernieri

A Masoala speciality.