Comoros and Mayotte Birding Tours (and custom tours to other Indian Ocean islands)
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The Comoros is a sovereign archipelago island nation in the Indian Ocean, comprising the islands of Grande Comore, Mohéli, and Anjouan. These islands are located off Africa’s east coast, at the northern end of the Mozambique Channel between Mozambique and Madagascar. Geographically and from a fauna/flora point of view, Mayotte is also part of this archipelago, but politically this is a French department.
With 17 endemic bird species and a large number of endemic subspecies, these islands have much to offer as a birding destination. In addition they are a wonderful travel destination, set in rugged volcanic landscapes fringed by idyllic tropical beaches and linked by good air and road infrastructure.
The endemic owls of the Comoros are charismatic, and from time to time we enjoy running a very successful owl-specific tour that also includes nearby Madagascar. The targets are Karthala Scops Owl, Anjouan Scops Owl, and Moheli Scops Owl, three beautiful little denizens of these paradise islands (along with Red Owl and other amazing Madagascan birds). On our birding trips to the Comoros and Mayotte we of course also target all the other endemic bird species, Comoros Green Pigeon, Comoros Cuckooshrike, Grand Comoro Drongo, Grand Comoro Bulbul, Moheli Bulbul, Anjouan Brush Warbler, Grand Comoro Brush Warbler, Moheli Brush Warbler, Karthala White-eye, Kirk’s White-eye, Humblot’s Flycatcher, Comoros Thrush, Humblot’s Sunbird and Anjouan Sunbird. The southern subspecies of Persian Shearwater (Moheli Shearwater) also breeds in this part of the world (the northern subspecies being Middle Eastern).