French Polynesia is a collection of 115 coral atolls and volcanic islands with a combined surface area of some 4000 kmē scattered across more than 4 million kmē of the tropical South Pacific. French Polynesia is a collection of 115 coral atolls and volcanic islands with a combined surface area of some 4000 kmē scattered across more than 4 million kmē of the tropical South Pacific.
French Polynesia is an Overseas Territory of France. It received its Statute of Autonomy on September 6, 1984 and is home to more than 220,000 people, three quarters of which live in Tahiti and Moorea. French Polynesia includes five administrative units: Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Tuamotu-Gambier Archipelago, Marquesas Archipelago and the Austral Islands.
Polynesia's
terrestrial avifauna consists of some thirty three species. This relatively low
number, however, masks a high rate of endemism. Only Reef Heron, Striated Heron, Spotless Crake,
Pacific Black Duck and Pacific swallow are distributed throughout
the South Pacific. The rest are only found in French Polynesia.
In contrast French Polynesia has 28 species of breeding seabird, making it one of the richest tropical areas for marine species. The majority of bird species are widespread in the tropical area. Nine species only breed in the Pacific and one, Murphy's Petrel, is endemic to eastern Polynesia. Three subspecies are also endemic to French Polynesia.
The Ornithological Society of Polynesia - "MANU" - was founded in July 1990 by enthusiastic amateur birdwatchers in French Polynesia. Its purpose is to take action to protect the birds, habitats and biodiversity of French Polynesia, and work with the
human population to promote the sustainable management of natural resources.
