Home | Travellers Information | Bird Watching

Kinds of Birds

The pink pigeon was once found all over Mauritius but now its habitat is restricted to the wet upland forests of the southwest. Feral cats, monkeys and rats brought about the demise of this tame and vulnerable bird. The wild population of the pink pigeon is currently greater than 250.

By 1974, the fabulous pink pigeon (Nesoenas niayeri) was down to some 24 individuals. Following intensive captive-breeding efforts by among others, legendary ornithologist/conservationist Carl Jones and the JWPT, this gorgeous pigeon is now more plentiful, numbering several hundred birds. A substantial population is held in various captive-breeding centres and fair numbers of captive-bred birds have been introduced into the wild. A very successful rat eradication programme, carried out in one piece of woodland where wild pink pigeons prefer nesting, helped things tremendously. What was once the world's rarest pigeon can now be seen quite easily in its natural habitat at Black River Gorges National Park.

You may also be interested in . . .
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP)

    Black River Gorges National Park (BRGNP), Mauritius

  • Bird Parks

    This bird park, between Tamarin and the turn off down to Flic en Flac, is well landscaped and has good views across the Riviere du Rempart valley. As well as parrot, pheasant and rare pink pigeon, there are leopard, tiger, lemur, monkey and deer. One of the giant tortoises is 150 years old. The park is open every day from 9am to 5pm.

  • Flora and Fauna

    Since the island's colonization in the 17th century, its thick forest cover has been destroyed by felling and intensive grazing. The secondary growth with which this has been replaced consists mostly of introduced plant species. Of the 38 or so remaining species of plants native to Rodrigues, all but two are considered endangered, vulnerable, or rare.

Directory

About Us | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Feedback
Copyright © 2009 LODD Inc. All Rights Reserved.