ebirdMadagascar owl (Asio madagascariensis) – This majestic nocturnal raptor, endemic to Madagascar, quietly brings life to the ornithological garden of the Au Bois Vert lodge with its fleeting twilight appearances.
What does it look like?
The Madagascar owl features streaked brown plumage, prominent ear tufts, and large orange eyes. Its slender body, measuring up to 50 cm, allows it to blend seamlessly into the branches. Although it closely resembles its European cousin, the long-eared owl, it is a species strictly endemic to Madagascar.
Its song or cry
Its call, deep and resonant, echoes in long series of "waaaaaooh" sounds, often accompanied by soft clucking noises. Active at dusk, it makes its presence known without easily being seen. It also uses sharper, more abrupt sounds when it feels disturbed.
An anecdote or fun fact
The Madagascar owl can rotate its head 270° without moving its body! This visual superpower helps it spot nocturnal rodents and insects in even the smallest corners of the garden.
Where and when to see it in our garden?
In the evening, at dusk, you may spot it perched in the tall trees near the lodge or above the restaurant. Around 6 to 7 p.m., it often comes out to hunt.
Why does he love our garden?
Our bird garden, landscaped with native trees near the Au Bois Vert hotel, recreates a habitat similar to the secondary forest of Antananarivo, offering shaded areas, rocks, and small rodents—ideal conditions for its hunting.
Tips for observing it
Avoid sudden movements and use a soft red light. Settle quietly at the base of a secluded tree. Owls hunt in silence, but their slender silhouette can reveal their presence when they pass through gentle lighting. Dusk remains the best time to observe them.
