The Seychelles warbler, also known as Seychelles brush warbler, is a small songbird found on five granitic and corraline islands in the Seychelles. It is a greenish-brown bird with long legs and a long slender bill. It is primarily found in forested areas on the islands. The Seychelles warbler is a rarity in that it exhibits cooperative breeding, or alloparenting, which means that the monogamous pair is assisted by nonbreeding female helpers.
Region
Seychelles (Western Indian Ocean)
Typical Environment
Now established on several small granitic and coralline islands, including Cousin, Cousine, Aride, Denis, and Frégate. It favors native broadleaf woodland and coastal scrub with dense foliage for gleaning insects. Territories are maintained year-round, often in Pisonia grandis and Morinda citrifolia stands, as well as mixed scrub and rehabilitated woodland. It can also occur along forest edges and in restored lowland thickets where leaf-arthropod densities are high.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 100 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Once reduced to just a few dozen birds on Cousin Island in the 1960s, the Seychelles warbler is a conservation success story thanks to habitat protection and translocations to other islands. It is notable for cooperative breeding, where nonbreeding female helpers assist a dominant pair in raising young. Territory quality strongly influences breeding success, with pairs producing more offspring in insect-rich habitats.
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forms monogamous pairs that defend small territories year-round. Cooperative breeding is common, with one or more helpers—often females—assisting with nest defense and provisioning. Nests are neat, cup-shaped structures placed in shrubs or small trees, and breeding effort tracks peaks in insect availability.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A variable, scratchy warbler song with chattering notes, thin whistles, and short trills. Calls include sharp tacks and softer contact notes exchanged between pair members and helpers.
