- List of birds of Tonga
This is a list of the bird species recorded in Tonga. The avifauna of
Tonga includes a total of 73 species, of which 2 are endemic, 5 have been introduced by humans, and 8 are rare or accidental. 7 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 Tonga.
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 Tonga.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to Tonga.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to Tonga as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.__NOTOC__
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 occurs in Tonga.
*
Wandering Albatross "Diomedea exulans"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 14 species which occur in Tonga.
*
Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus" (A)
*Cape Petrel "Daption capense"
*Tahiti Petrel "Pterodroma rostrata"
*Phoenix Petrel "Pterodroma alba" (A)
*Mottled Petrel "Pterodroma inexpectata"
*Kermadec Petrel "Pterodroma neglecta"
*Herald Petrel "Pterodroma arminjoniana"
*White-necked Petrel "Pterodroma cervicalis"
*Black-winged Petrel "Pterodroma nigripennis"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Buller's Shearwater "Puffinus bulleri" (A)
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
*Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"torm-Petrels
Order:
Procellariiformes Family:Hydrobatidae The
storm-petrel s are relatives of thepetrel s, and are the smallest of sea-birds. They feed onplankton ic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimesbat -like. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
Polynesian Storm-petrel "Nesofregetta fuliginosa"Tropicbirds
Order:
Pelecaniformes Family:Phaethontidae Tropicbird s 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 Tonga.*
Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"Boobies and Gannets
Order:
Pelecaniformes Family:Sulidae The sulids comprise the
gannet s and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Tonga.*
Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"Frigatebirds
Order:
Pelecaniformes Family:Fregatidae Frigatebird s 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 2 species which occur in Tonga.*
Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"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 3 species which occur in Tonga.*
White-faced Heron "Egretta novaehollandiae"
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata" (A)Ducks, Geese and Swans
Order:
Anseriformes Family:Anatidae The family Anatidae includes the
duck s and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese andswan s. 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 2 species which occur in Tonga.*
Pacific Black Duck "Anas superciliosa"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
Swamp Harrier "Circus approximans"Megapodes
Order:
Galliformes Family: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 Tonga.*
Niaufoou Scrubfowl "Megapodius pritchardii" (E)Pheasants and Partridges
Order:
Galliformes Family:Phasianidae The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of
quail s,partridge s,snowcock s,francolin s,spurfowl s,tragopan s,monal s,pheasant s,peafowl s andjungle fowl s. In general, they are plump (although they may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
Red Junglefowl "Gallus gallus"Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots
Order:
Gruiformes Family:Rallidae Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails,
crake s,coot s, 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 3 species which occur in Tonga.*
Buff-banded Rail "Gallirallus philippensis"
*Spotless Crake "Porzana tabuensis"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"andpipers and allies
Order:
Charadriiformes Family:Scolopacidae The Scolopacidae are a large diverse family of small to medium sized shorebirds including the
sandpiper s,curlew s,godwit s,shanks , tattlers,woodcock s,snipe s,dowitcher s andphalarope s. 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 5 species which occur in Tonga.*
Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Bristle-thighed Curlew "Numenius tahitiensis"
*Wandering Tattler "Heterosceles incanus"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"kuas and Jaegers
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 3 species which occur in Tonga.
*
South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus" (A)
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus" (A)Terns
Order:
Charadriiformes Family:Sternidae Tern s 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 10 species which occur in Tonga.*
Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Gray-backed Tern "Sterna lunata"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*Blue Noddy "Procelsterna cerulea"
*Gray Noddy "Procelsterna albivitta"
*White Tern "Gygis alba"Pigeons and Doves
Order:
Columbiformes Family:Columbidae Pigeon s anddove s are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshycere . There are 308 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Tonga.*
Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (I)
*Friendly Ground-dove "Gallicolumba stairi"
*Many-coloured Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus perousii"
*Purple-capped Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus porphyraceus"
*Pacific Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pacifica"Parrots, Macaws and allies
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 2 species which occur in Tonga.*
Blue-crowned Lorikeet "Vini australis"
*Red Shining Parrot "Prosopeia tabuensis" (I)Cuckoos and Anis
Order:
Cuculiformes Family:Cuculidae The family Cuculidae includes
cuckoo s, 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
Long-tailed Koel "Eudynamys taitensis"Barn owls
Order:
Strigiformes Family:Tytonidae Barn owl s 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 Tonga.*
Barn Owl "Tyto alba"wifts
Order:
Apodiformes Family:Apodidae Swift s 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.*
White-rumped Swiftlet "Aerodramus spodiopygius"Kingfishers
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 occurs in Tonga.
*
Collared Kingfisher "Todirhamphus chloris"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 Tonga.
*
Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"Cuckoo-shrikes
Order:
Passeriformes Family: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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.
*
Polynesian Triller "Lalage maculosa"Bulbuls
Order:
Passeriformes Family:Pycnonotidae Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat 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 Tonga.
*
Red-vented Bulbul "Pycnonotus cafer" (I)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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.
*
Fiji Shrikebill "Clytorhynchus vitiensis"Whistlers and allies
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 Tonga.
*
Tongan Whistler "Pachycephala jacquinoti" (E)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 174 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Tonga.
*
Wattled Honeyeater "Foulehaio carunculata"tarlings
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 3 species which occur in Tonga.
*
Polynesian Starling "Aplonis tabuensis"
*Jungle Myna "Acridotheres fuscus" (I)
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris" (I)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=to&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Tonga
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 30 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 0934797161
pages = 880
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