- List of birds of Fiji
The avifauna of
Fiji is the richest in WestPolynesia . Numerous families reach the furthest 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 neighboursTonga andSamoa .Ther avifauna of Fiji has 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 includes a total of 149 species, of which 27 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. 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 Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects 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 certain relevant categories. (?) Indicates uncertain record or uncertainty about current status of species.
* (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.__NOTOC__
hearwaters and Petrels
Order:
Procellariiformes Family:Procellariidae The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Fiji.
Pelicans
Order:
Pelecaniformes Family:Pelecanidae Pelican s are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.Bitterns, Herons and Egrets
Order:
Ciconiiformes Family:Ardeidae The family Ardeidae contains the
bittern s,heron s andegret s. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Fiji.Hawks, Kites and Eagles
Order:
Falconiformes Family:Accipitridae Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include
hawk s,eagle s, 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.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. The are two species, both native to the Americas, and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.
Plovers and Lapwings
Order:
Charadriiformes Family:Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes the
plover s,dotterel s, andlapwing s. 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Fiji.Gulls
Order:
Charadriiformes Family:Laridae Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes
gull s andkittiwake s. They are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.Parrots and lorikeets
Order:
Psittaciformes Family:Psittacidae Parrot s are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Fiji.Frogmouths
Order:
Caprimulgiformes Family:Podargidae The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the
nightjar s. They are named for their large flattened hooked bills 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.wallows and Martins
Order:
Passeriformes Family:Hirundinidae The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for 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.
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.
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.
White-eyes
Order:
Passeriformes Family:Zosteropidae The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either some dull color 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 the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Fiji.
Bellmagpies and allies
Order:
Passeriformes Family:Cracticidae The cracticids:
currawong s, bellmagpies, andbutcherbird s, are similar to the other corvids. They have large, straight bills and mostly black, white or grey plumage. All are omnivorous to some degree. Ther are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.parrows
Order:
Passeriformes Family:Passeridae Sparrow s 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, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Fiji.ee also
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List of birds
*Lists of birds by region References
* cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=fj&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Fiji
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 28 April
accessyear = 2007
* cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0-934797-16-1
pages = 880
* 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 978-0-226-77142-7Notes
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