The Central Islands of the Pacific Ocean are home to a diverse array of bird species, each uniquely adapted to survive in their distinct and often challenging island habitats.
From the tiny, brightly-colored honeycreepers that flit through the forest canopies to the massive, flightless ostrich-like birds known as moa-nalos that once roamed the grasslands.
These avian residents have long captured the imaginations of scientists, bird enthusiasts, and casual visitors alike.
Today, many of these species face threats ranging from habitat loss to invasive predators, making conservation efforts in the Central Islands increasingly urgent.
Nevertheless, the region remains a vital stronghold for some of the world’s most fascinating and important bird populations.
1. House Sparrow
The house sparrow is a small bird of the Passeridae family. It has an average length of 16 cm and weighs 24-39.5 gm.
Females have dull brown and grey plumage, whereas males are brighter, with black, white, and brown markings on their wings and back feathers.
This species is one among 25 different kinds in its genus Passer. These birds are found worldwide, mainly near human dwellings where they feed off food scraps from garbage bins or gardens, etc..
They also make nests close to houses, making them even more visible to nearby people.
House sparrows can be seen hopping around yards for food during daytime hours but usually hide in colonies at night.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Passeridae |
| Genus | Passer |
| Species | P. domesticus |
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2. Great Egret
The Great Egret is a large, white bird found in many regions of the world. It has four subspecies that reside across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and southern Europe.
This species usually lives near bodies of water such as lakes and marshes. They are also now starting to spread into more northern areas of Europe due to climate change.
These birds have long yellow legs with an impressive wingspan, allowing them to soar majestically through the sky, hunting for fish or amphibians in shallow waters below.
Their feathers have been used historically by Native Americans as part of traditional garments or ceremonies, but this practice should be avoided today so these amazing creatures can thrive without harm from humans.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. alba |
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3. Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron is a majestic wading bird found in many parts of North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and even as far away as the Galapagos Islands.
It has an impressive wingspan which can reach up to six feet wide. Its feathers are mainly bluish-gray with brownish streaks on both its neck and chest, while its head displays white plumes.
The adult herons can also be identified by their yellow bill and legs.
They live near bodies of water such as lakes, marshes, or rivers, feeding on fish using a spear-like motion with their sharp bills.
An all-white population exists only in South Florida and the Florida Keys, making it quite unique.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | A. herodias |
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4. Swifts
Swifts are small, aerial birds that belong to the Apodidae family. They look similar to swallows but aren’t related in any way.
Swifts have evolved differently from other passerines and instead share an order with hummingbirds – the Apodiformes.
The Hemiprocnidae also shares a close relationship with swifts, being referred to as ‘treeswift’ due to their affinity for perching on trees rather than flying through the air like regular swifts do.
While these two species may appear quite similar at first glance, closer inspection will reveal vast differences between them, which have come about over time via convergent evolution.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae Hartert, 1897 |
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5. Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Wilson’s storm petrel is a small seabird of the Oceanitidae family. A circumpolar species, it can be found in both the northern and southern hemispheres during summertime.
Its abundance population is estimated to be around 20 million birds as of 2022, making it one of Earth’s most populous bird species.
This nocturnal creature loves to feed on crustaceans, fish eggs, and larval fishes that they catch while flying over open waters near coasts or islands at night.
During daylight hours, Wilson’s Storm Petrel will rest in large groups and form colonies with fellow members for protection against predators like gulls and skuas, which steal their food supplies if given the opportunity.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Oceanitidae |
| Genus | Oceanites |
| Species | O. oceanicus |
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6. Greater Crested Tern
The Greater crested tern is a large bird of the family Laridae, found in tropical and subtropical regions across the Old World.
It has five subspecies, which breed from South Africa to Australia before migrating away for winter.
The distinctive crest feathers on its head give it its name and set it apart from other species like gulls or skuas.
They have wide wingspans that allow them to fly swiftly over oceans or coasts easily – they are known as swift terns because of this.
The greater crested tern feeds mainly off fish caught at sea by plunge-diving into waters up to 10m deep, an impressive feat indeed.
With their bright white plumage, black caps, and long yellow bills, they stand out against any landscape – even on land, these birds can be seen enjoying life along coastlines.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Thalasseus |
| Species | T. bergii |
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7. Black-Browed Albatross
The Black-browed Albatross is a majestic seabird that belongs to the albatross family known as Diomedeidae.
It is an impressive bird, with its black beak and brow contrasting against the white plumage on its wings and body.
The most widespread and common member of this group, it can often be seen flying around oceans in different parts of the world.
These birds share many features with other members of their order Procellariiformes, such as shearwaters, fulmars, storm petrels, and diving petrels; they all have long wingspans for gliding effortlessly above water surfaces.
They feed mainly by scavenging or hunting small fish near the sea surface while flying low over the waters.
Its population has unfortunately declined due to commercial fishing vessels, which attract them closer to shore, resulting in entanglement into fishing nets and leading them towards mortality.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Diomedeidae |
| Genus | Thalassarche |
| Species | T. melanophris |
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8. Cape Petrel
The Cape petrel is a seabird from the Procellariidae family that lives in the Southern Ocean. It is the only species of its genus with many allies, including fulmarine and giant petrels.
This species is abundant, with an estimated population of around two million individuals. Its plumage consists mainly of dark grey on top and white underneath, making it easily identifiable when flying overhead or perched atop rocks along shorelines.
They usually feed at night while searching for fish, crustaceans, squid, and other marine life near surface waters, using their strong sense of smell to find prey in low-light conditions.
Cape Petrels are often seen gathering into large flocks as they migrate between Antarctic seas during winter months before returning home to breed during summertime where they form large colonies along coastlines throughout southern oceans such as New Zealand’s South Island coasts.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Daption Stephens, 1826 |
| Species | D. capense |
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9. Antarctic Prion
The Antarctic Prion is the largest of all prions, a genus of small petrels found in the Southern Ocean.
It was first described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 as part of an updated edition to Carl Linnaeus’ “Systema Naturae” and placed with other petrels under his own Pro genus.
The bird has two distinct morphs – one dark gray-brownish back color and another lighter gray morph that can be spotted during migrations across different parts of Antarctica’s coastlines.
Its diet consists mainly of crustaceans and fish, which it scoops up while flying through surface waters on its long wingspan.
While they are often seen alone or in pairs, large groups may also form when feeding near krill concentrations or human settlements such as research stations around Antarctica’s coasts.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pachyptila |
| Species | P. desolata |
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10. White-Chinned Petrel
The White-chinned Petrel is a large seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It can be found in oceans around the Southern Hemisphere, ranging from Australia to Peru and Namibia.
These birds breed colonially on scattered islands, sometimes called Cape hens or Shoemakers.
Their unique white chins distinguish them from other petrels, such as their former species, the Spectacled Petrel.
Their wingspan averages about 115 cm across and travel up to 4400 km during migration season.
The White-chinned Petrel feeds mainly on small fish, squid, and zooplankton; it dives into the ocean for its prey using its strong webbed feet.
This species has an impressive lifespan of more than 35 years – making these majestic creatures some of our oldest avian companions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Procellaria |
| Species | P. aequinoctialis |
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11. Blue Petrel
The Blue Petrel is a small seabird of the Procellariidae family, found in the Southern Ocean. It is easily distinguished by its blue plumage and short forked tail.
The only species in its genus, Halobaena, has close genetic ties to Prions. Breeding mainly near the Antarctic Convergence zone at various isolated island sites, this bird was first described in 1777 by German naturalist Peter Simon Pallas.
Its diet consists mostly of krill along with squid and fish, which they plunge-dive into ocean waters to catch their prey before returning back to nest on land or cliffside burrows where two eggs are laid each year.
They have adapted well over time thanks to their unique traits, such as long wingspan enabling them to travel far distances while being able to store food reserves during days without feeding opportunities due to migration patterns across vast oceans.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Halobaena Bonaparte, 1856 |
| Species | H. caerulea |
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12. Diving Petrel
Diving petrels are small seabirds belonging to the family Procellariidae. These birds can be found only in the southern hemisphere and have four very similar species, distinguished by slight differences in their plumage coloration, habitat preference, and bill construction.
They typically inhabit coastal regions near cliffs or rocky shores where they feed upon fish and marine invertebrates using a diving technique that requires them to plunge into deep water while flap-dipping underwater for food.
Diving petrels usually breed on offshore islands during summer months, laying one egg per season, which is incubated by both parents until hatching takes place after about five weeks of development time.
Despite being quite adaptable to changing environments, these birds remain vulnerable due to threats such as predation from larger sea creatures like seals or whales, as well as destruction caused by human activities like fishing nets or oil spills, which often result in the death of adult individuals or chicks before fledging has taken place successfully.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pelecanoides Lacépède, 1799 |
13. Grey Petrel
The Grey Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family found mainly between 32°S and 58°S.
They are pelagic birds, meaning they spend most of their lives out at sea, only returning to shore for breeding season.
The bird was first formally described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 under its binomial name ‘Procellaria cinerea.’
It is also known as the Brown Petrel, Pediunker, or Grey Shearwater due to its grey plumage and black bill with yellow tip.
Its wingspan can reach up to 68 cm long, and it feeds on small fish, such as sardines or anchovies, which it catches close to the surface of water while flying low over ocean waves.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Procellaria |
| Species | P. cinerea |
14. White-Headed Petrel
The White-headed Petrel is an adorable seabird from the petrel family Procellariidae. It has a length of about 400 mm (16 in) and can be found on subantarctic islands where it breeds either alone or colonially in burrows dug among tussocks and fields.
The diet mainly comprises cephalopods and crustaceans, which they feed upon pelagically.
These birds have white heads with dark eyes surrounded by a circular black patch near their bill; the rest of their body is greyish blue except for their wings, which are black-edged with silver-grey tips.
They tend to use dynamic soaring during migration when flying long distances over water and land while searching for food sources along their route.
In addition, they also rely heavily on winds blowing from east to west across oceans because they can fly further faster while conserving energy simultaneously.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. lessonii |
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15. Great-Winged Petrel
The Great-winged Petrel is a remarkable species of seabird found in the open ocean and coastal areas.
Its scientific name, Pterodroma macroptera, reflects its unique flying abilities; its large wings enable it to soar gracefully over long distances.
This petrel can be identified by its greyish body plumage with white underparts and tail feathers and a distinctive black cap on its head.
It feeds mainly on fish but also consumes squid, crustaceans, and carrion when available. In 2014, genetic research revealed that this bird actually consists of two distinct subspecies: Pterodroma m.
macroptera and Pterodroma gouldi are now classified as separate species – the Grey-faced Petrel (Ptererodoma gouldi).
Both have great conservation value due to their important role in some Pacific Island ecosystems, where they act like scavengers, helping maintain healthy populations of other marine life, such as seals or sea lions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. macroptera |
16. Soft-Plumaged Petrel
The Soft-plumaged Petrel is a species of seabird found in the Southern Hemisphere. It breeds on islands such as Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, and Macquarie Island.
Small numbers also breed in Tasmania’s Maatsuyker Island Group. This bird has soft plumage, which helps it blend into its environment when at sea or in nesting colonies.
It feeds mainly on fish, squid, and crustaceans while out hunting over the open ocean during daylight hours, then returns to its nest burrow after nightfall with food for its young ones back home.
The petrel nests underground, laying around one egg each year and incubating them until they hatch some months later.
Conservation efforts are helping this species thrive despite threats from introduced predators like cats, rats, and mice that can easily make their way onto these remote islands if not managed properly.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. mollis |
17. Pacific Golden Plover
The Pacific golden plover (Pluvialis fulva) is an attractive migratory shorebird known for its breeding habits in Alaska and Siberia.
During the non-breeding season, these medium-sized birds migrate widely across the Pacific.
It was formally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1789 as part of his revised edition of Carl Linnaeus’s Systema Naturae.
The species has a unique yellowish coloration with dark markings on their wings and back, which gives them splendid camouflage against coastal rocks or sand beaches during migration periods.
They are omnivorous feeders who primarily eat insects, small crustaceans, worms, and plant material like seeds or berries found along coastlines while migrating through various islands such as Hawaii, New Zealand, etc.. A remarkable bird that possesses both beauty and resilience.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae |
| Genus | Pluvialis |
| Species | P. fulva |
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18. Sooty Shearwater
The sooty shearwater is a medium-large seabird in the Procellariidae family. Like its relatives, it is also known as tītī in New Zealand and muttonbird.
Johann Friedrich formally described the bird in 1789.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Ardenna |
| Species | A. grisea |
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19. Pectoral Sandpiper
The Pectoral sandpiper is a migratory wader found in North America and Asia but seen in South America and Oceania during the winter.
This small bird primarily feeds on small invertebrates. It creates a deep hole in the ground lined with thick materials to protect its four eggs from harsh weather conditions during breeding.
Measuring 21 cm (8.3 in) in length and with a wingspan of 46, the Pectoral sandpiper is a small bird that is easy to spot.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Calidris |
| Species | C. melanotos |
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20. Kerguelen Petrel
The Kerguelen petrel is a small seabird found in the Southern Ocean. It is the only species in the genus Aphrodroma. This slate-grey bird measures around 36 centimeters in length and belongs to the Procellariidae family.
It breeds on islands in the southern Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is typically found in pelagic waters. Despite being formally described in 1831 by the French naturalist René Lesson, the Kerguelen petrel remains a relatively unknown species.
Due to its circumpolar distribution, it is difficult to study, making it a subject of interest for ornithologists.
By learning more about the Kerguelen petrel, researchers can gain insights into the impacts of climate change and other environmental factors affecting seabird populations in remote regions of the world.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Aphrodroma Olson, 2000 |
| Species | A. brevirostris |
To Recap
The Central Islands harbor an astonishing array of avian beauty, with the presence of these 20 captivating bird species serving as a testament to the region’s ecological richness.
Our journey through this avian wonderland has unveiled a diverse tapestry of feathered wonders, from the resplendent quetzal to the charismatic scarlet macaw.
As we’ve delved into their vibrant plumage, unique behaviors, and ecological roles, it’s evident that these birds contribute to the ecological vitality of the Central Islands.
Their presence underscores the importance of preserving the diverse habitats that sustain them, ensuring that these beautiful birds continue to grace the islands with their presence for generations to come.