List of birds of Tonga

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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.

Table of contents
Non-passerines: Albatrosses . Shearwaters and Petrels . Storm-Petrels . Tropicbirds . Boobies and Gannets . Frigatebirds . Bitterns, Herons and Egrets . Ducks, Geese and Swans . Hawks, Kites and Eagles . Megapodes . Pheasants and Partridges . Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots . Plovers and Lapwings . Sandpipers and allies . Skuas and Jaegers . Terns . Pigeons and Doves . Parrots, Macaws and allies . Cuckoos and Anis . Barn owls . Swifts . Kingfishers .
Passerines: Swallows and Martins . Cuckoo-shrikes . Bulbuls . Monarch flycatchers . Whistlers and allies . Honeyeaters . Starlings .
See also       References

[edit] 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

[edit] Shearwaters 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

[edit] Storm-Petrels

Order: Procellariiformes Family: 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.

• Polynesian Storm-petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa

[edit] Tropicbirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: 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 Tonga.

• Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda
• White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus

[edit] Boobies and Gannets

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: 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 Tonga.

• Masked Booby Sula dactylatra
• Red-footed Booby Sula sula
• Brown Booby Sula leucogaster

[edit] Frigatebirds

Order: Pelecaniformes Family: 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 Tonga.

• Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
• Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel

[edit] Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: Ciconiiformes Family: 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 3 species which occur in Tonga.

• White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae
• Pacific Reef-Heron Egretta sacra
• Striated Heron Butorides striata (A)

[edit] Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: Anseriformes Family: 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 2 species which occur in Tonga.

• Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa
• Northern Pintail Anas acuta (A)

[edit] Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: Falconiformes Family: 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 Tonga.

• Swamp Harrier Circus approximans

[edit] 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)

[edit] Pheasants and Partridges

Order: Galliformes Family: 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.

• Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus

[edit] Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: Gruiformes Family: 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 3 species which occur in Tonga.

• Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis
• Spotless Crake Porzana tabuensis
• Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio

[edit] Plovers and Lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.

• Pacific Golden-Plover Pluvialis fulva

[edit] Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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 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

[edit] Skuas 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)

[edit] Terns

Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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 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

[edit] Pigeons and Doves

Order: Columbiformes Family: 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 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

[edit] Parrots, Macaws and allies

Order: Psittaciformes Family: 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 2 species which occur in Tonga.

• Blue-crowned Lorikeet Vini australis
• Red Shining Parrot Prosopeia tabuensis (I)

[edit] Cuckoos and Anis

Order: Cuculiformes Family: 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 Tonga.

• Long-tailed Koel Eudynamys taitensis

[edit] Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes Family: 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.

• Barn Owl Tyto alba

[edit] Swifts

Order: Apodiformes Family: 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 1 species which occurs in Tonga.

• White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius

[edit] 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

[edit] Swallows 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

[edit] 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

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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

[edit] 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)

[edit] 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

[edit] Starlings

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)

[edit] See also

• List of birds
• Lists of birds by region

[edit] References

• Lepage, Denis. Checklist of birds of Tonga. Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved on 30 April 2007.
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press, 880. ISBN 0934797161.