Breeding biology, diet and vocalization of the Helmet Vanga, Euryceros prevostii, on the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar

The endemic Helmet Vanga, Euryceros prevostii, was studied from October to December 1997, with incidental observations from October to December 1993-1 997, on the Masoala Peninsula, northeastern Madagascar. Three types of voca lizations of this species were associated with territorial, alarm and conta ct coils, respectively. Nests were open cups placed in the forks of trees o r at the apex of smell trees. Nests were composed of interlaced grasses in the nest bowl, woven plant fibres supporting the centre of the nest and lic hen/moss on the exterior portion of the nest. Average clutch size was 2.7 ( n = 6 nests). During incubation, either adult was on the nest 99% of the ti me. The reproductive output was 1.8 young fledged per nest (n = 4 nests) wi th 75% nest success (3/4). Of the 106 prey items recorded, 91% were inverte brates end 9% vertebrates. Cockroaches, butterflies, moths, crickets, katyd ids and beetles represented the most numerous insect prey token, representi ng 73% of the identified prey.