MADAGASCAR   -   OCT-NOV 2010   -   BIRDS PART 2

Madagascar Turtle-Dove Streptopelia picturata picturata Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. Not endemic to Madagascar; it also occurs on most nearby islands. (S6)

Namaqua Dove Oena capensis aliena Ifaty, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. A common but handsome dove that also occurs widely in sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian peninsula. (S6)

Madagascar Green-Pigeon Treron australis australis Andasibe-Mantadia NP, Atsinanana region, Madagascar. Hard to photograph well as it typically stays high in the canopy. It's not a Madagasar endemic since it also occurs on Mohéli in the Comoros. (S6)

Madagascar Blue-Pigeon Alectroenas madagascariensis Mananara Lodge, Anjozorobe, Analamanga region, Madagascar. This one is endemic, and a member of a unique genus of pigeons restricted to the West Indian Ocean islands. They are usually hard to approach, but this bird had gorged itself on fruit in some small trees in front of the lodge, and the fruit seemed to have an intoxicating effect. (S6)

Gray-headed Lovebird Agapornis canus ablectaneus Ankilibe, Toliara, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. A common and adorable Madagascar endemic. This bird had come down to a waterhole to drink. (S6)

Lesser Vasa Parrot Mascarinus niger libs Ifaty, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. Found on Madagascar, the Comoros, and the Seychelles. A common and noisy parrot over forested areas. Similar to the Greater Vasa Parrot C. vasa, but smaller with a proportionately smaller beak. (S6)

Madagascar Cuckoo Cuculus rochii Ifaty, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. Breeds in Madagascar and winters in Africa. In spring it is one of the most persistent singers in Madagascar; you hear them virtually everywhere, and they often continue late into the night. (S6)

Giant Coua Coua gigas Zombitse NP, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. The couas are all endemic to Madagascar, and some of the neatest birds in the country - large, long-tailed, and with colorful bare skin on their faces. All but a few are terrestrial. The Giant Coua is the largest, reaching over half a meter in length. (S6)

Coquerel's Coua Coua coquereli Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. Similar in pattern to Giant Coua (above), and they are often found together in the same forest. Coquerel's is much smaller and has a much thinner black line under the facial skin. (S6)

Red-breasted Coua Coua serriana Masoala NP, Analanjirofo region, Madagascar. This one inhabits the northeastern rainforests, and in most areas it is very shy and hard to see. In Masoala, on the other hand, it is one of the most common birds, and we saw several per day. (S6f)

Red-fronted Coua Coua reynaudii Andasibe Reserve (Perinet), Atsinanana region, Madagascar. A smaller and more arboreal coua of the rainforests. (S6)

Red-capped Coua Coua ruficeps ruficeps Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. The nominate race found in the deciduous forests of the Northwest. (S6)

Red-capped (Green-capped) Coua Coua ruficeps olivaceiceps Antsokay Botanical Garden, Toliara, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. This subspecies was formerly treated as a separate species, Green-capped Coua. It's found in the arid spiny forests of Southwest Madagascar. (S6)

Crested Coua Coua cristata pyropyga Ifaty, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. A common and widespread bird through most of the island, but it's super-handsome and was one of my favorites. It reminds me of a turaco. (S6)

Blue Coua Coua caerulea Masoala NP, Analanjirofo region, Madagascar. A big and beautiful arboreal coua of the eastern rainforests. (S6f)

Madagascar Coucal Centropus toulou toulou Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. This species also occurs on Aldabra Island in the Seychelles, and it formerly occured on Assumption. (S6)

Malagasy Scops-Owl Otus rutilus Masoala NP, Analanjirofo region, Madagascar. Found in the rainforests of eastern Madagascar. The two scops owls were only recently recognized to be separate species. (S6f)

Torotoroka Scops-Owl Otus madagascariensis Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. This species is paler and found in the drier forest of West Madagascar. (S6)

White-browed Owl Ninox superciliaris Hôtel Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo area, Ihorombe region, Madagascar. Also endemic, but with an odd distribution, occuring locally in both dry and humid areas. (S6f)

Collared Nightjar Gactornis enarratus Andasibe-Mantadia NP, Atsinanana region, Madagascar. A nest. The adult is brooding a nestling that must be nearly ready to leave. Endemic to Madagascar. A very quiet nightjar; as far as I know its voice is still unknown. (S6f)

Madagascar Nightjar Caprimulgus madagascariensis madagascariensis Ifaty, Atsimo-Andrefana region, Madagascar. Not quite endemic, it also occurs on Aldabra in the Seychelles. (S6)

Malagasy Spinetail Zoonavena grandidieri grandidieri Hôtel Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo area, Ihorombe region, Madagascar. Like all swifts, very tough to photograph, though this at least give a good idea of it's shape, which is unique on Madagascar. It's not endemic, also occurring on Grand Comoro. (S6)

African Palm-Swift Cypsiurus parvus gracilis Hôtel Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo area, Ihorombe region, Madagascar. A widespread species in Africa. This subspecies is endemic to Madagascar. (S6)

Malagasy Kingfisher Corythornis vintsioides vintsioides Parc de Tsarasaotra, Antananarivo, Analamanga region, Madagascar. Also occurs in the Comoros. (P6)

Madagascar Pygmy-Kingfisher Corythornis madagascariensis madagascariensis Andasibe-Mantadia NP, Atsinanana region, Madagascar. Endemic to the forests of Madagascar. It's diminutive little beauty, only 15 cm. (S6)

Madagascar Bee-eater Merops superciliosus superciliosus Hôtel Le Relais de la Reine, Isalo area, Ihorombe region, Madagascar. A poorly-named bird, since most of the species range is in Africa. An alternate name is Olive Bee-eater, but that really isn't any better. (S6)

Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus glaucurus glaucurus Ankarafantsika NP, Boeny region, Madagascar. This subspecies breeds in Madagascar and winters in Africa. (S6)