Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean known for its rich biodiversity and lush tropical forests. One of the most remarkable aspects of Mauritius’ wildlife is its unique selection of birds.
The island is home to over 150 species of birds, many of which are endemic to Mauritius and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
From the colorful pink pigeon to the majestic kestrel, the birds of Mauritius provide a captivating display of beauty and diversity.
1. Mauritius Kestrel
The Mauritius kestrel is a bird of prey endemic to the forests of Mauritius. It belongs to the family Falconidae and evolved into a distinct species during the Late Pliocene, colonizing its island home.
This small raptor has bright chestnut upperparts with black spots and whitish underparts barred in dark brown; its facial skin, legs, and feet are yellow-orange.
Its diet consists mainly on lizards, insects, grasshoppers as well as mice or young birds when available.
The population was dangerously low at one point but thanks to conservation efforts their numbers have increased significantly over recent years making them no longer endangered.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. punctatus |
2. Dodo
The Dodo bird was a unique species of flightless bird that used to inhabit the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It had no natural predators and was an easy target for hunters due to its slow movement on land.
The Dodo’s closest living relative is believed to be the common pigeon, although it has since gone extinct.
Its extinction can largely be attributed to hunting by humans and cats, pigs, and rats introduced to their island homes.
While we may never know what this remarkable creature could have been like today, its legacy will always remain in our understanding of biodiversity loss caused by human activity.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Subfamily | †Raphinae |
| Genus | †Raphus Brisson, 1760 |
| Species | †R. cucullatus |
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3. Echo Parakeet
The Echo Parakeet is a species of parrot that can only be found in the Mascarene Islands, which includes Mauritius and formerly Réunion.
It’s the last native surviving parrot on these islands as all other species have sadly gone extinct due to human activity.
This bird has two subspecies: the now-extinct Réunion parakeet, known only through illustrations and descriptions, and the living echo para.
It features a bright green colouration with blue feathers around its eyes, neck sides and wings primary coverts.
The breast area is yellowish orange while it also boasts black scalloping along its back, Wings underside as well as tail edgings.
Primarily frugivorous, this bird feeds mostly upon fruits like wild guavas or mangoes but will occasionally eat flowers such as hibiscus or nectar from various plants.
These birds are very social creatures who live in large flocks ranging from 10 – 40 individuals at any given time.
They’re quite vocal birds often heard communicating with each other using loud screeches & chirps throughout their habitat range.
Unfortunately, they’re threatened by illegal trapping for sale in the pet trade industry despite being protected under the law since 1998.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Psittacula |
| Species | P. eques |
4. Pink Pigeon
The Pink Pigeon is an incredibly rare bird found only on the island of Mauritius. Its population was severely impacted in both the 1970s and 1990s, with numbers dropping to just 10 individuals by 1991.
Fortunately, conservation efforts have been successful in increasing their numbers again. This species is peculiar for being the sole survivor among all Mascarene pigeons which once inhabited that region.
The Pink pigeon has a unique pinkish-grey coloration as well as black markings around its eyes and beak – features not seen anywhere else amongst other birds.
It lives mainly near forests or woodlands where it feeds on fruit, berries and seeds from native plants while avoiding predators such as rats or cats whenever possible.
The future looks bright for this species thanks to dedicated conservation efforts over recent years but continued protection will still be necessary if extinction is to be avoided forevermore.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Nesoenas |
| Species | N. mayeri |
5. Mauritius Fody
The Mauritius fody is a small, rare bird of the weaver family that is native to the island of Mauritius. It boasts an olive brown body with a red head, breast and rump patch as well as black lores.
The species has been classified by BirdLife International as endangered and also appears on the United States‘ Endangered Species List in this status.
This beautiful bird measures 14 centimeters long and can be found living in various habitats such as wetlands, coastal areas, open woodland or grassland near water sources.
Unfortunately due to habitat destruction caused by humans its population has suffered greatly over recent years leading it towards extinction unless drastic action is taken soon.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Foudia |
| Species | F. rubra |
6. Mauritius Olive White-Eye
The Mauritius olive white-eye is a very rare and localized passerine bird found only on the island of Mauritius.
It belongs to the family of white-eyes (Zosteropidae) and was first described in 1817 by French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot.
This species has bright yellowish green plumage with an olive patch around its eyes, giving it its name – ‘olive’ white-eye.
Its wings are brown above and pale yellow below, while its tail is dark greyish brown at the base fading into light grey towards the tip.
The diet consists mainly of insects although they may also feed on seeds or nectar from flowers when available.
Unfortunately this beautiful species faces threats such as habitat destruction due to human activity and predation by introduced mammals like rats, cats, mongooses etc., making them critically endangered according to IUCN redlist criteria since 2020 .
Conservation efforts need to be taken immediately if we want future generations to witness these unique birds still living in their natural habitats.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Zosteropidae |
| Genus | Zosterops |
| Species | Z. chloronothos |
7. Bulbul
Bulbuls are a medium-sized passerine songbird family native to Africa, the Middle East and tropical Asia up until Japan. They can also be found on some of the Indian Ocean islands.
There are 160 species within 32 genera in this family which includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves and bristlebills.
Bulbul birds have been known for their beautiful singing voices as well as for being very active during mating season when they gather together to create large flocks where potential mates can show off their skills.
The coloration of bulbuls range from dull greys or browns to vibrant yellows with black markings around the head region making them quite attractive creatures indeed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Parvorder | Sylviida |
| Family | Pycnonotidae Gray, GR, 1840 |
8. Red-Whiskered Bulbul
The Red-whiskered Bulbul is a passerine bird native to tropical Asia. It has an unmistakable black head, white cheek patch, and red whiskers on each side of its beak.
This brightly colored bulbul feeds mainly on fruits but also eats small insects from time to time.
The birds are known for their loud call which consists of three or four notes in succession and can often be heard emanating from treetops or other high perches where it likes to sit conspicuously.
Introductions have been made in many parts of the world outside its original range, with populations establishing themselves successfully in various locations including Hawaii and Florida within the United States.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Pycnonotidae |
| Genus | Pycnonotus |
| Species | P. jocosus |
9. Mauritius Blue Pigeon
The Mauritius blue pigeon was a unique species of bird that once inhabited the Mascarene island of Mauritius.
It had an impressive plumage, with its most distinguishing feature being white hackles around the head, neck and breast.
Unfortunately it is now extinct due to human activity such as hunting and habitat destruction. Its closest living relatives are three other species from different islands in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar.
The genus Alectroenas contains all four types of blue pigeons; sadly one is no more.
Even without this beautiful creature, however, we can still appreciate its beauty through artwork or descriptions passed down by those who were lucky enough to witness them in their natural habitat before they vanished forever into extinction.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Alectroenas |
| Species | †A. nitidissimus |
10. Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher
The Mascarene paradise flycatcher is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family, endemic to Mauritius and Réunion islands.
Its two subspecies are known as T. b. desolata from Mauritius and the nominate subspecies from Réunion – also called “Réunion paradise flycatcher”.
It’s identified by its distinctive blue-grey plumage with black markings on wings, tail and head crest along with white patches near eyes; it has bright red bill too.
This small passerine feeds mainly on insects like grasshoppers, beetles or dragonflies but may also eat some fruits occasionally.
They nest at low level between shrubs or trees where they build cup shaped nests made up of leaves and twigs lined inside with feathers which both parents take part in building process together.
The population size of these birds is decreasing due to deforestation so conservation measures must be taken for their protection if we want them around us forever.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Monarchidae |
| Genus | Terpsiphone |
| Species | T. bourbonnensis |
11. Mauritius Cuckooshrike
The Mauritius cuckooshrike is a tropical bird found only in the island country of Mauritius. It’s part of the family Campephagidae and has grey, brown and white feathers with black bars on its wings.
The species is threatened due to habitat loss from deforestation as it prefers lowland forests for its natural home.
This small songbird can be seen perching alone or in pairs in trees within these areas looking out for food like insects and fruits which make up their diet.
Although rare to spot, they are identified by their loud call heard during mating season which allows them to find each other among thick foliage or tall treetops.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Campephagidae |
| Genus | Lalage |
| Species | L. typica |
12. Village Weaver
The Village Weaver is a bird found in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as on islands like Hispaniola and Martinique.
It has distinctive black heads with white spots on its back and wings.
They feed mainly on seeds but also eat some insects. The males build nests made of grasses that hang from branches or trees to attract mates during breeding season.
These birds are social creatures often seen in pairs or small groups foraging together in the same area.
Their calls are melodious chirps which can be heard throughout their range when they communicate danger or alert each other of food sources nearby.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Ploceus |
| Species | P. cucullatus |
13. White-Tailed Tropicbird
The White-tailed Tropicbird is a beautiful seabird that lives in the tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
It is the smallest member of its order Phaethontiformes, measuring only 28 inches from head to tail.
Its wingspan can reach up to 45 inches wide. The bird has white plumage with black markings on its wings and tail feathers.
It also has an unmistakable long streamer which trails out behind them when they are in flight – a characteristic feature for all tropicbirds.
They nest mainly on remote islands throughout their range but have recently begun nesting on Little Tobago as well.
These birds feed primarily off flying fish or squid near the ocean’s surface during daylight hours before returning back home at nightfall.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. lepturus |
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14. Mascarene Swiftlet
The Mascarene swiftlet is a species of bird in the Apodidae family, native to Mauritius and Réunion. It can be found inhabiting subtropical or tropical dry forests, mangrove swamps and caves.
Its diet consists mostly of flying insects which it catches while in flight. The populations on both islands have recently been confirmed as two different subspecies: francicus on Mauritius and saffordi on Réunion.
This small but agile bird has greyish-brown plumage with white bellies and pale throats, making them hard to spot amongst their natural habitats due to their excellent camouflage abilities.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | A. francicus |
15. Rodrigues Warbler
The Rodrigues Warbler is an Old World warbler native to the island of Rodrigues, which belongs to Mauritius. Historically this species was plentiful but has faced a sharp decline due to two cyclones in 1968 and 1979.
These storms nearly wiped out the entire population and drastically reduced their numbers going forward.
The main threats that affect them are habitat destruction from deforestation as well as invasive predators such as cats, rats, mongooses and feral pigs who compete for food resources with the birds or even prey upon them directly.
To help save this species conservation efforts have been put in place including controlling introduced predators through trapping programmes as well as restoring natural habitats by replanting trees destroyed by cyclones or human activities on the island thus providing safe breeding grounds for these birds once again.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | A. rodericanus |
16. Red Fody
The Red Fody is a small bird native to Madagascar and introduced to other islands in the Indian Ocean.
It has an attractive red plumage and can be seen in various habitats, including grasslands, forests, scrubland as well as urban areas.
Though widespread throughout its range, it is still considered vulnerable due to human activity leading to habitat destruction.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have assessed this species’ conservation status at “least concern” because of their high population numbers despite ongoing threats like deforestation and over-hunting by humans.
It feeds on insects but also enjoys eating fruits like figs and mangoes which makes them popular with farmers near crop fields.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Foudia |
| Species | F. madagascariensis |
17. Grey Plover
The Grey Plover is a large plover bird which breeds in the Arctic regions. It then migrates over long distances, and can be found on coastlines around the world when not breeding.
The species was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 under its binomial name “Tringa squatarola”.
In addition to being known as grey plovers or black-bellied plovers, they are also sometimes referred to as “black-breasted lapwings” due to their distinctive plumage that features white underneath with dark greys above.
These birds inhabit beaches, mudflats and saltmarshes where they feed mainly on small invertebrates such as worms and insects.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. squatarola |
18. Shorebirds
Shorebirds, a diverse group of birds in the Charadriiformes order, are found near water on every continent except Antarctica.
These small to medium-sized birds feed mainly on invertebrates and other small animals but can also be pelagic seabirds or inhabit deserts.
Shorebirds use their long bills to probe mudflats for food like worms and mollusks while some species plunge into the ocean’s depths in search of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp.
They have strong legs equipped with webbed feet which allow them to move quickly when searching for prey across wetlands, sandbars, beaches and swamps.
Their feathers make them well adapted to life by land or sea due to its hydrophobic nature which helps reduce drag during swimming or flying through windy conditions making it easier for shorebirds survive tough environments around the world.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Infraclass | Neognathae |
| Clade | Neoaves |
| Clade | Gruimorphae |
| Order | Charadriiformes Huxley, 1867 |
19. Crab-Plover
The crab-plover is an exceptional bird which belongs to its own family, Dromadidae. It appears to be closely related to the waders and other Charadriiformes such as auks, gulls and thick-knees.
This species of bird has a unique look; it is white with black markings on its head and wings. Its long bill helps them dig for food in sand or mudflats.
They can also fly up into the air when disturbed by predators or people too close for comfort.
The crab plover spends most of its life near beaches where they feed on crabs, fish eggs and small insects found there.
These birds are highly social during breeding season but solitary at other times throughout their annual cycle making them difficult creatures to spot out in the wild but well worth trying.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Dromadidae GR Gray, 1840 |
| Genus | Dromas Paykull, 1805 |
| Species | D. ardeola |
20. Mascarene Martin
The Mascarene martin, also known as the Mascarene swallow is a passerine bird in the swallow family which breeds on Madagascar and the Mascarane Islands.
The nominate subspecies of this species can only be found from Mauritius to Réunion while its Madagascan counterpart migrates for winters to East Africa or Arabian Peninsula.
This small bird has an overall length up to 15 cm along with a wingspan close to 30 cm. Its plumage is blackish-brown above and whitish below with some orange tinges near its neck region.
It feeds mainly on flying insects such as beetles, dragonflies among others that it catches mid-flight.
These birds are found either singly or in pairs during their breeding season which generally ranges between April–September throughout their range areas but varies according to locality conditions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Hirundinidae |
| Genus | Phedina Bonaparte, 1855 |
| Species | P. borbonica |
21. Lesser Kestrel
The Lesser Kestrel is a small falcon species that breeds in various regions of the Mediterranean, Afghanistan, Central Asia, China and Mongolia. During summer they migrate to Africa, Pakistan and even India or Iraq.
The population of this bird has been declining in its European range but it remains rare north of its breeding locations.
Its genus name “Falco” derives from Late Latin meaning sickle which describes their curved beak shape used for hunting prey like insects or lizards.
Their diet also consists mainly on seeds and grains as well as some fruits when available making them versatile hunters able to survive different climates where food may vary seasonally.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Falconiformes |
| Family | Falconidae |
| Genus | Falco |
| Species | F. naumanni |
22. Lesser Vasa Parrot
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is a black parrot native to Madagascar. It has three other close relatives, the Greater Vasa, Seychelles Black and Comoros Black Parrots.
These four species are all considered part of the same genus – Coracopsis. The Lesser Vasa Parrot is primarily arboreal and feeds on fruits, seeds and insects in its natural habitat.
They form strong pairs for life that can even be maintained after captivity release back into wild populations.
In addition to this they have an impressive vocal range with some individuals being able to imitate human speech quite clearly making them ideal pet birds as well as attractive ones too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittrichasiidae |
| Genus | Coracopsis |
| Species | C. nigra |
23. House Crow
The House Crow (Corvus splendens) is a member of the crow family which originated in Asia and has spread to many other parts of the world.
It is medium-sized, measuring 40 cm long, with a slimmer body than most crows.
The forehead, crown, throat and upper breast are all black while its back and wings are greyish brown.
Its tail feathers have white tips that create an attractive pattern when seen from below during flight. The beak is strong like that of other corvid birds but slightly curved downwards towards its tip.
They can often be found around towns scavenging for food or gathering at roosts near buildings where they congregate to sleep overnight before going out again in search of sustenance.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. splendens |
24. Collared Pratincole
The Collared Pratincole is a small wader bird native to the Old World. It has distinctive long wings that are reddish-brown in color and have white tips, which give it its name.
Its body is mostly dark brown with some lighter spots along its back and sides. The bill of this species is short and pointed, making it a specialist for eating insects from mudflats or shallow waters.
During breeding season, they form loud flocks that can be heard from miles away when calling out their distinct song; during non-breeding time they disperse into smaller groups while searching for food sources in drier regions such as grasslands or fields.
This species relies heavily on open habitats where there are plenty of places to hunt for food throughout the year.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Glareolidae |
| Genus | Glareola |
| Species | G. pratincola |
25. Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Wilson’s storm petrel is a small seabird of the Oceanitidae family. A circumpolar species, it can be found in both northern and southern hemispheres during summertime.
It has an abundance population estimated to be around 20 million birds as of 2022 making it one of the most populous bird species on Earth.
This nocturnal creature loves to feed on crustaceans, fish eggs and larval fishes that they catch while flying at night over open waters near coasts or islands.
During daylight hours Wilson’s Storm Petrel will rest in large groups and form colonies with fellow members for protection against predators like gulls and skuas which steal their food supplies if given opportunity.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Oceanitidae |
| Genus | Oceanites |
| Species | O. oceanicus |
26. Intermediate Egret
The Intermediate Egret is a medium-sized heron native to East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. It has yellow bill with black tip, chestnut legs and feet.
Its plumage varies from white in breeding season to greyish or brownish non-breeding season. It feeds on small fish, insects and frogs near freshwater habitats such as lakes, marshes and ponds.
They are commonly seen perched atop tall trees where they hunt for prey during low tides at estuarine areas like mudflats or mangroves swamps.
During nesting time they build nests of sticks high up in trees which can be reused year after year if left undisturbed by humans or predators.
The Intermediate Egret is an adaptable bird that offers great potentials for conservation efforts due its wide range across different continents.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. intermedia |
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27. White-Throated Rail
The White-throated rail, also known as Cuvier’s rail, is a species of bird found in the Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte and Seychelles.
It has two subspecies: one that can fly (the nominate subspecies) that inhabits Madagascar; and another which is flightless or semi-flightless (D. cuvieri aldabranus), located on Aldabra Atoll.
They have white throats with black stripes atop their heads and necks to tell them apart from other Rallidae birds.
The upper parts are grayish brown while its underparts are reddish buff colored.
This species primarily forages in wetlands for insects but will occasionally eat some vegetation as well.
These birds breed during the wet season around November to April at low elevations near water sources such as marshes or swamps so they can find food more easily when raising their young chicksScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Dryolimnas |
| Species | D. cuvieri |
28. Madagascar Buttonquail
The Madagascar buttonquail is an endemic bird species to the island of Madagascar and its surrounding small islands.
This ground-dwelling species exhibits a unique breeding behaviour with reversed sexual dimorphism, where females are more brightly coloured than males.
Notably, it’s the male that incubates eggs and mainly cares for their chicks after hatching. The quails inhabit dry deciduous forests as well as humid evergreen rainforests but also occur in grasslands, agricultural areas and even human settlements.
They feed on seeds, insects and other invertebrates living close to the ground or low vegetation levels making them vulnerable to predation by cats or other carnivores present in their range habitats .
Despite these threats they remain not globally threatened due largely to conservation efforts which have kept numbers stable over recent years.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Turnicidae |
| Genus | Turnix |
| Species | T. nigricollis |
29. Scaly-Breasted Munia
The Scaly-breasted Munia is a small estrildid finch native to tropical Asia. It was formally described and named by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, as its name suggests from the distinct scale-like feather markings on the breast and belly.
The adult bird has brown upperparts, with white lower parts spotted blackish-brown. Its head is pale grey or whitish with an orange beak and legs; the eyes are dark brown.
This species feeds mainly on grass seeds, but also eats insects such as caterpillars in some areas of their range during breeding season.
An interesting fact about this bird is that it builds its nest out of plant stems woven together into a cup shape suspended from trees or shrubs.
Overall they are quite common birds which can often been seen hopping around near human habitation looking for food scraps.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Lonchura |
| Species | L. punctulata |
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30. Yellow-Fronted Canary
The Yellow-Fronted Canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family, often referred to as “the Green Singing Finch” by aviculturists.
It has bright yellow feathers around its head and face, with greyish-brown wings and tail.
This species was formerly placed within the Serinus genus but analysis of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences revealed this grouping to be polyphyletic; thus it now stands alone in its own genus Crithagra mozambica.
The canary enjoys open woodlands or scrubland habitats where they are able to sing their beautiful songs from dawn until dusk – an activity which also serves as territorial behavior for males during mating season.
In addition, these birds feed on various grains such as grass seeds, buds & shoots of plants or even insects when possible.
With proper care & nutrition these lovely little birds can live up to 8 years making them a delightful pet choice.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Fringillidae |
| Subfamily | Carduelinae |
| Genus | Crithagra |
| Species | C. mozambica |
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31. South Polar Skua
The South polar skua is a large seabird of the Stercorariidae family, also known as MacCormick’s skua after explorer and naval surgeon Robert McCormick.
It has an impressive wingspan of up to 110 cm and can weigh up to 1 kg.
It loves cold climates such as Antarctica or Southern Ocean islands where it breeds on rocky slopes in summer months.
These birds feed mainly on fish which they catch by plunge-diving from mid-air into the ocean surface; they will even scavenge food scraps left behind by other sea creatures.
The South Polar Skua is classified as “Near Threatened” due to its decreasing population numbers over recent years, primarily caused by human activity such as fishing practices and climate change.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Stercorariidae |
| Genus | Stercorarius |
| Species | S. maccormicki |
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32. Masked Booby
The Masked Booby is a large seabird belonging to the booby and gannet family. It was first described by French naturalist René-Primevère Lesson in 1831, making it one of six species of boobies within its genus Sula.
It has an impressive aerodynamic body shape with pale grey or white plumage on its head and neck, while the rest of its body is blackish brown.
Its wingspan can reach up to 1 metre wide. The bill is yellowish and pointed at the end, whilst they have bright blue skin around their eyes – this is why they are also known as ‘blue-faced’ boobies.
They use their strong wings for soaring over oceans in search of fish which makes them excellent fishers who feed mainly on flying fish near tropical waters but can occasionally be found off coasts in temperate regions too.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Sulidae |
| Genus | Sula |
| Species | S. dactylatra |
Also Featured In: Birds that Live in the Ocean , Caribbean Birds
33. Lesser Frigatebird
The Lesser Frigatebird is a seabird of the Fregatidae family and is known to be the smallest species in this group. It has brownish-black plumage, long narrow wings, and a forked tail.
This bird inhabits tropical and subtropical regions across the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean as well as off Brazil’s Atlantic Coast.
It feeds on fish taken from surface water or by plunge diving while flying low over shallow waters.
Its primary breeding grounds are located around islands with steep cliffs where it builds its nests out of twigs and grasses high up near ledges or crevices.
The lesser frigatebird can live for about 25 years due to their strong aerodynamic abilities which allow them to glide through air currents effortlessly thus conserving energy during flights that last days at a time.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Fregatidae |
| Genus | Fregata |
| Species | F. ariel |
Also Featured In: Birds that Live in Tahiti Island, Birds of Karnataka
34. Brown Noddy
The Brown Noddy is a species of seabird in the Laridae family. It’s the largest of its kind, and can be distinguished from others by its dark brown plumage, which stands out compared to other noddies with black feathers.
Found around tropical oceans worldwide, it inhabits areas such as Hawaii and Australia all the way to Tuamotu Archipelago in Polynesia.
During breeding season they form large colonies on remote islands where their nests are constructed using twigs and leaves situated atop trees or shrubs – typically located near water sources like lagoons or estuaries so they have access to food items like small fish and squid that make up their diet.
As highly social birds they often engage in synchronised flying displays over nesting sites before returning back home at nightfall.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Anous |
| Species | A. stolidus |
Also Featured In: Brown Birds of Florida, Martinique Island Birds You Should Know
35. Fody
The Fody is a small passerine bird belonging to the weaver family Ploceidae. It is about 12-15 cm long and has a short, conical bill.
In breeding plumage, males are usually brightly coloured with red or yellow on their heads and sometimes other parts of their bodies.
Non-breeding males and females have dull grey-brown plumage like sparrows. They inhabit dry woodlands in Madagascar, Comoros islands and East Africa, where they feed mostly on insects such as grasshoppers and beetles which they hunt by jumping from branch to branch in trees.
The nest made of woven grasses lined with feathers is built near the top of tall tree canopies away from predators’ reach.
Overall these birds make great additions to any backyard garden.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Foudia Reichenbach, 1850 |
36. Mauritius Scops Owl
The Mauritius scops owl was a native to the Mascarene Island of Mauritius. Its scientific name is Otus sauzieri and it was also known as Commerson’s Owl, Sauzier’s owl or Newton’s owl.
This species went extinct in 1790 due to human activity such as deforestation, hunting and predation by invasive species like rats.
It had greyish-brown plumage with white spots on its head, neck & wings leading up to its tail which made it look quite unique compared to other birds found in that region at the time.
The only evidence left of this bird is from subfossil bones discovered in Mare aux Songes swamp along with detailed sketches drawn by de Jossigny (1770) and descriptions written by Desjardins (1836). A sad reminder of what once was.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Otus |
| Species | †O. sauzieri |
37. Newton’s Parakeet
Newton’s parakeet was an endemic species of parrot found only on the Mascarene Island of Rodrigues in the western Indian Ocean. Its features were unique and distinct from related species, indicating a long-term period of isolation and adaptation to its environment.
It had bright green feathers with yellow stripes along their wings, neck and tail; while it also featured a distinctive red ring around its neck. Sadly, due to human activities such as hunting for food or trade purposes this beautiful bird became extinct in 1875 – less than 100 years after being discovered by Europeans.
This extinction highlights how important conservation is when it comes to preserving our wildlife heritage for future generations.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Psittacula |
| Species | †P. exsul |
38. Broad-Billed Roller
The Broad-billed Roller is a striking bird with its bright blue and rufous plumage. It inhabits tropical forests, savannas, open grasslands and wetlands of sub-Saharan Africa.
The beak is black in colour whilst the eyes are yellowish brown. They mainly feed on insects such as beetles, flies and crickets but also eat small snakes or lizards if they can catch them.
These birds roost alone or in pairs during the day usually perching high up on trees where they have an unobstructed view of their surroundings to spot predators quickly.
During breeding season males perform elaborate aerial displays which consist of numerous loops interspersed with dives towards the ground before shooting back skywards again at great speed – all this serves to attract potential mates and ward off rivals.
This species is listed as Least Concern by IUCN due to its wide range across Sub-Saharan Africa however it may be impacted by ongoing habitat destruction so needs monitoring going forward.
39. Rodrigues Fody
The Rodrigues Fody is a rare and endangered species of bird found only on the island of Mauritius. It has bright yellow plumage with an orange face, brown wings, and tail.
Growing to be 12-13 cm in length, this small but vibrant creature lives amongst shrubs in dry forest habitats.
Unfortunately its population numbers are decreasing due to habitat destruction caused by human activities such as logging or agricultural expansion which reduces suitable nesting areas for these birds.
Conservation efforts must be made if we want to ensure that future generations can experience the beauty of this unique species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Ploceidae |
| Genus | Foudia |
| Species | F. flavicans |
40. White-Eyes Birds
White-eyes are small passerine birds found in a variety of tropical, subtropical and temperate environments.
They inhabit most islands in the Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Guinea.
The family Zosteropidae includes many species which are endemic to single islands or archipelagos – they can’t be seen anywhere else on Earth.
White-eyes have distinctive white feathers around their eyes giving them their name, while some also feature yellow plumage or bright red patches at the throat.
These pretty little birds feed mainly on insects such as beetles and caterpillars but will also eat nectar when available.
With their friendly nature, white-eyes make great garden visitors who often come close enough for you to watch up close with binoculars.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Zosteropidae Bonaparte, 1853 |
41. Pelecaniformes
Pelecaniformes are a diverse order of waterbirds found all around the world. They vary in size, but most species are medium to large birds with webbed feet and a bare throat patch (gular patch).
Their nostrils have evolved into non-functional slits. Some examples include pelicans, gannets, cormorants and frigatebirds which can be found near coasts or on inland waters such as lakes or rivers.
Many Pelecaniforms fish for food by diving underwater from the air – some even swim underwater.
The diet of these birds consists mainly of small fishes although they may also eat mollusks, crustaceans and other aquatic creatures depending on their location.
All in all, Pelecaniformes make an important contribution to our planet’s biodiversity by keeping populations of fish under control while providing us with great views when we’re out exploring nature.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Aequornithes |
| Order | Pelecaniformes Sharpe, 1891 |
42. Red-Tailed Tropicbird
The Red-tailed Tropicbird is an exotic seabird found in tropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has a striking appearance, with mostly white feathers and a black mask covering its eyes.
Its bill is bright red, making it stand out against its pale plumage. Both males and females have similar looks to one another – unlike many other birds species where the male looks significantly different from that of the female.
Described by Pieter Boddaert in 1783, this impressive bird can be seen soaring through tropical skies looking for food either alone or within small flocks made up of several individuals at once.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. rubricauda |
Also Featured In: Common Republic of Nauru Birds, Birds that Live in Gold Coasts
43. Red Rail
The Red Rail was a flightless bird endemic to the Mascarene island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
It is believed to have been closely related to another extinct species, The Rodrigues Rail, with which it is sometimes considered congeneric.
Unfortunately its relationship with other rails remains unclear due to this extinction.
Its feathers were mottled gray-brown and black providing excellent camouflage for ground nesting birds on grassy plains and low scrub habitats near water sources such as swamps or rivers.
Sadly, habitat destruction by humans caused their demise along with introduced predators like cats, rats and pigs that made them an easy target for hunters looking for food supplies when times got tough during famines.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | †Aphanapteryx Frauenfeld, 1868 |
| Species | †A. bonasia |
44. Striated Heron
Striated herons are a small species of heron, measuring around 44cm tall. They can be found in wetland areas across the Old World tropics, from west Africa to Japan and Australia as well as South America and the Caribbean.
Striated herons have some interesting behavioral traits that make them unique; they’re mostly sedentary birds who tend to stay close to their breeding habitats throughout most of the year.
During breeding season these little green-backed herons become more active, often performing courtship dances in order to attract mates before nesting together on nearby trees or shrubs.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Butorides |
| Species | B. striata |
45. Raphinae
The Raphinae were a unique and fascinating group of flightless birds that inhabited the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues.
Known as didines or didine birds, they became extinct due to hunting by humans and predation by introduced non-native mammals following human colonisation in the 17th century.
The two most famous species within this group are the dodo bird from Mauritius, and the Rodrigues solitaire from Rodrigues.
Both species show evidence of being heavily hunted for food prior to their extinction; however, it is now believed that feral cats also played an important role in their demise.
Despite our best efforts today, these amazing creatures will never again be seen alive on either island.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Subfamily | †Raphinae Wetmore, 1930 |
46. Réunion Grey White-Eye
The Réunion grey white-eye is a small passerine bird belonging to the family Zosteropidae. It inhabits the island of Réunion and was previously considered part of the Mascarene white-eye species, along with its cousin from Mauritius; both are now recognized as separate species.
The Réunion grey white-eye has greenish/olive upperparts, pale underparts and distinctively gray eyes. Its wingspan measures approximately 10 cm (4 in) long while its average weight ranges between 8 – 15 g (0.3 – 0.5 oz).
This beautiful little bird can usually be seen foraging alone or in pairs on low shrubs mainly near forest edges but also around cultivated areas looking for insects such as caterpillars or larvae among leaves or flowers within reachable distance from their perch spot during midday hours when they become very active searching food before sleeping at nightfall again until sunrise comes back.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Zosteropidae |
| Genus | Zosterops |
| Species | Z. borbonicus |
47. Buttonquail
Buttonquails are small, terrestrial birds belonging to the family Turnicidae. They can be found in warm grasslands of Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia.
There are 18 species found across two genera; most being placed under the genus Turnix with a single species known as Ortyxelos.
These birds share a superficial resemblance to quail from Phasianidae but lack any close relation.
Buttonquails avoid flying and instead prefer running on their short legs for navigational purposes.
In terms of physicality they have drab colouring which comprises mostly browns or greys whilst sporting distinctive white patches around their eyes making them easy to identify within dense foliage areas where they usually hide away during times of danger or distress.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Turnicidae GR Gray, 1840 |
48. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help it spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
49. Cuckooshrike
Cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds found mainly in the subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia. They are usually arboreal, feeding on insects or fruit near foliage.
They have a stout bill with long wings and tails that can be used for balancing while perched on branches.
Cuckooshrike plumage is mostly grayish brown but some species may also feature black spots or stripes. The juvenile cuckooshrikes typically show more yellowish coloration than adults do.
These birds form monogamous pairs which often remain together year round defending their territory from other species as well as potential rivals within their own family group.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Infraorder | Corvides |
| Family | Campephagidae Vigors, 1825 |
Top Recap
The exploration of Mauritius’ avian biodiversity underscores both the richness and fragility of its natural heritage.
Through the examination of its 49 native bird species, we have gained valuable insights into the intricate web of ecological relationships and the profound impact of human activities on these delicate ecosystems.
While conservation efforts have made strides in preserving key species such as the Mauritius Kestrel and Pink Pigeon, challenges persist in mitigating threats such as habitat loss and invasive species.
It is imperative to continue collaborative conservation endeavors, engage local communities, and implement sustainable practices to ensure the survival of Mauritius’ unique birdlife for generations to come.
