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.

MOUSE & DWARF LEMURS: Cheirogaleidae

Sambirano Fork-marked Lemur

Phaner parienti

Penetrating "chap", perhaps a contact call.

AMBANJA

Chuckling call.

AMBANJA

00:00 / 00:21

00:00 / 00:10

TRUE LEMURS: Lemuridae

White-fronted Brown Lemur

Eulemur albifrons

Blue-eyed Black Lemur

Eulemur flavifrons

Common Brown Lemur

Eulemur fulvus

Mongoose Lemur

Eulemur mongoz

Red-fronted Brown Lemur

Eulemur rufifrons

Sanford's Brown Lemur

Eulemur sanfordi

Ring-tailed Lemur

Lemur catta

Typical low-pitched grunting calls.

MAROJEJY NP

00:00 / 00:26

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

MAROMANDIA

00:00 / 00:41

Classic grunting calls.

BEMENEVIKA

00:00 / 00:28

Classic grunting calls and loud alarm calls.

BEMENEVIKA

00:00 / 00:40

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

ANKARAFANTSIKA NP

00:00 / 00:33

Classic Eulemur grunting and a couple of alarm calls.

RANOMAFANA NP

00:00 / 01:03

Quiet grunting calls, and one fast chuckling call.

ANKARANA NP

00:00 / 00:29

Grunting calls, and plaintive mews.

TSARANORO VALLEY

00:00 / 01:11

Barking calls and plaintive whistles.

TSARANORO VALLEY

00:00 / 00:21

Plaintive, descending calls, and quiet barking.

TSARANORO VALLEY

00:00 / 00:29

SPORTIVE LEMURS: Lepilemuridae

Sambirano Sportive Lemur

Penetrating "chap", perhaps a contact call.

AMBANJA

Lepilemur sambiranensis

00:00 / 00:31

Loud screaming call. Given singly or doubled.

AMBANJA

00:00 / 00:40

Small-toothed Sportive Lemur

Quavering whistle.

RANOMAFANA NP

Lepilemur microdon

00:00 / 00:15

Long whistle.

RANOMAFANA NP

00:00 / 00:10

SIFAKAS & WOOLLY LEMURS: Indriidae

Milne-Edwards's Sifaka

Propithecus edwardsi

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

RANOMAFANA NP

00:00 / 00:41

AYE-AYE: Daubentoniidae

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