Madagascar is an island nation located off the southeastern coast of Africa. Because of its long separation from neighboring continents—through tectonic movement, it split from Africa about 160 million years ago, and from India around 90 million years ago—it contains many species endemic to the island.[1][2] Of the 294 bird species recorded on Madagascar, 105 are found nowhere else on earth, and a handful of others are shared only with the neighbouring Comoro Islands.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 6th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Madagascar.
Species status comments are taken from Morris and Hawkins' Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide unless otherwise noted. The IUCN Red List codes are those given by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; they come from the IUCN's Red List website.[3]
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| CR | Critically endangered |
| EN | Endangered |
| EX | Extinct |
| LC | Least concern |
| NT | Near threatened |
| VU | Vulnerable |
Order: Anseriformes. Family: Anatidae
The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-faced Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna viduata | Common resident, LC |
| Fulvous Whistling-Duck | Dendrocygna bicolor | Uncommon resident, LC |
| White-backed Duck | Thalassornis leuconotus | Rare resident, LC |
| Comb Duck | Sarkidiornis melanotos | Locally common resident, LC |
| African Pygmy-goose | Nettapus auritus | Common resident, LC |
| Meller's Duck* | Anas melleri | Uncommon resident, EN |
| Red-billed Duck | Anas erythrorhyncha | Common resident, LC |
| Hottentot Teal | Anas hottentota | Locally common resident, LC |
| Bernier's Teal* | Anas bernieri | Rare resident, EN |
| Madagascar Pochard* | Aythya innotata | Recently rediscovered, CR |
Order: Galliformes. Family: Numididae
Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are six species worldwide and one species has been introduced to Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Helmeted Guineafowl% | Numida meleagris | Common resident, LC |
Order: Galliformes. Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Partridge* | Margaroperdix madagascarensis | Uncommon resident, LC |
| Common Quail | Coturnix coturnix | Uncommon resident, LC |
| Harlequin Quail | Coturnix delegorguei | Uncommon visitor, LC |
Order: Podicipediformes. Family: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-sized diving birds. They breed on fresh water, but often visit the sea whilst migrating and in winter. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers; however, their feet are placed far back on their bodies, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 19 species worldwide.[7][8] Of these, three species have been recorded in Madagascar. One, the Alaotra Grebe, is now confirmed as extinct.[8]
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alaotra Grebe* | Tachybaltus rufolavatus | Extinct, EX[8] |
| Little Grebe | Tachybaptus ruficollis | Locally common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Grebe* | Tachybaptus pelzelnii | Uncommon resident, VU |
Order: Phoenicopteriformes. Family: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopterus roseus | Regular, rare breeder, LC |
| Lesser Flamingo | Phoenicopterus minor | Erratic migrant, NT |
Penguins are flightless, aquatic birds which live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Their plumage — which consists of tiny, stiff, undifferentiated feathers—is black, grey or blue above and white below. They breed in colonies, which are often very large, and hunt underwater, feeding on krill, fish and squid.[9] A single species has been found once in Madagascar; it may have been released by sailors.[10]
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Rockhopper Penguin | Eudyptes chrysocome | Very rare vagrant, VU | [10] |
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Diomedeidae
The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and three species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow-nosed Albatross | Thalassarche chlororhynchos | Rare vagrant, EN |
| Shy Albatross | Thalassarche cauta | Rare vagrant, NT |
| Black-browed Albatross | Thalassarche melanophrys | Rare vagrant, EN |
Order: Procellariiformes. Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Giant Petrel | Macronectes giganteus | Regular offshore, NT |
| Cape Petrel | Daption capense | Offshore migrant, LC |
| Great-winged Petrel | Pterodroma macroptera | Uncommon, LC |
| Soft-plumaged Petrel | Pterodroma mollis | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Barau's Petrel | Pterodroma baraui | Very rare vagrant, EN |
| Antarctic Prion | Pachyptila desolata | Offshore migrant, LC |
| Slender-billed Prion | Pachyptila belcheri | Rare vagrant, LC |
| Jouanin's Petrel | Bulweria fallax | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Cory's Shearwater | Calonectris diomedea | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Flesh-footed Shearwater | Puffinus carneipes (A) | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Wedge-tailed Shearwater | Puffinus pacificus | Uncommon offshore, LC |
Storm petrels are small birds which spend most of their lives at sea, coming ashore only to breed. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically whilst hovering or pattering across the water. Their flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.[13]
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilson's Storm Petrel | Oceanites oceanicus | Regular migrant, LC | [14] |
| White-faced Storm Petrel | Pelagodroma marina | Very rare vagrant, LC | [15] |
| White-bellied Storm Petrel | Fregetta grallaria | Very rare vagrant, LC | [16] |
| Black-bellied Storm Petrel | Fregetta tropica | Regular, LC | [16] |
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are medium-sized seabirds found primarily in tropical oceans; they typically come ashore only to breed. They are predominantly white, with elongated central tail feathers. When hunting for the flying fish (and occasional squid) they feed on, they hover above the water, then plunge dive in after their prey. There are three species worldwide, all of which have been recorded in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Tropicbird | Phaethon lepturus | Visiting breeder, LC |
| Red-billed Tropicbird | Phaethon aethereus | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Red-tailed Tropicbird | Phaethon rubricauda | Visiting breeder, LC |
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide, three of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Masked Booby | Sula dactylatra | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Brown Booby | Sula leucogaster | Visiting breeder, LC |
| Red-footed Booby | Sula sula | Uncommon visitor, LC |
Pelicans are very large water birds with distinctive pouches under their beaks. Found along both inland and coastal waterways, they are primarily fish-eaters. Many species hunt in groups, chasing fish into shallow waters and then scooping them up in their huge bills, but one plunge-dives after prey. They nest colonially.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pink-backed Pelican | Pelecanus rufescens | Rare vagrant, LC |
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Phalacrocoracidae
The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Long-tailed Cormorant | Phalacrocorax africanus | Resident, LC |
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Anhingidae
Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged. The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| African Darter | Anhinga rufa | Resident, LC |
Order: Pelecaniformes. Family: Fregatidae
Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide, two of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Frigatebird | Fregata minor | Casual visitor, LC |
| Lesser Frigatebird | Fregata ariel | Casual visitor, LC |
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ardeidae
The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide, 14 of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Little Bittern | Ixobrychus minutus | Scarce breeder, LC |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | Nycticorax nycticorax | Uncommon resident, LC |
| Squacco Heron | Ardeola ralloides | Common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Pond-Heron | Ardeola idae | Visiting breeder, LC |
| Cattle Egret | Bubulcus ibis | Common resident, LC |
| Striated Heron | Butorides striata | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Black Heron | Egretta ardesiaca | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Dimorphic Egret | Egretta dimorpha | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Great Egret | Ardea alba | Common resident, LC |
| Purple Heron | Ardea purpurea | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Gray Heron | Ardea cinerea | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Black-headed Heron | Ardea melanocephala | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Humblot's Heron | Ardea humbloti | Uncommon resident, VU |
| Goliath Heron | Ardea goliath | Very rare vagrant, LC |
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Threskiornithidae
The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar White Ibis | Threskiornis bernieri | Rare resident, EN |
| Glossy Ibis | Plegadis falcinellus | Common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Crested Ibis* | Lophotibis cristata | Rare resident, NT |
| African Spoonbill | Platalea alba | Uncommon resident, LC |
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Scopidae
The Hamerkop is a medium-sized bird with a long shaggy crest. The shape of its head with a curved bill and crest at the back is reminiscent of a hammer, hence its name. Its plumage is a drab brown all over.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Hamerkop | Scopus umbretta | Resident, LC |
Order: Ciconiiformes. Family: Ciconiidae
Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow-billed Stork | Mycteria ibis | Locally common, LC |
| African Openbill Stork | Anastomus lamelligerus | Resident, LC |
Order: Falconiformes Family: Pandionidae
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Osprey | Pandion haliaetus | Rare vagrant, LC |
Order: Falconiformes. Family: Accipitridae
Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 13 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Baza* | Aviceda madagascariensis | |
| Bat Hawk | Macheiramphus alcinus | |
| Black-shouldered Kite | Elanus caeruleus | |
| Yellow-billed Kite | Milvus aegyptius | |
| Madagascar Fish Eagle* | Haliaeetus vociferoides | |
| Madagascar Serpent Eagle* | Eutriorchis astur | |
| Madagascar Harrier-hawk* | Polyboroides radiatus | |
| Madagascar Marsh Harrier* | Circus macrosceles | |
| Henst's Goshawk* | Accipiter henstii | |
| Madagascar Sparrowhawk* | Accipiter madagascariensis | |
| Frances's Goshawk* | Accipiter francesii | |
| Madagascar Buzzard* | Buteo brachypterus |
Order: Falconiformes. Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Kestrel | Falco newtoni | Resident, LC |
| Banded Kestrel* | Falco zoniventris | Uncommon resident, LC |
| Eleonora's Falcon | Falco eleonorae | Winter visitor, LC |
| Sooty Falcon | Falco concolor | Winter visitor, LC |
| Peregrine Falcon | Falco peregrinus | Scarce resident, LC |
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Mesitornithidae
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| White-breasted Mesite* | Mesitornis variegata | Locally common resident, VU |
| Brown Mesite* | Mesitornis unicolor | Uncommon resident, VU |
| Subdesert Mesite* | Monias benschi | Uncommon resident, VU |
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, flufftails, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 144 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Flufftail* | Sarothrura insularis | |
| Slender-billed Flufftail* | Sarothrura watersi | |
| Madagascar Wood-rail* | Canirallus kioloides | |
| Tsingy Wood Rail* | Mentocrex beankaensis | [24] |
| Madagascar Rail* | Rallus madagascariensis | |
| White-throated Rail | Dryolimnas cuvieri | |
| Sakalava Rail* | Amaurornis olivieri | |
| Baillon's Crake | Porzana pusilla | |
| Purple Swamphen | Porphyrio porphyrio | |
| Allen's Gallinule | Porphyrio alleni | |
| Common Moorhen | Gallinula chloropus | |
| Red-knobbed Coot | Fulica cristata |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Ringed Plover | Charadrius hiaticula | |
| Kittlitz's Plover | Charadrius pecuarius | |
| Madagascar Plover* | Charadrius thoracicus | |
| Three-banded Plover | Charadrius tricollaris | |
| White-fronted Plover | Charadrius marginatus | |
| Lesser Sandplover | Charadrius mongolus | |
| Greater Sandplover | Charadrius leschenaultii | |
| Pacific Golden Plover | Pluvialis fulva | |
| Grey Plover | Pluvialis squatarola |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Dromadidae
The Crab-plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Crab-plover | Dromas ardeola | Common visitor, LC |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Recurvirostridae
Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Black-winged Stilt | Himantopus himantopus | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Pied Avocet | Recurvirostra avosetta | Very rare vagrant, LC |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Jacanidae
The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and one species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Jacana* | Actophilornis albinucha |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Scolopacidae
The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Snipe* | Gallinago macrodactyla | |
| Black-tailed Godwit | Limosa limosa | |
| Bar-tailed Godwit | Limosa lapponica | |
| Whimbrel | Numenius phaeopus | |
| Eurasian Curlew | Numenius arquata | |
| Marsh Sandpiper | Tringa stagnatilis | |
| Common Greenshank | Tringa nebularia | |
| Green Sandpiper | Tringa ochropus | |
| Wood Sandpiper | Tringa glareola | |
| Terek Sandpiper | Xenus cinereus | |
| Common Sandpiper | Actitis hypoleucos | |
| Ruddy Turnstone | Arenaria interpres | |
| Sanderling | Calidris alba | |
| Little Stint | Calidris minuta | |
| Curlew Sandpiper | Calidris ferruginea | |
| Ruff | Philomachus pugnax |
Order: Gruiformes. Family: Turnicidae
The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Buttonquail* | Turnix nigricollis | Common resident, LC |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Pratincole | Glareola ocularis |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Rostratulidae
Painted snipe are short-legged, long-billed birds similar in shape to the true snipes, but more brightly coloured. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Painted-snipe | Rostratula benghalensis |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and two species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kelp Gull | Larus dominicanus | |
| Gray-headed Gull | Larus cirrocephalus |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally general medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 18 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Gull-billed Tern | Sterna nilotica | |
| Caspian Tern | Sterna caspia | |
| Greater Crested Tern | Sterna bergii | |
| Lesser Crested Tern | Sterna bengalensis | |
| Sandwich Tern | Sterna sandvicensis | |
| Black-naped Tern | Sterna sumatrana | |
| Roseate Tern | Sterna dougallii | |
| Common Tern | Sterna hirundo | |
| Bridled Tern | Sterna anaethetus | |
| Sooty Tern | Sterna fuscata | |
| Saunders's Tern | Sterna saundersi | |
| Damara Tern | Sterna balaenarum | |
| Whiskered Tern | Chlidonias hybridus | |
| Black Tern | Chlidonias niger | |
| White-winged Tern | Chlidonias leucopterus | |
| Brown Noddy | Anous stolidus | |
| Lesser Noddy | Anous tenuirostris | |
| White Tern | Gygis alba |
Order: Charadriiformes. Family: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Skua | Stercorarius antarctica | |
| Pomarine Skua | Sterocorarius pomarinus | |
| Arctic Skua | Stercorarius parasiticus | |
| Long-tailed Skua | Stercorarius longicaudus |
Order: Pterocliformes. Family: Pteroclidae
Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but sturdy compact bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fast direct flight. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Sandgrouse* | Pterocles personatus | LC |
Order: Columbiformes. Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and five species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Pigeon% | Columba livia | |
| Malagasy Turtle Dove | Streptopelia picturata | |
| Namaqua Dove | Oena capensis | |
| Madagascar Green Pigeon | Treron australis | |
| Madagascar Blue Pigeon* | Alectroenas madagascariensis |
Order: Psittaciformes. Family: Psittacidae
Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and three species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Vasa Parrot* | Coracopsis vasa | |
| Lesser Vasa Parrot | Coracopsis nigra | |
| Grey-headed Lovebird* | Agapornis canus |
Order: Cuculiformes. Family: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thick-billed Cuckoo | Pachycoccyx audeberti | |
| Madagascar Lesser Cuckoo | Cuculus rochii | |
| Giant Coua* | Coua gigas | |
| Coquerel's Coua* | Coua coquereli | |
| Running Coua* | Coua cursor | |
| Red-breasted Coua* | Coua serriana | |
| Red-fronted Coua* | Coua reynaudii | |
| Red-capped Coua* | Coua ruficeps | |
| Crested Coua* | Coua cristata | |
| Verreaux's Coua* | Coua verreauxi | |
| Blue Coua* | Coua caerulea | |
| Madagascar Coucal | Centropus toulou |
Order: Strigiformes. Family: Tytonidae
Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and two species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Red Owl* | Tyto soumagnei | |
| Barn Owl | Tyto alba |
Order: Strigiformes. Family: Strigidae
Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and five species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Malagasy Scops-Owl* | Otus rutilus | |
| Torotoroka Scops-Owl* | Otus madagascariensis | |
| White-browed Owl | Ninox superciliaris | |
| Madagascar Owl* | Asio madagascariensis | |
| Marsh Owl | Asio capensis |
Order: Caprimulgiformes. Family: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and two species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Collared Nightjar* | Caprimulgus enarratus | |
| Madagascar Nightjar | Caprimulgus madagascariensis |
[27] Order: Apodiformes. Family: Apodidae
Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and six species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Malagasy Spinetail | Zoonavena grandidieri | Widespread resident, LC |
| African Palm Swift | Cypsiurus parvus | Widespread resident, LC |
| Alpine Swift | Tachymarptis melba | Widespread resident, LC |
| Little Swift | Apus affinis | Recent colonist, LC |
| Madagascar Swift | Apus balstoni | Widespread resident, LC |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and two species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Malagasy Kingfisher | Alcedo vintsioides | Common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher* | Ispidina madagascariensis | Common resident, LC |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Meropidae
The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and two species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Bee-eater | Merops superciliosus | |
| European Bee-eater | Merops apiaster | Single vagrant record, LC |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Coraciidae
Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Broad-billed Roller | Eurystomus glaucurus |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Brachypteraciidae
The ground-roller are a small family of non-migratory near-passerine birds. They resemble the true rollers. All five species are found only in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Short-legged Ground-roller* | Brachypteracias leptosomus | Resident, VU |
| Scaly Ground-roller* | Brachypteracias squamigera | Resident, VU |
| Pitta-like Ground-roller* | Atelornis pittoides | Resident, NT |
| Rufous-headed Ground-roller* | Atelornis crossleyi | Resident, VU |
| Long-tailed Ground-roller* | Uratelornis chimaera | Resident, VU |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Leptosomatidae
The Cuckoo-roller is an insectivorous medium-sized bird of the forests of Madagascar and the Comoros. Unlike the true rollers and ground rollers, where the sexes have identical appearance, the male and female Cuckoo Roller have distinctive plumages. Males are mostly velvety grey. The back, tail, and wings are dark shiny green. They have a black eyestripe. Females and young birds are mostly brown marked with darker streaks. One species occurs on Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cuckoo-roller | Leptosomus discolor |
Order: Coraciiformes. Family: Upupidae
Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Hoopoe | Upupa marginata |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Philepittidae
The asities are small plump bird, which are likely to be related to the broadbills. All four species are found only in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Velvet Asity* | Philepitta castanea | |
| Schlegel's Asity* | Philepitta schlegeli | |
| Common Sunbird-asity* | Neodrepanis coruscans | |
| Yellow-bellied Sunbird-asity* | Neodrepanis hypoxanthus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Platysteiridae
The wattle-eyes or puffback flycatchers are small stout passerine birds of the African tropics. They get their name from the brightly coloured fleshy eye decorations found in most species in this group. There are 31 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ward's Flycatcher* | Pseudobias wardi | Range-restricted resident, NT |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Vangidae
The vangas are shrike-like, arboreal forest birds, feeding on reptiles, frogs and insects. There are 15 species.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Red-tailed Vanga* | Calicalicus madagascariensis | Fairly common resident, LC |
| Red-shouldered Vanga* | Calicalicus rufocarpalis | Uncommon resident, VU |
| Rufous Vanga* | Schetba rufa | |
| Hook-billed Vanga* | Vanga curvirostris | |
| Lafresnaye's Vanga* | Xenopirostris xenopirostris | |
| Pollen's Vanga* | Xenopirostris polleni | |
| Van Dam's Vanga* | Xenopirostris damii | |
| Sickle-billed Vanga* | Falculea palliata | |
| White-headed Vanga* | Artamella viridis | |
| Chabert's Vanga* | Leptopterus chabert | |
| Blue Vanga* | Cyanolanius madagascarinus | |
| Bernier's Vanga* | Oriolia bernieri | |
| Helmet Vanga* | Euryceros prevostii | |
| Nuthatch Vanga* | Hypositta corallirostris | |
| Tylas Vanga* | Tylas eduardi |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Campephagidae
The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Ashy Cuckoo-shrike | Coracina cinerea |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Oriolidae
The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Golden Oriole | Oriolus oriolus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Crested Drongo | Dicrurus forficatus | Common resident, LC |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher | Terpsiphone mutata | Common resident, LC |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Corvidae
The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Pied Crow | Corvus albus | Common resident, LC |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Alaudidae
Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Lark* | Mirafra hova |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Hirundinidae
The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and four species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Mascarene Martin | Phedina borbonica | |
| Sand Martin | Riparia riparia | |
| Brown-throated Sand Martin | Riparia paludicola | |
| Barn Swallow | Hirundo rustica |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Pycnonotidae
Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and six species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Long-billed Greenbul* | Phyllastrephus madagascariensis | |
| Spectacled Greenbul* | Phyllastrephus zosterops | |
| Appert's Greenbul* | Phyllastrephus apperti | |
| Dusky Greenbul* | Phyllastrephus tenebrosus | |
| Gray-crowned Greenbul* | Phyllastrephus cinereiceps | |
| Madagascar Bulbul | Hypsipetes madagascariensis |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Cisticolidae
The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Cisticola | Cisticola cherinus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Emu-tail* | Dromaeocercus brunneus | |
| Grey Emu-tail* | Dromaeocercus seebohmi | |
| Madagascar Brush Warbler* | Nesillas typica (E) | |
| Thamnornis* | Thamnornis chloropetoides | |
| Madagascar Swamp Warbler* | Acrocephalus newtoni | |
| Rand's Warbler* | Randia pseudozosterops | |
| Dark Newtonia* | Newtonia amphichroa | |
| Common Newtonia* | Newtonia brunneicauda | |
| Archbold's Newtonia* | Newtonia archboldi | |
| Red-tailed Newtonia* | Newtonia fanovanae | |
| Cryptic Warbler* | Cryptosylvicola randriansoloi |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Muscicapidae
Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide, three of which have occurred in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Magpie Robin* | Copsychus albospecularis | ||
| Northern Wheatear | Oenanthe oenanthe | Very rare vagrant, LC | [32] |
| African Stonechat | Saxicola torquata | ||
| Forest Rock-Thrush* | Monticola sharpei | ||
| Benson's Rock-Thrush* | Monticola bensoni | ||
| Littoral Rock-Thrush* | Monticola imerinus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Timaliidae
The babblers or timaliids are somewhat diverse in size and coloration, but are characterised by soft fluffy plumage. There are 270 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Jery* | Neomixis tenella | |
| Green Jery* | Neomixis viridis | |
| Stripe-throated Jery* | Neomixis striatigula | |
| Wedge-tailed Jery* | Hartertula flavoviridis | |
| White-throated Oxylabes* | Oxylabes madagascariensis | |
| Yellow-browed Oxylabes* | Crossleyia xanthophrys | |
| Crossley's Babbler* | Mystacornis crossleyi |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide, three of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Wattled Starling | Creatophora cinerea | Very rare vagrant, LC |
| Common Myna% | Acridotheres tristis | Common resident, LC |
| Madagascar Starling* | Saroglossa aurata | Fairly common resident, LC |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Nectariniidae
The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Souimanga Sunbird | Cinnyris sovimanga | |
| Madagascar Sunbird | Cinnyris notatus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Motacillidae
The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide, one of which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar Wagtail* | Motacilla flaviventris |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| House Sparrow% | Passer domesticus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar White-eye | Zosterops maderaspatanus |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Ploceidae
The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide, four of which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nelicourvi Weaver* | Ploceus nelicourvi | |
| Sakalava Weaver* | Ploceus sakalava | |
| Madagascar Red Fody* | Foudia madagascariensis | |
| Forest Fody* | Foudia omissa |
Order: Passeriformes. Family: Estrildidae
The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Madagascar.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Common Waxbill% | Estrilda astrild | |
| Madagascar Munia* | Lonchura nana |