Passerine
Conservation
Passerine Conservation
Mauritius is home to six forest-living native passerines, five of which depend heavily on remaining fragments of native forest.
Four of these species—the Mauritius Olive White-eye, Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher, Mauritius Grey White-eye and the Mauritius Bulbul—persist at our conservation sites. These charismatic birds play a vital role as pollinators and seed dispersers, helping to regenerate and maintain healthy forest ecosystems. By protecting their habitats and closely monitoring their populations, we gain essential insights into ecosystem health and the effectiveness of our conservation actions.
Species background
Common name:
Mauritius Paradise Flycatcher
Latin name:
Tersiphone desolata
Endemic to:
Mauritius
IUCN status:
Vulnerable (Genetic studies show that the species is separate from the Mascarene Paradise Flycatcher, however this has not been published. In this case the species would be listed as Vulnerable)
Distribution:
• Forested areas around Mauritius
Threats:
• Habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Predation by rats, feral cats and mynah birds
Conservation opportunities:
• Expand population range to areas with high-quality native forest and predator control
Ecology:
Insectivores
Species background
Common name:
Grey white-eye
Latin name:
Zosterops mauritianus
Endemic to:
Mauritius
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Distribution:
• Throughout Mauritius
Threats:
• Habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Predation by rats, feral cats, red-whiskered bulbul, and mynah birds
Ecology:
Feeds on insect, nectar, pollen, and fruits
Species background
Common name:
Mauritius bulbul
Latin name:
Hypsipetes olivaceus
Endemic to:
Mauritius
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Distribution:
• Forested areas in the central plateau, east, south and west
Threats:
• Habitat degradation and fragmentation
• Predation by rats, monkeys, feral cats and mynah birds
• Competition for food from introduced red-whiskered bulbul
Conservation opportunities:
• Increase population range
Ecology:
Feeds on fruits and some insects and geckos
For more information on what we are doing to conserve the Critically Endangered Mauritius Olive White-eye, check out this page.
Project Aim
To monitor the populations of each of these passerine species and learn more about their ecology.
Project Impacts
By monitoring passerine populations at our restoration sites, we gain critical insights that allow us to:
• Establish baseline data for long-term monitoring and evaluating the success of other conservation actions
• Early detection of threats
• Better understanding of species’ ecological needs
• Builds local conservation capacity
• Strengthens pollination and seed dispersal interactions, aiding forest restoration and climate adaptation
• Raise public awareness of Mauritius’ unique but threatened reptile fauna
This project supports the Government’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
Our Approach
Since 2020, Ebony Forest has been working in partnership with the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) to assess the status of these passerines.
Survey bird populations
Ring individuals
Monitor breeding, diet, and survival
In addition, this project is possible due to:
Forest restoration
Predator control
Support from National Parks & Conservation Services
Co-funders
As part of our efforts to raise awareness about Mauritius’ unique birds, we created and distribute posters of endemic and exotic birds to visiting schools.
Project Status
Since 2020, we have rung 35 Mauritius paradise flycatcher, 55 Mauritius grey white-eye, and 13 Mauritius bulbul.
Partners
This project is done in collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Services (NPCS).
Current Sponsors
