Vocalizations of Malagasy Lemurs

While the vocalizations of Madagascar's birds are well-known and well-recorded, the same can not be said of its lemurs. This huge radiation of primates, which is endemic to Madagascar, contains an incredibly diverse range of species, which give a correspondingly diverse range of vocalizations. But despite that, there are few audio recordings of these animals, and the current field guides barely discuss vocalizations, despite these being one of the most effective ways to detect and identify lemurs. Sometimes it pays to apply a birding mentality to other groups! I will add to this page as I continue to record lemurs. For the moment, this page includes the vocalizations of 16 lemur species. 

MOUSE & DWARF LEMURS: Cheirogaleidae

Sambirano Fork-marked Lemur

Phaner parienti

Penetrating "chap", perhaps a contact call. 

AMBANJA

Chuckling call.

AMBANJA

TRUE LEMURS: Lemuridae

White-fronted Brown Lemur

Eulemur albifrons

Typical low-pitched grunting calls.

MAROJEJY NP

Crowned Lemur

Eulemur coronatus

Typical grunting calls and several very loud alarm screams.

MONTAGNE DES FRANÇAIS

Softer screams.

MONTAGNE DES FRANÇAIS

Hoots and softer screams. Given at night. Torotoroko Scops-Owl in the background

MONTAGNE DES FRANÇAIS

Blue-eyed Black Lemur

Eulemur flavifrons

Strident "chak" calls, and quieter, lower-pitched grunting. Latter call typical of genus

MAROMANDIA

Common Brown Lemur

Eulemur fulvus

Classic grunting calls. 

BEMENEVIKA

Classic grunting calls and loud alarm calls. 

BEMENEVIKA

Mongoose Lemur

Eulemur mongoz

Classic Eulemur grunting. There may also be Common Brown Lemur on this recording, as the two species were closely associated. 

ANKARAFANTSIKA NP

Red-bellied Lemur

Eulemur rubriventer

Grunting calls from a male. 

RANOMAFANA NP

Red-fronted Brown Lemur

Eulemur rufifrons

Classic Eulemur grunting and a couple of alarm calls. 

RANOMAFANA NP

Sanford's Brown Lemur

Eulemur sanfordi

Quiet grunting calls, and one fast chuckling call. 

ANKARANA NP

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Grunting calls, and plaintive mews. 

TSARANORO VALLEY

Barking calls and plaintive whistles. 

TSARANORO VALLEY

Plaintive, descending calls, and quiet barking. 

TSARANORO VALLEY

Barking calls. Madagascar Black Swift and Harrier-Hawk in the background. 

TSARANORO VALLEY

Black-and-white Ruffed Lemur

Varecia variegata

Aggressive roars and higher squeals. Another classic Malagasy natural sound.

MANTADIA NP

SPORTIVE LEMURS: Lepilemuridae

Sambirano Sportive Lemur

Penetrating "chap", perhaps a contact call. 

AMBANJA

Lepilemur sambiranensis

Loud screaming call. Given singly or doubled.

AMBANJA

Small-toothed Sportive Lemur

Quavering whistle.

VOHIPARARA SECTION, RANOMAFANA NP

Lepilemur microdon

Long whistle.

VOHIPARARA SECTION, RANOMAFANA NP

SIFAKAS & WOOLLY LEMURS: Indriidae

Indri

Indri indri

One of the world's great natural sounds! 

ANALAMAZAOTRA NP

All-black morph. 

ANJOJOROBE

Milne-Edwards's Sifaka

Propithecus edwardsi

Sneezing "seee-fak" call that gives this genus its common name.

RANOMAFANA NP

"Seee-fak" calls RANOMAFANA NP

Verreaux's Sifaka

Propithecus verreauxi

Grunts, "seee-fak" calls, and trills.

MANDRARE

Very quiet, low-pitched growls.

ZOMBITSE

Loud, explosive calls.

ZOMBITSE

AYE-AYE: Daubentoniidae

(No recordings of this monotypic family yet. Stay posted!)