Some of the rarest birds in the world including Seychelles Parrot, Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher, Seychelles Magpie-robin, Seychelles Fody and Seychelles White-eye, five of 12 bird species endemic to the islands, And some spectacular seabird colonies with species such as Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, White-tailed Tropicbird, Sooty and White Terns, and Brown and Lesser Noddies, As well as some shorebirds including Crab Plover.
For more information on the wildlife of the Seychelles and its conservation visit Nature Seychelles.
Over 1000 km (700 miles) southwest of the Seychelles and actually much closer to the Comoros and Madagascar but administered by the Seychelles is the Aldabras, one of the largest coral atolls in the world, with four main islands; Aldabra, Assumption, Astove and Cosmoledo. The low-lying islands support four endemic birds; Aldabra Drongo, Aldabra White-eye, Abbott’s (Souimanga) Sunbird and Aldabra Fody, and two species shared only with Madagascar; White-throated Rail (the last remaining flightless bird in the Indian Ocean) and Madagascar Sacred Ibis, as well as spectacular seabird colonies with Brown, Masked and Red-footed Boobies, and Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, and other seabirds such as Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, and Black-naped and White Terns, and in addition to the birds there are Coconut Crabs and over 100,000 Aldabra Giant Tortoises. Offshore the coral reefs are spectacular and apart from the colourful array of reef fishes there are Blacktip Reef and Lemon Sharks, and Green and Hawksbill Turtles.
Endemics
Seychelles Blue-pigeon, Seychelles Swiftlet, Seychelles Scops-owl, Seychelles Kestrel, Seychelles Parrot (Praslin and Curieuse), Seychelles Paradise-flycatcher (mainly La Digue and Denis), Seychelles Warbler, Seychelles Bulbul, Seychelles White-eye (Mahe and Conception), Seychelles Magpie-robin, Seychelles Sunbird and Seychelles Fody.
Near-endemics
Seychelles and Madagascar 2
Souimanga Sunbird and Madagascar Cisticola.
Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros 2
Madagascar Turtle-dove and Madagascar Bulbul.
Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros and Mayotte 1
Madagascar White-eye.
Other specialities
Crab Plover and White Tern.
Others
Audubon’s and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Yellow Bittern, Black-crowned Night-heron, Striated Heron, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown and Lesser Noddies, and Bridled, Great Crested, Roseate and Sooty Terns. Also an outside chance of Red-footed Booby and Red-tailed Tropicbird. Introduced species include Zebra Dove, Common Myna and Madagascar Fody.
Best Sites for Birds and other wildlife in the Seychelles
White Tern on the Seychelles by Mike Hunter.Mahe The only island where the scops owl and white-eye may be seen, and which are only likely to be seen with a local guide, bookable through Seychelles Travel. Also the kestrel, the blue-pigeon and shorebirds including Crab Plover (at Brilliant Point Lagoon for example).
Mahe-Praslin ferry crossing (one hour) A chance of Audubon’s and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Sooty and White Terns, and Lesser Noddy.
Praslin The only island where the parrot is likely to be seen. Also the kestrel and the blue-pigeon, and the famous Coco de Mer trees (in Vallee de Mai).
Aride The warbler (translocated) and the magpie-robin (translocated), and about 750,000 pairs of nesting seabirds including Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, White-tailed Tropicbird, Roseate and Sooty Terns, and Lesser Noddy. Also an outside chance of Red-tailed Tropicbird (a few pairs) and the fody (translocated).
Cousin Island The only island where the fody is likely to be seen. Also the warbler and the magpie-robin, nesting seabirds which include White-tailed Tropicbird, White Tern, Brown and Lesser Noddies, and Wedge-tailed Shearwater, and the most important nesting site for Hawksbill Turtles on Earth.
La Digue The only island where the paradise-flycatcher may be seen (in Veuve Reserve; some birds have been translocated from La Digue to Denis Island (in 2008) and Curieuse Island (in 2019) to safeguard the species from extinction). Also the island with the iconic Anse Source d’Argent beach, complete with white sand and dark grey granite boulders, plus nesting White Terns.
BirdIsland At least a million nesting seabirds, mainly Sooty Terns but also including Great and Lesser Frigatebirds, White-tailed Tropicbird, White Tern, Brown and Lesser Noddies, and Wedge-tailed Shearwater, as well as nesting Green and Hawksbill Turtles. Also an outside chance of Red-footed Booby (roosting with frigatebirds).
Best Times for Birds and other wildlife in the Seychelles
The best time for most seabirds nest from May to September during the southeast monsoon, which is breezier, cooler, drier and less humid than the northwest monsoon which usually lasts from November/December to February/March and can be particularly wet from December to February. So the optimum time to visit for most birds is October when it is normally less wet and windy.
