ebirdMadagascar grebe (Tachybaptus pelzelnii) – This tiny aquatic bird, endemic to Madagascar, moves gracefully through the wetlands of the ornithological garden at the lodge Au Bois Vert, just a stone’s throw from Ivato International Airport.
What does it look like?
The Madagascar grebe measures about 25 cm in length and displays a dark breeding plumage with a black crown, pale grey cheeks, and reddish-brown flanks. Its slender body blends perfectly among the water lilies in the ornithological garden.
Its song or cry
The Madagascar grebe emits soft, discreet “krit-krit” calls, often barely audible and carried by the wind along the water’s edge. Easy to miss, this faint song nonetheless reveals its presence, especially in the morning or late in the day around the lodge.
An anecdote or fun fact
Did you know that the Madagascar grebe builds its nest directly on the water? It constructs a small floating platform out of aquatic plants, often anchored to water lilies near the restaurant, along the edge of the pond.
Where and when to see it in our garden?
Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, this discreet diver often appears near the water lilies lining the pond by the restaurant of the Au Bois Vert lodge in Ivato, just next to the international airport.
Why does he love our garden?
The hotel’s ornithological garden provides a perfect habitat: calm waters, dense vegetation, and a preserved environment. The Madagascar grebe finds both tranquility and food there.
Tips for observing it
Walk slowly and quietly to the jetty near the restaurant, with a pair of binoculars at hand. Watch the surface of the water and the edges of the banks carefully—you might spot a small floating nest, discreetly watched over by the Madagascar grebe.
