List of birds of Mauritius

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Mauritius. The avifauna of Mauritius includes a total of 119 species, of which 8 are endemic, 21 have been introduced by humans, and 30 are rare or accidental. 1 species listed is extirpated in Mauritius and is not included in the species count. 16 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Mauritius.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Mauritius.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to Mauritius.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to Mauritius as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in Mauritius although populations exist elsewhere.

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Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Wandering Albatross "Diomedea exulans"
*Black-browed Albatross "Thalassarche melanophris"
*Yellow-nosed Albatross "Thalassarche chlororhynchos"
*Sooty Albatross "Phoebetria fusca" (A)
*Light-mantled Albatross "Phoebetria palpebrata" (A)

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus"
*Cape Petrel "Daption capense"
*Mascarene Petrel "Pterodroma aterrima"
*Herald Petrel "Pterodroma arminjoniana"
*Barau's Petrel "Pterodroma baraui"
*Antarctic Prion "Pachyptila desolata" (A)
*Slender-billed Prion "Pachyptila belcheri" (A)
*Fairy Prion "Pachyptila turtur" (A)
*Bulwer's Petrel "Bulweria bulwerii"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus"
*White-faced Storm-Petrel "Pelagodroma marina" (A)
*Black-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta tropica"
*White-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta grallaria"

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Abbott's Booby "Sula abbotti" (Ex)
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured throat pouches. They do not swim or walk, and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan to body weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor" (A)
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Squacco Heron "Ardeola ralloides" (A)
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis" (A)
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet high, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. They are more numerous in the latter. Flamingos filter-feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly-shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they consume, and are uniquely used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"
*Lesser Flamingo "Phoenicopterus minor"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Meller's Duck "Anas melleri" (I)
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons, and keen eyesight. There are 233 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Madagascar Fish-Eagle "Haliaeetus vociferoides" (A)
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles, and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Mauritius Kestrel "Falco punctatus" (E)
*Eleonora's Falcon "Falco eleonorae" (A)
*Sooty Falcon "Falco concolor"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus" (A)

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Chinese Francolin "Francolinus pintadeanus" (I)
*Gray Francolin "Francolinus pondicerianus" (I)
*Madagascar Partridge "Margaroperdix madagascarensis" (I)
*Common Quail "Coturnix coturnix"
*Jungle Bush-Quail "Perdicula asiatica"

Guineafowl

Order: GalliformesFamily: Numididae

Guineafowl are a group of African, seed-eating, ground-nesting birds that resemble partridges, but with featherless heads and spangled grey plumage. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Helmeted Guineafowl "Numida meleagris" (I)

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Madagascar Buttonquail "Turnix nigricollis" (I)

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots, and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps, or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Buff-banded Rail "Gallirallus philippensis" (A)
*White-throated Rail "Dryolimnas cuvieri"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*Allen's Gallinule "Porphyrio alleni"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola" (A)
*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum" (A)
*Madagascar Pratincole "Glareola ocularis" (A)

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels, and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva" (A)
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius" (A)
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus" (A)
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis" (A)
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus" (A)
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola" (A)
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Gray-tailed Tattler "Heterosceles brevipes" (A)
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Great Knot "Calidris tenuirostris" (A)
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta" (A)
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (A)

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Great Skua "Stercorarius skua"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii" (A)
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo" (A)
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Lesser Noddy "Anous tenuirostris"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*White Tern "Gygis alba"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Pink Pigeon "Nesoenas mayeri" (E)
*Madagascar Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia picturata" (I)
*Spotted Dove "Streptopelia chinensis" (I)
*Zebra Dove "Geopelia striata" (I)

Parrots, Macaws and allies

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Rose-ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri" (I)
*Mauritius Parakeet "Psittacula echo" (E)
*Gray-headed Lovebird "Agapornis canus" (I)

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Mascarene Swiftlet "Aerodramus francicus"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Broad-billed Roller "Eurystomus glaucurus" (A)

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Mascarene Martin "Phedina borbonica"

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina typica" (E)

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests.There are 130 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Red-whiskered Bulbul "Pycnonotus jocosus" (I)
*Mauritius Bulbul "Hypsipetes olivaceus" (E)

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Rodrigues Brush-Warbler "Acrocephalus rodericanus" (E)

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Mascarene Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone bourbonnensis"

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color like greenish olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests many species have a white ring around the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Mascarene White-eye "Zosterops borbonicus"
*Mauritius White-eye "Zosterops chloronothos" (E)

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*House Crow "Corvus splendens" (I)

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct, and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)

Weavers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ploceidae

The weavers are small passerine birds related to the finches. They are seed-eating birds with rounded conical bills. The males of many species are brightly coloured, usually in red or yellow and black, some species show variation in colour only in the breeding season. There are 116 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Village Weaver "Ploceus cucullatus" (I)
*Red Fody "Foudia madagascariensis" (I)
*Mauritius Fody "Foudia rubra" (E)
*Rodrigues Fody "Foudia flavicans"
*Black-winged Bishop "Euplectes hordeaceus"

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Mauritius.

*Common Waxbill "Estrilda astrild" (I)
*Nutmeg Mannikin "Lonchura punctulata" (I)
*Java Sparrow "Padda oryzivora" (I)

iskins, Crossbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating passerine birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have 12 tail feathers and 9 primaries. These birds have a bouncing flight with alternating bouts of flapping and gliding on closed wings, and most sing well. There are 137 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*Yellow-fronted Canary "Serinus mozambicus" (I)

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Mauritius.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (I)

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=mu&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Mauritius
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 27 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880

External links

* [http://www.birds.mu/ Birds of Mauritius]