The Vangas (Vangidae) comprise 39 species of small to medium-sized passerine birds. More than half of the species are restricted to the island of Madagascar where the are a prime example of adaptive radiation, having evolved from a single founding population into a variety of forms adapted to various niches occupied by other bird families in other parts of the world.

They differ in size, colour and bill shape but are similar in skull shape and bony palate structure. Many have strong, hooked bills similar to those of shrikes. The Helmet Vanga has a particularly large bill with a casque on top. Other species, such as the newtonias, have a small, thin bill. The Sickle-billed Vanga is notable for its long, curved bill used to probe into holes and cracks.

Apart from the Madagascan vangas the family include the African Helmetshrikes, Flycatcher-shrikes and Shrike-flycatcher, the Asian Woodshrikes and the two Southeast Asian Philentomas.