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!)