There are six surviving endemic passerines in Mauritius. Since the first human colonization in the 17th century the native flora and fauna have been devastated by extensive forest clearance and the introduction of exotic plants and animals. Mammalian predators such as cats, rats and monkeys along with competition from introduced bird species and ecosystem degradation have reduced 5 out of the 6 endemic passerine species to very low population levels. The Mauritius Grey White-eye Zosterops mauritianus is the only endemic passerine that is presently not threatened. The Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is striving to study the passerines of Mauritius and Rodrigues in view to reducing threats of extinction. At present, MWF is focusing on two of these birds and is implementing an intensive restoration programme involving safeguard of wild nests, rescues of eggs and chicks, re-introduction, research and ecosystem restoration.

(1) Mauritius Fody (Foudia rubra). The Mauritius Fody is a small (14cm) forest-dwelling songbird, which feeds on nectar and insects. It closely resembles the introduced Madagascan Fody Foudia madagascariensis, with which it is often confused. The Fody is the rarest endemic bird of Mauritius with 100-125 pairs remaining and is considered Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In 2002 MWF began a recovery project to rescue nests from the wild, hand-rear the offspring and release them onto Ile aux Aigrettes, a predator-free offshore island under the conservation management of MWF. This project has been very successful and today there are around 100 birds on Ile aux Aigrettes, the result of releases and offspring produced by the latter.

(2) Mauritius Olive White-eye Zosterops chloronothos. The Olive White-eye is a small songbird (10cm) that feeds primarily on nectar, but also insects. They are easily identifiable with a white eye-ring, a fine curved bill and olive-green plumage. This is the least known of all the Mauritian birds and is only found in the upland forest of the Black River Gorges National Park. This bird is considered as Critically Endangered by IUCN due to severe decline in population size and distribution over the past 30 years. The current population is estimated at only 100 – 150 pairs. In 2005 MWF began a project to help save this species from extinction. Two wild nests were successfully rescued, the offspring were hand-raised and 4 birds are now held in captivity at the Gerald Durrell Endemic Wildlife Sanctuary. We plan to rescue as many nests as possible in the next few years. The offspring will join a captive breeding programme and birds will also be released onto Ile aux Aigrettes where they will be free from predation.

Once the restoration programmes for the above two species is well under way, MWF plans to initiate actions for the recovery of other endangered Mauritian passerines:


(3) Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone bourbonnensis desolata
(4) Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike Coracina typica
(5) Mauritius Black Bulbul Hypsipetes olivaceus


Data is gathered on these species whenever the opportunity arises.

MWF has carried out regular censuses on the endangered passerines of Rodrigues, the Rodrigues Fody Foudia flavicans and the Rodrigues Warbler Acrocephalus rodericanus. Both species reached very low levels in the 1970’s. MWF has implemented forest restoration with native plants in Nature Reserves and encouraged forest rehabilitation on the rest of Rodrigues. These actions have provided habitat for birds, resulting in the spectacular recovery of the only two surviving endemic birds of Rodrigues. Unfortunately, cyclones are still responsible for great population declines. This should be overcome by further forest restoration with native plants.

MWF works in close collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Service in Mauritius and the Forestry Service in Rodrigues for the recovery of endemic passerines, with funding and support from international organizations and private sources for the implementation of this programme.

Sponsored By:
Birdfair/RSPB - UK
British High Commission
Conservation International
Chester Zoo (North of England Zoological Society)
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust
Gamma Civic
HSBC
National Parks and Conservation Service
N. Boulle
Rufford Maurice Laing
Sun Resorts

Last update: 28 August 2007