Aviceda madagascariensis
Madagascan cuckoo-hawk
(Also: Madagascar baza)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks range throughout the island of Madagascar in various forest habitat, and are found from sea level to about 1,800 m elevation. They are less common in the southern plateau part of the island. (Langrand, 1990; Sinclair and Langrand, 2004)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are native to Madagascar, distributed throughout forest zones, subtropical, tropical, and moist lowland areas. They are found in all types of forest, secondary forest growth, forest edges and forest clearings, but less commonly in palm and coconut plantations. Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are also found in evergreen and dry deciduous forests, wooded savanna, and dense scrub. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Langrand, 1990; Sinclair and Langrand, 2004)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are medium-sized raptors, about 40 to 45 cm long, with a wingspan from 31 to 33 cm, and a tail length of 19 to 23 cm. The head is small and flat with a slight crest, usually not visible in the field. Adults are dark mottled brown above, except for a whitish rump. The underparts are lighter, consisting of a white chest, lighter brown to white belly with brown bands; brown streaks on the throat and extending to a band across the chest. The long, narrow tail is notched with white upper-tail coverts. The upper side of the tail is brown; the under side of the tail is gray with three dark brown bands. The feet and short legs are a dull yellow-grey color with a slight pink cast. The cere is whitish.

Adults differ from juveniles by having brown or dull yellow eyes and a greyish brown orbital ring, slightly paler than the head. Juveniles have brown eyes, are darker brown above and extending on the sides of chest, and have more white bands on the head and base of tail. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Hutchins et al., 2002; Langrand, 1990; Sinclair and Langrand, 2004)

This species is monotypic. They are considered a "superspecies" with the closely related species African cuckoo-hawks. Aviceda cuculoides differs from A. madagascariensis in its smaller size, less brown coloration, and more black edges on the body. Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are also confused with Madagascar buzzards which are heavier, larger, and stockier birds with short, rounded tails and broad rounded wings with unevenly marked wing-linings. Madagascar buzzards have no dark band on the breast and a brown or blotched chest (as opposed to Aviceda madagascariensis with a lighter, white chest). Madagascan cuckoo-hawks differ from Henst's goshawks and other smaller accipiters in being much larger and differing in shape and pattern. Henst's goshawks have short wings, no crest, and longer legs, with barred patterns on the chest and little contrast between chest and breast, or with a nearly plain pattern on both. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Hutchins et al., 2002; Langrand, 1990; Sinclair and Langrand, 2004)

Lifespan of Madagascan cuckoo-hawks is not reported. Deforestation may be increasing mortality in populations. (Hutchins et al., 2002)

Behavior is poorly known since this species has not been well studied. Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are solitary outside of the breeding season. They do not migrate and are generally observed in forests perched among foliage. Adults remain in a home range, juveniles may roam more widely in search of a home range. They hunt during the day or at dusk using their keen eyesight and sharp talons to capture prey. (Hutchins et al., 2002; Langrand, 1990)

Compared to other accipiters, Madagascan cuckoo-hawks have long, less pointed wings, and longer tails. Flight is characterized by slow, stiff beats mixed with gliding on level wings. The wings are held forward and slightly angled. They use the tail as a rudder during glides and bulge their secondary feathers. Juveniles are difficult to distinguish in flight except that they have white head streaks, the base of the tail is whiter, and they have darker blotches that extend to the sides of the chest. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001)

Home Range

Home range sizes of Madagascan cuckoo-hawks have not been documented. ("International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; Red List for Endangered Species", 2007; Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001)

The voice of Madagascan cuckoo-hawks is unknown, but they may have a weak mew or whistle as do other cuckoo-hawks and bazas. Mating displays indicate that they use visual cues to communicate. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Hutchins et al., 2002)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks use their sensitive and sharp eyesight to visualize movement. Eyes of members of the genus Aviceda contain red oil droplets that act as filters, allowing them to detect movement and distinguish prey from the green of vegetation. (Hutchins et al., 2002)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks hide in foliage usually around forest edges and clearings, they actively hunt during the day or dusk. They hunt from a concealed perch in the canopy and snatch prey from foliage by gliding from the perched position. They have been observed gliding as far as 70 to 90 m for prey. Madagascan cuckoo-hawks eat mainly large insects, grasshoppers, small frogs, chameleons, other reptiles, and small mammals. They have been observed eating fork-marked lemurs Phaner furcifer and reptiles and geckos including Chamaeleo, Phelsuma, and Gekko. (Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001; Hutchins et al., 2002; Langrand, 1990)

Information on predation on Madagascan cuckoo-hawks has not been reported.

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks impact the populations of their prey and may be one of the top predators in their Malagasy habitats. (Hutchins et al., 2002)

There are no known adverse effects of A. madagascariensis on humans. (Hutchins et al., 2002)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks, as top predators, play an important ecosystem role in native forested habitats. (Hutchins et al., 2002)

Madagascan cuckoo-hawks are considered least concern by the IUCN redlist. Populations are threatened by deforestation, increasing human activity, and over-exploitation of wildlife. Their mapped distribution covers over 350,000 km^2, but their range is restricted to forest areas, which make up less than one-third of that area. Also, less than 10% of primary forest in Madagascar remains, putting this species at long-term risk. They do adapt to secondary growth habitat, but have disappeared from the deforested, dry plateau regions of southern Madagascar. Populations and densities have not been quantified but appear to be declining due to loss of habitat. The number of individuals is estimated at less than 10,000.

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the IUCN-World Conservation Union, has developed a Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) to help reduce the risk of extinction of many African Falconiformes, including Madagascan cuckoo-hawks. This includes preserving habitat, increasing information gathered in the field including ecological roles, improved monitoring techniques, and captive breeding. ("International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources; Red List for Endangered Species", 2007; Ferguson-Lees and Christie, 2001)