Birds in Guam are an integral part of the island’s unique biodiversity. Guam, located in the western Pacific Ocean, has a total of 166 bird species, including 29 endemic species that are found nowhere else in the world.
The birdlife on the island ranges from small passerines to large seabirds and raptors. Guam’s indigenous bird populations have played a significant role in the Chamorro culture, including the creation of legends and myths.
Unfortunately, many of Guam’s birds are threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction, introduced predators, and diseases. Despite these challenges, conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the island’s remarkable birdlife.
1. Phasianidae
The Phasianidae family of birds is one that contains many popular gamebirds, with a total of 185 species divided across 54 genera.
These heavy ground-living birds include pheasants, partridges, junglefowl, chickens, and turkeys among others like Old World quail and peafowl.
This large family was formerly split into two subfamilies known as the Phasianinae and Perdicinae but this classification has since been changed to reflect more current scientific findings on them.
All these different types of birds have certain things in common such as their strong legs for scratching through leaves or soil looking for food items including insects, seeds, and other vegetation which makes up most of their diet.
They also all tend to be quite colorful in order to attract mates during breeding season when males will often display vibrant feathers or do dances around females in an attempt at courtship ritual displays.
The majority are monogamous creatures too although some may form short-term pair bonds before going off alone again once mating has taken place – either way.
There tends to be very little parental care given by adults after eggs have hatched so chicks need to fend for themselves right away.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Superfamily | Phasianoidea |
| Family | Phasianidae Horsfield, 1821 |
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2. Plovers
Plovers are a family of around 64-68 species of ground-dwelling birds, commonly found in open country such as fields, meadows and tundras.
They have short bills with webbed feet to help them forage through mud or shallow water.
Plover plumage is usually mottled brown though some species may have brighter colors on the head and wings.
These birds feed mainly on insects but can also eat small crustaceans and worms.
Plovers breed during springtime when they dig holes in sandy or pebbled beaches to lay their eggs which hatch after about 3 weeks incubation period.
They use distraction display behaviour by pretending an injury to the predators away from their nests if needed for protecting their young ones.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Charadriidae Leach, 1820 |
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3. Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds, consisting of four genera and 17 species. They are distinguished from other charadrii by their long bills which have a slight downward curve.
Glareolidae live around open grasslands and deserts, where they hunt for insects using the bill to probe into soil or vegetation.
Most species are found in Africa but two pratincoles inhabit parts of Europe and Asia as well.
Coursers tend to be larger than pratincoles with longer legs allowing them to run quickly across sandy dunes while feeding on small animals like lizards or spiders.
Pratincoles feed mainly on flying insects, snatching them out of midair with great agility during flight.
All glareolids share unique features such as large eyes that help it spot prey at night easily making this group one interesting bird family.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Suborder | Lari |
| Family | Glareolidae CL Brehm, 1831 |
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4. Tropicbirds
Tropicbirds are a unique family of birds, belonging to the order Phaethontiformes. They have long, white tail feathers and bright-colored beaks.
These features make them easily recognizable from other bird species.
Tropicbirds live in tropical seas throughout the world where they feed on fish and squid near coral reefs or ocean surface waters.
They breed mainly on remote islands with few predators, nesting their eggs in crevices or burrows dug into sandy soil by both parents for about five weeks until hatching takes place.
When not breeding tropicbirds can travel up to 10 000 km over several months before returning home again.
Their beauty is remarkable – so if you ever get a chance to see one of these magnificent birds flying gracefully above the sea then take it as an opportunity not to be missed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Eurypygimorphae |
| Order | Phaethontiformes Sharpe, 1891 |
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5. Chestnut-Winged Cuckoo
The Chestnut-winged cuckoo is a beautiful bird found in Southeast Asia and parts of South Asia.
It has glossy black head with long crest, chestnut wings, rufous throat and dusky underside as well as narrow white nuchal half collar which make it distinct from other birds.
It breeds along the Himalayas during summer season and migrates south to Sri Lanka during winter season.
This species prefers dense forest habitat but can also be seen in open woodlands or grassland areas where they feed on small invertebrates such insects and worms.
They are known for their loud calls that are heard throughout the day especially early morning when they seek mates or announce territory presence.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Clamator |
| Species | C. coromandus |
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6. Northern Storm Petrels
Northern storm petrels are one of the smallest seabirds, inhabiting oceans all over the world.
They have a unique ability to hover over water and pick planktonic crustaceans and small fish from the surface.
Northern storm petrels belong to the genus Hydrobates in family Hydrobatidae, part of Procellariiformes order.
This species was once lumped with austral storm petrel but recent studies show that they weren’t related closely which led them being split into two distinct species now.
These birds can be identified by their dark grey upperparts and wings along with white underparts when seen from afar while feeding on ocean’s surface.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Hydrobatidae Mathews, 1912 |
| Genus | Hydrobates F. Boie, 1822 |
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7. White-Eyes
White-eyes are small passerine birds found in a variety of tropical, subtropical and temperate environments.
They inhabit most islands in the Indian Ocean, western Pacific Ocean and Gulf of Guinea.
The family Zosteropidae includes many species which are endemic to single islands or archipelagos – they can’t be seen anywhere else on Earth.
White-eyes have distinctive white feathers around their eyes giving them their name, while some also feature yellow plumage or bright red patches at the throat.
These pretty little birds feed mainly on insects such as beetles and caterpillars but will also eat nectar when available.
With their friendly nature, white-eyes make great garden visitors who often come close enough for you to watch up close with binoculars.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Sylvioidea |
| Family | Zosteropidae Bonaparte, 1853 |
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8. Eurasian Reed Warbler
The Eurasian reed warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) is a species of Old World Warbler native to the temperate parts of Europe and Asia.
It breeds in wetlands such as marshes, ponds and rivers with dense vegetation like reeds or tall grasses.
During its wintering season, it migrates southward to sub-Saharan Africa where there are milder conditions.
This small bird has streaked brown plumage on the upperparts and white underparts which makes it difficult for predators to spot among the foliage.
Its diet consists mainly of insects including aphids, caterpillars larvae and moths caught while flying over water or by gleaning from plants growing near water bodies.
The male sings an attractive song consisting of several phrases repeated one after another as part of their courtship display during breeding season in order attract females for mating purposes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | A. scirpaceus |
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9. Procellariidae
Procellariidae is a diverse family of seabirds belonging to the bird order Procellariiformes.
These birds are commonly referred to as tubenoses and include fulmarine petrels, gadfly petrels, diving petrels, prions, and shearwaters.
They range in size from the small storm-petrel which measures around 18cm long to the giant albatross which can reach up to 3 meters in length.
Generally found near oceans or coasts where they feed on fish as well as squid and other marine life depending on species.
Many procellariids will also nest inland during breeding season before returning back out at sea for most of their lives.
Their wings have specially adapted feathers that give them incredible gliding abilities allowing them literally fly with minimal effort over vast distances across oceanic regions.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae Leach, 1820 |
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10. Coraciiformes
Coraciiformes birds are a group of beautiful and vibrant species, including kingfishers, bee-eaters, rollers, motmots and todies. They have syndactyly feet with three forward pointing toes (with their third and fourth fused at the base).
However in some kingfisher species one toe is absent. This order of bird has an interesting behavior known as ‘slamming’ which links them all together.
These amazing creatures can be seen across many parts of the world from forests to deserts.
Their colorful feathers make them stand out amongst other birds making sure they don’t go unnoticed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Clade | Picodynastornithes |
| Order | Coraciiformes Forbes, 1884 |
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11. Monarch Flycatcher
The Monarch flycatcher is a small passerine bird, belonging to the family Monarchidae. It inhabits forest or woodland areas across sub-Saharan Africa, south-east Asia, Australasia and various Pacific islands.
Only some species migrate seasonally. This beautiful little bird has a long tail and feeds mainly on insects it catches in its beak.
Its cup shaped nest can often be found hanging from branches high up in trees where they are safe from predators while incubating their eggs – usually between two to four of them at once.
The adult birds have attractive plumage with hues of blues and greens along with white patches near their tails which make for stunning displays when they take flight during mating season or migratory times.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Corvoidea |
| Family | Monarchidae Bonaparte, 1854 |
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12. Honeyeaters
Honeyeaters are a unique and diverse family of birds, with species ranging in size from small to medium.
Found mainly in Australia and New Guinea, they can also be found as far east as Samoa and Tonga, or on islands such as Wallacea north or west of New Guinea.
Honeyeaters feed mainly on nectar but will consume insects if necessary for additional nutrition. They have specialized brush-like tongues that help them extract the nectar efficiently.
Their bright colours tend to make them stand out among other bird families making them easy to spot when out observing wildlife.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Meliphagoidea |
| Family | Meliphagidae Vigors, 1825 |
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13. Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds consisting of around 70 species. They are found across Europe, Africa, Asia and even Alaska with two migratory breeding species.
The three genera they belong to include wagtails which typically have medium to long tails; longclaws that can only be spotted in the Afrotropics; and pipits which possess the most cosmopolitan distribution worldwide.
These birds feed on insects as well as seeds for their diets and are usually seen in open habitats such grasslands or wetlands where food sources like invertebrates can easily be accessed.
Most Motacillidae species also use mud nests during breeding season making them easy targets for predators so it’s important we protect these beautiful creatures.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Passeroidea |
| Family | Motacillidae Horsfield, 1821 |
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14. Drongos
Drongos are an Old World tropical family of passerine birds belonging to the Dicruridae genus.
They have short legs, forked tails and a distinctive upright stance when perched.
Depending on the species they may be mostly black or dark grey in colour with some having elaborate tail decorations.
Drongos feed mainly on insects and small birds – catching them both in flight and from the ground.
They also sometimes eat fruit, nectar and even carcasses.
The drongo’s unique adaptations make it one of nature’s most successful hunters; able to survive almost anywhere in their natural range across Africa, Asia & Australia.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Corvoidea |
| Family | Dicruridae Vigors, 1825 |
| Genus | Dicrurus Vieillot, 1816 |
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15. Megapode
Megapodes are a unique family of birds with large feet and small heads. They measure from medium-large in size, similar to chickens, and have either brown or black feathers covering their bodies.
These terrestrial creatures live mainly in wooded areas where they browse for food like fruits and insects.
With the exception of the Malleefowl species, all Megapodes build mounds which act as incubators for them to lay eggs on – hence why they’re also known as “incubator birds”.
Thanks to this adaptation, these unusual animals can survive extreme temperatures by relying on heat generated from composting material beneath them instead of sitting directly atop their eggs.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae Lesson, 1831 |
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16. Sunda Collared Dove
The Sunda collared dove is a beautiful species of bird found in the family Columbidae. It has an attractive gray-brown plumage with white patches on its neck and wings, giving it its “collared” name.
It can be found throughout tropical and subtropical islands from Indonesia to Myanmar. These birds are usually seen alone or in pairs as they feed on fruits, seeds and insects near cultivated areas such as farms, parks or gardens.
They make soft cooing sounds when disturbed but otherwise remain relatively quiet during their day-to-day activities.
The Sunda collared dove is a medium sized bird that grows up to 18 cm in length with a wingspan of 25–30 cm; they have long tails which help them maneuver through narrow passages while flying between trees looking for food sources.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Streptopelia |
| Species | S. bitorquata |
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17. Rufous Fantail
The Rufous Fantail is a small passerine bird found in Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
It inhabits rainforests, wet forests, swamp woodlands and mangroves which makes it quite adaptable.
These birds are usually black-breasted with distinctive rufous wings and tail feathers that they use to fan out while looking for food on branches or shrubs.
They also often flick their tails from side to side as they search for insects like flies or moths.
The call of the Rufous Fantail consists of a series of high pitched notes that can be heard during its breeding season from September through February when mating pairs sing together near nesting sites such as tree hollows or rock crevices.
Despite their relatively small size these birds make an impressive presence thanks to their bold colors displayed in flight making them easy to spot even at great distances.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Rhipiduridae |
| Genus | Rhipidura |
| Species | R. rufifrons |
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18. Micronesian Myzomela
The Micronesian myzomela is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae, which is composed of seven insular subspecies distributed throughout the Northern Mariana Islands, including Rota, Tinian and Saipan.
This species forms part of a superspecies with other related island and mainland myzomelas across Pacific Ocean and Australia.
It has distinctive black plumage on its upperparts as well as bright yellow underparts that make it easily recognisable.
The bill shape varies slightly between subspecies but generally these birds have short curved bills adapted for nectar extraction from flowers.
These birds feed mainly on insects caught during sallies from an exposed perch or directly gleaned off foliage while also consuming nectar from flowering trees such as Hibiscus tiliaceus.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Meliphagidae |
| Genus | Myzomela |
| Species | M. rubratra |
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19. White-Throated Ground Dove
The White-throated Ground Dove is a species of ground dove in the genus Pampusana. It has an average length of 26 cm and a weight between 58.5 – 140 grams, making it one of the larger members of its family.
This bird was formerly classified under Alopecoenas Sharpe but was recently reclassified due to name priority reasons.
The White-throated Ground Dove is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List because its population numbers are declining due to deforestation, hunting and other human activities that destroy their natural habitats or disrupt their nesting grounds .
Conservation efforts should be taken soon so this beautiful species can continue living for generations to come.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Pampusana |
| Species | P. xanthonura |
20. Micronesian Starling
The Micronesian starling is a species of starling found in subtropical or tropical dry and moist forests across Micronesia, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Palau.
It has an impressive range for such a small bird. They are quite bold around humans as well. Diet-wise, they mainly consume fruit, seeds and occasionally insects; seabird eggs make up part of their diet too.
These birds are social creatures often seen congregating in large flocks near food sources like fruiting trees or bodies of water with plenty of aquatic invertebrates to feast on.
Their plumage consists mostly of shades grey although some may have faint hints blue/green iridescence depending on lighting conditions prevailing during the day.
Overall these beautiful little birds provide much joy when sighted in the wild.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Aplonis |
| Species | A. opaca |
21. Mariana Swiftlet
The Mariana Swiftlet is a small species of swiftlet that can be found natively in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. It has a dark grey-brown head, upperparts and tail with shallow forking.
Its throat and upper breast are colored grey-white while its underparts are darker shades of gray. The bird measures around 11 centimeters long and has an average wingspan between 24 to 27 centimeters wide.
They feed mainly on flying insects such as mosquitoes, moths, flies, dragonflies etc., which they capture midair or glean from vegetation or other surfaces.
During mating season they construct nests made out of saliva threads which they attach to cave walls or ceilings near their breeding grounds at nightfall before returning back to roost during daytime hours.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | A. bartschi |
22. Micronesian Megapode
The Micronesian Megapode is an endangered bird species inhabiting the islands of the Western Pacific Ocean. It has a stocky body, mostly dark brown-black in colour with its head being paler than its body.
The crest is grey, bill yellow and legs and feet dull-yellow. Its length from beak to tail tip measures 38cm making it medium sized for a megapode bird.
Their diet consists mainly of fruits, nuts and invertebrates found on the forest floor which they locate by their well developed sense of smell as opposed to sight or hearing like other birds do.
To breed they make mounds out of soil where females lay around twenty eggs at once that are then incubated by the heat generated from decomposing organic matter within them.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Megapodiidae |
| Genus | Megapodius |
| Species | M. laperouse |
23. Black Noddy
The Black Noddy bird is a medium-sized member of the Laridae family, identifiable by its black plumage and white cap.
It closely resembles the Lesser Noddy but has slightly darker feathers with dark lores instead of pale ones.
The species was first formally described in 1758, although it was previously considered to be part of Anous tenuirostris before being identified as a separate species.
They are usually found near tropical oceans or islands where they forage for food such as crustaceans, mollusks and insects during the day.
At night, they roost on trees or shrubs close to shorelines while avoiding larger predators like sea eagles.
During breeding season females lay single eggs which both parents protect until hatching takes place around four weeks later.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Anous |
| Species | A. minutus |
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24. Tahiti Petrel
The Tahiti petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the family Procellariidae. It can be found in many countries, including American Samoa, Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia and New Zealand.
This pelagic bird spends its time on the open seas but nests in moist lowland forests or monsoon forest areas.
The Tahiti Petrel has grey upperparts with white underparts and distinctive black cap on top of their head that goes down around their eyes creating an eye mask look.
They have long wings which they use for soaring above high waves while hunting during night time hours as well as short bills meant for catching fish off the sea surface when diving underwater at daybreak.
Their diet consists mainly of squid and other small fishes such as anchovies and sardines making them important predators in marine ecosystems helping keep populations balanced out naturally without human interference.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pseudobulweria |
| Species | P. rostrata |
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25. Yellow Bittern
The yellow bittern is a small, Old World bird which breeds in parts of the Indian Subcontinent and East Asia. It can be found as far east as Russia and Japan, with some northern birds migrating short distances during winter.
This species has also been recorded as an unexpected vagrant to Alaska and Great Britain – one single sighting was documented at Radipole Lake in Dorset on November 23rd 1962.
Its feathers are primarily golden brown in colour, black streaks along its back contrasting against its bright chestnut-yellow neck patch; juvenile plumage appears duller but still shows distinctive markings.
Yellow bitterns feed mainly on fish or amphibians from shallow water sources such as marshes or swamps; they use their long bill to probe for prey hidden amongst reeds or grasses before seizing it quickly with their sharp talons.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Ardeidae |
| Genus | Ixobrychus |
| Species | I. sinensis |
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26. Guam Kingfisher
The Guam kingfisher is a species of bird native to the United States Territory of Guam. It was once abundant on the island, but sadly has gone extinct in the wild due to predation by introduced brown tree snakes.
This species is now managed through captive breeding programs, and in its native Chamorro language it goes by sihek.
The mysterious Ryūkyū kingfisher can be identified from just one specimen found many years ago; however, this bird remains elusive as no other sightings have been made since then.
The endangered status of both these birds serves as an important reminder that we must continue conservation efforts for all wildlife if they are to survive our changing world.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Todiramphus |
| Species | T. cinnamominus |
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27. Uniform Swiftlet
The Uniform swiftlet is a medium-sized bird with a shallowly forked tail and dark grey-brown colouring. It inhabits the Philippines, Wallacea, New Guinea and Melanesia.
This gregarious species feeds on insects by flying swiftly in search of its prey over forests, parks or even urban areas.
During breeding season it nests inside caves or other natural cavities where they build cup shaped nests made out of saliva which hardens when dry giving them an ideal place to lay their eggs as well as protect them from predators.
The Uniform Swiftlet’s population has not been studied thoroughly yet but conservation efforts must be put into place in order to ensure this beautiful species continues to thrive.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | A. vanikorensis |
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28. Newell’s Shearwater
Newell’s Shearwater, also known as the Hawaiian Shearwater, is an ocean bird belonging to the family Procellariidae.
This species can be difficult to identify due to its similarities with other shearwaters and its somewhat controversial classification – it was formerly treated as a subspecies of Manx shearwater but now more commonly placed in Townsend’s shearwater.
It is endemic to Hawaii where they breed on several offshore islands such as Maui’s Molokini Islet and Lana’i Island.
These birds are mostly dark brown with white bellies and have short wings which enable them to soar over long distances at sea while searching for food like flying fish eggs or squid.
They feed mainly by diving into water from mid-air using their strong feet for propulsion under water surface before resurfacing again.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. newelli |
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29. Guam Rail
The Guam rail, also called the Ko’ko’ bird, is a flightless bird that is native to Guam, a US territory.
Sadly, the bird disappeared from southern Guam around the early 1970s and was completely wiped out from the entire island by the late 1980s.
However, the Division of Aquatic and Wildlife Resources on Guam is now working on breeding the Guam rail in captivity to bring back the species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Hypotaenidia |
| Species | H. owstoni |
30. Mariana Crow
The Mariana crow, also known as åga in Chamorro, is a member of the crow family and is found in the tropical Western Pacific region.
This glossy black bird measures about 15 inches in length and is known to inhabit only two islands, Guam and Rota.
Unfortunately, the population of Mariana crows has rapidly declined since the 1960s and on Guam, there are no longer any remaining native Mariana crows due to threats and predators.
This rare bird is now endangered, and conservation efforts are underway to save the remaining population of the Mariana crow.
With its distinctive appearance and unique presence in the Western Pacific, the Mariana crow has earned a special place in the ecosystem and serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting endangered species.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Corvus |
| Species | C. kubaryi |
31. Guam Flycatcher
The Guam flycatcher, also known as the Guam broadbill, was a bird species that once lived specifically on the island of Guam. Sadly, this species is now extinct.
There is some debate among experts as to whether the Guam flycatcher was a sub-species of the Oceanic flycatcher, or the same as the Pohnpei flycatcher or Palau flycatcher.
Whatever its true classification, this small bird was once an important part of the ecosystem on Guam. Its loss is a tragedy, and a reminder of the fragility of many species that are still with us.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Monarchidae |
| Genus | Myiagra |
| Species | †M. freycineti |
32. Bridled White-Eye
The Bridled white-eye bird, scientifically known as Zosterops conspicillatus, is a type of bird that belongs to the family Zosteropidae.
This bird species is native and only found on the island of Guam, which is located in the Mariana Islands. They typically inhabit subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.
Interestingly, there is also a subspecies that exists solely on the islands of Tinian, Saipan, and Aguijan which are part of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Chamorro people call this bird “nosa'”.
As an endemic species, the Bridled white-eye plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of Guam’s forest ecosystem.
Unfortunately, like many other island species, the Bridled white-eye has suffered significant population declines due to introduced predators and habitat destruction.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Zosteropidae |
| Genus | Zosterops |
| Species | †Z. conspicillatus |
33. Mariana Fruit Dove
The Mariana fruit dove is a small bird native to Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. It has a green body with a red forehead, greyish head, back and breast, and a yellow belly patch and undertail coverts.
The bird grows up to 24 cm in length. It is also known as mwee’mwe in the Carolinian language, totot on Guam or Paluman totut in Northern Marianas Islands.
The species is considered endangered due to habitat loss and hunting, and conservation efforts are being made to protect them.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ptilinopus |
| Species | P. roseicapilla |
34. Nightingale Reed Warbler
The Nightingale Reed Warbler, also known as the Guam Reed-Warbler, was a songbird that could only be found on the island of Guam. Its last sighting dates back to 1969, and since then, it has not been seen again.
This bird was first described in 1832 by French zoologists Jean Quoy and Joseph Gaimard, who gave it the binomial name Thryothorus luscinius.
This species was endemic to Guam, which means it could only be found there and nowhere else in the world.
It is a sad reality that this unique bird is now extinct, and we cannot admire its lovely songs and striking appearance anymore.
The disappearance of the Nightingale Reed Warbler is a reminder that our actions have a profound impact on the ecosystem, and it is our responsibility to work towards preserving the biodiversity of our planet.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus |
| Species | †A. luscinius |
35. Juan Fernández Petrel
The Juan Fernández petrel is a seabird that belongs to the Procellariidae family. This species nests on a solitary island found off the coast of Chile, within the Juan Fernández Archipelago.
Previously classified under the white-necked petrel, the Juan Fernández petrel is distinct and found only in the waters of the Pacific Ocean.
This bird is of significant size compared to other petrels, which is a common characteristic of the group.
Their impressive wingspan helps them navigate through the ocean currents with grace and ease. Due to its remote nesting location, the Juan Fernández petrel is relatively a lesser-known species of birds.
However, it is an essential part of the marine environment and plays an integral role in the ecosystem.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. externa |
36. Fantails
Fantails are small, insectivorous birds that belong to the family Rhipiduridae. They are found in the Australasia, Southeast Asia, and Indian subcontinent.
These birds are known for their distinctive long tails that fan out beautifully when they are in flight. Fantails are agile and skilled fliers, thanks to their broad wings and lightweight bodies.
They feed mainly on insects that they catch mid-air with their sharp beaks. Fantails are social birds and are often seen in pairs or flocks.
They are curious and friendly and are known to approach humans with ease.
Some species of fantails are known for their vocalizations and can often be heard singing sweet melodies.
Overall, fantails are delightful birds to observe and are a valuable part of their ecosystem.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Superfamily | Corvoidea |
| Family | Rhipiduridae Sundevall, 1872 |
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37. Gallirallus
The Gallirallus bird is native to the Australasian-Pacific region, and possesses a remarkable ability to colonise small and isolated islands.
Over time, some species of Gallirallus have lost the ability to fly, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Despite recent taxonomic revisions, there is only one known extant Gallirallus species remaining in the world, with several extinct species.
These birds are resilient, but with the ongoing threat of habitat loss and human encroachment on their territories, conservation efforts are necessary to protect Gallirallus and ensure their survival for generations to come.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Gallirallus Lafresnaye, 1841 |
38. Lonchura
The Lonchura bird belongs to the estrildid finch family and includes munias and mannikins.
They are predominantly seed-eating birds that can be sighted in South Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.
The name of this bird has its origin in Middle Dutch ‘mannekijn,’ which means ‘little man.’ Several species of the Lonchura bird are found across its range.
They are known for their seed-eating habits and are often seen in parks and gardens. These birds are small in size and have colourful plumage.
Many bird enthusiasts enjoy watching them in their natural habitats.
Overall, Lonchura is a fascinating genus of birds worth exploring for their unique behaviours and appearances.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Estrildidae |
| Genus | Lonchura Sykes, 1832 |