This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Seychelles. It includes a total of 279 species have been accepted by Seychelles Bird Records Committee (SBRC) as recorded in Seychelles up to 25 October 2022 SBRC. This total includes 279 species per The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World plus yellow-billed kite, currently treated by Clements as a subspecies of black kite, which has also been recorded in Seychelles, and also Asian plain martin and African plain martin, both of which have been recorded in Seychelles but are currently classed as races of the same species, plain martin. Fourteen extant species are endemic. Ten have been introduced by humans although the red fody is possibly native. Of these 139 (or 178 as per the SBRC list of 1 January 2020) are rare or accidental. Eleven species listed are extinct or extirpated in the Seychelles. Sixteen species are globally threatened. As at 1 January 2023, SBRC has accepted 284 species as recorded in Seychelles.
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 the Seychelles.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
(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
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.
White-faced whistling-duck, Dendrocygna viduata (A) Knob-billed duck, Sarkidiornis melanotos (A) Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea (A) Garganey, Spatula querquedula Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata (A) Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope (A) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (A) Red-billed duck, Anas erythrorhyncha (A) Northern pintail, Anas acuta (A) Green-winged teal, Anas acuta (A) Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca (A) Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
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 vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Grey francolin, Francolinus pondicerianus (I) Common quail, Coturnix coturnix (A)
Flamingos
Order: PhoenicopteriformesFamily: Phoenicopteridae
Flamingos are gregarious wading birds, usually tall, 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
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large 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.
Black-necked grebe, Podiceps nigricollis (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) European turtle-dove, Streptopelia turtur (A) Malagasy turtle-dove, Nesoenas picturatus Namaqua dove, Oena capensis (A) Zebra dove, Geopelia striata (I) Comoro blue-pigeon, Alectroenas sganzini Seychelles blue-pigeon, Alectroenas pulcherrimus (E)
Cuckoos
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. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.