Fijian Birdlife:
Fiji is a birdwatcher’s paradise. With over 80 species of birds endemic to Fiji, it is a fascinating destination for those who love bird watching. Fiji’s tropical climate and diverse ecosystems make it an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. Here are some of the unique birds that can be found in Fiji, along with the best places to see them.
Fiji Parrotfinch (Erythrura pealii)
The Fiji Parrotfinch is one of the most striking birds in Fiji. It is a small, brightly colored bird with a red head and a green body. The males have a pronounced blue patch on their chest. The parrotfinch can be found at the less dense edge of forests, scrubland and gardens of Viti Levu, Taveuni, and Ovalau. The best place to see this bird is at the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park on Viti Levu. Their song is a thin high-pitched “cheee cheee cheee.” There is a similar bird – the pink-billed Parrotfinch, but its pale pink bill and black face make it distinctinve.
Image By: Keith Barnes
Orange Dove:(Ptilinopus victor)
The male Orange Dove is a small, brightly coloured bird with orange feathers on its breast, yellow wing plumage and an olive green to brown head. The female is mainly green with a yellow undertail. The Orange Dove is a forest bird and can be found in the forests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. The best place to see this bird is at the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park on Viti Levu. They have a unique voice that sounds much like a dripping tap from a distance, but up close more like someone clicking their thumb and finger together regularly – “drip drip drip.”
Image By: Chris Wiley
Golden Whistler:(Pachycephala pectoralis)
The Golden Whistler is a compact songbird with a short pointed bill. Males have a vivid yellow body and olive wings with a white throat. Females are gray overall with some yellow wash below. It is a forest bird and can be found in the forests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. The best place to see this bird is at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park on Viti Levu. Its song is a loud piercing whistle with a whip-like ending. Female can be mistaken for the Olive Whistler but it has a much brownerunderside, with well-defined whitish bib.
Image By: Jeffrey Crawley
Fiji Goshawk: (Accipiter rufitorques)
The Fiji Goshawk is a predatory bird that can be found in the forests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. It is a large bird with a blue grey body and head, with a peachy brown collar, chest and belly. This birds like to reside in forested areas, up to 1200m. The best place to see this bird is at the Koroyanitu National Heritage Park on Viti Levu. Vocally, it often gives a loud, piercing “ki…ki…ki.”
Image By: Ian Halliday
Collared Lory: (Vini solitaria)
Endemic to Fiji, the Collared Lory is a beautiful multicoloured bird with a distinctive yellow bill, dark purple crown, a bright green neck, a red chest and throat, a purple belly, and green upperparts and undertail. It can be found in most habitats including towns and gardens as well as the forests of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, and Taveuni. The best place to see this bird is at the Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park on Viti Levu. There are no other similar birds. A typically parrot-like “tzreet” is the most common call, with similar squabbling calls often heard.
Image By: Chris Venetz
Fiji Petrel: (Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi)
Critically endangered, the Fiji Petrel is a seabird that can be found along the coastline. It is a medium-sized bird appearing chocolate-brown or black, with a distinctive short-necked and cigar-shaped silhouette due to its tapering tail. The best place to see this bird is on a boat trip from Suva. There are other similar petrels, but the Fiji Petrel lacks the white underside of the otherwise similar Beck’s Petrel, and is significantly smaller than Tahiti Petrel (which also has a white belly). Similar to Bulwer’s Petrel, but lacks the pale bars found in the upperwing, it appears shorter-necked, and does not hold its head high in flight. Overall flight style of Fiji Petrel is more acrobatic than that of Bulwer’s Petrel. Author: Lara Leahy
