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Pacific Birding - New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Samoa & the Cook IslandsBy Dave SargeantPart 3 - Systematic List of Birds ObservedPart 1 - Practical Information Taxonomy, scientific and vernacular English names generally follow Clements (2000, with updates). Australasian Grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae New Caledonia: 3 in the Lake District on 14-Oct. Tahiti Petrel Pseudobulweria rostrata New Caledonia: Two from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct. A further 6 from Pointe Escarpé, Ouvéa on 13-Oct. New Caledonian [Gould's] Petrel Pterodroma (leucoptera) caledonica New Caledonia: Two from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct. Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus New Caledonia: At least 200 from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct, and a further 300 on 12-Oct. Over 1,000 from Pointe Escarpé, Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus New Caledonia: The Doughty field guide does not include this species, but includes Short-tailed Shearwater, with which it has evidently been confused. At least 500 from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct, and a further 500 on 12-Oct. Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris New Caledonia: A few mixed in with the Sooty Shearwater from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct, and again on the 12-Oct. Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda Cook Islands: At least 5 at midday flying around the massive cliffs behind Avarua town on 01-Nov. White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus Samoa: Always a few over the forest below Cloud 9 Lodge on 21-24 Oct, and up to 4 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct. Cook Islands: Up to 6 daily in above the forest behind Avarua on 29-Oct – 01-Nov. Four on Mangaia on 30-Oct. Great Frigatebird Fregata minor New Caledonia: A single, probably this species, off from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 12-Oct. Cook Islands: A single on Aitutaki on 26-Oct, and 2 Atiu on 28-Oct. Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel New Caledonia: 3 off from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 12-Oct. Masked Booby Sula (dactylatra) dactylatra New Caledonia: 12 off from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 12-Oct. Red-footed Booby Sula sula New Caledonia: 5 off from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 12-Oct. Cook Islands: One off Atiu on 28-Oct. Brown Booby Sula leucogaster New Caledonia: 5 off from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 12-Oct, and 12 there the following day. Cook Islands: One off Atiu on 28-Oct. Little Pied Cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos New Caledonia: Two Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct, and 6 near Nouméa on 14-Oct. Grey Teal Anas gracilis New Caledonia: 6 near Nouméa on 14-Oct. Pacific Black Duck Anas superciliosa New Caledonia: A single near Nouméa on 10-Oct, 6 on the marsh on Ouvéa on 12-Oct, and a further 4 around Nouméa on 14-15 Oct. Cook Islands: 3 daily on Atiu on 27-28 Oct, and up to 8 on the lake on Mangaia on 31-Oct. Hardhead (White-eyed Duck) Aythya australis New Caledonia: 23 in the Lake District on 14-Oct. White-faced Heron Egretta novaehollandiae New Caledonia: Two near Nouméa on 10-Oct, 1 on the marsh on Ouvéa on 12-Oct, and a further 10 around Nouméa on 14, with 1 at Pointe Luzerne on 15-Oct. Eastern (Pacific) Reef-Egret Egretta sacra New Caledonia: A single on the marsh on Ouvéa on 12-Oct, and a further 10 around Nouméa on 14, with 1 at Pointe Luzerne on 15-Oct. Vanuatu: A single en route to Ipayato on 17-Oct. Samoa: A single on 21-Oct. Cook Islands: Four on Aitutaki on 26-Oct, 2 on Atiu on 28-Oct, 2 on Rarotonga on 29-Oct, and 10 on Mangaia on 30-Oct. Rufous (Nankeen) Night-Heron Nycticorax caledonicus New Caledonia: Two near Nouméa on 10-Oct and again on 14-Oct. Osprey Pandion haliaetus New Caledonia: One Nouméa on 13-Oct and 2 on 14-Oct. Whistling Kite Haliastur sphenurus New Caledonia: One Farino on 8-Oct and a total of 7 Nouméa on 10, 14, 15 Oct. Swamp (Australasian) Harrier Circus approximans New Caledonia: A total of 5 south of Nouméa on 10, 14, 15 Oct. Vanuatu: A total of 5 around Loru on 16-17 Oct, one near Ipayato on 17-Oct, and 1 high over Pic Santo on 18-Oct. Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus New Caledonia: A single at the swamp on Ouvea on 12-Oct. New Caledonian (White-bellied) Goshawk Accipiter haplochrous New Caledonia: Two at Mount Koghis on 9-Oct, 1 Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct, and two further singles whilst driving around on 14-Oct and 15-Oct evidently showing this bird is not confined to primary forest. Peregrine Falcon Falco (peregrinus) peregrinus Vanuatu: Singles at Loru on 16-17 Oct, and Pic Santo on 18-19 Oct. Vanuatu Scrubfowl Megapodius layardi Vanuatu: At least 6 heard at Loru on 16-17 Oct, with a pair eventually seen well in a low tree. One heard on Pic Santo at 300 m. on 20-Oct. Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus Vanuatu: Up to 6 daily at both Loru and Pic Santo 16-20 Oct. Cook Islands: Common in forest on Rarotonga. Buff-banded Rail Gallirallus philippensis New Caledonia: 3 in roadside ditches near Thy on 14-Oct. Vanuatu: Three en route to Loru on 16-Oct. Samoa: Common throughout. Australian [Purple] Swamphen Porphyrio (porphyrio) melanotus New Caledonia: At least 8 in areas around Nouméa on 14-Oct. Samoa: Three at Vaisigano Watershed on 23-Oct. Dusky Moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa New Caledonia: A single at the horse racetrack in Nouméa on 14-Oct. Kagu Rhynochetos jubatus New Caledonia: Six Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Probably the bird of the trip. Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica New Caledonia: A total of 10 around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 13-15 Oct. Whimbrel Numenius (phaeopus) phaeopus New Caledonia: A total of 6 around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 13-15 Oct. Cook Islands: One with the Bristle-thighed Curlew on Aitutaki on 26-Oct. A rarity on the Cook Islands. Bristle-thighed Curlew Numenius tahitiensis Cook Islands: A group of 8 at the southern end of the airfield on Aitutaki on 26-Oct. Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes New Caledonia: A total of 10 around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 13-15 Oct. Wandering Tattler Tringa incana Cook Islands: Two on Aitutaki on 26-Oct, 6 on Rarotonga on 29-Oct, and 1 Avarua on 31-Oct. Ruddy Turnstone Arenaria interpres Cook Islands: 4 on the beach at the airfield on Aitutaki on 26-Oct. Pacific [Lesser] Golden Plover Pluvialis (dominica) fulva New Caledonia: Small numbers daily on Lífou, Ouvéa, and around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 11-15 Oct. Samoa: A common garden bird in Apia on 21-24 Oct. Seems to be on every lawn of any size. Cook Islands: Common throughout. Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae New Caledonia: Small numbers daily on Lífou, Ouvéa, and around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 10-15 Oct. Swift (Great Crested) Tern Sterna bergii New Caledonia: Small numbers daily on Lífou, Ouvéa, and around Nouméa and Pointe a la Luzerne on 10-15 Oct. Black-naped Tern Sterna sumatrana New Caledonia: 30 of Nouméa on 10-Oct and a further 5 on 14-Oct. Cook Islands: One off the beach on Aitutaki on 26-Oct. Sooty Tern Sterna fuscata New Caledonia: Ten off Nouméa on 15-Oct. Cook Islands: Five on a seawatch from Ngatangiia on 28-Oct. Blue-grey (Blue) Noddy Procelsterna cerulea New Caledonia: Two off Pointe Escarpé, Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Cook Islands: Three on a seawatch from Ngatangiia on 28-Oct, and 3 off Avarua on 30-Oct. Brown (Common) Noddy Anous stolidus New Caledonia: 50 off Pointe Escarpé, Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Samoa: Small numbers over all good forest 21-24 Oct. Cook Islands: Fairly common throughout. Black Noddy Anous minutus New Caledonia: Two off Pointe Escarpé, Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Common White Tern Gygis alba New Caledonia: Two off Nouméa on 14-Oct. Samoa: Small numbers over all good forest on 21-24 Oct. Cook Islands: Common throughout. South Polar Skua Catharacta maccormicki New Caledonia: A single bird, thought to be this species, off Pointe Daussy on 12-Oct. Long-tailed Jaeger (Skua) Stercorarius longicaudus A single from Pointe Daussy, Lífou on 11-Oct. Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia New Caledonia: Five around Nouméa on 14-Oct was the only record. Samoa: A few around Apia. Metallic (White-throated) Pigeon Columba vitiensis New Caledonia: One at Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct, 30 on Lífou on 11-Oct, and 2 on Ouvéa on 12-Oct. Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis New Caledonia: Fairly common around Nouméa on 9, 10, 14, 15-Oct. Mackinlay's Cuckoo-Dove Macropygia mackinlayi Vanuatu: Recorded daily in small numbers at both Loru and Pic Santo 16-20 Oct. Emerald Dove Chalcophaps indica New Caledonia: A few daily on Lífou and Ouvéa 11-13 Oct. Vanuatu: Recorded daily in small numbers at both Loru and Pic Santo 16-20 Oct. Tanna Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus tannensis Vanuatu: Up to 8 daily on Pic Santo on 18-20 Oct. Many-coloured Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus perousii Samoa: Up to 6 daily from the veranda at Cloud 9 Lodge on 21-24 Oct. Up to 6 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct, and a few at Vailima on 21-24 Oct. Red-bellied Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus greyii New Caledonia: Common by voice on Lífou and Ouvéa on 11-13-Oct, with max. 30 on Lífou. Vanuatu: Up to 10 daily at Loru and Pic Santo 16-20 Oct. Crimson-crowned Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus porphyraceus Samoa: Up to 6 daily from the veranda at Cloud 9 Lodge on 21-24 Oct. Up to 10 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct, and a few at Vailima on 21-24 Oct. Cook Islands (Rarotongan) Fruit-Dove Ptilinopus rarotongensis Cook Islands: Common on Atiu on 27-28 Oct. a single at Takitumu on 31-Oct, and 5 on the cross-island trail on 01-Nov. Cloven-feathered Dove Drepanoptila holosericea New Caledonia: Only recorded at Farino, with 6 on 8-Oct. Pacific Imperial-Pigeon Ducula pacifica Vanuatu: Very common at Loru with up to 30 daily on 16-17 Oct. A few daily at Pic Santo on 17-20 Oct. Samoa: Up to 6 daily from the veranda at Cloud 9 Lodge on 21-24 Oct. Two at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct, and two at Vailima daily on 21-24 Oct. Cook Islands: Six daily on Atiu on 27-28 Oct. Fairly common at Takitumu on 31-Oct, and along the cross-island trail on 01-Nov. Baker's (Vanuatu) Imperial-Pigeon Ducula bakeri Vanuatu: A few heard daily at Pic Santo on 18-20 Oct. New Caledonian (Notou) Imperial-Pigeon Ducula goliath New Caledonia: Recorded at Farino, Koghis and Rivière Bleue on 8-10 Oct. New Caledonian [Red-fronted] Parakeet Cyanoramphus (novaezelandiae) saissetti New Caledonia: Heard at Farino on 8-Oct, and 2 seen at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Horned Parakeet Eunymphicus (cornutus) cornutus New Caledonia: 4 at Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct, 6 Rivière Bleue on 9-Oct and 4 there on 10-Oct. Ouvea [Horned] Parakeet Eunymphicus (cornutus) uvaeensis New Caledonia: At least 10 on private land on Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus New Caledonia: Small numbers around Nouméa on 9, 10, 14, 15-Oct. Vanuatu: Up to 20 daily 16-20 Oct. Blue-crowned Lorikeet Vini australis Samoa: Two at Cloud 9 Lodge on 22, 24-Oct. Up to 30 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct, mainly in the plantations above the valley. Blue Lorikeet Vini peruviana Cook Islands: Up to 12 along the main road between the airfield and town on Aitutaki on 26-Oct. Palm Lorikeet Charmosyna palmarum Vanuatu: Seen daily at Pic Santo on 18-20 Oct, with max. 8. Only seen above 550 m. Pacific Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis pyrrhophanus New Caledonia: One at Thy on 9-Oct, and 2 on Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Shining Bronze-Cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus New Caledonia: Four Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct, heard on Lífou and 2 seen on Ouvéa on 11-13 Oct. Vanuatu: Heard daily on Pic Santo 18-20 Oct. Long-tailed Koel Eudynamys taitensis Cook Islands: A single on Atiu on 28-Oct. Skulking and easy to miss. Barn Owl Tyto (alba) alba New Caledonia: One at dusk at the car park at Farino on 8-Oct. Vanuatu: One disturbed from a day roost at Loru on 16-Oct. White-bellied (Glossy) Swiftlet Collocalia esculenta New Caledonia: Abundant throughout with up to 100 daily. Vanuatu: Common throughout. White-rumped Swiftlet Collocalia spodiopygius New Caledonia: A single over Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Samoa: Common throughout. Uniform Swiftlet Collocalia vanikorensis Vanuatu: Common throughout. Atiu Swiftlet Collocalia sawtell Cook Islands: Common over Atiu on 27-28 Oct. Contrary to the field guide this species has a distinctly greyish rump. Chestnut-bellied Kingfisher Todirhamphus farquhari Vanuatu: Up to 4 heard daily at Loru and Pic Santo 16-20 Oct. Hard to see as sits high in the canopy for long periods. Flat-billed Kingfisher Todirhamphus recurvirostris Samoa: Two at Cloud 9 Lodge on 22-24 Oct. Four at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct, and two daily in the botanical garden at Vailima on 22-23 Oct. Collared Kingfisher Todirhamphus chloris Vanuatu: Fairly common throughout with max. 6 at Loru on 16-Oct. Sacred Kingfisher Todirhamphus sanctus New Caledonia: Small numbers daily throughout. Mangaia Kingfisher Todirhamphus ruficollaris Cook Islands: A total of about 6 in forest south of Aramona Bungalows on 30-Oct. Chattering Kingfisher Todirhamphus tuta Cook Islands: Up to 6 on Atiu on 27-28 Oct. Fan-tailed Gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis New Caledonia: Small numbers daily throughout. Vanuatu: A few heard on Pic Santo 18-20 Oct. Dark-brown (Silver-eared) Honeyeater Lichmera incana New Caledonia: Common daily throughout. Vanuatu: Four in the garden of the Coral Motel in Porta Vila on 16-Oct. New Caledonian Myzomela Myzomela caledonica New Caledonia: Two at Mt. Koghis ion 9-Oct, and 3 Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Cardinal Myzomela Myzomela cardinalis New Caledonia: Common on Lífou on 11-12-Oct. It should be noted that the bird looks nothing like the illustration in the field guide. Vanuatu: Up to 6 daily on Pic Santo 18-20 Oct. Samoa: Common throughout. Wattled Honeyeater Foulehaio carunculata Samoa: Common throughout. New Caledonian Friarbird Philemon diemenensis New Caledonia: One at Farino on 8-Oct, 4 at Thy on 9-Oct, 20 at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct and 10 on Lífou on 11-Oct. Mao Gymnomyza samoensis Samoa: Two in the clearing at the southern end of the valley at Vaisigano on 22-Oct. Crow Honeyeater Gymnomyza aubryana New Caledonia: A single at Thy on 9-Oct and another at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Barred Honeyeater Phylidonyris undulate New Caledonia: 3 at Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct and 2 in the Lake District on 14-Oct. New Hebrides Honeyeater Phylidonyris notabilis Vanuatu: Up to 6 daily, above 500 m. at Pic Santo on 18-20 Oct. Pacific [Scarlet] Robin Petroica (multicolor) multicolour Vanuatu: A single bird at 700 m. at Pic Santo on 19-Oct. Samoa: Small numbers at Vailima and Vaisigano Watershed on 21-24 Oct. Yellow-bellied Robin Eopsaltria flaviventris New Caledonia: 6 at Farino on 8-Oct, 1 Thy on 9-Oct, and 3 at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis New Caledonia: One on Lífou on 11-Oct. Vanuatu: Very common throughout. New Caledonian Whistler Pachycephala caledonica New Caledonia: Six at Farino on 8-Oct, 1 at Thy on 9-Oct, and 3 at Riviere Bleue on 10-Oct. Samoan Whistler Pachycephala flavifrons Samoa: Up to 20 daily at Vailima on 21-24 Oct, and 5 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct. Rufous Whistler Pachycephala rufiventris New Caledonia: Four at Farino on 8-Oct, and one at Thy on 9-Oct. Grey Fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa Fairly common at Farino, Thy and Rivière Bleue on 8-10 Oct. Vanuatu: Common throughout. Streaked Fantail Rhipidura spilodera New Caledonia: Less common than Grey Fantail. Small numbers at Farino, Thy, Rivière Bleue and Lífou 8-12 Oct. Vanuatu: Four at Loru on 17-Oct. Samoan Fantail Rhipidura nebulosa Samoa: Up to 8 daily at Vailima on 21-24 Oct, and 8 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct. Rarotonga Monarch Pomarea dimidiate Cook Islands: Two pairs and a single along forested tracks in the interior of Atiu on 27-28 Oct. At least 5, including grey adults, at Takitumu on 31-Oct. Buff-bellied Monarch Neolalage banksiana Vanuatu: Up to 6 daily at Loru on 16-17 Oct, and 6 max. at Pic Santo on 18-Oct. Southern Shrikebill Clytorhynchus pachycephaloides New Caledonia: Two at Farino on 8-Oct, and a single heard at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Melanesian (New Caledonian) Flycatcher Myiagra caledonica New Caledonia: 6 at Farino on 8-Oct, 4 at Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct, 4 at Thy on 9-Oct, heard at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct, and 2 on Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Vanuatu: A total of 10 at Pic Santo on 18-19 Oct. Birds on Vanuatu look different to birds on New Caledonia. Samoan Flycatcher Myiagra albiventris Samoa: Up to 3 daily at Vailima on 21-24 Oct, and 2 at Vaisigano Watershed on 22-Oct. New Caledonian Crow Corvus moneduloides New Caledonia: Four at Farino on 8-Oct, and 2 Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct. White-breasted Woodswallow Artamus leucorynchus New Caledonia: Three at Farino on 8-Oct, a single at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct, and up to 15 on Lífou on 11-12 Oct. Vanuatu: Three at Loru on 17-Oct. Melanesian Cuckoo-shrike Coracina caledonica New Caledonia: Four at Farino on 8-Oct, 2 at Mt. Koghis on 9-Oct, 4 at Thy on 9-Oct, and 2 at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct. Vanuatu: Up to 6 daily throughout. New Caledonian Cuckoo-shrike Coracina analis New Caledonia: A single at Rivière Bleue on 10-Oct was the only record. Polynesian Triller Lalage maculosa Samoa: Small numbers daily throughout. Long-tailed Triller Lalage leucopyga New Caledonia: Small numbers daily at most sites. Samoan Starling Aplonis atrifusca Samoa: Common throughout. Rarotonga Starling Aplonis cinerascens Cook Islands: At least 6 along the cross-island trail on 29-Oct and 01-Nov. Three at Takitumu on 31-Oct. Polynesian Starling Aplonis tabuensis Samoa: Common throughout. Striated Starling Aplonis striata New Caledonia: Small numbers daily at most sites with max. 10 on Ouvéa on 13-Oct. Common (Indian) Myna Acridotheres tristis New Caledonia: Common around towns and villages but not on the offshore islands. Vanuatu: Common in towns and at Loru on 16-17-Oct. Not recorded from Pic Santo area. Samoa: Abundant. Cook Islands: Abundant throughout. Jungle Myna Acridotheres fuscus Samoa: Abundant. Usually in more forested areas than Common Myna. Pacific Swallow Hirundo tahitica New Caledonia: Four on Lífou on 12-Oct. Vanuatu: One near Ipayato on 17-Oct. Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer New Caledonia: Fairly common around Nouméa. Samoa: Abundant throughout. Silver-eye Zosterops lateralis New Caledonia: Common at Farino on 8-Oct, and on Lífou and Ouvéa on 11-13-Oct. Vanuatu: Four at Loru on 17-Oct, and one near Ipayato on 17-Oct. Large Lífou White-eye Zosterops inornatus New Caledonia: Up to 15 daily on Lífou 11-12 Oct. Yellow-fronted White-eye Zosterops flavifrons Vanuatu: Common in all forested areas. Green-backed White-eye Zosterops xanthochrous New Caledonia: Common in forested areas of the main island with max. 30 at Farino on 8-Oct. Small Lífou White-eye Zosterops minutus Abundant on Lífou on 11-12 Oct. Cook Islands Reed-Warbler Acrocephalus kerearako Cook Islands: At least 30 daily all over Mangaia on 30-31 Oct. New Caledonian Grassbird Megalurulus mariei New Caledonia: Pair at Farino on 8-Oct, and a single at Thy on 9-Oct. Guadalcanal Thicketbird Megalurulus whitneyi Vanuatu: Pair in dense undergrowth at 700 m. at Pic Santo on 19-Oct. House Sparrow Passer domesticus New Caledonia: Common around Nouméa. Vanuatu: Seen around Porta Vila on 16-Oct. Common Waxbill Estrilda astrild New Caledonia: Common around Nouméa. Red-throated Parrotfinch Erythrura psittacea New Caledonia: Eight at Farino on 8-Oct. Red-headed Parrotfinch Erythrura cyaneovirens Samoa: A pair at Cloud 9 Lodge on 22-Oct, 6 at Vaisigano on 22-Oct, and singles at Vailima on 23-24 Oct. Chestnut Munia Lonchura atricapilla Vanuatu: Common around Porta Vila and Luganville. Chestnut-breasted Munia Lonchura castaneothorax New Caledonia: 6 in scrub near the beach at Thy on 14-Oct. Cook Islands: Four at the lake in the south of Mangaia on 30-Oct. |
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