ebirdGrandidier’s Swift (Zoonavena grandidieri) amazes with its aerial acrobatics above the ornithological garden of the lodge, hotel, and restaurant Au Bois Vert just a stone’s throw from Antananarivo Airport.
What does it look like?
Grandidier's Swift is a small bird, about 11 cm long, with a slender body, long wings, and dark brown plumage. Its thin tail with stiff tips enhances its streamlined silhouette in flight. Under sunlight, its feathers reveal subtle blue-green iridescence, adding to its elegance.
Its song or cry
It doesn’t really sing, but emits sharp, jerky calls—a rapid “tzi-tzi-tzi”—often heard as it darts around the hotel or restaurant. Its call signals its swift passage through the skies of Ivato.
An anecdote or fun fact
Thanks to its stiff tail feathers, Grandidier's Swift can fan out its tail to stabilize its movements in mid-air. A true aerial acrobat, it impresses with its speed and agility.
Where and when to see it in our garden?
It is most often seen early in the morning and late in the afternoon, when it flies over the flower-filled gardens around the lodge and restaurant. It is believed to nest in the nearby cliffs and comes to hunt over our grounds, taking advantage of the insects in our garden.
Why does he love our garden?
Grandidier's Swift is attracted by the abundance of insects flying around the well-maintained green spaces of the bird garden. The nearby wetlands and vegetable plots offer it a true open-air feast.
Tips for observing it
To have a chance of spotting it, settle in early in the morning facing east, on a clear, calm day. A pair of quick-focus binoculars will be helpful to track this ultra-fast insect hunter. Stay quiet: it’s so swift that it might zip past you without you even noticing.
