African Spoonbill: Another first for Seychelles

African Spoonbill at Roche Caiman (Adrian Skerrett)

An African Spoonbill Platalea alba has been present in the vicinity of Providence, Roche Caiman and near STC Hypermarket for around one month. African Spoonbill breeds in tropical Africa and northwest Madagascar. It is probably nomadic throughout most of range, moving in response to rains but it is apparently sedentary in Madagascar, which suggests an African origin for our bird is most likely. Vagrants have been recorded in Oman, Yemen and several European countries (Spain, France, Holland, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic and Italy) including an instance of successful breeding in France.

This is the first record for Seychelles.