Photographer: Markus Lilje   Destination: Madagascar

Madagascar hosts some of the most remarkable fauna and flora to be found anywhere on our planet. For birders in particular, the vast array of utterly unique and often spectacular endemic birds, many of which are surprisingly confiding, makes Madagascar truly a pleasure to bird and explore!

Amongst the 140 endemic or near endemic avian species, including no less than 5 endemic families, the Pitta-like Ground Roller is certainly one of the most sought-after and striking of the lot. A fairly common though typically elusive forest understorey specialist, it is one of five ground roller species found only on Madagascar, and is usually located by its rather mournful “whop” call, which it emits while sitting unobtrusively a few meters above the forest floor. Sadly, like most of Madagascar’s wildlife, it is threatened by ongoing habitat loss, due largely to slash-and-burn subsistence agriculture, as well as rampant deforestation for hardwood, charcoal and mining purposes.

On a more positive note, contrary to what the media might portray, Madagascar remains a safe and thoroughly enjoyable destination for birders, general wildlife enthusiasts and photographers alike, and with over 100 successful tours to the island already, we look forward to yet another great birding and wildlife season on the magical “8th Continent”. We therefore invite you to join us on one of our upcoming departures, all of which offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to track down this beautiful bird, along with most of Madagascar’s other endemic and near-endemic species, including couas, cuckoo-roller, asities, mesites and the striking vangas. What’s more, all our Malagasy tours also take time to seek out and admire the remarkable array of additional endemic wildlife, including numerous species of delightful lemurs, tenrecs, colorful chameleons and other reptiles, amphibians and some of the world’s most truly outlandish insects!

For further information on our Madagascar tours with remaining spaces, simply click on the links below. Alternatively, please feel free to contact our office at info@rockjumperbirding.com with any queries you may have regarding these departures.

Madagascar Highlights II (24 Sep – 8 Oct 2014 (15 days), US$5,350 per person sharing);

Budget Madagascar Birding II (8 – 17 Oct 2014 (10 days), US$2,975 per person sharing);

Madagascar Comprehensive II (17 Oct – 7 Nov (22 days), US$7,500 per person sharing);

Madagascar’s Remote North – Pochard & Endangered Endemics (20 Oct – 6 Nov 2014 (18 days), US$6,650 per person sharing);

Madagascar Comprehensive IV (6 – 27 Nov 2014 (22 days), US$7,500 per person sharing).