This is a list of the bird species recorded in French Polynesia. The avifauna of French Polynesia include a total of 175 species, of which 41 are endemic, 15 have been introduced. Of these, 35 species are globally threatened.
This list's taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families and species) and nomenclature (common and scientific names) follow the conventions of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World, 2022 edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for French Polynesia.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
(A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in French Polynesia (E) Endemic - a species endemic to French Polynesia (I) Introduced - a species introduced to French Polynesia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (Ex) Extinct (Ext) Extirpated - a species that no longer occurs in French Polynesia although populations exist elsewhere
Ducks, geese, and waterfowl
Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae
Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic existence with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating.
Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa
Northern pintail, Anas acuta (A)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies
Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus (I) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I)
Pigeons and doves
Order: ColumbiformesFamily: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.
Rock pigeon, Columba livia (I) Marquesas ground dove, Alopecoenas rubescens (E) Polynesian ground dove, Alopecoenas erythropterus (E) Zebra dove, Geopelia striata (I) Gray-green fruit-dove, Ptilinopus purpuratus (E) Raiatea fruit-dove, Ptilinopus chrysogaster (E) Makatea fruit-dove, Ptilinopus chalcurus (E) Atoll fruit-dove, Ptilinopus coralensis (E) Rapa fruit-dove, Ptilinopus huttoni (E) White-capped fruit-dove, Ptilinopus dupetithouarsii (E) Red-moustached fruit-dove, Ptilinopus mercierii (E) (Ext) Pacific imperial-pigeon, Ducula pacifica (I) Polynesian imperial-pigeon, Ducula aurorae (E) Marquesas imperial-pigeon, Ducula galeata (E)
Cuckoos
Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae
The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. The Old World cuckoos are brood parasites.
Long-tailed koel, Eudynamys taitensis
Swifts
Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Apodidae
Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.
Polynesian swiftlet, Aerodramus leucophaeus (E) Marquesan swiftlet, Aerodramus ocistus (E)
Rails, gallinules, and coots
Order: GruiformesFamily: Rallidae
Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers.
Astolfo's rail, Gallirallus astolfoi (E) (Ext) Tahiti rail, Gallirallus pacificus (E) (Ext) Marquesan swamphen, Porphyrio paepae (E) (Ext) Miller's rail, Zapornia nigra (E) (Ext) Spotless crake, Zapornia tabuensis
Plovers and lapwings
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Charadriidae
The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with compact bodies, short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water.