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This page lists books about birds and birdwatching on Madagascar

The books on are listed by publication date with the most recent at the top.

Africa

Africa bird books page.

Indian Ocean

- Indian Ocean books

Endemics

- Asities
- Vangas

Wildlife of Madagascar

Keith Barnes, Ken Behrens

Princeton University Press

2016

"Small and portable yet thorough, this is the most comprehensive single-volume field guide to Madagascar's wildlife and the first to provide extensive coverage of the island's butterflies. More than 500 stunning color photographs illustrate the vast majority of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies that a visitor is likely to see, along with a selection of insects and plants. Wildlife of Madagascar is organized by group – from mammals to plants – and its authoritative and accessible text provides key information about identification, habitat, behavior, and conservation. Ideal for everyone from casual tourists and nature lovers to experienced naturalists and professional biologists, this is an essential guide to the natural wonders of Madagascar."

Birds of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands

Frank Hawkins, Roger Safford, Adrian Skerrett

Helm Field Guides

Bloomsbury Publishing / Christopher Helm

2015

"This new field guide in the Helm Field Guides series covers the whole of the Malagasy region, which comprises the unique island of Madagascar and the various islands and archipelagos of the Indian Ocean including the Seychelles, Comoros and Mascarenes (Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues). Every resident and migrant species is covered in full detail with a colour distibution map for each species. Vagrants are also treated in detail, but without maps. All species are illustrated on a beautiful series of 124 colour plates, with artwork from John Gale and Brian Small. Conveniently, the plates have been arranged so that all the key species of the various archipelagos are placed together in sections. This is a major work of reference on the birds of the region and will remain the standard text for many years to come."

Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles and the Comoros

Ian Sinclair and Olivier Langrand

Struik / New Holland

2nd edition

2013

"irds of the Indian Ocean Islands is a comprehensive guide to the bird life of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarenes – an area that boasts high levels of endemism. This new, expanded edition is fully updated to reflect taxonomic changes, and now describes and illustrates 502 species. The species accounts cover the birds' appearance, basic behaviour, preferred habitats, geographical distribution and IUCN threat status. The text is complemented by newly designed plates with labels pinpointing key differentiating features. The introduction includes maps for each island, lists the region's 211 endemic species, and gives pointers on where to go bird-watching."

The Birds of Africa, Volume VIII: The Malagasy Region

Editors: Roger Safford, Frank Hawkins

Christopher Helm

2013

"The Birds of Africa series, volumes I–VII, covered the avifauna of continental Africa. This volume fulfils the aspiration, expressed in that series, of a single volume that treats the birds of Madagascar, Seychelles, the Comoros, the Mascarenes and their associated smaller outlying islands – the Malagasy region. It follows The Birds of Africa series in treating each of the 352 regularly occurring species known from the region in detail, through the assembly of a wealth of information, much of it very recent. Distribution, description, identification, general behaviour, feeding and breeding habits are comprehensively covered, by a roster of the key experts on the birds of the region. All 135 vagrant species are also treated, more briefly, and for the first time the distribution of species across the region is presented in a series of detailed and informative maps. Each species is also extensively illustrated, showing variation in plumage across ages, sexes and geographic regions. One plate illustrates species that have recently become extinct in the region, and a separate plate section covers vagrants."

Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands: Biology, Ecology and Conservation

Mike Perrin

2013

"Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands provides complete coverage of all aspects of the biology of extant African, Malagasy and Mascarene parrots, and reviews our knowledge of extinct and fossil parrots from the region. Particular themes include the behavioural and ecological characteristics of parrots, their species characteristics and conservation biology. Current concepts in avian and conservation biology are also discussed. Parrots of Africa, Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands is aimed at ornithologists, conservation biologists, avian ecologists, academics, bird watchers and parrot fans alike. It is well illustrated, with high quality original photographs, and includes distribution maps, figures and tables."

Madagascar

Hilary Bradt

Bradt

2011

"The naturalist's 'promised land' Madagascar attracts visitors with its stunning scenery and endemic wildlife, from lemurs and aye-ayes to mantella frogs and sunbirds. From the Nosy Be archipelago to the enchanting coastal town of Fort Dauphin via the capital Antananarivo and the bizarre limestone plateau at Ankarana, Bradt's Madagascar covers all the national parks and protected areas, with itineraries to suit all interests and budgets. Author Hilary Bradt has guided mesmerised visitors on more than 30 trips to Madagascar and her personal anecdotes and unparalleled knowledge, combined with input from around 50 experts, makes this the most informative and indispensable guide on the market."

Madagascar: The Forest of Our Ancestors

Frederic Larrey

BIOTOPE

2010

"A journey into the heart of the most exceptional rainforest in the world, where a large diversity of animals and plants emblematic of Madagascar, such as lemurs, chameleons and orchid live. These very species are today among the planet's most threatened since 90% of the surface area of forest which covered the island has disappeared, half of that during the last 50 years. A fight has been undertaken very recently to combat deforestation and promote reforestation of the forest corridors between the newly created protected areas."

Madagascar Wildlife

Nick Garbutt, Derek Schuurman and Hilary Bradt

Bradt

3rd edition

2008

"Beautifully illustrated with full-colour photographs throughout, Madagascar Wildlife is a celebration of the unique fauna of a remarkable island. Featuring over 250 species - from lemurs to millipedes - this guide is ideal for natural history enthusiasts and travellers alike. Newly discovered species and recently protected habitats are all covered in this fully revised edition. Also included is practical advice on visiting the key national parks and reserves plus special features on the evolution, camouflage, night-time wildlife and conservation issues."

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Réunion and the Comoros

Ian Sinclair, Olivier Langrand, Fanja Andriamialisoa

2006

"This photographic guide depicts a selection of the most commonly encountered and striking bird species of Madagascar, the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarenes - a region boasting high levels of endemism. Each species account includes a colour photo, a distribution map, and a description of appearance, behaviour, habitats and geographic distribution."

Southern African Birdfinder: Where To Find 1400 Bird Species In Southern Africa And Madagascar

Callan Cohen, Claire Spottiswoode and Jonathan Rossouw

2006

"Southern African Birdfinder: Guide to finding over 1 000 species from South Africa to Zambia, is the ideal companion to all local field guides to birds, and fills a gap in the market for a comprehensive guide to the region's top birding spots and to finding southern Africa's most desirable birds. After an introduction to birding in the southern African region, the authors identify and describe more than 200 top birding sites and associated birds across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, the Indian Ocean islands and the little-documented, but increasingly popular areas of Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi. All sites are ranked into one of three categories of priority: essential (the region's best); excellent (top sites but expendable to a time-limited visitor) and local interest (ideal for those looking for new areas to explore). All sites include practical details of access, best times to visit, habitat diversity and general natural history. A guide to finding the region's top 100 birds and an annotated checklist conclude the book."

The Natural History of Madagascar

Editor: Steven M. Goodman & Jonathan P. Benstead

2004

"The Natural History of Madagascar provides the most comprehensive, up-to-date synthesis available of this island nation's priceless biological treasures. Contributions by nearly three hundred world-renowned experts cover the history of scientific exploration in Madagascar, its geology and soils, climate, forest ecology, human ecology, marine and coastal ecosystems, plants, invertebrates, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Detailed discussions of conservation efforts in Madagascar highlight several successful park reserve programs that could serve as models for other areas. Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book includes over one hundred color illustrations, with fifty color photos by nature photographer Harald Schutz, as well as more than three hundred black-and-white photographs and line drawings. The Natural History of Madagascar will be the invaluable reference for anyone interested in the Malagasy environment, from biologists and conservationists to policymakers and ecotourists."

Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles and the Comoros

Ian Sinclair and Olivier Langrand

2004

"Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands is the first comprehensive guide to the bird life of a region that embraces Madagascar, the Seychelles group, and the Comoros and the Mascarenes (comprising Mauritius, Reunion and Rodrigues). Together, these magical islands and the warm waters of the surrounding ocean host a total of 359 regularly encountered species, many of them endemic to the area, and all of them fully described here in clear, concise text. The species entries, which are accompanied by up-to-date distribution maps, highlight identification features, preferred habitats, current status, and vocalization. Each species is beautifully illustrated to show plumage details. A special chapter discusses the practicalities of birding in the region's main locations. The plates, of which there are 71, have been superbly researched and executed by Norman Arlott, Hillary Burn, Peter Hayman and Ian Lewington - among the world's leading bird artists."

Birds of Madagascar: A Photographic Guide

Peter Morris & Mark Andrews

1998

This is a comprehensive photographic guide to 260 species of Madagascan avifauna. A few species for which no photographs are available are depicted in colour paintings by Mark Andrews.

Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles and the Comoros

Ian Sinclair and Olivier Langrand

1998

"Following in the format of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, this guide presents all the birds of Madagascar and the other Indian Ocean islands (Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius and Mascarenes), a great many species of which are endemic to these islands. In field guide form, this text presents concise descriptions of each species, highlighting diagnostic features for ease of identification. Differences between sexes and plumages are discussed as well as the status of the bird, its habitat and call. Distribution maps accompany each entry. The birds are illustrated in full colour and where necessary are depicted in all plumages relevant to identification (male, female and immature). In-flight illustrations present the bird from above and below, providing comprehensive coverage of the birds in the field."

Guide to the Birds of Madagascar

Olivier Langrand

Yale University Press

1990

"This book is a guide to the unusual bird life of Madagascar. 40 watercolour illustrations provide clear and easy identification of all the Malagasy birds. Beginning with an overview of the natural habitats of Madagascar, the book then provides a general introduction to the avifauna. The endemic and endangered species are highlighted for each geographical region of the country. 17 prime bird observation sites are described in a section especially helpful to visitors to Madagascar. This section includes information on site accessibility, permit requirements, accommodation, observation facilities, and the species of birds found there. The guide to individual species is the heart of this book. Full information on each bird species is presented - descriptions of adults and immatures, song, habitat and dietary requirements, nesting habits, and distribution and status. The final section includes descriptions of birds not yet reported from Madagascar but likely to occur there, as well as distribution maps of the bird species."

Endemic Birds of Madagascar

T.J. Dee

1987

The Distribution And Habits Of Madagascar Birds : Summary Of The Field Notes Of The Mission Zoologique Franco-Anglo-Américaine À Madagascar

A.L. Rand

1936

From the introduction: "The first stage in the study of the birds of a region is the finding and naming of the forms that occur there. The next stage is the study of the distribution of the birds within the region and the correlation of their habits with this distribution. The avifauna of Madagascar was fairly well known before our expedition went into the field, but many species were very poorly represented in collections. The peculiarity of many of these forms, some of which belong to genera and even families endemic to Madagascar, made specimens very desirable. Alcoholic material was especially needed so that the systematic relationships of these unique groups could be worked out. The object of the expedition was to secure a collection of birds and mammals as complete as possible, and these were taken at many localities in order to give the range of the species and to show the extent of the geographical variations.

On A New Muscicapine Bird From Madagascar

R.B. Sharpe

Volume 12, Issue 4, pages 498-499

Isis

1870

Opening lines:

"A small collection of birds recently brought from Madagascar by Mr. A. Crossley contains a single specimen of what appears to be the type of an entirely new genus, belonging to the family Mucscicapidae, which I propose to call Pseudobias."