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.
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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.
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 onlyEndangered 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 hasDomaine 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. The forestBird 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. InEndemic 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