Located only three kilometers away from Antananarivo, Mantadia National Park is one of the protected areas aside the Analamazoatra special reserve in Andasibe, on National Road 2.

The two protected areas of Andasibe are made up of primary forests sheltering many species varying from amphibians, reptiles, lemurs, and birds. Specifically, the primary dense forest of Mantadia National Park is home to a multitude of endemic species and habitat for more than 112 bird species. Mantadia is well-known as one of the perfect sites for birdwatching in Madagascar. In fact, many circuits for bird lovers and spotters are accessible in Mantadia Park, which mostly encompass birdwatching and ornithologist tours via trekking. The “Tsakoaka circuit” stands out among the most common accessible circuits in the area. In a three-hour hike guide, you can explore the avifauna of a few rare bird species such as the Aterlonis pittoides, Pitalèques, scaili, short ligd, and red bristed. While other bird species can be spotted in the park; only four of them are the most visible species: the Aterlonis pittoides, the Eutriorchis astur, the Tyto soumagnei and the Accipiter henstii.

Here are two endemic birds among the recorded 112 species found in the avifauna of Mantadia National Park: the Red-breasted Coua and the Helmet Vanga

Red-breasted Coua also named Coua serriana – belonging to the cuculifores order and the family of cuculidae – is an endemic bird only visible in the eastern and north eastern part of the Island. Although the Red-breasted Coua is not a threatened species and is present in several protected areas, it has restricted range. This large, long-tailed, multi-colored bird – bronze to green-brown upperparts with red breast and blue-black facial skin, and black under parts – is mainly seen in the undisturbed evergreen humid forest and is known for being a quiet and shy bird. However, it is very noisy during the breeding season. The common call is a melodious high-pitched whistle “treeooo” ending with a resonant “eeow”. In addition, the red-breasted coua is a terrestrial bird that rarely flies and is used to walking on the ground when feeding itself, as it feeds on insects and fallen fruits beneath the trees.

Helmet Vanga (Euryceros prevostii), of a Passeriformes order, a family of Vangidae, is an endangered endemic species found both in eastern and northeastern rainforest of Madagascar, more precisely in the lowland of the Masoala Peninsula located in the north east of the big Island (Masoala National Park). This bird species with large arched blue beak is listed as vulnerable according to the International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Due to forest clearance at low elevation, these unique feathered creatures currently run the risk of losing their habitat. The Helmet vanga or “Siketribe” in Malagasy, is a beautiful bird with a highly distinctive trait. Its blue-black plumage with a rufous back perfectly contrasts with its huge hooked blue bill with black tip. You are more likely to come across a “Siketribe” in evergreen humid forests of up to 400 meters of elevation. It feeds on large insects such as cockroaches, butterflies, crickets and various invertebrates and vertebrates such as snails, spiders, frogs, and chameleons.  

Both red-breasted coua and Helmet vanga are among the 112 bird species found in the protected area of the primary forest of Andasibe and in Mantadia National Park. For an optimal experience, tourists are advised to visit the park between October and December, an excellent period for birdwatching.

Sources: ONTM / Madagascar National Park/ ebird.org