Birding Destinations in Madagascar
Birds of Madagascar, and birding in Madagascar, Birding Destinations in Madagascar, Madagascar national parks; , information on national parks and other birdwatching Spots in Madagascar;Isalo National Park; Ifotaka Community Forest
Madagascar is a popular birding destination. To a bird watcher, tweeting and chirping are favourite sounds. With a check list of over 250 bird species, including numerous endemics, Madagascar is of great interest to ornithologists. It is this amount of rare birds to see that makes Madagascar such an exciting destination for a bird watching tours. Madagascar a is also a country that takes eco tourism seriously and provides a number of protected wildlife sanctuaries that are secluded and perfect for bird watching. Bird watching tours in Madagascar give an opportunity to country visitor to spot rare birds.
Many of the country’s national parks are notable habitats for exceptional birdlife with species such as banded kestrel, Spectacled Greenbul, Red-capped, Madagascar gmgogene, Ward’s Flycatcher, the crested ibis, white-breasted mesite, Madagascar Wood-Rail, Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Collared Nightjar, Coral-Billed Nuthatch Vanga, Rand’s Warbler, Nelicourvi Weave and the Blue-and Red-Fronted Couas,
PRIME BIRDING DESTINATIONS IN MADAGASCAR
1. Masoala National Park
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Established in 1997, Masoala National Park is Madagascar largest protected area. It is situated in the northeast and shelters over 2,500 sq km of rainforest and marine parks. This area is and extraordinarily wet area. Masoala is home to spectacular birds including the Helmet Vanga, and rare species such as the Red Owl and Tomato frog. All birding tours to the park must be accompanied by the park guide and most birding trails start at Nosy Mangabe point.
2. Amber Mountain National Park
Amber Mountain National Park is situated in the far north of Madagascar just 40km south of Diego Suarez, Antsirana. It was established in 1958 and stretches over an area of 18,200 hectares. Amber Mountain Park is one of Southern Africa’s biological treasures and is most notable for its majestic water falls, crater lakes and above all the amazing bird list of over 73 species of birds. The large varieties of bird species that have been recorded in the park include
Monticola Erythronotus
Madagascar Blue Pigeon, Collared Nightjar, etc.
3. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is a nature reserve located near the western coast of Madagascar. The best touristic treasures of the reserve are the karstic landscapes and limestone uplands cut into impressive ‘tsingy’ peaks. Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve is one of the best birding destinations in Madagascar. Over 90 species are resident in Tsingy de Bemaraha including the world’s rarest Madagascar Fish Eagle.
4. Ifotaka Community Forest
Ifotaka Community Forest is home to the Antandroy Tribe whose sacred beliefs and
White Browed Owl
customs makes this park incredibly interesting. The sacred forest includes spiny and gallery forests and is home to ring-tailed lemurs and the wonderful Verreaux’s Sifakas which can appear to be almost dancing as they move along the ground. The bird life here is abundant and includes the likes of coucal, scops owl and malachite kingfishers.
5. Ampijoroa Forest Station
Ampijoroa Forest Station is one of Madagascar’s largest and last remaining sections of dense dry deciduous forest. This famous western Malagasy tropical-like forest is a haunt for rare birds such as the Madagascar fish eagle, white-breasted mesite, Coquerelâs coua, and the Coral-Billed Nuthatch Vanga.
6. Berenty Lemur Reserve
Olive Bee-Eater
Berenty is a privately-owned reserve that lies about 80 km from Fort Dauphin. This relatively small private reserve offers a perfect spot in Madagascar to see endemic bird species such as Owls and Couas.
7. Isalo National Park
Isalo National Park is one of the most visited of Madagascar. It is nestled in the southwest region and lies about 400 km south-west of Antananarivo, the capital. The Park is also home to approximately 80 species of bird, including the rare Benson’s rock-thrush. Other common bird varieties found in Isalo include Spectacled Greenbul, Red-capped and Madagascar gmgogene. A local guide is required for visitors entering the park on birding tours.
8. Ranomafana National Park
Wagtail
Ranomafana National Park (RNP) is situated in the Fianarantsoa Province of south eastern of Madagascar. It is also an ornithologist’s paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds in Madagascar. 115 species of birds have been recorded in the park including the black-and-white ruffed lemur, mouse lemur, woolly lemur, diademed sifaka, red-bellied brown lemur, red-fronted lemur, leplemur and greater dwarf lemur.
9. Zombitse Forest
Zombitse forest is renowned for its high rate of biodiversity. The forest is composed of
Short Legged Ground Roller
unique and varied plant and bird species. The Forest shelters 47% of the endemic birds of Madagascar especially the much liked Greenbul Appert, a very enchanting songbird, which makes the reputation of the Zombitse forest.
Madagascar tour operators organize special tailored-birding safaris to the destination which last between 1-2 days.
Owing to its varied geography, climate and presence of a long coastline, Madagascar developed a unique flora and fauna. It is a place where evolution has run wild and it has such a high degree of endemism. The country is presently home to several rare species of birds. Not only can you spot numerous regional birds and scores of migratory birds which make the country their temporary habitat but there over five endemic bird families also recorded here. The bird sanctuaries highlighted with us are a hot spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers in Madagascar.
