List of birds of New Caledonia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in New Caledonia. The avifauna of New Caledonia includes a total of 189 species, of which 23 are endemic, 14 have been introduced by humans, and 48 are rare or accidental. 3 species listed are extirpated in New Caledonia and are not included in the species count. 12 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 New Caledonia.

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 New Caledonia.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to New Caledonia.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to New Caledonia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.
* (Ex) Extirpated A species that no longer occurs in New Caledonia although populations exist elsewhere.

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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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*Australasian Grebe "Tachybaptus novaehollandiae"

Albatrosses

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: 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 3 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Wandering Albatross "Diomedea exulans"
*Royal Albatross "Diomedea epomophora" (A)
*Black-browed Albatross "Thalassarche melanophris" (A)

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 20 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus" (A)
*Hall's Giant Petrel "Macronectes halli" (A)
*Cape Petrel "Daption capense" (A)
*Tahiti Petrel "Pterodroma rostrata"
*Mottled Petrel "Pterodroma inexpectata"
*Providence Petrel "Pterodroma solandri" (A)
*Herald Petrel "Pterodroma arminjoniana"
*White-necked Petrel "Pterodroma cervicalis" (A)
*Cook's Petrel "Pterodroma cookii" (A)
*Gould's Petrel "Pterodroma leucoptera"
*Black-winged Petrel "Pterodroma nigripennis"
*Grey Petrel "Procellaria cinerea" (A)
*Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
*Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris"
*Fluttering Shearwater "Puffinus gavia"
*Little Shearwater "Puffinus assimilis"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"

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 New Caledonia.

*Wilson's Storm-petrel "Oceanites oceanicus" (A)
*White-bellied Storm-petrel "Fregetta grallaria" (A)
*Polynesian Storm-petrel "Nesofregetta fuliginosa"
*Band-rumped Storm-petrel "Oceanodroma castro" (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 New Caledonia.

*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

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 New Caledonia.

*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 New Caledonia.

*Australian Gannet "Morus serrator"
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*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 New Caledonia.

*Little Black Cormorant "Phalacrocorax sulcirostris" (A)
*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*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 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*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 8 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Great Egret "Ardea alba" (A)
*White-faced Heron "Egretta novaehollandiae"
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis" (A)
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata" (A)
*Rufous Night-Heron "Nycticorax caledonicus"
*Australasian Bittern "Botaurus poiciloptilus" (Ex)

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 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

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

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 9 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Wandering Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna arcuata" (A)
*Canada Goose "Branta canadensis" (A)
*Gray Teal "Anas gracilis" (A)
*Mallard "Anas platyrhynchos" (I)
*Pacific Black Duck "Anas superciliosa"
*Australian Shoveler "Anas rhynchotis" (A)
*White-eyed Duck "Aythya australis"

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 5 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Whistling Kite "Haliastur sphenurus"
*White-bellied Sea-Eagle "Haliaeetus leucogaster" (A)
*Swamp Harrier "Circus approximans"
*Brown Goshawk "Accipiter fasciatus"
*White-bellied Goshawk "Accipiter haplochrous" (E)

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 New Caledonia.

*Australian Kestrel "Falco cenchroides" (A)
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Turkeys

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 New Caledonia.

*Wild Turkey "Meleagris gallopavo" (I)

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Red Junglefowl "Gallus gallus" (I)
*Ring-necked Pheasant "Phasianus colchicus" (I)
*Indian Peafowl "Pavo cristatus" (I)

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 New Caledonia.

*Painted Buttonquail "Turnix varia" (Ex)

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 7 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*New Caledonian Rail "Gallirallus lafresnayanus" (E)
*Buff-banded Rail "Gallirallus philippensis"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla" (A)
*Spotless Crake "Porzana tabuensis"
*White-browed Crake "Porzana cinerea" (A)
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*Dusky Moorhen "Gallinula tenebrosa"

Kagus

Order: GruiformesFamily: Rhynochetidae

The Kagu or Cagou is a long-legged grey-coloured bird found only in the dense mountain forests of New Caledonia. It is almost flightless, and builds a ground nest of sticks, laying a single egg. It has proved vulnerable to introduced rats and cats, and is threatened with extinction. The remote habitat and rarity of this species mean that little is known of its habits.

*Kagu "Rhynochetos jubatus" (E)

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*South Island Oystercatcher "Haematopus finschi" (A)

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 New Caledonia.

*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 New Caledonia.

*Australian Pratincole "Stiltia isabella" (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 8 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Masked Lapwing "Vanellus miles"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Semipalmated Plover "Charadrius semipalmatus" (A)
*Double-banded Plover "Charadrius bicinctus" (A)
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii" (A)
*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 17 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Little Curlew "Numenius minutus" (A)
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Far Eastern Curlew "Numenius madagascariensis" (A)
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis" (A)
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Terek Sandpiper "Xenus cinereus"
*Common Sandpiper "Actitis hypoleucos"
*Gray-tailed Tattler "Heterosceles brevipes"
*Wandering Tattler "Heterosceles incanus"
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Great Knot "Calidris tenuirostris" (A)
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus" (A)
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis"
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea" (A)

kuas and Jaegers

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 3 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*South Polar Skua "Stercorarius maccormicki" (A)
*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus" (A)
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus" (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 New Caledonia.

*Silver Gull "Larus novaehollandiae"

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 12 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Fairy Tern "Sterna nereis"
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*Grey Noddy "Procelsterna albivitta"
*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 9 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (I)
*Metallic Pigeon "Columba vitiensis"
*Spotted Dove "Streptopelia chinensis" (I)
*Emerald Dove "Chalcophaps indica"
*Zebra Dove "Geopelia striata" (I)
*Red-bellied Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus greyii"
*Cloven-feathered Dove "Drepanoptila holosericea" (E)
*Pacific Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pacifica"
*New Caledonian Imperial-pigeon "Ducula goliath" (E)

Parrots and allies

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 4 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Rainbow Lorikeet "Trichoglossus haematodus"
*Horned Parakeet "Eunymphicus cornutus" (E)
*Uvea Parakeet "Eunymphicus uvaeensis" (E)
*New Caledonian Red-crowned Parakeet "Cyanoramphus saissetti" (E)

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 4 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Fan-tailed Cuckoo "Cacomantis flabelliformis"
*Shining Bronze-Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx lucidus"
*Long-tailed Koel "Eudynamys taitensis"
*Channel-billed Cuckoo "Scythrops novaehollandiae" (A)

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 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Australasian Grass-Owl "Tyto longimembris"
*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Owlet-nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Aegothelidae

The owlet-nightjars are small nocturnal birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are insectivores which hunt mostly in the air. Their soft plumage is a mixture of browns and paler shades. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles savesi" (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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*White-throated Nightjar "Eurostopodus mystacalis" (Ex)

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 New Caledonia.

*Glossy Swiftlet "Collocalia esculenta"
*White-rumped Swiftlet "Aerodramus spodiopygius"
*Uniform Swiftlet "Aerodramus vanikorensis" (A)
*White-throated Needletail "Hirundapus caudacutus" (A)

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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*Sacred Kingfisher "Todirhamphus sanctus"

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 New Caledonia.

*Rainbow Bee-eater "Merops ornatus"

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 New Caledonia.

*Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"
*Welcome Swallow "Hirundo neoxena"
*Tree Martin "Petrochelidon nigricans" (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 4 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Melanesian Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina caledonica"
*Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina novaehollandiae" (A)
*New Caledonian Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina analis" (E)
*Long-tailed Triller "Lalage leucopyga"

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 New Caledonia.

*Red-vented Bulbul "Pycnonotus cafer" (I)

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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*New Caledonian Grassbird "Megalurulus mariei" (E)

Fantails

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Rhipiduridae

The Fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 44 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Grey Fantail "Rhipidura fuliginosa"
*Streaked Fantail "Rhipidura spilodera"

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 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Southern Shrikebill "Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides"
*Melanesian Flycatcher "Myiagra caledonica"

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 New Caledonia.

*Yellow-bellied Robin "Eopsaltria flaviventris" (E)

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 2 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Golden Whistler "Pachycephala pectoralis"
*New Caledonian Whistler "Pachycephala caledonica" (E)
*Rufous Whistler "Pachycephala rufiventris"

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 New Caledonia.

*Fan-tailed Gerygone "Gerygone flavolateralis"

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 4 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Large Lifou White-eye "Zosterops inornatus" (E)
*Green-backed White-eye "Zosterops xanthochrous" (E)
*Small Lifou White-eye "Zosterops minutus" (E)
*Silver-eye "Zosterops lateralis"

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 6 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Dark-brown Honeyeater "Lichmera incana"
*New Caledonian Myzomela "Myzomela caledonica" (E)
*Cardinal Myzomela "Myzomela cardinalis"
*New Caledonian Friarbird "Philemon diemenensis" (E)
*Crow Honeyeater "Gymnomyza aubryana" (E)
*Barred Honeyeater "Phylidonyris undulata" (E)

Woodswallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 New Caledonia.

*White-breasted Woodswallow "Artamus leucorynchus"

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 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*New Caledonian Crow "Corvus moneduloides" (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 3 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Striated Starling "Aplonis striata" (E)
*Common Myna "Acridotheres tristis" (I)
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris" (A)

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 4 species which occur in New Caledonia.

*Common Waxbill "Estrilda astrild" (I)
*Blue-faced Parrotfinch "Erythrura trichroa" (A)
*Red-throated Parrotfinch "Erythrura psittacea" (E)
*Chestnut-breasted Munia "Lonchura castaneothorax" (I)

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in New Caledonia.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (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=nc&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of New Caledonia
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