Madagascar is a unique land. This large island off the coast of East Africa is filled with an astonishing array of wildlife, from lemurs and chameleons to baobabs and orchids. But for birdwatchers, Madagascar offers something even more special: the chance to see some of the world’s most unusual and spectacular birds, which can only be found here.
With over 280 bird species, including 110 that are endemic (meaning they can be found nowhere else on Earth), Madagascar is unbeatable for birders. The island’s avifauna — think giant elephant birds in the past and colorful vangas and couas today — has evolved over millions of years in geographical isolation.
In this extensive guide, we’ll explore Madagascar’s best places to go birding, highlight some of its most sought-after endemic species and offer practical advice for planning your own Malagasy birding adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or someone who has recently discovered a love for feathered creatures like me, I promise that traveling through Madagascar will open your eyes to a whole new world.
Why Birding in Madagascar is Truly Special
If you’re into birds at all, you’ve probably heard about how incredibly diverse they are in Madagascar. But why? It all comes down to the island’s geological history. Over 160 million years ago, it broke loose from Africa and got stuck out here in the Indian Ocean. Since then, everything on this huge chunk of land has been evolving along its separate path — which means there are lots of unique things to see.
All kinds of animals and plants have evolved differently here than anywhere else on Earth; hundreds exist only on this island paradise. When it comes to birds specifically though, several whole families live nowhere else but in these forests or scrublands — such as ground-rollers, cuckoo-rollers, mesites and vangas. These weird and wonderful creatures have taken over every nook and cranny in their environment, adapting to them with a wide range of body shapes and lifestyles.
Besides the family rank endemics mentioned above, Madagascar’s avian species list includes some very lonely individuals too. The island is home to highly rare and endangered critters — many of which are already extinct. In addition, plenty of currently living birds are under threat from habitat destruction, hunting or global warming; saving them is a priority for conservationists and ecotourism companies alike.
That being said, you should know that birding in Madagascar isn’t just about chasing after endemic species. The country’s varied landscapes also offer plenty of opportunities to spot more common but equally beautiful animals. And when you’re not peering into binoculars or up at the sky, otherworldly sights abound here too. You can watch lemurs leap through rainforests or see chameleons walking on your hotel’s balcony — making Madagascar an ideal destination for anyone who loves nature.
Top Birding Locations in Madagascar
1. Analamazaotra Special Reserve (Perinet)
Analamazaotra is a rainforest reserve near the capital of Antananarivo. This small area is packed with different bird species, especially endemic ones like Indri lemurs.
Some of the more sought-after birds include the Velvet Asity, which has a black and blue plumage and strange head tufts; the Nuthatch Vanga, a vanga that’s black, white and blue with a massive bill; and the pint-sized Madagascar Flufftail, which belongs to the rail family.
Other notable endemics at Analamazaotra are: Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Red-fronted Coua, Malagasy Paradise Flycatcher and Ward’s Flycatcher. The place also boasts several species of lemurs, chameleons and frogs.
Birding at Analamazaotra is relatively easy because of its maintained trails through the forest. And since it’s near the capital city, getting there isn’t much trouble either. However on peak tourist season it can get crowded. It’s important to hire a guide to help you find these special birds.
2. Ranomafana National Park
This national park in southeastern Madagascar is home to lush montane rainforests and rushing rivers. Of course there are also many endemic birds reptiles and amphibians in this rugged terrain.
Some sought-after birds include: Yellow-bellied Sunbird-Asity (bizarre wattle-faced bird with green back and yellow belly), Brown Mesite (plump terrestrial bird) and Pitta-like Ground Roller (colorful thrush-sized bird that hops along forest floor).
Other notable endemics at Ranomafana are: Grey-crowned Tetraka, Forest Rock Thrushm Rand’s Warbler and Rufous-headed Ground Roller. The park also happens to be an excellent place to see the endangered Golden Bamboo Lemur and several species of chameleons and geckos.
Due to its terrain and vegetation, birding at Ranomafana can be tough. But unlike most national parks, this park has a good network of trails. The presence of lodges in the surrounding area also make it easy to use as a base. Of course, a guide is crucial for getting the most out of your visit.
3. Berenty Reserve
Berenty is a small, privately-owned reserve located in southern Madagascar. It’s known for its spiny forest habitat and abundant lemur populations. Although it’s primarily visited for lemurs, there are still great birds to spot here too!
Some sought-after birds include: Long-tailed Ground Roller (large bird with long graduated tail), Subdesert Mesite (plump partridge-like bird that runs along forest floor) and Sickle-billed Vanga (huge crow-sized vanga with massive curved bill).
Other notable birds at Berenty are: Running Coua, Crested Coua, Hook-billed Vanga and Torotoroka Scops Owl. The reserve is also home to several species of lemurs including Ring-tailed Lemur and Verreaux’s Sifaka which happens to be endangered.
4. Ankarafantsika National Park
This is a huge national park that sits in the northwest of Madagascar. The distinct dry deciduous forest habitat and abundant birdlife are what it’s most known for. You can find over 130 species of birds here, many of which are endemic to the region. On top of that, there are a few lemur species and other mammals.
Some birds people flock to see here include the Schlegel’s Asity (a bizarre, black-and-white bird with bright blue facial skin), the Van Dam’s Vanga (a large, striking vanga with a hooked bill), and the White-breasted Mesite (a plump, terrestrial bird with a distinctive white breast).
Other key endemics at Ankarafantsika include the Coquerel’s Coua, Red-capped Coua, Rufous Vanga, and Madagascar Fish Eagle. Additionally, you have several species of lemurs like Mongoose Lemur and Golden-brown Mouse Lemur.
Birding here can be challenging because things get pretty dense thanks to spiny vegetation and stuff but nonetheless it’s an essential place to visit if you’re serious about seeing unique birds.
5. Ifaty Spiny Forest
Ifaty Spiny Forest is located on Madagascan coast southwest side. It’s a small private reserve that has weird features such as thorny bushes and massive baobabs – but more than anything else it has some highly special birds that you won’t find anywhere else on this planet.
The Long-tailed Ground Roller is their resident headliner who sports long graduated tails along with some stunning blue-and-white plumage. People tend to only spot this highly sought-after bird in small bits of southwestern Madagascar so Ifaty Spiny Forest is generally regarded as one of your best bets to actually see it for yourself.
Another interesting fact about Ifaty is it is also home to quite a few species of lemurs, chameleons, and other reptiles which are all built to survive in the harshest, driest environment possible.
People get really enthusiastic about birding at Ifaty but it can be a tough one as the climate is really hot and dry. Not to mention the spiny vegetation. That being said, the opportunity to spot the Long-tailed Ground Roller and other regional endemics makes it a popular spot for birders.
The reserve has a small number trails that you can use to observe their animals and there are guided walks available through hotels near-by.
