Comoros
Comoros is a volcanic archipelago in the Mozambique Channel, between Madagascar and mainland Africa. The country comprises three main islands—Grande Comore, Mohéli and Anjouan—with steep volcanic mountains rising from tropical coastlines. Grande Comore is dominated by Mount Karthala, an active volcano reaching more than 2,300 metres, while Anjouan has deeply dissected mountains and valleys. Humid tropical forests survive mainly at higher elevations, with drier woodland, plantations, mangroves and coastal habitats below. The climate is warm and tropical, with a pronounced wet season and occasional cyclones.
Overview
Comoros is an important centre of island endemism, with each major island supporting its own distinctive birds. Highlights include Karthala Scops Owl, Anjouan Scops Owl, Mohéli Scops Owl, Comoro Blue Vanga, Humblot's Flycatcher and several endemic white-eyes and sunbirds. The forests of Mount Karthala are particularly important, while Mohéli also supports major colonies of Livingstone's Flying Fox alongside its endemic birds. Coastal waters and offshore islets hold tropicbirds, terns and other seabirds. Comoros receives relatively few birding tourists, and infrastructure is considerably less developed than on nearby Mauritius or Réunion. Finding many endemics requires local guides, steep forest hikes and travel between islands, making a comprehensive trip logistically challenging despite the country's small size.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 36.3% | 52.6% | 47.5% | 26.3% | 37.1% | 0.0% | 13.9% | 50.0% | 59.3% | 38.9% | 47.3% | 40.2% | 22.5% |
| Common Myna Acridotheres tristis | 33.7% | 55.5% | 41.7% | 23.8% | 32.0% | 0.0% | 12.5% | 37.5% | 57.8% | 47.2% | 43.8% | 35.6% | 17.5% |
| Humblot's Sunbird Cinnyris humbloti | 29.8% | 32.4% | 40.0% | 17.5% | 21.9% | 0.0% | 19.4% | 50.0% | 46.4% | 18.1% | 34.5% | 38.4% | 38.8% |
| Malagasy Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis | 29.0% | 49.3% | 53.3% | 10.0% | 11.3% | 0.0% | 9.7% | 12.5% | 37.9% | 31.9% | 48.6% | 31.9% | 51.2% |
| Malagasy Sunbird Cinnyris notatus | 28.3% | 51.1% | 40.0% | 31.3% | 18.8% | 0.0% | 31.9% | 25.0% | 14.3% | 18.1% | 32.3% | 26.7% | 50.0% |
| Malagasy Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata | 24.4% | 5.9% | 40.0% | 6.3% | 19.8% | 0.0% | 6.9% | 50.0% | 24.9% | 27.8% | 42.9% | 26.8% | 41.3% |
| Comoro Blue-Pigeon Alectroenas sganzini | 22.1% | 4.4% | 44.2% | 6.3% | 14.6% | 0.0% | 5.6% | 25.0% | 34.8% | 16.7% | 40.3% | 28.9% | 45.0% |
| Malagasy Palm Swift Cypsiurus gracilis | 19.8% | 55.5% | 9.2% | 16.3% | 17.7% | 0.0% | 8.3% | 25.0% | 24.3% | 13.9% | 28.0% | 27.1% | 12.5% |
| Red Fody Foudia madagascariensis | 19.8% | 37.1% | 52.5% | 22.5% | 37.0% | 0.0% | 4.2% | 0.0% | 19.3% | 6.9% | 21.4% | 19.1% | 17.5% |
| Malagasy Turtle-Dove Nesoenas picturatus | 19.1% | 38.6% | 30.0% | 0.0% | 18.8% | 0.0% | 5.6% | 25.0% | 14.0% | 5.6% | 35.2% | 32.2% | 23.8% |