Bird Families of the World

Although Madagascar is an island, its unique biodiversity and landscapes title it “the eighth continent”.  Some information about species seen of the 5 endemic bird families:

Mesites: White-breasted Mesite at Ankarafantsika National Park. Subdesert Mesite at Mosa spiny forest park, Ifaty.

The triple call of monotype Cuckoo-Roller heard at a few locations, but seen best at Ankarafantsika National Park.

Ground-Rollers:  Pitta-like Ground-Roller seen first in Bemanevika. Both Scally Ground-Roller & Short-legged Ground-Roller at Ranomafana National Park. Rufous-headed Ground-Roller at Mantadia National Park. Long-tailed Ground-Roller at  Mosa park, Ifaty.

Asities: Velvet Asity at Ranomafana National Park. Schlegel’s Asity at Ankarafantsika National Park. Sunbird Asity at Bemanevika.

Malagasy Warblers: 8 out of 11 species of this family seen in different locations. One of the most desierd one is Appert’s Tetraka at Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park.

Although Vangas are now part of the Afrotropical family of Vangas, Helmetshrikes, and Allies, in the past they considered separate family endemic to Madagascar. So, I’ll just mention that many Vanga species seen at different locations. Our constrains did not allow us to visit the north-east area (Masoala).  Other families to be mentioned: Flufftails – Slender-billed Flufftail & Madagascar Flufftail. Buttonquail seen in Africa, Asia and Australia, but it seems that Madagascar Buttonquail is a bit more cooperative. The tiny island of Nosy Ve near Toliara gave us good options to take photos of Crab-Plover and Red-tailed Tropicbird.