Birds of

KIRINDY

F i e l d G u i d e s

This document was developed during the Tropical Biology Association field courses in Kirindy. It

was drawn together by Rosie Trevelyan and the TBA staff. We would like to thank all our TBA

alumni and teachers who have allowed us to use their photos for this guide. A special thanks to

Kate Lessells, Mike Danzenbaker, Mike Majerus and Scott Armbruster. This publication was

funded by the European Commission (B7-6200/ 01/0370/ENV).

© Tropical Biology Association 2007

A Banson production

Printed by Swaingrove

KIRINDY FORESTKirindy is a dry deciduous forest covering about 12 000 ha and is managed by theCentre de Formation Professionelle Forestière (CFPF). Dry deciduous forests areamong the world’s most threatened ecosystems, and in Madagascar they have beenreduced to 3 per cent of their original extent. Located in Central Menabe, Kirindyforms part of a conservation priority area and contains several locally endemic animaland plant species.

Kirindy supports seven species of lemur and Madagascar's largest predator, the fossa.Kirindy’s plants are equally notable and include two species of baobab, as well as theMalagasy endemic hazomalany tree (Hazomalania voyroni).

Many of Kirindy’s birds are endemic to Madagascar at the genus or even family level.For example, the white-breasted mesite belongs to an endemic family, theMesithornidae. The vanga family is found only in Madagascar and the Comoros andhas many species represented in Kirindy. The couas belong to an endemic sub-family,and the jeries are an endemic genus.

This guide describes the common birds that you are likely to see during your stay inKirindy forest and gives pointers towards their identification.

Birds of

KIRINDY

F i e l d G u i d e s

CONTENTS

MADAGASCAR’S BIRDS 3

SOME COMMON BIRDS OF KIRINDY FOREST 4Accipiters 5Falcons 6Mesites 6Buttonquails 7Pigeons 7Parrots 8Cuculidae 10Owls 12Nightjars 13Kingfishers 13Bee-eaters 14Rollers 14Cuckoo rollers 15Hoopoes 15Bulbuls 16Vangas 16Robins and thrushes 19 Old world warblers 19Old world flycatchers 20Sunbirds 21White eyes 21Weavers 22Drongos 22

REFERENCES 23

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TBA Field Guide

MADAGASCAR’S BIRDS in a nutshellAt least 50 per cent of Madagascar’s bird species are endemic.Of the 283 species recorded, 209 breed in Madagascar.

There are three families that are endemic to Madagascar:MESITE (Mesithornithidae)GROUND ROLLER (Brachypteracidae) ASITY (Philepittidae)

There are two other families only found in the region of Madagascar and theComoros Islands:

CUCKOO ROLLER (Leptosomatidae with only a single species)VANGA (Vangidae: a group that has radiated into a very diverse family with 12 genera and 14 species)

The Elephant bird (Aepyornis) is a famous extinct species that measured up to 3 metres high and laid the largest known eggs in the world (capacity of 7-9 litres).

Most Malagasy bird species have Afro-tropical origins, though there are a number related to the Indo-tropics (e.g. Madagascar buzzard, Madagascar cuckoo and Madagascar bulbuls).

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Birds of Kirindy

TBA Field Guide

SOME COMMON BIRDS OF KIRINDY FORESTThis guide is designed to give you some key features to look out for to help youidentify birds. It also tells you which family they belong to and includes interestingbits of information about their ecology and behaviour. For detailed descriptions,please see the bird guides (some of which are listed on page 23).

The list starts with the more primitive birds and ends with the passerines orperching birds.

KeyFAMILIES are given first in capitals.

E indicates endemic to Madagascar.RE indicates endemic to the region, defined as Madagascar,

the Seychelles, the Comoros Islands and the Mascarene Islands.Description/visual appearanceBehaviourSong characteristicsDistribution/conservation status

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ACCIPITERSMost diurnal birds of prey belongto this cosmopolitan family.

Madagascar harrier-hawkPolyboroides radiatus E

This is a very large bird of prey.Aside from its size, it isunmistakable with its black andwhite stripes (called barring) on itsunderside, grey back, long bareyellow legs and bare pink or yellowskin patch around the eye. It ismuch larger than a sparrowhawk.Eats small birds, rodents, reptiles,insects, small lemurs.

Frances’s sparrowhawkAccipter francesii RE

Note the narrow brown and whitebarred underparts of this bird.Head of male is dark blue-greyLength: ~30-35cm (females arelarger than males).Eats small birds, reptiles, frogs.

Madagascar buzzardButeo brachypterus E

Large, with fan-shaped tail andshort rounded wings. Underwingstypically barred with white.Often soars high above forest.Length: ~48-51cm.Thin, mewing call when flying.

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Birds of Kirindy

FALCONS

Madagascar kestrelFalco newtoni RE

Madagascar and Aldabra

Small, with red-brown pointedwings. Often seen hovering – moreopen habitats. Length: ~25-30cm.Kestrels (and other falcons) donot build nests like other birds ofprey, but lay eggs in crevices orhollow trees.

MESITES A primitive, endemic family.

White-breasted mesiteMesitornis variegata E

Ground-dwelling brown skulkingbirds that can be heard siftingthrough dry leaf-litter to find seedsand insects. Length: ~31cm.Loud trilling that gets louder andfaster. Males and females singduets.Globally threatened; Kirindy is one of the five places in Madagascar(and therefore the world) thatthese are found.

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TBA Field Guide

BUTTONQUAILSA small family of dumpy ground-dwelling birds.

Madagascar buttonquailTurnix nigricollis E

Dumpy (rounded) bird always seen on the ground. Females are largerand more colourful than males – areversal of the usual trend in birds.Length: ~14-16cm.Use their feet to scratch at the leaf-litter for insects (listen for noisyleaf-rustling on the forest floor).

PIGEONSCosmopolitan family of medium-sized birds, usually plump-looking.

Madagascar turtle doveStreptopelia picturata RE

Quite a large stocky dove. It isbrown with a maroon chest; lookfor white tail tips in flight.Length: ~28cm.Feeds on the ground (on seeds/fruits).A low solemn haunting note (singsfrom trees). Song carries quite far.

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Birds of Kirindy

Namaqua doveOena capensisThroughout sub-Saharan Africa

Smaller than the other pigeons,with a slender outline. Length:~28cm.Fast flight. Ground-feeding dove(on seeds).

Madagascar green pigeonTreron australis RE

Green(!). Length: ~32cm.Usually in the canopy of treeswhere it eats fruits.Has a musical, unpigeonlike songwhich ends in a little whistle.

PARROTSThere are three species of parrot inMadagascar, all of which occur in Kirindy.

Greater vasa parrotCoracopsis vasa RE

Madagascar and Comoros

Large brown parrot with big palebill. Length: ~50cm. You can tell itapart from the lesser vasa parrot(aside from size) because it has aring of paler skin around the eyeand more white underneath thetail, visible when it flies.Eats fruits and seeds. Very unusualbreeding system where severalmales care for the young of onefemale (= cooperative polyandry).Males and females call duringcourtship.Call typically two syllables, whilethe lesser vasa’s is three syllablesand a bit more tuneful. Makesraucous harsh noise when flying.Found both in the forest andoutside it.

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TBA Field Guide

Lesser vasa parrotCoracopsis nigra RE

Madagascar, Comoros andSeychelles

Large brown parrot. You can tell itapart from the greater vasa parrot(aside from size) because it has asmaller bill and a less-pronouncedring of paler skin around the eye,and is darker underneath the tailwhen it flies. Length: ~35cm.Eats fruits, flowers and seeds, andis more forest-dependent than thegreater vasa.It makes a three-syllable call whichis more tuneful than the greatervasa’s. It also makes a raucous noisewhen taking off.

Grey-headed lovebirdAgapornis cana E

A small, plump member of theparrot family. Bright green bodywith grey head. Length: ~15cm.Mainly feeds on grass seeds.Always seen in groups, usuallymaking persistent metallic noisysqueaks.Lovebirds have been introduced toother Indian Ocean islands.

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Birds of Kirindy

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TBA Field Guide

CUCULIDAE Contains cuckoos, couas andcoucals.

Subfamily Cuculinae

Madagascar lesser cuckooCuculus rochii E

Note barring on chest. Length:~28cm.Like all cuckoos, is a brood parasite– commonly parasitizing jeries andthe Madagascar flycatcher.Can be heard singing all day.Migrates to East Africa in May-August and breeds in MadagascarSeptember-April.

Subfamily Couinae – an endemicsubfamily of nine existing and manyextinct species.

Giant couaCoua gigas E

REALLY big terrestrial coua.Length: ~62cm. Looks likeCoquerel’s but is bigger and hasthicker bill.Loud “ggrrrree-oooo” call as well asa loud “coo-coo-coo-grrr”.

Coquerel’s couaCoua coquereli E

Big terrestrial green-looking birdthat feeds on the ground. Length:~42cm. You can tell it apart fromthe giant coua by its smaller sizeand thinner bill.Eats large insects and spiders.

Crested couaCoua cristata E

Look out for its crest, pinkish chestand white band at the end of thetail. Length: ~42cm.The only coua in Kirindy likely tobe seen in trees (= arboreal).Mainly eats insects.Very loud “cha-cha-cha”, usuallyaround sunset when you can hearseveral birds calling.

Madagascar coucalCentropus toulou RE

Medium-sized skulking bird with along black graduated tail. Reddish-brown wings. This is a juvenile –note the striped head and neck.Often seen in low bushes or on theground (rarely flies far) and canmove through very densevegetation. Length ~45-50cm.Eats insects, spiders and smalllizards and also raids birds’ nests forthe eggs and chicks.Bubbling descending call.

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Birds of Kirindy

OWLS

Madagascar scops owlOtus rutilus E

Grey or rufous plumage, ear tufts,yellow ears. Length: ~22-24cm.Monotonous “broo-broo-broo” call.

Madagascar long-eared owlAsio madagascariensis E

Large owl with heavily mottleddark brown upper parts and paler,streaked underparts. Black bill,brown face and long ear tufts. The“ears” have nothing to do with theowl’s hearing but are just featherytufts on the top of the head.Length: ~31-50cm.Can be seen roosting by day aroundthe Kirindy river bed (look out forpellets underneath the roostingsite). Feeds at night on smallmammals including lemurs.

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TBA Field Guide

NIGHTJARS

Madagascar nightjarCaprimulgus madagascariensis E

Noctural but may be seen duringthe day camouflaged on theground. Length: ~21cm.Commonly heard calling at night.

KINGFISHERS Small birds with short tails andlong sharp beaks. Sit on perchesand fly down to catch prey (not allkingfishers eat fish – they can eatlarge insects, small lizards). Nest inburrows.

Madagascar malachitekingfisherAlcedo vintsioides RE

Madagascar and Comoros

Beautiful metallic blue above andorange below. Length: ~14cm.Common at the Kirindy pondwhere they sit in the open on aperch and swoop down to catchfish, frogs, invertebrates, etc.

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Birds of Kirindy

BEE–EATERS A family of insect-eating birdsfound in the old world tropics.

Madagascar bee-eaterMerops superciliosus EAfrica and Madagascar

Green plumage, long tail andrufous throat. Length: ~23-31cm.Nests colonially in tunnels.The ONLY bee-eater inMadagascar. Some migrate toAfrica.

ROLLERS Stocky birds that feed on largeinsects – have stout bills to crushthem with. There are 11 species inthe family.

Broad-billed rollerEurystomus glaucaurusMadagascar and Africa

Large rufous bird often perchingon exposed branches. Often seen inpairs. Length: ~32cm.Makes a raucous noise like acreaking door: “sakarakarakaraka”.Summer-breeding visitor toMadagascar (after which it returnsto East Africa). Nests in holes.

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TBA Field Guide

CUCKOO ROLLERSFamily of a single species foundonly in Madagascar and Comoros.

Cuckoo rollerLeptosomus discolor E

Stocky bird that perches uprighttotally motionless (looking a bitsinister!). Sexes are dimorphic:female (above) is speckled; male issoft grey. Length: ~50cm.Sings when flies, three notes “weeeweee weee” going up.Feeds in canopy on insects andsmall vertebrates.

HOOPOES An old world family that only hasone species (but many subspecies).

Madagascar hoopoeUpupa epops marginataEndemic subspecies

Orange with black and whitewings, long down-curved bill.Length: ~32cm.Commonly seen on Kirindy forestroads where it feeds on the groundon insects.

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Birds of Kirindy

BULBULS (Bulbul and greenbul family.) A mainlyforest-dwelling family of the old worldtropics. Five of the six species found in Madagascar are endemic.

Madagascar bulbulHypsipetes madagascariensis RE

Rather boring grey-brown colourbut has a beautiful orange-redbeak. Length: ~24cm.Often seen sitting in the open –eats fruits.

Long-billed greenbulPhyllastrephus madagascariensis E

Dull green bird found in denserlayers of the forest; rarely seen inthe open. Very long bill. Length:~18-20cm.Feeds on insects by picking themoff branches and leaves.

VANGASA diverse family with 14 species in 12 genera. Have radiated inMadagascar (and one species on the Comoros) to occupy a widevariety of niches – like the fincheson the Galapagos! Thirteenendemic species in Madagascar.

Rufous vangaSchetba rufa E

Red back and wings, black head,white belly, blue thick bill. Femalehas black crown but is white beloweye and throat. Length: ~20cm.Usually in primary undisturbedforest.Very conspicuous song: “tiki-tiki-tiki wow”. Also does bill snapping.

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TBA Field Guide

Hook-billed vangaVanga curvirostris E

Big black and white vanga with alarge hooked bill. Length: ~25-29cm.Feeds on insects and evenchameleons by sticking them in a twig fork and pulling off thelimbs.Flat, out of tune piercing whistle.

Sickle-billed vangaFalculea palliata E

Biggest of the family, white headand large down-curved sickle billwhich it uses to probe crevices forinsects. Length: ~32cm.Often in groups.Sounds like mewing or baby crying.

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Birds of Kirindy

White-headed vangaLeptopterus viridis E

All white underneath and black ontop, but short bill. Length: ~20cm.Bell-like whistling song.

Chabert’s vangaLeptopterus chabert E

Small vanga with black cap, whiteunderneath, blue eye-ring.Length: ~14cm.

Madagascar blue vangaCyanolanius madagascarinus RE

Madagascar and Comoros – only vanga found outside Madagascar

Bright blue above and white below(no other Kirindy bird is thiscolour). Length: ~16cm.Eats insects.Voice is a churring “grrrrrr grrrrrrgrrrrrrr”.

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TBA Field Guide

ROBINS andTHRUSHES Large family with 300 species worldwide.

Madagascar magpie robinCopsychus albospecularis E

Males are black and white (aboveleft), females brown and white(above right). Length: ~28cm.Hops around on forest floorlooking for insects, or can be seenperching low down in trees.Musical song.

OLD WORLDWARBLERSLarge diverse group of small,delicate-looking birds, slender bills.Usually seen moving among leavespicking insects off leaves andflowers. Fifteen species inMadagascar, of which 13 areendemic.

Common newtoniaNewtonia brunneicauda E

Head and wings all grey, whitechin, brownish underparts, pale eye.Length: ~12cm.Repetitive loud clicking call,“chippa chapa chippa chapa”.

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Birds of Kirindy

Common jeryNeomixis tenella E

Very small yellow-greenish birdwith yellow chin and whiteunderparts. Length: ~10cm.Usually in groups.Song is a high-pitched “sisisisisis”.

Striped-throated jeryNeomixis striatigula E

Distinguished from the commonjery by its slightly larger size, longerbill, streaked underparts and yellowstripe above the eye.Length: ~12cm.

OLD WORLDFLYCATCHERS Small insectivorous birds, twospecies in Madagascar.

Madagascar paradiseflycatcherTersiphone mutata RE

Madagascar and Comoros

Extremely long tails in males,small crest on head. Males havetwo colour forms (morphs). One ismainly black and white, the othera beautiful red-brown colour(above). The female is alwaysrufous and black. Length: ~18-30cm plus ~12cm tail feathers inmale.Scratchy notes followed bydescending tuneful song.

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TBA Field Guide

SUNBIRDS Small birds that feed on nectar (andinsects). Males are usually brightmetallic colours. There are 112species throughout the old worldtropics.

Souimanga sunbirdNectarinia souimanga RE

Small colourful sunbird with ayellow belly and red breast band,usually seen feeding on flowers.Length: ~10cm.Quite talkative, singing all day long.

Long-billed green sunbirdNectarinia notata E

All-green sunbird, larger thanSouimanga. Length: ~14cm.

WHITE EYES Small yellow or green birds withwhite ring just around the eye.

Madagascar white eyeZosterops maderaspatanus RE

Small green bird with white eye –the only white eye in Madagascar.Length: ~12cm.

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Birds of Kirindy

WEAVERSLarge family of seed-eating birdswith short stout bills; many nestcolonially.

Sakalava weaverPloceus sakalava E

Sparrow-like bird with yellow head.Length: ~15cm.Very gregarious, often seen feedingon ground around the camp. Nestscolonially.

DRONGOS Distinctive metallic-black/greybirds. The whole family containsaround 20 species in Africa,Australia and India.

Crested drongoDicrurus forficatus RE

Madagascar and Comoros

Metallic black bird with forked tailand crest on head. Length: ~26cm.Sits upright on perches in the openand flies out to catch insects.Metallic tuneless song – oftenmimics other birds.

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TBA Field Guide

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Birds of Kirindy

REFERENCESLangrand, O. 1990. Guide to the Birds of Madagascar. Yale UniversityPress; New Haven and London.

Morris, P. and Hawkins, F. 1998. Birdsof Madagascar: A Photographic Guide.Pica Press, London.

Sinclair, I. and Langrand, O. 2003.Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands. StruikPublishers, Cape Town.

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TBA Field Guide

PHOTOSScott Armbruster: Accipter francesii; Asio

madagascariensis; Centropus toulou

Brigid Barry: Coua gigas; Dicrurus forficatus;Eurystomus glaucaurus (lower); Leptopterus viridis;Mesitornis variegata

Daryl Dell: Cuculus rochii

Isabelle Baumgarter: Caprimulgus

madagascariensis

Mike Danzenbaker: Alcedo vintsioides; Buteo

brachypterus; Copsychus albospecularis (left);Cyanolanius madagascarinus; Falco newtoni;Hypsipetes madagascariensis; Leptopterus chabert;Streptopelia picturata; Tersiphone mutata; Turnix

nigricollis; Upupa epops marginata; Vanga

curvirostris

Giuliano Gerra and Silvio Sommazzi: Coracopsis

vasa; Merops superciliosus

M. Herremans: Leptosomus discolor (upper)Kate Lessells: Oena capensis; Agapornis cana;

Copsychus albospecularis (right); Coua coquereli;Newtonia brunneicauda; Neomixis striatigula;Otus rutilis

Martin Kramer: Nectarinia notata

Murray Lord: Leptosomus discolor (lower);Treron australis

Mike Majerus: Coracopsis nigra; Coua cristata;Polyboroides radiatus

Adam Riley: Nectarinia souimanga

Marsha Steffen and Dave Semler: Falculea

palliata; Zosterops maderaspatanus

Tropical Biology Association: Ploceus sakalava;

Schetba rufa

TBA has endeavoured to attribute photoscorrectly and seek permission for their use. If,however, a mistake has been made, please contactTBA, who will make every effort to correct it insubsequent printings.

Birds of KirindyThis guide was developed to help participants on Tropical BiologyAssociation field courses to learn about the birds of Kirindy forest. It is not designed to be a complete field guide. It provides pointers tothe most distinctive features of each species to help distinguish themfrom other Kirindy species, coupled with notes on their ecology orbehaviour.

Tropical Biology AssociationThe Tropical Biology Association is a non-profit organizationdedicated to providing professional training to individuals andinstitutions involved in the conservation and management oftropical environments. The TBA works in collaboration withAfrican institutions to develop their capacity in natural resourcemanagement through field courses, training workshops and follow-up support.

European Office African OfficeDepartment of Zoology Nature KenyaDowning Street PO Box 44486Cambridge CB2 3EJ 00100 - Nairobi, KenyaUnited Kingdom Tel: +254 (0) 20 3749957Tel: +44 (0) 1223 336619 or 20 3746090e-mail: tba@tropical-biology.org e-mail: tba-africa@tropical-biology.org

Funded by the European Commission (B7-6200/01/0370/ENV)