Birds of Astove

From top left clockwise: Madagascar White-eye, Souimanga Sunbird (female), Souimanga Sunbird (male) and Madagascar Cisticola

On 10 September, I had a rare opportunity to visit Astove on a (mostly) cargo flight. Seabirds are very few in number but Caspian Terns almost certainly  breed. Eight birds including a juvenile hovered above my head near the lagoon entrance, calling loudly as if defending territory but no nests were found, There was no sign of any Pied Crows, a native species that has been persecuted despite its status. Three land bird species survive: Madagascar White-eye, Souimanga Sunbird and  Madagascar Cisticola. In addition, there are resident populations of Striated Heron, Cattle Egret, Dimorphic Egret and Grey Heron.