Introduction

Brisson noted that the Madagascar Fody originated from Madagascar, from where they were sent to RAF de Reaumur by Pierre Poivre, the administrator of Mauritius and Reunion. Poivre travelled to Madagascar in 1756 (Stresemann 1952) where he collected many bird specimens for de Reaumur.

The Madagascar Fody was first illustrated by Etienne de Flacourt, French governor of Madagascar. He wrote a book of the natural history, culture and history of southern Madagascar in 1658, including line drawings of some of the fauna and flora. He called the fody "Foulimene", and this is probably the first illustration (although a poor one) of any weaver species to appear in print.

Flacourt wrote about the fody as being captured by the locals because it was a pest on the rice crops, and he thought them to be beautiful due to their scarlet plumage.

Scientific citation

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First English name

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Type specimens

Identification. The Madagascar (or Red) Fody Foudia madagascariensis is abundant in Madagascar, and has been introduced to many other islands. The breeding male is crimson-red, with a short black line through the eye. There is notable variation in the red plumage, with some individuals more orange-coloured, or yellowish, and the brightness of the breast plumage is positively correlated with the male's body condition. The female and non-breeding male are olive-brown, with faint streaking. The juvenile resembles the female, but may be quite buffy. A fody with entirely red underparts must be a Madagascar Fody, but moulting fodies may be difficult to identify.

Distribution. The Madagascar Fody occurs naturally in Madagascar (see red on map left). It has been introduced on Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Rodrigues, Amirantes and Chagos Is, in the Indian Ocean, and also on St Helena in the Atlantic Ocean (see black arrows on map, based on Long JL, 1981, Introduced birds of the world). It has recently been found breeding in Oman and Bahrain. It is also present on Glorieuses and Comoro Islands, which it may have colonized without human assistance. No subspecies are recognised. Successful colonization of islands is thought to be a consequence mainly of its ability to breed successfully in the presence of black rats Rattus rattus.

Habitat. The Madagascar Fody inhabits open country, including natural savanna, cultivated areas and towns, and clearings in forest. It is not found in intact forest in Madagascar (except in transit), but forages in forest on Rodrigues Island. Roost-sites include sugar cane, bamboos, tall grasses, reedbeds, and mangroves and other trees. They show well-synchronized entry into and departure from large roosts (read more here).

The clutch is 2-4 eggs, and the eggs are pale blue-green, slightly glossy. The female incubates, but chicks are fed by both sexes, primarily by regurgitation.

Old nests may be taken over by the Madagascar Bibfinch Lepidopygia nana.