This large, thrush-like, black and white robin is the most endangered of the endemic birds in the Seychelles. It was originally found on at least eight of the Seychelles islands, however by 1965 only 12 to 15 of the birds remained on Frégate and a small population survived on the island of Alphonse until 1960. A recovery programme in the early 1990s resulted in an increased population of 48 birds and the translocation of two individuals to Aride Island. In 2000 further, intensive conservations efforts began and the population has now exceeded 200 individuals, dispersed over five islands. However, the Seychelles Magpie-Robin, known as Pi Santez in Creole, remains one of the rarest birds in the world.
Its natural habitat is forests and gardens and it feeds on insects, invertebrates, baby mice and fish dropped by seabirds. These birds build nests from grasses and fibres, usually in natural cavities in trees but sometimes in the top of coconut palms, and a single egg is laid.
SOURCES:
- http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=6638
- http://www.natureseychelles.org/knowledge-centre/seychelles-wildlife-2/endemic-bird-species/46-seychelles-magpie-robin
