List of birds of Fiji

The Taveuni silktail is an endemic species and genus of Fiji.
Map of Fiji showing major island groups

The avifauna of Fiji is the richest in West Polynesia. Numerous families reach the farthest east of their range, and the island is home to several endemic species and genera, as well as sharing several more endemics with its close neighbours Tonga and Samoa.

The birds of Fiji have been heavily impacted by the arrival of humans. Several species (and some genera) were lost in prehistory and are known only from fossil remains. Other have become extinct more recently, and some species remain very close to extinction. It is certain that the current knowledge of the previous ranges of many species is incomplete and further research is needed.

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Fiji. The avifauna of Fiji include a total of 150 species, of which 28 are endemic, 13 have been introduced by humans and 34 are rare or accidental. Numerous species listed have been extirpated from Fiji and are not included in the species count, although they are listed where known. Of these, 17 species are globally threatened.

This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 6th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Fiji.

The following tags have been used to highlight several categories.

  • (V) Vagrant - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Fiji
  • (B) Breeder - a species that breeds in Fiji
  • (M) Migrant - a species that regularly migrates to Fiji
  • (P) Passage migrant - a species that neither breeds nor winters in Fiji but regularly passes through
  • (I) Introduced - a species introduced to Fiji as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
  • (X) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs here although populations may exist elsewhere
  • (*) Endemic - a species that is endemic to Fiji
  • (?) Uncertain - a species with uncertain records or current status
Table of contents

See also        References        Notes

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Diomedeidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Australasian grebe
Tachybaptus novaehollandiae
X

Albatrosses

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Diomedeidae

The albatrosses are among the largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occur in Fiji.

Diomedeidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Black-browed albatross
Thalassarche melanophris
V

Shearwaters and petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary.

Black-winged petrel near Vanua Levu
Procellariidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Southern giant petrel
Macronectes giganteus
V
Cape petrel
Daption capense
V
Wedge-tailed shearwater
Ardenna pacificus
BBBBBBB
Buller's shearwater
Ardenna bulleri
V
Sooty shearwater
Ardenna griseus
V
Short-tailed shearwater
Ardenna tenuirostris
V
Tropical shearwater
Puffinus bailloni
BBBBBB
Christmas shearwater
Puffinus nativitatis
V
Fiji petrel
Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi*
B
Tahiti petrel
Pseudobulweria rostrata
BB
Collared petrel
Pterodroma brevipes
BBBBBB
Great-winged petrel
Pterodroma macroptera
V
Phoenix petrel
Pterodroma alba
V
Herald petrel
Pterodroma heraldica
V
Mottled petrel
Pterodroma inexpectata
P
White-necked petrel
Pterodroma cervicalis
V
Black-winged petrel
Pterodroma nigripennis
V

Austral storm petrels

Order: Procellariiformes   Family: Oceanitidae

The austral storm petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like.

Hydrobatidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Wilson's storm petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
P
White-faced storm petrel
Pelagodroma marina
V
Black-bellied storm petrel
Fregetta tropica
V
Polynesian storm petrel
Nesofregatta fuliginosa
BBBBB

Tropicbirds

Order: Phaethontiformes   Family: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.

Procellariidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Red-tailed tropicbird
Phaethon rubricauda
BBBBBBB
White-tailed tropicbird
Phaethon lepturus
BBBBBBB

Boobies and gannets

Order: Suliformes   Family: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish.

Sulidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Masked booby
Sula dactylatra
BBBBBBB
Red-footed booby
Sula sula
BBBBBBB
Brown booby
Sula leucogaster
BBBBBBB

Frigatebirds

Order: Suliformes   Family: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black-and-white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from a flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week.

Fregatidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Great frigatebird
Fregata minor
RRRRRRR
Lesser frigatebird
Fregata ariel
BBBBBBB

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes.

Pelecanidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Australian pelican
Pelecanus conspicillatus
V

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

Ardeidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Great egret
Ardea alba
V
Grey heron
Ardea cinerea
v[1]
Green heron
Butorides virescens
BBBBBB
White-faced heron
Egretta novaehollandiae
B?
Eastern reef egret
Egretta sacra
BBBBBBB

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers.

Threskiornithidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Glossy ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
V

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.

Anatidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Wandering whistling duck
Dendrocygna arcuata
X
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
V
Pacific black duck
Anas superciliosa
BBBBB

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight.

Accipitridae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fiji goshawk
Accipiter rufitorques*
BBBBB
Swamp harrier
Circus approximans
BBBBBB

Falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. There are 62 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Falconidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Peregrine falcon
Falco peregrinus
BBBBB

Megapodes

Order: Galliformes   Family: Megapodiidae

Megapodiidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Consumed scrubfowl
Megapodius alimentum
X
Viti Levu scrubfowl
Megapodius amissus *
XX

Turkeys

Order: Galliformes   Family: Meleagrididae

Turkeys are similar to large pheasants but have a distinctive fleshy wattle that hangs from the beak, called a snood. There are two species, both native to the Americas, and one species which occurs in Fiji.

Meleagrididae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Wild turkey
Meleagris gallopavo
I

Pheasants and partridges

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.

Phasianidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Brown quail
Coturnix ypsilophora
II
Red junglefowl
Gallus gallus
IXIXIIIII

Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.

Family
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Bar-winged rail
Gallirallus poecilopterus*
XX
Buff-banded rail
Gallirallus philippensis
XXBBBBB
Viti Levu rail
Vitirallus watlingi*
X
Spotless crake
Porzana tabuensis
BBBBBB
White-browed crake
Porzana cinerea
BBBBBB
Australasian swamphen
Porphyrio melanotus
XXBBBBB

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Fiji.

Charadriidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Masked lapwing
Vanellus miles
V
Pacific golden plover
Pluvialis fulva
MMMMMMM
Black-bellied plover
Pluvialis squatarola
V
Double-banded plover
Charadrius bicinctus
V
Lesser sandplover
Charadrius mongolus
V
Caspian plover
Charadrius asiaticus
V

Sandpipers and allies

The Far Eastern curlew, an occasional visitor

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.

Scolopacidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Hudsonian godwit
Limosa haemastica
V
Bar-tailed godwit
Limosa limosa
MMMMMMM
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus
MMMMMMM
Bristle-thighed curlew
Numenius tahitiensis
MMMMMMM
Far Eastern curlew
Numenius madagascariensis
V
Terek sandpiper
Xenus cinereus
V
Common sandpiper
Actitis hypoleucos
V
Grey-tailed tattler
Tringa brevipes
MMMMMMM
Wandering tattler
Tringa incana
MMMMMMM
Ruddy turnstone
Arenaria interpres
MMMMMMM
Red knot
Calidris canutus
V
Sanderling
Calidris alba
V
Red-necked stint
Calidris ruficollis
V
Pectoral sandpiper
Calidris melanotos
V
Sharp-tailed sandpiper
Calidris acuminata
V
Viti Levu snipe
Coenocorypha miratropica*
X

Skuas

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Fiji.

Stercorariidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
South polar skua
Stercorarius maccormicki
V
Pomarine skua
Stercorarius pomarinus
V
Arctic skua
Stercorarius parasiticus
V
Long-tailed skua
Stercorarius longicaudus
V

Sylviornithids

Pangalliformes   Family: Sylviornithidae

Sylviornithids are an extinct lineage of flightless birds related to modern Galliformes. They are represented by two species, one of them native to Fiji.

Sylviornithidae
Noble megapode
Megavitiornis altirostris
X

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.

Laridae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Silver gull
Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae
V
Laughing gull
Leucophaeus atricilla
V
Great crested tern
Thalasseus bergii
BBBBBBB
Black-naped tern
Sterna sumatrana
BBBBBB
Common tern
Sterna hirundo
PPPPP
Little tern
Sternula albifrons
V
Fairy tern
Sternula nereis
V
Sooty tern
Onychoprion fuscatus
BBBBBBB
Brown noddy
Anous stolidus
BBBBBBB
Black noddy
Anous minutus
BBBBBBB
Blue noddy
Anous cerulea
BBBBBBB
White tern
Gygis alba
BBBBBBB

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

Columbidae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Rock dove
Columba livia
III
White-throated pigeon
Columba vitiensis
BBBBBB
Spotted dove
Spilopelia chinensis
IIII
Friendly ground dove
Gallicolumba stairi
BBBBBB
Pacific imperial pigeon
Ducula pacifica
BBB
Lau imperial pigeon
Ducula lakeba
XX
Barking imperial pigeon
Ducula latrans*
BBBBBB
Many-coloured fruit-dove
Ptilinopus perousii
BBBBBB
Crimson-crowned fruit dove
Ptilinopus porphyraceus
BB
Orange fruit dove
Ptilinopus victor*
BB
Golden fruit dove
Ptilinopus luteovirens*
BB
Whistling fruit dove
Ptilinopus layardi*
B
Viti Levu giant pigeon
Natunaornis gigoura*
X

Parrots and lorikeets

The collared lory is the national bird of Fiji.

Order: Psittaciformes   Family: Psittaculidae

Psittacidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Collared lory
Phigys solitarius*
BBBBBB
Blue-crowned lorikeet
Vini australis
B
Red-throated lorikeet
Charmosyna amabilis*
B?B?B?X
Crimson shining parrot
Prosopeia splendens*[2]
IB
Red shining parrot
Prosopeia personata*[3]
BB
Masked shining parrot
Prosopeia tabuensis*
B

Cuckoos

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.

Cuculidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fan-tailed cuckoo
Cacomantis flabelliformis
BBBBB
Long-tailed koel
Eudynamys taitensis
MMMMMM

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.

Tytonidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Eastern grass owl
Tyto longimembris
X?
Barn owl
Tyto alba
BBBBBB

Frogmouths

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Podargidae

The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bill and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species was introduced to Fiji but subsequently was expirated.

Podargidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Tawny frogmouth
Podargus strigoides
I X

Swifts

Order: Apodiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.

Apodidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
White-rumped swiftlet
Aerodramus spodiopygius
BBBBBB
White-throated needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus
V

Kingfishers

Pacific kingfisher, Fijian race

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long, pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occur in Fiji.

Alcedinidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Pacific kingfisher
Todirhamphus sacer[4]
BBBBBB

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Hirundinidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuGauOvalauLauRotuma
Pacific swallow
Hirundo tahitica
BBBBBBB

Cuckooshrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Campephagidae

The cuckooshrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Campephagidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Polynesian triller
Lalage maculosa
BBBBBBB

Bulbuls

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throats or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive-brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Pycnonotidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Red-vented bulbul
Pycnonotus cafer
II

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Turdidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Island thrush
Turdus poliocephalus
BBBBB

Cettid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cettiidae

Cettiidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fiji bush warbler
Horornis ruficapilla*
BBBB

Locustellid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

Locustellidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Long-legged thicketbird
Trichocichla rufa*
BB

Fantails

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Rhipiduridae

The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 4 species which occur in Fiji.

Rhipiduridae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Streaked fantail
Rhipidura verreauxi
BBBB
Kadavu fantail
Rhipidura personata*
B
Taveuni silktail
Lamprolia victoriae*
B
Natewa silktail
Lamprolia klinesmithi*
B

Monarch flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Fiji.

Monarchidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Slaty monarch
Mayrornis lessoni*
BBBBBB
Versicolour monarch
Mayrornis versicolor*
B
Fiji shrikebill
Clytorhynchus vitiensis
BBBBBBB
Black-throated shrikebill
Clytorhynchus nigrogularis
BBBBB
Azure-crested flycatcher
Myiagra azureocapilla*
B
Chestnut-throated flycatcher
Myiagra castaneigularis*
BB
Vanikoro flycatcher
Myiagra vanikorensis
BBBBBB

Australasian robins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Petroicidae

Most species of Petroicidae have a stocky build with a large rounded head, a short straight bill and rounded wingtips. They occupy a wide range of wooded habitats, from subalpine to tropical rainforest, and mangrove swamp to semi-arid scrubland. All are primarily insectivores, although a few supplement their diet with seeds. There are 43 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Petroicidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Pacific robin
Petroica pusilla
BBBB

Whistlers and allies

Fiji whistler ssp torquata

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Pachycephalidae

The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and crested bellbird. There are 57 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Pachycephalidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fiji whistler
Pachycephala vitiensis
BBBBBB

White-eyes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull colour like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye. There are 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.

Zosteropidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fiji white-eye
Zosterops explorator*
BBBBB
Silvereye
Zosterops lateralis
BBBBB

Honeyeaters

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Meliphagidae

The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to medium-sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea. They are nectar feeders and closely resemble other nectar-feeding passerines. There are 8 species which occur in Fiji.

Meliphagidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Rotuma myzomela
Myzomela chermesina*
B
Orange-breasted honeyeater
Myzomela jugularis*
BBBBBB
Polynesian wattled honeyeater
Foulehaio carunculata
BBBB
Fiji wattled honeyeater
Foulehaio taviunensis
BB
Kikau
Foulehaio procerior
B
Kadavu honeyeater
Xanthotis provocator*
B
Yellow-billed honeyeater
Gymnomyza viridis*
BB
Giant honeyeater
Gymnomyza brunneirostris*
B

Woodswallows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Artamidae

The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Artamidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Fiji woodswallow
Artamus mentalis*
BBBB

Bellmagpies and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cracticidae

The cracticids: currawongs, bellmagpies and butcherbirds, are similar to the other corvids. They have large, straight bills and mostly black, white or grey plumage. All are omnivorous to some degree. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Cracticidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Australian magpie
Gymnorhina tibicen
I

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Fiji.

Sturnidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Polynesian starling
Aplonis tabuensis
BBBBBBB
European starling
Sturnus vulgaris
I
Jungle myna
Acridotheres fuscus
I
Common myna
Acridotheres tristis
IIIII

Waxbills and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have wide variation in plumage colours and patterns. There are 141 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Fiji.

Estrildidae
SpeciesViti LevuVana LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
Red munia
Amandava amandava
II
Fiji parrotfinch
Erythrura pealii*
BBBB
Pink-billed parrotfinch
Erythrura kleinschmidti*
B
Java sparrow
Padda oryzivora
III

Sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.

Passeridae
SpeciesViti LevuVanua LevuTaveuniKadavuLomaivitiLauRotuma
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
I

See also

References

  • Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Fiji". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
  • Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.
  • Pratt, H., Bruner, P & Berrett, D. (1987) The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific Princeton University Press:Princeton ISBN 0-691-08402-5
  • Steadman D, (2006). Extinction and Biogeography in Tropical Pacific Birds, University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-77142-7

Notes

  1. Pratt, Douglas; Masibalavu, Vilikesa; Abbott, Margaret (2008). "Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) sightings in Fiji". Notornis. 55 (1): 42–43.
  2. Steadman (2006) treats this species as a race of the red shining parrot.
  3. The red shining parrot is endemic to Fiji but was introduced in prehistoric times to Tonga (Steadman, 2006)
  4. Pratt et al. (1987) assigned most kingfishers in Fiji to the sacred kingfisher species, whereas most other authorities assign it to the collared kingfisher species.
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