Iconic bird of Madagascar

Common Birds of Madagascar

Madagascar's 65 million years of isolation have produced 207 endemic bird species โ€” including five entirely endemic families โ€” found absolutely nowhere else on Earth.

291+
Total species
207+
Endemics
50+
Threatened
Aprโ€“Oct
Best months
๐Ÿฆ
1. Madagascar Fish EagleCritically Endangered
Haliaeetus vociferoides

One of the world's rarest raptors with fewer than 200 individuals โ€” hunts fish at western Madagascar's coastal lakes and the Ankarafantsika wetlands.

๐Ÿ“ Northwest coast, Ampijoroa, Ankarafantsika๐Ÿ—“ Mayโ€“Sep
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2. Helmet VangaVulnerable
Euryceros prevostii

The most spectacular member of Madagascar's endemic vanga family โ€” its massive blue helmet-like bill is the most extravagant beak structure of any passerine.

๐Ÿ“ Masoala Peninsula NE rainforest๐Ÿ—“ Mayโ€“Sep
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3. Cuckoo RollerLeast Concern
Leptosomus discolor

The sole member of its own endemic family โ€” a beautiful gray and rufous bird that soars in display flight above the forest canopy, calling loudly in duet pairs.

๐Ÿ“ Throughout Madagascar๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“Sep
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4. Ground RollerNear Threatened
Atelornis pittoides

One of five Madagascar-endemic Ground Roller species โ€” these rotund, mostly terrestrial rollers occupy the forest floor; Ranomafana NP offers reliable encounters.

๐Ÿ“ Eastern rainforest, Ranomafana๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Mar
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5. Blue CouaLeast Concern
Coua caerulea

A member of Madagascar's endemic Coua genus (11 species) โ€” the Blue Coua's turquoise plumage is unlike anything else in the bird world, seen running along forest paths.

๐Ÿ“ Eastern and northwestern rainforest๐Ÿ—“ Aprโ€“Sep
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6. Subdesert MesiteVulnerable
Monias benschi

One of three mesites endemic to Madagascar โ€” a rail-like bird that walks the ground in the unique spiny forest, often approaching walkers out of curiosity.

๐Ÿ“ Southwest Spiny Desert, Ifaty๐Ÿ—“ Mayโ€“Sep
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7. Velvet AsityLeast Concern
Philepitta castanea

The vivid emerald caruncles around the male's eyes are so surreally colorful they look artificial โ€” a member of the endemic Asity family, found at Andasibe-Mantadia.

๐Ÿ“ Eastern rainforest, Andasibe๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Mar
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8. Madagascar JacanaNear Threatened
Actophilornis albinucha

A white-naped jacana endemic to Madagascar โ€” at Lac Alaotra, the world's only Alaotran Gentle Lemur site, jacanas walk across the papyrus mat alongside extraordinary endemic wildlife.

๐Ÿ“ Northwestern wetlands, Lac Alaotra๐Ÿ—“ Novโ€“Apr

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