Mayotte
Mayotte is a French overseas department in the Comoros archipelago, situated in the Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and mainland Africa. It consists principally of Grande-Terre and Petite-Terre, surrounded by an exceptionally large coral lagoon and barrier reef. The islands are volcanic and hilly, with humid tropical vegetation, agricultural areas, mangroves and patches of native forest. Much of the original lowland forest has been altered, but important natural habitats remain on steeper slopes and along the coast. The climate is tropical, with distinct wet and dry seasons and occasional cyclones.
Overview
Mayotte has a small but distinctive avifauna combining Comorian endemics with Malagasy and African influences. Key targets include the endemic Mayotte Scops Owl, Mayotte Drongo and Mayotte White-eye, while Comoro Blue Vanga and several other regional specialties also occur. Forested areas around Mount Benara and other interior hills provide the best habitat for many landbirds, while mangroves, mudflats and the lagoon attract herons, shorebirds and terns. As part of France, Mayotte has relatively good transport and general infrastructure compared with much of the Comoros archipelago, although dedicated birding tourism remains limited. Most endemic targets can be sought on Grande-Terre, making Mayotte comparatively straightforward for birders specifically interested in Comorian island endemics.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Myna Acridotheres tristis | 67.2% | 69.9% | 76.3% | 74.3% | 70.8% | 68.3% | 93.8% | 65.0% | 66.9% | 47.2% | 61.5% | 54.0% | 58.0% |
| Pied Crow Corvus albus | 59.5% | 54.3% | 72.5% | 61.0% | 57.9% | 68.3% | 81.3% | 78.3% | 60.8% | 36.4% | 50.4% | 44.4% | 48.9% |
| Mayotte Sunbird Cinnyris coquerellii | 45.8% | 44.1% | 68.8% | 61.0% | 44.7% | 49.5% | 58.3% | 30.8% | 28.0% | 31.1% | 41.9% | 37.0% | 53.8% |
| Olive Bee-eater Merops superciliosus | 44.3% | 42.3% | 40.8% | 49.3% | 47.8% | 43.5% | 56.3% | 65.8% | 37.6% | 33.8% | 31.1% | 31.9% | 50.8% |
| Malagasy Paradise-Flycatcher Terpsiphone mutata | 34.7% | 15.4% | 42.9% | 48.7% | 46.3% | 31.3% | 64.6% | 41.7% | 23.1% | 6.5% | 28.9% | 25.2% | 41.5% |
| Malagasy Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis | 33.5% | 39.0% | 39.6% | 29.7% | 46.2% | 41.7% | 60.4% | 21.7% | 27.7% | 21.6% | 28.7% | 29.1% | 16.2% |
| Mayotte White-eye Zosterops mayottensis | 32.6% | 16.2% | 33.3% | 34.0% | 51.5% | 34.6% | 50.0% | 20.8% | 16.5% | 23.5% | 30.1% | 34.5% | 46.4% |
| Western Cattle-Egret Ardea ibis | 30.3% | 38.6% | 36.3% | 39.0% | 35.5% | 37.1% | 18.8% | 20.0% | 32.4% | 23.4% | 32.6% | 20.0% | 29.9% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 27.2% | 23.8% | 34.2% | 30.0% | 24.1% | 32.1% | 25.0% | 22.5% | 28.1% | 27.5% | 25.2% | 17.4% | 36.0% |
| Malagasy Palm Swift Cypsiurus gracilis | 27.0% | 41.5% | 35.4% | 35.3% | 29.5% | 10.9% | 41.7% | 21.7% | 31.5% | 11.6% | 27.8% | 29.5% | 7.4% |