The Marshall Islands, located in the western Pacific Ocean, are a stunning archipelago of coral atolls and islands that boast of lush forests, crystal-clear waters, and incredible biodiversity.
While the Marshall Islands may be small, they are home to an impressive array of avian species that are unique and fascinating.
From the delightful Micronesian Kingfisher to the majestic White Tern and the elusive Marshall Islands Swiftlet, the birdlife in this region is truly something to behold.
In this article, we will delve into the world of Marshall Islands birds and explore some of the most remarkable species that inhabit these Pacific islands.
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. Bulbul
Bulbuls are a medium-sized passerine songbird family native to Africa, the Middle East and tropical Asia up until Japan. They can also be found on some of the Indian Ocean islands.
There are 160 species within 32 genera in this family which includes greenbuls, brownbuls, leafloves and bristlebills.
Bulbul birds have been known for their beautiful singing voices as well as for being very active during mating season when they gather together to create large flocks where potential mates can show off their skills.
The coloration of bulbuls range from dull greys or browns to vibrant yellows with black markings around the head region making them quite attractive creatures indeed.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Parvorder | Sylviida |
| Family | Pycnonotidae Gray, GR, 1840 |
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4. Frigatebird
Frigatebirds are a beautiful and mysterious family of seabirds, found in all tropical and subtropical oceans. The five extant species have glossy black plumage, long forked tails, and lengthy hooked bills.
During the breeding season males display a bright red gular pouch which they inflate to attract mates. Females have white underbellies year-round giving them an elegant contrast against their darker feathers.
They spend most of their lives soaring with minimal effort over warm ocean waters seeking food such as fish or squid taken from the surface or plucked out of midair by other birds.
Frigatebirds often nest on isolated islands due to lack of predators yet still manage to travel incredibly large distances between feeding grounds every day making them truly remarkable creatures.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Suliformes |
| Family | Fregatidae Degland & Gerbe, 1867 |
| Genus | Fregata Lacépède, 1799 |
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5. 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 |
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6. 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 |
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7. 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 |
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8. Providence Petrel
The Providence Petrel (Pterodroma solandri) is a large and heavy-bodied seabird, with an impressive wingspan of up to 1.2 metres.
It nests in two locations in the Tasman Sea – Lord Howe Island, 800 km away from the Australian mainland and Philip Island.
Unfortunately, it has been nearly wiped out on Norfolk Island due to overharvesting for food; about one million birds were taken before 1800 leading to its complete extinction there.
This species is classified as Near Threatened by IUCN’s Red List of threatened Species, yet conservation efforts are underway at both nesting sites aiming to ensure its survival for future generations.Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Procellariiformes |
| Family | Procellariidae |
| Genus | Pterodroma |
| Species | P. solandri |
9. 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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10. 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 |
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