The Cook Islands are a remote paradise in the South Pacific, and they are home to some of the most beautiful tropical birds in the world. From the striking and colorful red-tailed tropicbird to the stately and elegant white-tailed tropicbird, the islands are host to a variety of birds that are sure to delight visitors.
With their bright plumage and interesting behaviors, these birds are a delight to observe in the wild and provide a unique opportunity to observe tropical wildlife.
1. Rarotonga Monarch
The Rarotonga monarch is an endemic bird species found only in the Cook Islands. It belongs to the Monarchidae family, also known as flycatchers or kakeroris.
This small passerine has a grey-brown body with yellowish underparts and white wing bars on its wings.
Its head is black with distinctive bright reddish orange eyes that help it stand out from other birds in its habitat.
The diet of this bird consists mainly of insects, fruit and nectar which it captures either by chasing them through the air or plucking them off plants while perched on branches.
Although not considered threatened at present, their population numbers are declining due to human activities like deforestation and hunting for sport leading to a decrease in suitable habitats for these birds to inhabit safely and freely reproduce within 140 words.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Monarchidae |
| Genus | Pomarea |
| Species | P. dimidiata |
2. Atiu Swiftlet
The Atiu Swiftlet is a lovely little bird native to the Cook Islands. Found only on the island of Atiu, it measures just 10 cm long and has sooty-brown feathers above and lighter brown below.
It lives in both fernlands and mixed horticultural areas where it feeds, as well as makatea limestone caves which provide shelter for nesting sites.
This species of swiftlet is an important part of the local ecosystem and its presence helps maintain biodiversity in this area.
With its small size but loud chirpings, they are sure to bring joy to anyone lucky enough to observe them.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Apodiformes |
| Family | Apodidae |
| Genus | Aerodramus |
| Species | A. sawtelli |
3. Rarotonga Starling
The Rarotonga starling is a species of bird found in the Cook Islands. It belongs to the family Sturnidae, and its natural habitat consists of subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Unfortunately, this species is threatened by habitat loss due to human activity such as deforestation. The Rarotonga starling has mainly dark plumage with some lighter patches on its chest and wings.
Its eyes are yellow-orange in color, making it stand out from other birds in its area; additionally, it displays white stripes across both sides of its face which gives it an interesting appearance.
The Rarotonga Starling feeds mainly on insects such as grubs and larvae along with small fruits native to the region where they live – primarily around mountain areas at altitudes up to 1km above sea level.
This beautiful bird plays an important role within their ecosystem so we must do our part to ensure that they stay protected for future generations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Aplonis |
| Species | A. cinerascens |
4. Mewing Kingfisher
The Mewing Kingfisher is a beautiful species of bird that can only be found in the Cook Islands, specifically on Mangaia. It has bright blue plumage with white underparts and head and a distinctive rufous collar around its neck.
The kingfisher measures 22 cm long and has an impressive large black bill which it uses to catch prey from both water surfaces or trees.
Its natural habitat consists of subtropical lowland forests, plantations, wetlands and riversides where it forages for insects, small fish or frogs as food sources.
With its loud mewing call this kingfisher is easy to identify amongst other birds in the area making them popular among tourists visiting the islands.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Todiramphus |
| Species | T. ruficollaris |
5. Bristle-Thighed Curlew
The Bristle-thighed curlew is a medium sized shorebird found in the Pacific region. It has long, pointed wings and an orange bill with a black tip.
Its most distinctive feature is its brownish-black legs covered in short bristles which help it to pick up prey from wet surfaces such as mudflats or shallow water.
The feathers on this bird’s body are mottled gray and white, making it well camouflaged when foraging along beaches or estuaries.
This species of curlew tends to be solitary but will occasionally form small flocks during migration seasons.
They feed mostly on crustaceans and insects that they find while wading through shallow waters or probing into soft sediment near shorelines.
These birds breed mainly on islands off the coasts of Alaska and northern Canada before heading southwards towards Mexico where they spend their winter months until returning north again in springtime.
6. Lilac-Crowned Fruit Dove
The Lilac-crowned fruit dove is a beautiful species of bird found only in the Cook Islands. It has distinctive lilac crown feathers and feeds mainly on fruits, seeds and berries.
The birds are usually seen alone or in pairs, but can gather into small flocks if food is abundant.
They have adapted to living in subtropical and tropical moist lowland forests which provide plenty of food for them; however they are threatened by habitat loss due to human activities such as deforestation and urbanization.
Conservation efforts must be taken to ensure these stunning birds remain safe from extinction within their natural habitats where they belong.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ptilinopus |
| Species | P. rarotongensis |
7. Pacific Imperial Pigeon
The Pacific imperial pigeon is a beautiful species of bird found in many islands located throughout the South Pacific. It has an iridescent green body, white neck and head with black markings around its eyes and beak.
Its wings are reddish-brown with a large area of blue on each side near the tips. This majestic creature was formally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788 and it can grow up to 11 inches long with a wingspan reaching 33 inches wide.
The diet of this amazing avian consists mainly of fruits like figs, mangos, breadfruit, guavas as well as seeds which they search for while flying low over forests or woodlands.
As one can imagine these birds have become very important culturally to many people living within their range due to their beauty and stunning colors.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Species | D. pacifica |
8. Blue Lorikeet
The Blue Lorikeet is a vibrant, eye-catching bird that can be found in French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. Its striking blue plumage has earned it several nicknames such as Tahiti lorikeet, Violet lorikeet and Indigo Lory.
Originally it was distributed across 23 islands around Tahiti but now its population is limited to eight: Motu, Manuae, Tikehau, Rangiroa Aratua Kaukura Apataki Aitutaki and possibly Harvey I.
This species of small parrot has short wings which make them excellent fliers although they are not able to travel long distances due to their size.
In terms of diet they mainly feed on nectar from flowers while also consuming fruits like bananas or melons when available – making them an incredibly important pollinator for native flora.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Vini |
| Species | V. peruviana |
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9. Mauke Starling
The Mauke starling was a species of starling found on the island of Mauke, Cook Islands. Sadly it is now extinct. It had an overall length of 7.5 inches and its binomen (Aplonis mavornata) came from Buller’s misreading the name inornata on the specimen label.
Despite this error, the name remains valid as he genuinely believed it to be correct. The bird had black feathers with white spots and a yellow bill, legs and feet along with bright blue eyes which gave them their mysterious nickname.
They were mainly ground feeders who lived in flocks around open grassland areas where they hunted for insects such as beetles or larvae beneath foliage or bark when searching for food sources amongst trees.
Although no longer existent due to human activity their memory lives on through photographs and written accounts by those fortunate enough to have encountered these beautiful birds before they disappeared foreverScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Aplonis |
| Species | †A. mavornata |
10. Accipitridae
Accipitridae birds are a diverse family of raptors ranging in size from small to large. They have powerful hooked beaks which they use for hunting and tearing apart their prey, such as insects, medium-sized mammals and carrion.
Some species even feed on fruit. These birds can be found all over the world, making them an incredibly successful group of predators.
Accipitridae are adaptable hunters with keen eyesight that helps them spot potential meals from far away distances.
Their sharp talons assist them in grasping onto their victims while feeding or defending themselves against enemies.
Not only do these avian creatures provide us with visual beauty but also help keep our ecosystems healthy by keeping pest populations under control.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Accipitriformes |
| Family | Accipitridae Vieillot, 1816 |
11. Red-Tailed Tropicbird
The Red-tailed Tropicbird is an exotic seabird found in tropical areas of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has a striking appearance, with mostly white feathers and a black mask covering its eyes.
Its bill is bright red, making it stand out against its pale plumage. Both males and females have similar looks to one another – unlike many other birds species where the male looks significantly different from that of the female.
Described by Pieter Boddaert in 1783, this impressive bird can be seen soaring through tropical skies looking for food either alone or within small flocks made up of several individuals at once.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Phaethontiformes |
| Family | Phaethontidae |
| Genus | Phaethon |
| Species | P. rubricauda |
12. Pacific Long-Tailed Cuckoo
The Pacific long-tailed cuckoo is a species of bird from the Cuculidae family. It is found only in New Zealand, where it breeds during spring and summer before migrating to various Pacific islands for its winter season.
This bird has many names such as sparrow hawk, home owl, screecher or koekoeā in Māori.
The most distinctive feature about this species are their elongated tails which can measure up to 16 cm long.
They are also brood parasites meaning they will lay eggs in other birds’ nests then rely on them to raise their young without any parental help from themselves.
Despite these traits however, they still make beautiful additions to our avian population with their melodious calls that echo through the forests each morning and night.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Cuculiformes |
| Family | Cuculidae |
| Genus | Urodynamis Vigors & Horsfield, 1826 |
| Species | U. taitensis |
13. Kuhl’s Lorikeet
Kuhl’s lorikeet, also known as the Rimitara Lorikeet or Kura, is a species of colorful parrot native to islands across the South Pacific.
It was first discovered by German ornithologist Heinrich Kuhl in 1824 and subsequently named after him.
The bird has an array of vibrant colors that range from dark green on its back to yellowish-green underparts with bright orange markings on its head, wings and tail feathers.
Its diet consists mainly of nectar, pollen and fruits found in tropical areas such as palm trees and flowering shrubs.
Due to their friendly nature they have become popular pets amongst many people around the world who appreciate them for their intelligence and beautiful plumage.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Psittaculidae |
| Genus | Vini |
| Species | V. kuhlii |
14. 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 |
15. 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 |
16. 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 |
17. 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 |
18. Chattering Kingfisher
The Chattering Kingfisher is a beautiful species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It can be found mainly in the Cook Islands and Society Islands located within French Polynesia.
This species was first described by German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin back in 1788 while he was revising Carl Linnaeus’ Systema Naturae.
The bird has bright blue feathers on its wings, tail, head and neck with white underparts that contrast against it’s vibrant coloring making them quite striking to look at.
They are also known for their loud chirping which gives them their name – “Chattering” kingfishers.
These birds have adapted to their environment well over time as they nest near riversides where there will always be plenty of food available for them such as fish or other small animals.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Coraciiformes |
| Family | Alcedinidae |
| Subfamily | Halcyoninae |
| Genus | Todiramphus |
| Species | T. tutus |
19. 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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20. Bulwer’s Petrel
Bulwer’s petrel is a small seabird in the Procellariidae family which can be found across tropical and subtropical regions of the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
It was named after English naturalist James Bulwer who first described it in 1828 along with Jardine and Selby.
The bird has dark greyish plumage on its back while the underside is typically white or pale grey.
Its wings are short but broad making them ideal for soaring high above large bodies of water looking for food such as squid, fish, crustaceans and insects.
They use their long pointed bill to catch prey from both surface-skimming dives or underwater plunges up to 15 meters deep.
These birds nest burrows dug into soil cliffs where they lay just one egg each year which takes about 55 days to hatch.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Bulweria |
| Species | B. bulwerii |
21. White-Faced Storm Petrel
The White-faced Storm Petrel is a remarkable seabird belonging to the austral storm petrel family. It has a length of 19 to 21 centimetres and wingspan that ranges from 41 to 44 cm.
Its body is pale brown or grey, with blackish primaries in its wings and tail feathers.
The most distinctive feature is its white face which gives it an unmistakable appearance among other birds species.
These small, pelagic bird breed mainly on islands off New Zealand and Australia as well as Chile, Argentina, South Georgia and Tristan da Cunha Islands during summer season when they build their nests under rocks or burrows for laying eggs .
They feed by swimming underwater with their feet while searching for food like squid or fish near the surface of water.
In winter these birds migrate southwards where they spend time away from breeding grounds in order to survive cold weather conditions at higher latitudes.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Oceanitidae |
| Genus | Pelagodroma Reichenbach, 1853[2] |
| Species | P. marina |
22. Wedge-Tailed Shearwater
The wedge-tailed shearwater is a medium-large seabird found in the tropical Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is one of several species referred to as muttonbirds, along with the sooty and short-tailed shearwaters.
These birds have long wings that allow them to soar for extended periods over large bodies of water while searching for food such as fish, squid, crustaceans, cephalopods and other marine invertebrates.
During mating season they nest on islands or small sandy beaches where both parents take turns caring for their chicks until they fledge at around two months old.
Wedge-taileds are an important part of many island cultures who traditionally hunt these birds during certain times of year when populations peak due to migration patterns.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Ardenna |
| Species | A. pacifica |
23. Acrocephalus
Acrocephalus warblers are small, insectivorous passerine birds that belong to the Acrocephalidae family. They inhabit marshy and tree areas in Europe, Asia and Africa.
These birds possess a slim body structure with long tails and thin beaks which they use to feed on insects like flies, beetles or moths.
Their plumage is typically brownish-grey although some species have yellow breast feathers as well as bright stripes on their backs or heads.
In winter months these warblers migrate southwards where they form large flocks before returning north during springtime for breeding season when males sing loudly from treetops claiming territory while attracting mates.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Acrocephalidae |
| Genus | Acrocephalus J. A. Naumann and J. F. Naumann, 1811 |
24. Northern Giant Petrel
The Northern Giant Petrel is a large seabird of the southern oceans and belongs to the Macronectes family. It has broad distribution, overlapping with that of its cousin -the Southern Giant Petrel- but slightly northward.
First described in 1912 by Australian ornithologist Gregory Mathews as a subspecies of the Southern Giant Petrel, it reaches up to 75 cm long and weighs 3 kg on average.
Its plumage is dark grey above while white below, having black bill tipped with yellow or pink color along an orange line running from base to tip; its feet are also bright yellowish-orange in hue.
This species feeds mainly on fish and squid near coastal waters or scavenges carcasses farther away out at sea during winter months when food sources become scarce closer inland.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Macronectes |
| Species | M. halli |
25. Wandering Tattler
The Wandering Tattler is a medium-sized wading bird found in coastal areas throughout the world. It has unpatterned, greyish wings and back, as well as a scaly breast pattern that extends onto its belly.
Its closest relative is the Gray-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes). The species feeds on insects and crustaceans which they hunt along shorelines. They also take advantage of low tide to feed on exposed mudflats or sandbars.
During migration season these birds can be seen flying long distances over open ocean waters with their characteristic fluttering flight pattern before reaching land again to rest and refuel for another journey ahead.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Tringa |
| Species | T. incana |
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26. Grey-Tailed Tattler
The Grey-tailed Tattler is a small shorebird belonging to the genus Tringa. It has an unmistakable noisy call, which gives it its name.
These birds are found in coastal areas of Siberia and Polynesia, as well as some other places around Asia and Australia.
They have mottled grey plumage with darker wings, white bellies and long yellow legs; they also have distinctive black stripes on their necks that run down onto their chests.
The Grey-tailed Tattler feeds mainly on aquatic insects or worms at low tide but will sometimes take seeds from plants when available too.
During breeding season these birds nest near water bodies such as rivers or creeks in shallow depressions lined with leaves made by both parents who then share incubation duties for about three weeks until the eggs hatch after which time both males and females help raise young chicks before they fledge within about 30 days of hatching.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Scolopacidae |
| Genus | Tringa |
| Species | T. brevipes |
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27. White-Bellied Storm Petrel
The White-bellied Storm Petrel is a small seabird that can be found in many different places around the world such as Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and more.
Its natural habitat consists of open seas. It was formally described by French ornithologist Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot back in 1818.
This species has black upperparts with white underparts including its breast and belly which gives it an overall greyish appearance when seen from afar.
They are mostly observed flying low over the sea surface or hovering above waves foraging for food during low tide periods; their diet mainly consisting of crustaceans like squid and shrimp along with fish larvae too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Oceanitidae |
| Genus | Fregetta |
| Species | F. grallaria |
28. 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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29. Collared Petrel
The Collared Petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It can be found in Fiji, where it breeds on Gau Island and possibly other islands, as well as potentially breeding in Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Solomon Islands.
Its plumage predominantly consists of greyish-brown colouring with white underparts and collar around its neck; this gives them their name ‘Collared’ petrels.
They are known to migrate over long distances out at sea during winter months before returning home for the summer season when they breed between August – April.
These birds feed primarily upon squid but also take small fish from surface waters or deeper depths depending on availability/seasonality.
Although not endangered yet conservation efforts need to continue so that these beautiful birds remain protected within our environment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. brevipes |
30. White-Necked Petrel
The White-necked petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It has a large range, occurring throughout most parts of the Pacific Ocean during its non-breeding season but only breeding on Macauley Island in New Zealand’s Kermadec Islands and also Norfolk Island and Phillip Island in Australia.
This bird was once known to breed on Raoul I too, however this population no longer exists.
The White-necked Petrel can be identified by its distinctive white neck which contrasts with otherwise dark plumage featuring light grey wing tips.
Its diet consists mainly of squid and fish taken from both surface waters and deeper oceanic areas close to where it breeds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. cervicalis |
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31. Gould’s Petrel
Gould’s petrel is a small seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family. It has white underparts and dark brown and grey upper parts with a distinctive ‘M’ pattern across its wings.
Named after English ornithologist John Gould, this species can be found in the Southern Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Tasman Sea regions.
They feed mainly on cephalopods but also take fish when available.
Although their population size remains relatively stable for now, they are threatened by invasive predators such as cats or rats that inhabit nesting islands close to human populations around Australia and New Zealand land masses where these birds breed during summer months from October-February each year.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. leucoptera |
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32. Kermadec Petrel
The Kermadec petrel is a species of gadfly petrel that can be found in the Pacific Ocean from Lord Howe Island to the Juan Fernández Islands.
It has a wingspan of 100 cm and is usually 38 cm long, with three distinct morphs – light, dark and intermediate.
This bird feeds on squid, fish and other marine creatures as its primary food sources. The Kermadec petrel breeds in colonies near oceanic islands or offshore rocks during breeding season but migrates further away when not breeding.
Although it may rarely be seen west of Lord Howe island, this species remains quite widespread throughout its range due to its strong ability to fly over long distances at high speeds for extended periods of time.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. neglecta |
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33. Black-Winged Petrel
The Black-winged Petrel is a species of seabird that has an impressive wingspan, averaging 67 cm. It can be found in tropical and subtropical regions of the East Pacific Ocean where it breeds on islands.
During migration, it spends its time out at sea before returning to breed again. They are small birds with long narrow wings and average 29cm in length.
Its plumage is mainly dark greyish brown above while white below with black markings on the wingtips which gives them their distinct name “black-winged petrel”.
These beautiful birds live off fish they find close to ocean surfaces but also eat squid as well as other crustaceans too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. nigripennis |
34. Spotless Crake
The Spotless Crake is a species of bird belonging to the rail family, Rallidae. It has an extensive range spanning across the Philippines, New Guinea and Australia as well as into the southern Pacific Ocean reaching all way down to Marquesas Islands and even New Zealand.
The German naturalist Johann Friedrich Gmelin described it in 1789 when he revised his edition of Systema Naturae which was established by Carolus Linnaeus earlier on.
This fascinating bird inhabits tropical swamps and other low-lying wetlands where there’s plenty of cover from vegetation such as reeds or grasses for them to hide away in.
Despite its name “spotless” crake, this species does actually have some unique markings that are used for identification purposes – brownish feathers with grey edging along its backside plus black stripes around its head/neck area too.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rallidae |
| Genus | Zapornia |
| Species | Z. tabuensis |
35. Jungle Myna
The Jungle myna is an intelligent bird belonging to the starling family. It has a distinct tuft of feathers on its forehead and forms a frontal crest, which makes it easily recognizable.
Its range encompasses much of the mainland Indian Subcontinent but not in arid zones like India.
They are known for their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, making them popular among pet owners as well as wildlife enthusiasts.
Furthermore, they have also been observed cooperating with other species when searching for food or nesting materials.
The Jungle Myna is often seen near water bodies where it forages for insects such as grasshoppers that make up its most important source of nutrition .
Thus due to these reasons , this beautiful creature should be protected from any harm.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Sturnidae |
| Genus | Acridotheres |
| Species | A. fuscus |
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36. Christmas Shearwater
The Christmas Shearwater, also known as ‘Ao’u, is a medium-sized tropical bird found in the Central Pacific.
It belongs to an ancient species of small Puffinus shearwaters and its closest living relative is the Galápagos Shearwater.
Its remote nesting habits make it difficult to study and little information about this mysterious creature has been gathered until now.
The Christmas Shearwater typically flies low over the water at high speeds with quick wing beats, searching for food like fish or jellyfish near the surface of warm waters during night time hours.
These birds are capable of long distance flights that span hundreds if not thousands of miles. With their unique white bellies speckled black feathers on top they really stand out from other aquatic creatures.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. nativitatis |
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37. Audubon’s Shearwater
Audubon’s shearwater is a type of seabird belonging to the petrel family. It has many different monikers, including Baillon’s shearwater, tropical shearwater, Bannerman’s shearwater, Mascarene shearwater and Persian Sheawater.
This species was first discovered by French naturalist F�lix Louis L’Herminier in 1836 and earned its scientific name (Puffinus lherminieri) in his honour.
These birds are found throughout tropical oceans across the world from Africa to Asia and even Hawaii.
They have dark brown back feathers with white bellies which help them blend into their environment for protection against predators.
Audubon�s Sheerwaters feed on small fish near ocean surfaces or dive deep underwater when necessary due to their strong wings allowing them excellent swimming capabilities through powerful winds at sea level as well as incredible endurance during long distance flights over vast areas of open water around islands or coastlines.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Puffinus |
| Species | P. lherminieri |
38. Marquesan Imperial Pigeon
The Marquesan imperial pigeon is a large bird endemic to the Nuku Hiva island in French Polynesia. It has an impressive size, with males reaching up to 50-53 cm and weighing around 900 grams.
This puts it among the largest pigeons outside of crowned pigeons. Its plumage is mainly greyish blue on its back and head, while chestnut brown covers its wings and tail feathers.
It also features black spots near its eyes which are somewhat triangular shaped and point downwards towards the beak area.
The Marquesan imperial pigeon can be found primarily in some valleys located at western part of Nuku Hiva Island where they feed on fruit such as guava or bananas that grow there naturallyScientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Columbiformes |
| Family | Columbidae |
| Genus | Ducula |
| Species | D. galeata |
39. Black-Naped Tern
The beautiful Black-naped Tern is a seabird found in tropical and subtropical areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
These terns measure around 30 cm long, with a wing span of 21 to 23 cm, black beaks and legs, yellow bill tips, long forked tails and white faces.
The breast has grayish-white feathers that extend down its back – forming an elegant nape hence their name.
They are rarely seen inland but they can stay close to coastal waters or even venture further out depending on seasonal changes.
Their diet consists mainly of fish which they hunt from above by hovering before plunging into the sea at high speed after prey. They also feed on crustaceans sometimes too.
All in all these birds have an interesting lifestyle; incredibly graceful when airborne yet ferocious hunters underwater making them quite a sight.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae |
| Genus | Sterna |
| Species | S. sumatrana |
40. Trindade Petrel
The Trindade petrel is a species of seabird belonging to the gadfly petrel family. It has an average size of 35-39 cm and wingspan varying between 88-102 cm.
Its plumage can be dark, light or intermediate between the two shades. Two populations were initially thought to belong to this species: one in the south Pacific and another near Trinidad Island off Brazil’s Atlantic coast, hence its name ‘Trindade’ petrels.
This bird depends on open ocean for feeding as it primarily feeds on fishes, cephalopods and crustaceans like krill & squids which are found there only.
Unfortunately their population numbers have been declining due to habitat destruction caused by human activities such as overfishing & pollution leading them towards endangerment.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. arminjoniana |
41. Murphy’s Petrel
Murphy’s petrel is a species of seabird in the gadfly petrel family, measuring 15 inches long with a wingspan of 35 inches and weighing 13 ounces.
It was first discovered by Robert Cushman Murphy back in 1949 and has since been given its common name to honor him.
Not much is known about this bird; it wasn’t until the 1980s that researchers were able to determine how they live their lives.
They typically inhabit tropical oceans where they can feed on squid, fish, crustaceans and other marine life that make up their diet.
They use both land-based nests as well as burrows dug into cliffs or soil for breeding purposes during specific seasons throughout each year depending on location.
Murphy’s Petrel are very unique looking birds with black heads, white bellies and grey wings making them stand out from many other species of sea birds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. ultima |
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42. Mottled Petrel
The Mottled Petrel, also known as the Kōrure, is a species of seabird found in oceans around the world. It has a wingspan of 29 to 32 inches and typically measures 13-14 inches long.
This bird prefers spending its time away from land except when it needs to nest or care for young. The diet consists mainly of fish and squid with some crustaceans thrown in occasionally.
As a transquatorial migrant, they spend summer months breeding on islands off New Zealand before migrating eastward across the Pacific Ocean towards North America during winter months.
They’re not particularly shy birds but despite their prevalence little is know about them due to how rarely they come ashore making studying these creatures challenging at best.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. inexpectata |
43. Cook’s Petrel
Cook’s petrel is a Procellariform seabird, belonging to the gadfly petrels and part of the Cookilaria subgroup.
It stands out amongst its peers due to its small size; typically 25-30 cm long with a wingspan of 65-66 cm and weighing approximately 200 g.
Its plumage is predominantly dark grey in colour which contrasts sharply against its bright blue feet – earning it another name: ‘blue footed petrel’.
Despite being one of the smallest species within this group, Cook’s Petrel can travel vast distances over open ocean waters using an advanced navigation system that helps them find food sources located thousands of kilometres away from their nesting grounds.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. cookii |
44. Buller’s Shearwater
Buller’s shearwater is a species of seabird found in the Pacific Ocean. It belongs to the Procellariidae family, and is also known as grey-backed or New Zealand shearwater.
This bird has an impressive size – adults reach up to 46–47 cm (18–19 inches). Buller’s Shearwaters are members of the Thyellodroma group which includes large-sized birds from Ardenna genus.
In fact, they form a superspecies with wedge-tailed shearwater (A pacificus).
They can be seen near coasts during breeding season when they come ashore for nesting purposes; but otherwise spend most time at sea searching for prey such as fish, squid and crustaceans.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Ardenna |
| Species | A. bulleri |
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45. Phoenix Petrel
The Phoenix petrel is a beautiful seabird native to the central Pacific Ocean. It has dark brown upperparts and white below, with a whitish throat. Measuring up to 35 cm long, it has an impressive wingspan of 83 cm.
The sexes are similar in appearance and behave alike when breeding at their colonies on Phoenix, Tonga, Kiritimati and Tuam Islands.
They forage for food over open ocean waters during the day but come together each night to roost on nearby islands or coastal areas close by their nesting grounds.
The species feeds mainly on squid and fish which they find while flying low over the sea surface in search of prey items.
A fascinating bird that can be seen skimming along wave tops searching for its next meal.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. alba |
46. Pomarea
Pomarea is a genus of birds in the Monarchidae family, which are endemic to the islands of Polynesia. They range from 15-19 cm long and have distinct sexual dimorphism in their plumage.
The six extant species that make up this genus include P. nigra, P. cyanoxantha, P. maculata, P. wilsoni, P merensiana and possibly one extinct species; while some experts also recognize additional subspecies as separate species too.
These colorful birds mostly inhabit forests or scrublands in search for insects they feed on – making them an important part of local ecosystems by controlling insect population levels.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Monarchidae |
| Genus | Pomarea Bonaparte, 1854 |
