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Birdlife

Mauritius has several endemic species of birds - birds which are found nowhere else in the world. Many ornithologists or keen birders wishing to add unique species to their lists will find the long journey to this island paradise well worthwhile.

The Pic Pic is the only one of the nine known remaining endemic species on the island commonly seen. The pink pigeon is thought to be the rarest pigeon in the world. The Mauritius Kestrel is one of the rarest birds in the world, only four were known to exist in 1974. Other endemic species include the flycatcher, parakeet, Mauritius fody, olive white eye, the Merle and the Cuckoo shrine. About 45 species in total are found on the island.

Of particular interest are the Mauritius grey white-eye, Mascarene swiftlet, Mascarene paradise flycatcher, Mascarene martin and the seabirds Roungd Island petrel (which is only found here at Round Island and in Trinidad), and Mascarene shearwater.

You may also be interested in . . .
  • Echo Parakeets

    The Echo Parakeet is the world's rarest parakeet. Since 1985, MWAF has been running a project to help wild parakeet's boost their numbers through captive breeding. In the early 1990s there were only about 20 to 25 echo parakeets in Mauritius. Today that figure has risen to about 40 but there needs to be 500 before it can be considered safe from extinction.

    Other species such as Black Mauritius cuckoo shrike, Mauritius black bulbul, Mascarene paradise flycatcher and Mauritius Olive white eye are also threatened. Many of these species are already down to a couple of hundred birds.

  • Endangered Species

    The best known representative of Mauritius birdlife was the dodo - a large, plump, flightless dove which found its docility rewarded with extinction in the late 17th century. Although the dodo has since become a stereotype for extinction, few people realise that Mauritius still posesses several incredibly rare bird species in minute numbers which are as doomed as the dodo if the present efforts at conservation cannot be sustained.

  • Domaine du Chasseur

    This is a south East Coast large estate covering 900 hectares of forested slopes. Visitors have a choice of activities, including hiking, birdwatching and accompanied mini safaris.

  • Bird Watching

    In late 1950's species such as Mauritius kestrel, Pink pigeon and Echo parakeet were in immediate danger of extinction, and although numbers have grown they have not yet won the war of survival. In 1974 only four Mauritius kestrels existed making it the rarest bird on earth. Today there are more than 350 birds in the wild. Thanks to an intensive program of captive breeding, although the bird is still on the endangered species list.

  • Endemic Plants of Mauritus

    Mauritius .... with it's world-known reputation for being a paradise island, has more to offer than its sandy beaches and its blue lagoons.

    The island is also rich in its endogenous flora and fauna ... some of them unique to only some places of the island. Through the floralis site, we'll take you for a trip in one of the nature reserves of the island, Mondrain - and you'll get the opportunity to get some useful information on many endemic plant species of the island that are safely preserved there.

  • Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP)

    Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP), Mauritius

  • Attractions Beaches

    Pointe Coton, on the east coast, has the best beach on the island. There are other nice beaches at St François, Trou d'Argent and Petit Gravier.

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