List of birds of the Seychelles

This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Seychelles. 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 reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for the Seychelles.

The avifauna of the Seychelles includes a total of 238 species (or 241 following the taxonomy of the Seychelles Bird Records Committee). Of these, 12 extant species are endemic (15 if the Aldabra Rail "Dryolimnas (cuvieri) aldabranus", Seychelles Black Parrot "Coracopsis (nigra) barklyi" and Aldabra Fody " Foudia (eminentissima) aldabranus" are considered to be full species). 10 have been introduced by humans although the Madagascar Fody is possibly native. 139 (or 142 following the SBRC) are rare or accidental. 7 species listed are extirpated in the Seychelles. 16 species are globally threatened.

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

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Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Eared Grebe "Podiceps nigricollis" (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 7 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus" (A)
*Cape Petrel "Daption capense" (A)
*Kermadec Petrel "Pterodroma neglecta" (A)
*Jouanin's Petrel "Bulweria fallax" (A)
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes" (A)
*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 the Seychelles.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus" (A)
*White-faced Storm-Petrel "Pelagodroma marina" (A)
*Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma monorhis" (A)
*Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma matsudairae" (A)

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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Red-billed Tropicbird "Phaethon aethereus" (A)
*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Pink-backed Pelican "Pelecanus rufescens" (Ex)

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 4 species which occur in the Seychelles.

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

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo" (A)
*Long-tailed Cormorant "Phalacrocorax africanus" (A)

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 the Seychelles.

*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*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 14 species which occur in the Seychelles (15 if Dimorphic Egret is treated as a species).

*Gray Heron "Ardea cinerea"
*Purple Heron "Ardea purpurea" (A)
*Great Egret "Ardea alba" (A)
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia" (A)
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta" (A)
**Dimorphic Egret "Egretta (garzetta) dimorpha"
*Squacco Heron "Ardeola ralloides" (A)
*Indian Pond-Heron "Ardeola grayii" (A)
*Madagascar Pond-Heron "Ardeola idae"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Black-crowned Night-Heron "Nycticorax nycticorax"
*Yellow Bittern "Ixobrychus sinensis"
*Cinnamon Bittern "Ixobrychus cinnamomeus" (A)
*Great Bittern "Botaurus stellaris" (A)

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*White Stork "Ciconia ciconia" (A)

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Seychelles (3 if the Madagascar Sacred Ibis is treated as a separate species).

*Sacred Ibis "Threskiornis aethiopicus" (A)
**Madagascar Sacred Ibis "Threskiornis (aethiopicus) bernieri"
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus" (A)

Flamingos

Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually 3 to convert|5|ft|m 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 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Greater Flamingo "Phoenicopterus roseus"

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 8 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*White-faced Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna viduata" (A)
*Ruddy Shelduck "Tadorna ferruginea" (A)
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope" (A)
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos" (A)
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata" (A)
*Ferruginous Pochard "Aythya nyroca" (A)

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus" (A)

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 5 species which occur in the Seychelles (6 if Yellow-billed Kite is treated as a separate species).

*European Honey-buzzard "Pernis apivorus" (A)
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans" (A)
**Yellow-billed Kite "Milvus (migrans) aegyptius" (A)
*Western Marsh-Harrier "Circus aeruginosus" (A)
*Pallid Harrier "Circus macrourus" (A)
*Booted Eagle "Aquila pennatus" (A)

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 10 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Lesser Kestrel "Falco naumanni" (A)
*Madagascar Kestrel "Falco newtoni"
*Seychelles Kestrel "Falco araea" (E)
*Red-footed Falcon "Falco vespertinus" (A)
*Amur Falcon "Falco amurensis" (A)
*Eleonora's Falcon "Falco eleonorae" (A)
*Sooty Falcon "Falco concolor" (A)
*Eurasian Hobby "Falco subbuteo" (A)
*Saker Falcon "Falco cherrug" (A)
*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 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Gray Francolin "Francolinus pondicerianus" (I)
*Common Quail "Coturnix coturnix" (A)

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 9 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*White-throated Rail "Dryolimnas cuvieri"
*Corn Crake "Crex crex" (A)
*White-breasted Waterhen "Amaurornis phoenicurus" (A)
*Little Crake "Porzana parva" (A)
*Spotted Crake "Porzana porzana" (A)
*Striped Crake "Aenigmatolimnas marginalis" (A)
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio" (Ex)
*Allen's Gallinule "Porphyrio alleni" (A)
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"

Crab Plover

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Dromadidae

The Crab Plover is related to the waders. It resembles a plover but with very long grey legs and a strong heavy black bill similar to a tern. It has black and white plumage, a long neck, partially webbed feet and a bill designed for eating crabs.

*Crab Plover "Dromas ardeola"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Eurasian Oystercatcher "Haematopus ostralegus" (A)

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Black-winged Stilt "Himantopus himantopus" (A)

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Eurasian Thick-knee "Burhinus oedicnemus" (A)

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 4 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Collared Pratincole "Glareola pratincola" (A)
*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum" (A)
*Black-winged Pratincole "Glareola nordmanni" (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 9 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Sociable Lapwing "Vanellus gregarius" (A)
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Common Ringed Plover "Charadrius hiaticula"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius" (A)
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Caspian Plover "Charadrius asiaticus" (A)
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus" (A)

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 30 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Pintail Snipe "Gallinago stenura" (A)
*Great Snipe "Gallinago media" (A)
*Common Snipe "Gallinago gallinago" (A)
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa" (A)
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Little Curlew "Numenius minutus" (A)
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Eurasian Curlew "Numenius arquata"
*Spotted Redshank "Tringa erythropus" (A)
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus" (A)
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis" (A)
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus" (A)
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola"
*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"
*Temminck's Stint "Calidris temminckii" (A)
*Long-toed Stint "Calidris subminuta" (A)
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata" (A)
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus" (A)
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis" (A)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (A)
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus" (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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Brown Skua "Stercorarius antarctica"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus" (A)

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Lesser Black-backed Gull "Larus fuscus" (A)
*Heuglin's Gull "Larus heuglini" (A)
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus" (A)

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 18 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Sterna bengalensis"
*Sandwich Tern "Sterna sandvicensis" (A)
*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons" (A)
*Saunders's Tern "Sterna saundersi"
*White-cheeked Tern "Sterna repressa" (A)
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus" (A)
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*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 6 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (I)
*Eurasian Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia turtur" (A)
*Madagascar Turtle-Dove "Streptopelia picturata"
*Zebra Dove "Geopelia striata" (I)
*Comoro Blue-Pigeon "Alectroenas sganzini"
*Seychelles Blue-Pigeon "Alectroenas pulcherrima" (E)

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 4 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Seychelles Parakeet "Psittacula (eupatria) wardi" (E, Ex)
*Rose-ringed Parakeet "Psittacula krameri" (I)
*Gray-headed Lovebird "Agapornis canus" (I, Ex)
*Black Parrot "Coracopsis nigra"

Cuckoos and Anis

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Pied Cuckoo "Clamator jacobinus" (A)
*Great Spotted Cuckoo "Clamator glandarius" (A)
*Common Cuckoo "Cuculus canorus" (A)
*Lesser Cuckoo "Cuculus poliocephalus" (A)
*Madagascar Coucal "Centropus toulou"

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Eurasian Scops-Owl "Otus scops"
*Seychelles Scops-Owl "Otus insularis" (E)
*Brown Fish-Owl "Ketupa zeylonensis" (A)

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Eurasian Nightjar "Caprimulgus europaeus" (A)
*Madagascar Nightjar "Caprimulgus madagascariensis"

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 5 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Seychelles Swiftlet "Aerodramus elaphrus" (E)
*White-throated Needletail "Hirundapus caudacutus" (A)
*Common Swift "Apus apus" (A)
*Fork-tailed Swift "Apus pacificus" (A)
*Little Swift "Apus affinis" (A)

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Gray-headed Kingfisher "Halcyon leucocephala" (A)

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Blue-cheeked Bee-eater "Merops persicus" (A)
*Madagascar Bee-eater "Merops superciliosus" (A)
*European Bee-eater "Merops apiaster" (A)

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 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*European Roller "Coracias garrulus" (A)
*Broad-billed Roller "Eurystomus glaucurus"

Hoopoes

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink colouring with a large erectile crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Hoopoe "Upupa epops" (A)

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Bimaculated Lark "Melanocorypha bimaculata" (A)
*Greater Short-toed Lark "Calandrella brachydactyla" (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 4 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia" (A)
*Mascarene Martin "Phedina borbonica" (A)
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Common House-Martin "Delichon urbica" (A)

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba" (A)
*Citrine Wagtail "Motacilla citreola" (A)
*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava" (A)
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea" (A)
*Tree Pipit "Anthus trivialis"
*Red-throated Pipit "Anthus cervinus" (A)

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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Red-whiskered Bulbul "Pycnonotus jocosus" (I)
*Madagascar Bulbul "Hypsipetes madagascariensis"
*Seychelles Bulbul "Hypsipetes crassirostris" (E)

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush "Monticola saxatilis" (A)

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 9 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Aldabra Brush-Warbler "Nesillas aldabrana" (E, Ex)
*Sedge Warbler "Acrocephalus schoenobaenus" (A)
*Seychelles Warbler "Acrocephalus sechellensis" (E)
*Icterine Warbler "Hippolais icterina" (A)
*Willow Warbler "Phylloscopus trochilus" (A)
*Common Chiffchaff "Phylloscopus collybita" (A)
*Wood Warbler "Phylloscopus sibilatrix" (A)
*Blackcap "Sylvia atricapilla" (A)
*Greater Whitethroat "Sylvia communis" (A)

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa striata" (A)
*Seychelles Magpie Robin "Copsychus sechellarum" (E)
*Common Redstart "Phoenicurus phoenicurus" (A)
*Whinchat "Saxicola rubetra" (A)
*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe" (A)
*Pied Wheatear "Oenanthe pleschanka" (A)
*Isabelline Wheatear "Oenanthe isabellina" (A)

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 the Seychelles.

*Seychelles Paradise-Flycatcher "Terpsiphone corvina" (E)

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Souimanga Sunbird "Cinnyris sovimanga"
*Seychelles Sunbird "Cinnyris dussumieri" (E)

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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Mayotte White-eye "Zosterops mayottensis" (Ex)
*Madagascar White-eye "Zosterops maderaspatanus"
*Seychelles White-eye "Zosterops modestus" (E)

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Eurasian Golden Oriole "Oriolus oriolus" (A)

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Red-backed Shrike "Lanius collurio" (A)
*Lesser Gray Shrike "Lanius minor" (A)
*Woodchat Shrike "Lanius senator" (A)

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Aldabra Drongo "Dicrurus aldabranus" (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 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*House Crow "Corvus splendens" (I)
*Pied Crow "Corvus albus"

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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)
*Rosy Starling "Pastor roseus" (A)
*Wattled Starling "Creatophora cinerea" (A)

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 3 species which occur in the Seychelles. The status of the Madagascar Fody in the Seychelles is uncertain, it was possibly introduced or may have been an uncommon resident prior to human arrival.

*Madagascar Fody "Foudia madagascariensis" (I?)
*Red-headed Fody "Foudia eminentissima"
*Seychelles Fody "Foudia sechellarum" (E)

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 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Common Waxbill "Estrilda astrild" (I)

Buntings, Sparrows, Seedeaters and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of passerine birds. They are seed-eating birds with a distinctively shaped bill. In Europe, most species are named as buntings. In North America, most of the species in this family are known as Sparrows, but these birds are not closely related to the Old World sparrows which are in the family Passeridae. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns. There are 275 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Seychelles.

*Ortolan Bunting "Emberiza hortulana" (A)

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 2 species which occur in the Seychelles.

*Common Rosefinch "Carpodacus erythrinus" (A)
*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 the Seychelles.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (I)

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*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
*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=sc&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of the Seychelles
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 27 April
accessyear = 2007
*cite web
last = Seychelles Bird Records Committee
year = 2006
url = http://www.stokecoll.ac.uk/sbrc/checklist.htm
title = Seychelles Bird Records Committee: Species Checklist
accessdate = 14 June
accessyear = 2007
*cite web
last = Skerrett
first = Adrian
coauthors = Betts, Michael; Bullock, Ian; Fisher, David; Gerlach, Ron; Lucking, Rob; Phillips, John & Scott, Bob
year = 2006
url = http://www.stokecoll.ac.uk/sbrc/download/Third%20report.pdf
title = Third report of the Seychelles Bird Records Committee
accessdate = 14 June
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of Seychelles
first= Adrian
last = Skerrett
coauthors = Bullock, Ian & Disley, Tony
publisher = Christopher Helm
date = 2001
id = ISBN 0-7136-3973-3