Birds of French Polynesia

Polynesia's terrestrial avifauna consists of 33 species : two species of heron, one duck, one sandpiper, one rail, nine pigeons, three loris, two swiftlets, four kingfishers, one swallow, five reed-warblers and four flycatchers. Because of the diversity of habitats the terrestrial avifauna of the volcanic islands is more varied than that of the coral atolls.

On the other hand, except for some small volcanic islets, the atolls shelters generally more marine birds who find in their vast lagoons and around the islands a food in abundance.

French Polynesia is also an important wintering area for several migratory bird species such as Bristle-thighed Curlew and Long-tailed Koel.

Ten bird species were introduced to the islands with often negative consequences for the local avifauna.

PHOTO GALLERY

MARINE BIRDS	TERRESTRIAL BIRDS

MIGRATORY BIRDS	INTRODUCED BIRDS

Fundamental characteristics of the terrestrial avifauna :

A very high rate of endemism

The birds of French Polynesia are of particular interest because many are unique endemic species, thus representing a valuable part of our natural heritage.

This very high rate of endemism is a consequence of the biogeography of French Polynesia which is made up of dozens of coral atolls and volcanic islands located in the centre of the Pacific Ocean, thousands kilometres from the large continents. Indeed, its long isolation has made it possible for the terrestrial avifauna to evolve and adapt to new and different habitats.

French Polynesia shelters 28 endemic terrestrial species :

FAMILY	SPECIES	ENGLISH NAME	LOCAL NAME
SCOLOPACIDAE	Prosobonia cancellata	Tuamotu Sandpiper	Titi
COLUMBIDAE	Gallicolumba erythroptera	Polynesian Ground-dove	'U'u 'ai ra'o, Tutururu
COLUMBIDAE	Gallicolumba rubescens	Marquesan Ground-dove	Kotue
COLUMBIDAE	Ptilinopus purpuratus	Gray-green Fruit-dove	'U'upa
COLUMBIDAE	Ptilinopus coralensis	Atoll Fruit-dove	'O'o
COLUMBIDAE	Ptilinopus chalcurus	Makatea Fruit-dove	'U'upa
COLUMBIDAE	Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii	White-capped Fruit-dove	Kuku
COLUMBIDAE	Ptilinopus huttoni	Rapa Fruit-dove	Koko
COLUMBIDAE	Ducula aurorae	Polynesian Imperial-pigeon	Rupe
COLUMBIDAE	Ducula galeata	Marquesan Imperial-pigeon	Upe
PSITTACIDAE	Vini kuhlii**	Kuhl's Lorikeet	'Ura
PSITTACIDAE	Vini peruviana *	Blue Lorikeet	Vini
PSITTACIDAE	Vini ultramarina	Ultramarine Lorikeet	Pihiti
APODIDAE	Aerodramus leucophaeus	Tahiti Swiftlet	Ope'a
APODIDAE	Aerodramus ocistus	Marquesan Swiftlet	Kopekapeka, Kope'a
ALCENIDIDAE	Todiramphus veneratus	Tahiti Kingfisher	Ruro
ALCENIDIDAE	Todiramphus tutus *	Chattering Kingfisher	Otatare
ALCENIDIDAE	Todiramphus godeffroyi	Marquesan Kingfisher	Pahi
ALCENIDIDAE	Todiramphus gambieri	Tuamotu Kingfisher	Kote'ute'u
MUSCICAPIDAE	Acrocephalus caffer	Tahiti Reed-warbler	Otatare, Manu ofe
MUSCICAPIDAE	Acrocephalus percernis	Northern Marquesan Reed-warbler	Komako
MUSCICAPIDAE	Acrocephalus mendanae	Southern Marquesan Reed-warbler	Komako
MUSCICAPIDAE	Acrocephalus atyphus	Tuamotu Reed-warbler	Kotiotio
MUSCICAPIDAE	Acrocephalus rimitarae	Rimatara Reed-warbler	Oromao
PACHYCEPHALIDAE	Pomarea nigra	Tahiti Monarch	Omama'o
PACHYCEPHALIDAE	Pomarea iphis	Iphis Monarch	Patiotio
PACHYCEPHALIDAE	Pomarea mendozae	Marquesan Monarch	Koma'o
PACHYCEPHALIDAE	Pomarea whitneyi	Fatu Hiva Monarch	Omao

* Also present in Cook Islands
* Also present in Cook Islands and Kiribati

French Polynesia shelters more endemic species than any other French Overseas Territory.

Highly endangered species

Populations of French Polynesia's birds are very small and thus particularly vulnerable. Nineteen endemic bird species are threatened with global extinction. Of these, seven are Vulnerable, seven Endangered and five Critically Endangered according to the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List.

Restricted range species	Threatened	Total
Confined to French Polynesia	17	25
Present in other countries	1	2
Total	18	27

Some birds are only found in one archipelago, one island, or even one valley or small islet (motu), with total numbers sometimes lower than one hundred individuals and in a few cases below a hundred.

French Polynesia is at the forefront of countries with a high percentage of threatened species.

French Polynesia shelters more threatened species than any other French Overseas Territory.