The Mauritius cuckoo-shrike is found in the forests of Mauritius Island in the Indian Ocean. Males are gray black, and females are reddish brown in color. Cuckoo-shrikes are neither closely related to the cuckoos or the shrikes, and the name probably comes from similarities in appearance.

This species is found in the canopy of dense forests on the island, and they are usually found alone or in pairs. Cuckoo-shrikes are mainly insectivorous and they like to feed on hairy caterpillars. The Mauritius cuckoo-shrike is also known to rob the nests of other birds in the area, such as the pink pigeon (Columba mayeri), and sucking the eggs. Females lay two to three pale-green spotted eggs, and both parents help to incubate the egg.

The population estimate for the species is believed to be less than 300. Eggs are subject to predation by rats, and the species is also threatened by loss of habitat due to clearing of forests by humans.

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Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike Facts Last Updated:
January 1, 2006

To Cite This Page:
Glenn, C. R. 2006. "Earth's Endangered Creatures - Mauritius Cuckoo-shrike Facts" (Online). Accessed 5/2/2024 at http://earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?sp=97&ID=1.

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