With more than 120 species recorded, Andohahela National Park is a very rewarding birding destination. However, lack of overnight facilities makes it more suitable for day visits, which isn’t ideal for bird-watchers. This is the best place to look for the highly localized red-tailed newtonia. Another special here is the banded kestrel. Vangas, one of the unique bird families of Madagascar, are well represented, with many species present including the beautiful blue vanga.
Birding Specials Treats for Avid Birders
- Archbold’s newtonia
- Banded kestrel
- Blue vanga
- Chabert vanga
- Cuckoo roller
- Greater vasa parrot
- Hook-billed vanga
- Lafresnaye’s vanga
- Long-billed bernieria
- Madagascar blue pigeon
- Madagascar cuckoo-shrike
- Madagascar kestrel
- Madagascar paradise flycatcher
- Madagascar spinetail
- Madagascar starling
- Nelicourvi weaver
- Red-tailed newtonia
- Red-tailed vanga
- Running coua
- Short-billed tetraka
- Sickle-billed vanga
- Souimanga sunbird
- Thamnornis
- Tylas vanga
- Ward’s flycatcher
- White-headed vanga
- White-throated oxylabes
Best Time for Bird Watching
Bird watching in Andohahela is good throughout the year, but the best time is from September to December. Some parts of the park, especially the rainforest section, might become inaccessible in the Wet summer months of December to March. Many birds tend to be silent and inactive in the dry cool season months of May to August. Migratory birds are present in the wet summer months of November to April.