Birds of Fiji

A photographic journey through Fiji’s remarkable birdlife

Fiji is home to an extraordinary diversity of birds, including many endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Over the years, I have been photographing Fiji’s birdlife across its forests, coastlines and islands, building a growing visual record of the species that make this archipelago so unique.

Endemics

Masked Shining-Parrot (Prosopeia personata), an endemic parrot photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Golden Dove (Ptilinopus luteovirens), an endemic fruit dove photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Male Chestnut-throated Flycatcher (Myiagra castaneigularis), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Crimson Shining-Parrot (Prosopeia splendens), an endemic parrot photographed on Kadavu, Fiji.
Pink-billed Parrotfinch (Erythrura kleinschmidti), a Vulnerable endemic bird of Fiji photographed near its nest in Naitasiri on Viti Levu.
Orange Dove (Ptilinopus victor), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed on Taveuni.
Duetting Giant-Honeyeater (Gymnomyza brunneirostris), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Naitasiri on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Barking Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula latrans), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Black-throated Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus nigrogularis), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Naitasiri on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Azure-crested Flycatcher (Myiagra azureocapilla), an endemic and Near Threatened bird photographed on Taveuni, Fiji.
Collared Lory (Vini solitaria), an endemic parrot photographed in central Vanua Levu, Fiji.
Fiji Parrotfinch (Erythrura pealii), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed feeding chicks at a nest in Suva, Viti Levu.
Fiji Bush-Warbler (Horornis ruficapilla), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Namosi on Viti Levu.
Fiji Shrikebill (Clytorhynchus vitiensis) singing on Taveuni, Fiji.
Kikau / Western Wattled-Honeyeater (Foulehaio procerior), an endemic bird of Fiji perched and singing in Suva, Viti Levu.
Fiji Goshawk (Tachyspiza rufitorques), an endemic bird of prey photographed on Taveuni, Fiji.
Northern Wattled-Honeyeater (Foulehaio taviunensis), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed on Taveuni.
Fiji Woodswallow (Artamus mentalis), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in the Yasawa Islands.
Taveuni Silktail (Lamprolia victoriae) photographed in native forest on Taveuni, Fiji. Endemic to Taveuni, this distinctive forest bird has a very restricted global range and is one of Fiji’s most sought-after endemic birds.
Red Shining-Parrot (Prosopeia tabuensis), also known as the Maroon Shining-Parrot, photographed perched in a tree on Taveuni, Fiji, where this endemic parrot inhabits forest and wooded habitats.
Fiji Streaked Fantail (Rhipidura layardi rufilateralis) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji, a Taveuni-endemic subspecies found in native forest and other wooded habitats.
Male Yellow-throated Fiji Whistler (Pachycephala graeffii) photographed in Colo-i-Suva, Fiji, an endemic songbird of Viti Levu and other central and northern Fijian islands.
Yellow-billed Giant-Honeyeater (Gymnomyza viridis) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji, an endemic forest bird restricted to Taveuni and Vanua Levu and known for its large size and distinctive yellow bill.
Probable Masked Shining-Parrot × Red Shining-Parrot hybrid (Prosopeia personata × Prosopeia tabuensis) photographed at Colo-i-Suva, Fiji. The bird shows plumage characteristics of both Fiji’s Masked Shining-Parrot and Red Shining-Parrot, suggesting h
Fiji White-eye (Zosterops explorator), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu.

Native & INVASIVE Birds

Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica) perched on an electricity line on Taveuni, Fiji.
Fan-tailed Cuckoo (Cacomantis flabelliformis) perched in a tree in Naitasiri, Viti Levu, Fiji.
Pacific Kingfisher (Todiramphus sacer) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji.
Feral Pigeon (Columba livia) photographed in Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji.
Fiji White-eye (Zosterops explorator), an endemic bird of Fiji photographed in Colo-i-Suva on Viti Levu.
Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji.
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) photographed near Nadi on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Female Many-colored Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus perousii) photographed in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji.
Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) photographed over a meadow in Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji.
Pacific Imperial-Pigeon (Ducula pacifica) photographed on Wakaya Island, Fiji.
Female Pacific Robin (Petroica pusilla) photographed in Namosi on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Polynesian Starling (Aplonis tabuensis) photographed on Wakaya Island, Fiji, a native Pacific starling commonly found in forest, woodland and coastal habitats across many of Fiji’s islands.
Polynesian Triller (Lalage maculosa) photographed at Momi Bay, Fiji. This native Pacific bird is widespread across Fiji and can be found in coastal vegetation, forest edges, gardens and other open habitats.
Red Avadavat (Amandava amandava) photographed near the Suva foreshore, Fiji. This striking introduced finch is established on Viti Levu, with breeding males easily recognised by their vivid red plumage and white spotting.
Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus) photographed on Vanua Levu, Fiji. Domestic and free-ranging chickens are widespread throughout Fiji, particularly around villages, farms and other inhabited areas.
Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), an introduced species now widespread in Fiji’s towns, gardens and disturbed habitats, photographed in Suva.
Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) photographed on a small island near Vanua Levu, Fiji, where this widespread native songbird is commonly found in coastal vegetation, gardens and forest edges.
Slaty Monarch (Mayrornis lessoni) photographed in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji, an endemic Fijian forest bird that actively searches for insects among trees and dense vegetation.
Slaty Monarch (Mayrornis lessoni) photographed in the Yasawa Islands, Fiji, an endemic Fijian forest bird that actively searches for insects among trees and dense vegetation.
Vanikoro Flycatcher (Myiagra vanikorensis) photographed near Suva, Fiji, a native flycatcher whose males are recognised by their dark blue-black upperparts and contrasting pale underparts.
Male Fiji Island-Thrush (Turdus ruficeps) photographed in Colo-i-Suva, Fiji, an endemic Fijian forest thrush found in native woodland across several of the country’s larger islands.
Pacific Swallow (Hirundo tahitica) photographed perched on driftwood on Viti Levu, Fiji, a native swallow commonly seen around open country, wetlands, coastlines and settled areas.
White-throated Pigeon (Columba vitiensis) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji, a large native pigeon found in forests and wooded habitats across many of Fiji’s islands.
Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) photographed on Taveuni, Fiji, a large wetland bird found around marshes, ponds and other freshwater habitats across parts of the Pacific.

Seabirds and Shorebirds

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica) photographed along the Suva foreshore on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster) in flight near the Tailevu coast on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Buff-banded Rail (Hypotaenidia philippensis) photographed on Namena Island, Fiji.
Two Black-naped Terns (Sterna sumatrana) rest on a limestone formation in Fulaga Lagoon, Lau Island Group, Fiji.
Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) photographed on a small island near Beqa, Fiji, a widespread coastal seabird commonly seen around reefs, beaches and offshore islands, where it feeds mainly on small fish.
Pacific Golden-Plover (Pluvialis fulva) photographed along the Suva foreshore on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) in flight over the Suva foreshore on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Mallard × Pacific Black Duck hybrid (Anas platyrhynchos × Anas superciliosa) photographed along the Suva foreshore on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Pacific Reef-Heron (Egretta sacra) in white morph, fishing along the Suva foreshore on Viti Levu, Fiji.
Red-footed Booby (Sula sula) photographed on Namena Island, Fiji. This tropical seabird occurs around Fiji’s offshore islands and reefs and spends much of its time feeding over the open ocean.
Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres) photographed along the Suva foreshore, Fiji. This long-distance migratory shorebird visits Fiji during its non-breeding season and is often seen feeding along rocky shores, mudflats and coastal areas.
Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) photographed on a beach on Beqa Island, Fiji, a migratory shorebird commonly seen along rocky coastlines, reefs and exposed shores during the non-breeding season.
White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) feeding on a fish along the Suva foreshore, Fiji, a native coastal and wetland bird commonly seen hunting in shallow water.
White-tailed Tropicbird (Phaethon lepturus) breeding on the ground of a small island near Vanua Levu, Fiji, where these elegant tropical seabirds nest on remote islands, cliffs and forested coastal areas.

An Unusual Encounter

Among the birds I have documented in Fiji are individuals that raise interesting questions about hybridisation and species boundaries. One such encounter involved a probable Red Shining-Parrot × Masked Shining-Parrot hybrid.

Red Shining-Parrot × Masked Shining-Parrot Hybrid

During one of my regular walks through Colo-i-Suva Forest Park, I noticed an unusual deep-red parrot moving with a flock of Masked Shining-Parrots. Over the following months, I encountered and photographed the same bird repeatedly, always behaving as part of the wild flock.

Interestingly, its plumage showed characteristics of both the Red Shining-Parrot and the Masked Shining-Parrot, including a deep maroon body, dark facial mask, green nape and distinctive green patches on the sides of the head. After comparing photographs and discussing the bird with ornithologists, the most likely explanation is that it represents a hybrid between the two species.

Their natural ranges do not overlap, making the observation particularly unusual. If confirmed, it may represent the first documented case of hybridisation between these two endemic Fijian parrots.

Read the published short note →

Endemic birds of Fiji

Fiji is home to 31 endemic bird species — a remarkable number for a relatively small Pacific island nation. Many are found nowhere else on Earth, and some are restricted to just a single island or island group. The Rotuma Myzomela, Taveuni Silktail and Ogea Monarch are striking examples of just how locally specialised Fiji’s birdlife can be.

For a comprehensive birding trip in Fiji, visiting several of the main islands is essential, as many endemic species have very restricted ranges. Viti Levu, Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Kadavu each support their own distinctive birdlife, making island-hopping an important part of experiencing the full diversity of Fiji’s endemic birds.

The Taveuni Silktail (Lamprolia victoriae) is one of Fiji’s most distinctive endemic birds, found only on Taveuni. With its glossy black plumage, silky white rump and unusual appearance, it was once thought to be related to the birds-of-paradise. Modern genetic studies have since placed it with the fantails. The species is currently classified as Near Threatened, making the protection of Taveuni’s remaining forest habitat especially important.

The Fiji Parrotfinch (Erythrura pealii) is an endemic species found across much of Fiji, often in forest edges, gardens and open country. Despite its vivid green and red plumage, it can be surprisingly inconspicuous. Photographing an active nest offered a rare glimpse into its breeding behaviour, including adults returning repeatedly to feed the young as they approached fledging.

The Golden Dove (Ptilinopus luteovirens) is one of Fiji’s most striking endemic birds, found only on Viti Levu and several nearby islands. The male’s brilliant golden-yellow plumage makes it unmistakable, while females are much more subtly coloured. Like many of Fiji’s fruit doves, it is closely tied to native forest and is a particularly distinctive example of the islands’ unique bird evolution.

Looking for a field reference? My Birds of Fiji guide features many of the species photographed on this page and is designed as a compact companion for birding around the islands. View the Guide here.

Planning a Birding Trip to Fiji?

Fiji offers exceptional birding and bird photography, with endemic species found across islands including Viti Levu, Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Kadavu. If you’re planning a birding trip to Fiji, explore my Fiji birding page for locations, target species, photography advice and information about guided bird photography tours.

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Birdwatchers from China and across Asia are very welcome.

欢迎来自中国及亚洲各地的观鸟爱好者来斐济观鸟和拍摄鸟类。

PROJECT MANUMANU VUKA

Project Manumanu Vuka is my long-term effort to photograph Fiji’s birdlife and build a visual record of the species found across the islands. What began as a personal photography project has grown into an ongoing exploration of Fiji’s remarkable avifauna, from familiar species to rare and little-seen endemics.

The project continues to grow as I travel, revisit habitats and document new species and behaviours across Fiji.

Check out my blog post →