Pollen's vanga is a species of bird in the family Vangidae. It is endemic to eastern Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Region
Eastern Madagascar
Typical Environment
Occupies primary and mature secondary evergreen humid forests, often along forested ridges and riverine corridors. It forages mainly in the midstory to canopy, moving methodically along trunks and large branches. The species tolerates some edge and selectively logged forest but depends on substantial intact cover. Occurs in protected areas where continuous forest remains, but declines rapidly in fragmented landscapes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Pollen's vanga is part of Madagascar’s remarkable vanga radiation, a group noted for diverse bill shapes adapted to different feeding niches. This species wields a large, pale, laterally compressed bill to pry into bark and dead wood for prey. It inhabits humid forests of eastern Madagascar and is sensitive to forest degradation. Habitat loss from logging and agricultural expansion is the primary threat.
Temperament
methodical and somewhat secretive, territorial in pairs
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats within forest; bounding when crossing gaps
Social Behavior
Usually encountered as solitary individuals or in pairs, sometimes joining mixed-species flocks. Breeding occurs in the rainy season, with a cup nest placed several meters above ground in dense vegetation. Pairs maintain small territories and communicate with whistles and contact calls.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A series of clear, fluty whistles interspersed with sharper, nasal notes. Calls can carry through dense forest and are often the best clue to its presence.
Plumage
Contrasting, fairly plain pattern with darker upperparts and paler underparts; robust appearance with a heavy, pale bill. Males show bolder dark-and-pale contrast, while females are browner and duller overall. Feathers are sleek with little barring, emphasizing the strong bill and head.
Diet
Primarily feeds on insects and other arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, and wood-boring larvae. Uses its powerful bill to pry bark, probe dead wood, and snap prey from crevices. Occasionally takes small vertebrates or supplements diet with small fruits during scarcity.
Preferred Environment
Forages on trunks, large branches, and liana tangles in the midstory to canopy of humid forest. Often works slowly and deliberately, inspecting deadwood and epiphyte mats.
