This is a list of the bird species recorded in Mauritius. The avifauna of Mauritius include a total of 156 species, of which 28 are endemic, and 22 have been introduced by humans.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 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 Mauritius.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.
(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 (X) Extinct - a species that was found on Mauritius but is no longer found alive globally
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Mauritius shelduck, Alopochen mauritiana (X) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Meller's duck, Anas melleri (I) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (A) Mauritius duck, Anas theodori (X)
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.
Helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris (I)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) Gray francolin, Ortygornis pondicerianus (I) Chinese francolin, Francolinus pintadeanus (I) Blue-breasted quail, Synoicus chinensis (Ex) Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (I) Jungle bush-quail, Perdicula asiatica (Ex)
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually , found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. 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, uniquely, are used upside-down.
Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (A) Lesser flamingo, Phoenicopterus minor (A)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Mauritius wood-pigeon, Columba thiriouxi (X) Pink pigeon, Nesoenas mayeri (E) Mauritius turtle-dove, Nesoenas cicur (X) Rodrigues turtle-dove, Nesoenas rodericanus (X) Malagasy turtle-dove, Nesoenas picturatus (I) Spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis (I) Laughing dove, Streptopelia senegalensis (A) Zebra dove, Geopelia striata (I) Dodo, Raphus cucullatus (X) Rodrigues solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria (X) Mauritius blue-pigeon, Alectroenas nitidissimus (X) Rodrigues blue-pigeon, Alectroenas payandeei (X)
Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend 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 which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus (A) Mascarene swiftlet, Aerodramus francicus
Rails, 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, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.