List of birds of the Solomon Islands

This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Solomon Islands. The avifauna of the Solomon Islands, including the island of Bougainville (to Papua New Guinea) includes a total of 289 species, of which 71 are endemic, 3 have been introduced by humans, and 39 are rare or accidental. 26 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 the Solomon Islands.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Solomon Islands.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to the Solomon Islands.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to the Solomon Islands as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.

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Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

* Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
* Australasian Grebe "Tachybaptus novaehollandiae"

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 14 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

* Tahiti Petrel "Pterodroma rostrata"
* Providence Petrel "Pterodroma solandri" (A)
* Kermadec Petrel "Pterodroma neglecta" (A)
* Herald Petrel "Pterodroma arminjoniana" (A)
* Juan Fernandez Petrel "Pterodroma externa" (A)
* Gould's Petrel "Pterodroma leucoptera"
* Black-winged Petrel "Pterodroma nigripennis" (A)
* Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas" (A)
* Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
* Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
* Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris" (A)
*Fluttering Shearwater "Puffinus gavia" (A)
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri" (A)
*Heinroth's Shearwater "Puffinus heinrothi"

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus" (A)
*Black-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta tropica" (A)
*White-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta grallaria" (A)
*Polynesian Storm-Petrel "Nesofregetta fuliginosa" (A)

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phaethontidae

Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda" (A)
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus" (A)

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans 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 the Solomon Islands.

*Australian Pelican "Pelecanus conspicillatus" (A)

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Abbott's Booby "Sula abbotti" (A)
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra" (A)
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Little Black Cormorant "Phalacrocorax sulcirostris" (A)
*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo" (A)
*Little Pied Cormorant "Phalacrocorax melanoleucos"

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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. There are 5 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Christmas Island Frigatebird "Fregata andrewsi"
*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. 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 9 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia" (A)
*White-faced Heron "Egretta novaehollandiae" (A)
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta" (A)
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Rufous Night-Heron "Nycticorax caledonicus"
*Yellow Bittern "Ixobrychus sinensis"
*Black Bittern "Ixobrychus flavicollis"

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The 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. There are 36 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Australian Ibis "Threskiornis molucca"
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus" (A)
*Royal Spoonbill "Platalea regia"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Spotted Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna guttata" (A)
*Plumed Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna eytoni" (A)
*Gray Teal "Anas gracilis"
*Pacific Black Duck "Anas superciliosa"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)
*White-eyed Duck "Aythya australis" (A)

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Pacific Baza "Aviceda subcristata"
*Whistling Kite "Haliastur sphenurus"
*Brahminy Kite "Haliastur indus"
*White-bellied Sea-eagle "Haliaeetus leucogaster"
*Sanford's Sea-eagle "Haliaeetus sanfordi" (E)
*Swamp Harrier "Circus approximans"
*Gray Goshawk "Accipiter novaehollandiae"
*Brown Goshawk "Accipiter fasciatus"
*Pied Goshawk "Accipiter albogularis"
*Imitator Sparrowhawk "Accipiter imitator" (E)
*Meyer's Goshawk "Accipiter meyerianus"

Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Oriental Hobby "Falco severus"
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Megapodes

Order: GalliformesFamily: Megapodiidae

The Megapodiidae are stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. All but the Malleefowl occupy jungle habitats, and most have brown or black colouring. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Melanesian Scrubfowl "Megapodius eremita"

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails.The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Red-backed Buttonquail "Turnix maculosa"

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Woodford's Rail "Nesoclopeus woodfordi" (E)
*Buff-banded Rail "Gallirallus philippensis"
*Roviana Rail "Gallirallus rovianae" (E)
*Plain Bush-hen "Amaurornis olivaceus"
*Rufous-tailed Bush-hen "Amaurornis moluccanus"
*Spotless Crake "Porzana tabuensis"
*White-browed Crake "Porzana cinerea"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*San Cristobal Moorhen "Gallinula silvestris" (E)

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Beach Thick-knee "Burhinus magnirostris"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum" (A)

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Masked Lapwing "Vanellus miles"
*Pacific Golden Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus" (A)

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Swinhoe's Snipe "Gallinago megala"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Little Curlew "Numenius minutus"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Far Eastern Curlew "Numenius madagascariensis"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Wood Sandpiper "Tringa glareola" (A)
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Gray-tailed Tattler "Heterosceles brevipes"
*Wandering Tattler "Heterosceles incanus"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis"
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos" (A)
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus" (A)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (A)

kuas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Long-tailed Jaeger "Stercorarius longicaudus" (A)

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. 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 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus" (A)

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 15 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Sterna bengalensis" (A)
*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Gray-backed Tern "Sterna lunata"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*White Tern "Gygis alba"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Metallic Pigeon "Columba vitiensis"
*Yellow-legged Pigeon "Columba pallidiceps"
*Mackinlay's Cuckoo-dove "Macropygia mackinlayi"
*Crested Cuckoo-dove "Reinwardtoena crassirostris" (E)
*Emerald Dove "Chalcophaps indica"
*Stephan's Dove "Chalcophaps stephani"
*Nicobar Pigeon "Caloenas nicobarica"
*White-bibbed Ground-dove "Gallicolumba jobiensis"
*Santa Cruz Ground-dove "Gallicolumba sanctaecrucis"
*Thick-billed Ground-dove "Gallicolumba salamonis" (E)
*Bronze Ground-dove "Gallicolumba beccarii"
*Superb Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus superbus"
*Silver-capped Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus richardsii" (E)
*Red-bellied Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus greyii"
*Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus solomonensis"
*Claret-breasted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus viridis"
*White-headed Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus eugeniae" (E)
*Pacific Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pacifica"
*Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon "Ducula rubricera"
*Island Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pistrinaria"
*Chestnut-bellied Imperial-pigeon "Ducula brenchleyi" (E)
*Pale Mountain-pigeon "Gymnophaps solomonensis" (E)

Cockatoos

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Cacatuidae

The cockatoos share many features with other parrots including the characteristic curved beak shape and a zygodactyl foot, with two forward toes and two backwards toes. They differ, however in a number of characteristics, including the often spectacular movable headcrest. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.=

Promeropidae

*Ducorps' Cockatoo "Cacatua ducorpsii" (E)

Parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots 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 11 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Cardinal Lory "Chalcopsitta cardinalis"
*Rainbow Lorikeet "Trichoglossus haematodus"
*Yellow-bibbed Lory "Lorius chlorocercus" (E)
*Palm Lorikeet "Charmosyna palmarum"
*Meek's Lorikeet "Charmosyna meeki" (E)
*Red-flanked Lorikeet "Charmosyna placentis"
*Duchess Lorikeet "Charmosyna margarethae" (E)
*Red-breasted Pygmy-parrot "Micropsitta bruijnii"
*Finsch's Pygmy-parrot "Micropsitta finschii"
*Singing Parrot "Geoffroyus heteroclitus"
*Eclectus Parrot "Eclectus roratus"

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Horsfield's Cuckoo "Cuculus horsfieldi" (A)
*Brush Cuckoo "Cacomantis variolosus"
*Fan-tailed Cuckoo "Cacomantis flabelliformis"
*Shining Bronze-Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx lucidus"
*Asian Koel "Eudynamys scolopacea"
*Australian Koel "Eudynamys cyanocephala"
*Long-tailed Koel "Eudynamys taitensis"
*Buff-headed Coucal "Centropus milo" (E)

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

Typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak, and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Solomon Hawk Owl "Ninox jacquinoti" (E)
*Fearful Owl "Nesasio solomonensis" (E)

Frogmouths

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae

The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. 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 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands, one species of which was only described in 2007.

*Marbled Frogmouth "Podargus ocellatus"
*Papuan Frogmouth "Podargus papuensis"
*Solomon Islands Frogmouth, "Rigidipenna inexpectata" (E)

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*White-throated Eared-nightjar "Eurostopodus mystacalis"
*Large-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus macrurus"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Glossy Swiftlet "Collocalia esculenta"
*White-rumped Swiftlet "Aerodramus spodiopygius"
*Mayr's Swiftlet "Aerodramus orientalis"
*Uniform Swiftlet "Aerodramus vanikorensis"

Treeswifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae

The treeswifts or crested swifts are aerial near passerine birds, closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Moustached Treeswift "Hemiprocne mystacea"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"
*Little Kingfisher "Alcedo pusilla"
*Variable Kingfisher "Ceyx lepidus"
*Ultramarine Kingfisher "Todirhamphus leucopygius" (E)
*Collared Kingfisher "Todirhamphus chloris"
*Beach Kingfisher "Todirhamphus saurophaga"
*Sacred Kingfisher "Todirhamphus sanctus"
*Moustached Kingfisher "Actenoides bougainvillei" (E)

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Rainbow Bee-eater "Merops ornatus"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Dollarbird "Eurystomus orientalis"

Hornbills

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Bucerotidae

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Blyth's Hornbill "Aceros plicatus"

Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Black-faced Pitta "Pitta anerythra" (E)

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Tree Martin "Petrochelidon nigricans"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava" (A)

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes 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 8 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Melanesian Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina caledonica"
*Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina novaehollandiae"
*Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina lineata"
*White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina papuensis"
*Cicadabird "Coracina tenuirostris"
*Solomon Islands Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina holopolia" (E)
*Polynesian Triller "Lalage maculosa"
*Long-tailed Triller "Lalage leucopyga"

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 6 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Scaly Thrush "Zoothera dauma"
*Olive-tailed Thrush "Zoothera lunulata"
*Russet-tailed Thrush "Zoothera heinei"
*New Britain Thrush "Zoothera talaseae"
*San Cristobal Thrush "Zoothera margaretae" (E)
*Island Thrush "Turdus poliocephalus"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 11 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Shade Warbler "Cettia parens" (E)
*Oriental Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orientalis"
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Australian Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus australis"
*Sulphur-breasted Warbler "Phylloscopus ricketti"
*Mountain Warbler "Phylloscopus trivirgatus"
*Island Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus poliocephalus"
*Makira Leaf-warbler "Phylloscopus makirensis" (E)
*Sombre Leaf-warbler "Phylloscopus amoenus" (E)
*Bougainville Thicketbird "Megalurulus llaneae" (E)
*Guadalcanal Thicketbird "Megalurulus whitneyi"

Fantails

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Rhipiduridae

The Fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 44 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Willie-wagtail "Rhipidura leucophrys"
*White-winged Fantail "Rhipidura cockerelli" (E)
*Brown Fantail "Rhipidura drownei" (E)
*Dusky Fantail "Rhipidura tenebrosa" (E)
*Rennell Fantail "Rhipidura rennelliana" (E)
*Gray Fantail "Rhipidura fuliginosa"
*Malaita Fantail "Rhipidura malaitae" (E)
*Rufous Fantail "Rhipidura rufifrons"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Vanikoro Monarch "Mayrornis schistaceus" (E)
*Rennell Shrikebill "Clytorhynchus hamlini" (E)
*Black-throated Shrikebill "Clytorhynchus nigrogularis"
*Island Monarch "Monarcha cinerascens"
*Bougainville Monarch "Monarcha erythrostictus" (E)
*Chestnut-bellied Monarch "Monarcha castaneiventris" (E)
*White-capped Monarch "Monarcha richardsii" (E)
*Kulambangra Monarch "Monarcha browni" (E)
*White-collared Monarch "Monarcha viduus" (E)
*Black-and-white Monarch "Monarcha barbatus" (E)
*Steel-blue Flycatcher "Myiagra ferrocyanea" (E)
*Ochre-headed Flycatcher "Myiagra cervinicauda" (E)
*Melanesian Flycatcher "Myiagra caledonica"
*Vanikoro Flycatcher "Myiagra vanikorensis"

Australasian robins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Petroicidae

Most species of the 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 swamps to semi-arid scrubland. All are primarily insectivorous, although a few supplement their diet with seeds. There are 43 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Scarlet Robin "Petroica multicolor"

Whistlers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pachycephalidae

The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and Crested Bellbird. There are 57 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Golden Whistler "Pachycephala pectoralis"
*Black-tailed Whistler "Pachycephala melanura"
*Hooded Whistler "Pachycephala implicata" (E)

Thornbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acanthizidae

Thornbills are small passerine birds, similar in habits to the tits. There are 65 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Fan-tailed Gerygone "Gerygone flavolateralis"

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Olive-backed Sunbird "Cinnyris jugularis"

Flowerpeckers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicaeidae

The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues. There are 44 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Midget Flowerpecker "Dicaeum aeneum" (E)
*Mottled Flowerpecker "Dicaeum tristrami" (E)

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 12 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Rennell White-eye "Zosterops rennellianus" (E)
*Banded White-eye "Zosterops vellalavella" (E)
*Ganongga White-eye "Zosterops splendidus" (E)
*Splendid White-eye "Zosterops luteirostris" (E)
*Yellow-throated White-eye "Zosterops metcalfii" (E)
*Solomon Islands White-eye "Zosterops rendovae" (E)
*Kulambangra White-eye "Zosterops murphyi" (E)
*Grey-throated White-eye "Zosterops ugiensis" (E)
*Malaita White-eye "Zosterops stresemanni" (E)
*Santa Cruz White-eye "Zosterops santaecrucis" (E)
*Bare-eyed White-eye "Woodfordia superciliosa" (E)
*Sanford's White-eye "Woodfordia lacertosa" (E)

Honeyeaters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 174 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Bougainville Honeyeater "Stresemannia bougainvillei" (E)
*Cardinal Myzomela "Myzomela cardinalis"
*Scarlet-naped Myzomela "Myzomela lafargei" (E)
*Yellow-vented Myzomela "Myzomela eichhorni" (E)
*Red-bellied Myzomela "Myzomela malaitae" (E)
*Black-headed Myzomela "Myzomela melanocephala" (E)
*Sooty Myzomela "Myzomela tristrami" (E)
*Guadalcanal Honeyeater "Guadalcanaria inexpectata" (E)
*San Cristobal Melidectes "Melidectes sclateri" (E)
*Noisy Miner "Manorina melanocephala" (I)

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Hair-crested Drongo "Dicrurus hottentottus"
*Spangled Drongo "Dicrurus bracteatus"

Bellmagpies and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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. Ther are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Solomon Islands.

*Australasian Magpie "Gymnorhina tibicen" (I)

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Guadalcanal Crow "Corvus woodfordi" (E)
*Bougainville Crow "Corvus meeki" (E)

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 11 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Metallic Starling "Aplonis metallica"
*Singing Starling "Aplonis cantoroides"
*Atoll Starling "Aplonis feadensis"
*Rennell Starling "Aplonis insularis" (E)
*White-eyed Starling "Aplonis brunneicapilla" (E)
*Brown-winged Starling "Aplonis grandis" (E)
*San Cristobal Starling "Aplonis dichroa" (E)
*Rusty-winged Starling "Aplonis zelandica"
*Polynesian Starling "Aplonis tabuensis"
*Long-tailed Myna "Mino kreffti"
*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Solomon Islands.

*Blue-faced Parrotfinch "Erythrura trichroa"
*Bismarck Munia "Lonchura melaena"

ee also

*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=sb&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of the Solomon Islands
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