Seychelles’ Plate Island Witnesses the First Breeding Record of the Red-billed Tropicbird

In the Seychelles outer islands, a small island is quietly becoming the stage for something remarkable. On Île Plate, two adult Red-billed Tropicbirds (Phaethon aethereus), a seabird species rarely confirmed as breeding in this region, have successfully nested and raised a chick, marking what appears to be the first documented nesting of this species not only on Île Plate, but in Seychelles. 

A small island with big ambition

Île Plate lies about 130 km south of Mahé in the Southern Coral Group of the Outer Islands of Seychelles. It covers approximately 0.578 km², measuring roughly 1.3 km in length and 0.55 km at its widest point.  A tiny stretch of land you could explore end-to-end in under 20 minutes.

Île Plate has a long and complex history of human use. In 1828, it was first proposed as an isolation site for people with leprosy. A decade later, in 1838, the British administration took over the island as a quarantine station for visiting ships. However, its distance from Mahé soon made Long Island a more practical location. By the 1840s, Île Plate held enough guano to justify excavation, an activity that continued into the early 20th century. In the decades that followed, the island also suffered severe turtle poaching to the point that one part of the island became known as the “turtle graveyard”. These pressures, combined with the introduction of invasive alien species such as cats, rats, and castor oil plants, left the island’s ecosystems heavily degraded.
​
In 2024, the Island Conservation Society (ICS) officially opened a Conservation Centre on the island to promote the conservation, protection, and restoration of its ecosystems. Since then, alongside the long-term monitoring programs for species and ecosystems, ICS has been leading an island restoration program with support from its partners, the Island Development Company (IDC) and Waldorf Astoria Hotel. 

The birds arrive and nest.
The Red-billed Tropicbird (Phaeton aethereus), or ‘Payanke Labek Rouz’ in Creole, is one of three tropicbird species found across tropical oceans, alongside the White-tailed (‘Payanke Lake Blan’) and Red-tailed Tropicbirds (‘Payanke Lake Rouz’). Unlike the White-tailed Tropicbird, which inhabits both inner and outer islands, and the Red-tailed Tropicbird, which is most common in the Aldabra group, the Red-billed Tropicbird is a rare sight in Seychelles. Historically, only about 20 sightings of the Red-billed Tropicbird have been recorded in Seychelles, with individuals sometimes lingering for months on Bird Island. However, breeding had never before been confirmed —until now!
Globally, the species is listed on the IUCN Red List as Least Concern, with an estimated population of 16,000-30,000 mature individuals. However, the population trend is declining due to invasive alien species, habitat loss, and the effects of climate change. Their nesting habits—often in ground scrapes or cliff cavities—make them especially vulnerable to rats and feral cats.
​
Restoration, refuge, and renewal
Why does this nest matter? Because it speaks of hope.
The confirmed nesting of Red-billed Tropicbird on Île Plate is a significant sign of recovery. Restoration efforts on Île Plate involve removing invasive plants and re-establishing native vegetation to stabilise sand, create habitat, and safeguard the shoreline. Predator control has been a priority, reducing threats to ground-nesting birds like tropicbirds. The ICS conservation centre now allows year-round monitoring of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and species, ensuring data-driven management rather than reactive responses.
The restoration actions on Île Plate are steadily transforming the island into a haven for wildlife. The successful nesting of the Red-billed Tropicbird joins other recent successes, including confirmed breeding of Red-tailed Tropicbirds and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (‘Fouke-de-Zil’).

Red-billed Tropicbird nesting on Ile Plate, Seychelles. (Nov, 2025)

Red-tailed Tropicbird nesting on Ile Plate. Seychelles. (Aug, 2025)

White-tailed Tropicbird nesting on Ile Plate for a second year. (Aug, 2025)

A milestone for Seychelles' biodiversity
“This breeding record is more than just a milestone,” said Emma Mederic, Senior Science and Conservation Officer at ICS. “It’s proof that sustained island restoration, invasive species control, and careful management are making a tangible difference, not just that, but through collaboration as well.”
For Île Plate, this first recorded nesting is significant. It shows that island-restoration efforts can produce substantial ecological benefits, encouraging species that previously visited only occasionally to establish breeding populations.
In the broader context of global biodiversity goals- Target 2 (ecosystem restoration), Target 6 (invasive species control), and Target 3 (conservation of land, waters and seas), Île Plate provides a living example of what dedicated action can achieve.
​
Looking ahead: vigilance and promise
Despite this success, Île Plate’s future is shaped by climate challenges. With an elevation of just three metres above sea level, the island remains vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surges, and reef degradation.
The presence of a sensitive breeding seabird heightens the urgency. Conservation and restoration must remain consistent: predator control, potential invasive species eradication, and adaptive management guided by continuous data collection.