In the right national park, the birds of the Madagascan woodlands are easily seen and include spectacular endemic species...
The Mesites are a family of birds only found in Madagascar. They are shy and difficult to see.
'White-breasted Mesite'.
Coua are only found in Madagascar. They are related to the ground-cuckoos, and typically have a patch of blue skin around the face. Of the nine species in Madagascar, six are found in the woodlands.
'Red-capped Coua'.
'Crested Coua'.
Madagascan Coucal (Ankarafantsika National Park).
'Reed Cormorant'.
Cattle Egret, in breeding plumage.
Ardea humbloti, 'Humblot's Heron', 'Madagascar Heron'.
'Frances Sparrowhawk'.
Haliaeetus vociferoides, 'Madagascar Fish Eagle', 'Madagascar Sea-eagle'.
An endemic family to Madagascar that only includes one species!
'Cuckoo-Roller'. A strange looking bird that is not related to Cuckoos or Rollers. (Ankarafantsika National Park).
'Madagascan Hoopoe'.
'Olive Bee-eater'.
'Madagascan Malachite Kingfisher'.
'Madagascan Pygmy Kingfisher'.
'Broad-billed Roller'.
A small family restricted to Madagascar.
When Asity build their nest, they just weave a ball, then poke a hole in it afterwards to make an entrance; sort of like building a house and forgetting to put a door in.
'Schlegels Asity'.
The biggest family of birds in Madagascar are the Vanga. They once made up their own group endemic to Madagascar, but this family has been expanded to include species in Africa and Asia. Within Madagascar, this fascinating group of related birds has exploded into a range of niches, and thus there are many very different looking species.
'Rufous Vanga'.
'Madagascan Blue Vanga'.
'Chabert Vanga', (Ankarafantsika National Park).
Falculea palliata, 'Sickle-bill Vanga'.
'Crested Drongo'
A small family birds endemic to Madagascar.
'Long-billed Tetraka'.
'Madagascan Bulbul'.
'Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher'.
'Madagascar Paradise Flycatcher' white form.
'Madagascan Magpie-Robin'.
'Souimanga Sunbird'