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Notes
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: subspecies macrosceles is the one found on Madagascar. Some authorities place macrosceles as a sub-species of Reunion Harrier Circus maillardi which Howard & Moore 1980 treats as a sub-species of Marsh Harrier .
Vasa Parrot Coracopsis vasa: In 1987, the Malagasy Republic issued a stamp showing the smaller Black Parrot Coracopsis nigra although Collecting Birds on Stamps (CBoS) lists this as C. vasa. Both species occur commonly in Madagascar, so I am inclined to accept the captions in both cases.
Barn Owl Tyto alba: This is common on the island, but it is a shame that the opportunity was not taken to feature the closely related but endemic Madagascar Grass Owl Tyto soumagnei.
Goliath Heron Ardea goliath: This species is not normally found in Madagascar. The Herons Handbook states "There is an old record from Madagascar in 1879, but none since". However the Purple Heron Ardea purpurea is common on the island and has been confused on stamps in the past with this species. For example, French Ter of Afars & Issas SG 651 clearly shows a Purple Heron, but it is captioned on the stamp as a Goliath Heron, and listed as such in CBoS. In the case of this issue from Madagascar, the bird is a Goliath Heron. As all the other birds in the set are found in Madagascar, I speculate that this was an error.
Source
Birds of the Indian Ocean Islands by Ian Sinclair and Olivier Langrand,
published by Struik, 1998.
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