List of birds of French Polynesia

This is a list of the bird species recorded in French Polynesia. The avifauna of French Polynesia includes a total of 122 species, of which 27 are endemic, 14 have been introduced by humans, and 16 are rare or accidental. 27 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 French Polynesia.

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 French Polynesia.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to French Polynesia.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to French Polynesia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.

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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 French Polynesia.

*Wandering Albatross "Diomedea exulans"
*Royal Albatross "Diomedea epomophora"
*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 24 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus" (A)
*Cape Petrel "Daption capense" (A)
*Great-winged Petrel "Pterodroma macroptera"
*Tahiti Petrel "Pterodroma rostrata"
*White-headed Petrel "Pterodroma lessonii"
*Phoenix Petrel "Pterodroma alba"
*Mottled Petrel "Pterodroma inexpectata"
*Murphy's Petrel "Pterodroma ultima"
*Kermadec Petrel "Pterodroma neglecta"
*Herald Petrel "Pterodroma arminjoniana"
*Henderson Petrel "Pterodroma atrata"
*Juan Fernandez Petrel "Pterodroma externa"
*Cook's Petrel "Pterodroma cookii" (A)
*Black-winged Petrel "Pterodroma nigripennis"
*Blue Petrel "Halobaena caerulea"
*Bulwer's Petrel "Bulweria bulwerii"
*Gray Petrel "Procellaria cinerea"
*Pink-footed Shearwater "Puffinus creatopus"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
*Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris"
*Christmas Shearwater "Puffinus nativitatis"
*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 5 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*White-faced Storm-petrel "Pelagodroma marina"
*White-bellied Storm-petrel "Fregetta grallaria"
*Polynesian Storm-petrel "Nesofregetta fuliginosa"
*Band-rumped Storm-petrel "Oceanodroma castro" (A)
*Leach's Storm-petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa"

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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

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

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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

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 French Polynesia.

*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 5 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Great Blue Heron "Ardea herodias"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"

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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Pacific Black Duck "Anas superciliosa"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta" (A)
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata"

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 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Swamp Harrier "Circus approximans" (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 2 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Red Junglefowl "Gallus gallus" (I)
*Ring-necked Pheasant "Phasianus colchicus" (I)

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 2 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Spotless Crake "Porzana tabuensis"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"

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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola" (A)
*Semipalmated Plover "Charadrius semipalmatus" (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 10 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Bristle-thighed Curlew "Numenius tahitiensis"
*Lesser Yellowlegs "Tringa flavipes" (A)
*Gray-tailed Tattler "Heterosceles brevipes"
*Wandering Tattler "Heterosceles incanus"
*Tuamotu Sandpiper "Prosobonia cancellata" (E)
*Ruddy Turnstone "Arenaria interpres"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos"
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis" (A)
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax" (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 2 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Ring-billed Gull "Larus delawarensis" (A)
*Laughing Gull "Larus atricilla" (A)
*Franklin's Gull "Larus pipixcan" (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 7 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Gray-backed Tern "Sterna lunata"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*Blue Noddy "Procelsterna cerulea"
*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 13 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia" (I)
*Zebra Dove "Geopelia striata" (I)
*Polynesian Ground-dove "Gallicolumba erythroptera" (E)
*Marquesan Ground-dove "Gallicolumba rubescens" (E)
*Grey-green Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus purpuratus" (E)
*Makatea Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus chalcurus" (E)
*Atoll Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus coralensis" (E)
*Rapa Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus huttoni" (E)
*White-capped Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii" (E)
*Red-moustached Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus mercierii" (E)
*Pacific Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pacifica" (I)
*Polynesian Imperial-pigeon "Ducula aurorae" (E)
*Marquesan Imperial-pigeon "Ducula galeata" (E)

Parrots, Macaws 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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Kuhl's Lorikeet "Vini kuhlii" (E)
*Blue Lorikeet "Vini peruviana" (E)
*Ultramarine Lorikeet "Vini ultramarina" (E)

Cuckoos and Anis

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 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Long-tailed Koel "Eudynamys taitensis"

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 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Great Horned Owl "Bubo virginianus" (I)

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 2 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Polynesian Swiftlet "Aerodramus leucophaeus" (E)
*Marquesan Swiftlet "Aerodramus ocistus" (E)

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 4 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Tahiti Kingfisher "Todirhamphus veneratus" (E)
*Chattering Kingfisher "Todirhamphus tuta"
*Marquesas Kingfisher "Todirhamphus godeffroyi" (E)
*Tuamotu Kingfisher "Todirhamphus gambieri" (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 French Polynesia.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"

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 French Polynesia.

*White Wagtail "Motacilla alba"

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 French Polynesia.

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

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 4 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Tahiti Reed-warbler "Acrocephalus caffer" (E)
*Tuamotu Reed-warbler "Acrocephalus atyphus" (E)
*Rimatara Reed-warbler "Acrocephalus rimatarae" (E)
*Marquesan Reed-warbler "Acrocephalus mendanae" (E)

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Northern Wheatear "Oenanthe oenanthe"

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 4 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Tahiti Monarch "Pomarea nigra" (E)
*Iphis Monarch "Pomarea iphis" (E)
*Marquesas Monarch "Pomarea mendozae" (E)
*Fatuhiva Monarch "Pomarea whitneyi" (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 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Silver-eye "Zosterops lateralis" (I)

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 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*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 3 species which occur in French Polynesia.

*Common Waxbill "Estrilda astrild" (I)
*Red-browed Firetail "Neochmia temporalis" (I)
*Chestnut-breasted Munia "Lonchura castaneothorax" (I)

Tanagers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Thraupidae

The tanagers are a large group of small to medium-sized passerine birds restricted to the New World, mainly in the tropics. Many species are brightly coloured. They are seed eaters, but their preference tends towards fruit and nectar. Most have short, rounded wings. There are 256 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in French Polynesia.

*Crimson-backed Tanager "Ramphocelus dimidiatus" (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=pf&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of French Polynesia
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