This is a list of the bird species recorded in New Caledonia. The avifauna of New Caledonia include a total of 226 species, of which 28 are endemic, and 13 have been introduced by humans.
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 New Caledonia.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. (A) Accidental – a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in New Caledonia (E) Endemic – a species endemic to New Caledonia (I) Introduced – a species introduced to New Caledonia as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions (N) Native – a species naturally found in New Caledonia that was not introduced by human actions (Ex) Extirpated – a species that no longer occurs in New Caledonia although populations exist elsewhere (Ext) Extinct – a species formerly endemic or native to New Caledonia, that is now extinct
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.
Wandering whistling-duck, Dendrocygna arcuata (A) Canada goose, Branta canadensis (A) Australian shoveler, Spatula rhynchotis (A) Muscovy duck, Cairina moschata (I) Pacific black duck, Anas superciliosa (N) Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos (I) Gray teal, Anas gracilis (A) Brown teal, Anas chlorotis (A) Hardhead, Aythya australis (N)
Megapodes Order: GalliformesFamily: Megapodiidae
Megapodes or scrubfowl are grouse-like birds that live on the forest floor. They have stocky proportions and large feet ('Megapode' means 'large foot' in Latin). They usually lay their eggs in a mound of warm compost or in a geothermally active area to incubate them, from which the chicks hatch fully developed and independent. Three extinct species are known from New Caledonia-one also known from Tonga, and the other two, one from the Isle of Pines and the other from the Loyalty Islands, are both undescribed.
Pile-builder megapode, Megapodius molistructor (Ext) Loyalty Islands megapode, Megapodius species (Ext) Île des Pins megapode, Megapodius species (Ext)
Sylviornithids Order: PangalliformesFamily: Sylviornithidae
The Sylviornithidae are an extinct group of stem-galliform birds that includes Sylviornis and Megavitiornis. They are sometimes erroneously called giant scrubfowl or giant megapodes.
New Caledonian giant scrubfowl, Sylviornis neocaledoniae (Ext)
Pheasants, grouse, and allies Order: GalliformesFamily: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.
Indian peafowl, Pavo cristatus (I) Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus (I) Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (I) Wild turkey, Meleagris gallopavo (I)
Grebes
Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae
Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land.
Australasian grebe, Tachybaptus novaehollandiae (N)
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) Metallic pigeon, Columba vitiensis Spotted dove, Streptopelia chinensis (I) Pacific emerald dove, Chalcophaps longirostris (N) Zebra dove, Geopelia striata (I) Red-bellied fruit-dove, Ptilinopus greyi (N) Cloven-feathered dove, Drepanoptila holosericea (E) Pacific imperial-pigeon, Ducula pacifica (N) New Caledonian imperial-pigeon, Ducula goliath (E) Kanaka pigeon, Caloenas canacorum (Ext) New Caledonian ground dove, Pampusana longitarsus (Ext)
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, Urodynamis taitensis (N) Channel-billed cuckoo, Scythrops novaehollandiae (A) Shining bronze-cuckoo, Chrysococcyx lucidus (N) Fan-tailed cuckoo, Cacomantis flabelliformis (N)
Nightjars and allies Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae
Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves.
New Caledonian nightjar, Eurostopodus exul (E)-possibly extinct White-throated nightjar, Eurostopodus mystacalis (N)
Owlet-nightjars Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Aegothelidae
The owlet-nightjars are small nocturnal birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are insectivores which hunt mostly in the air. Their soft plumage is a mixture of browns and paler shades.
New Caledonian owlet-nightjar, Aegotheles savesi (E)-possibly extinct
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.
White-throated needletail, Hirundapus caudacutus (A) Glossy swiftlet, Collocalia esculenta (N) Satin swiftlet, Collocalia uropygialis (N) White-rumped swiftlet, Aerodramus spodiopygius (N) Australian swiftlet, Aerodramus terraereginae (N) Uniform swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis (A)
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.
New Caledonian rail, Gallirallus lafresnayanus (E)-possibly extinct Buff-banded rail, Gallirallus philippensis (N) Dusky moorhen, Gallinula tenebrosa (N) New Caledonian gallinule, Porphyrio kukwiedei (Ext) Australasian swamphen, Porphyrio melanotus (N) White-browed crake, Poliolimnas cinereus (A) Baillon's crake, Zapornia pusilla (A) Spotless crake, Zapornia tabuensis (N)
Thick-knees
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae
The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats.
Beach thick-knee, Esacus magnirostris (N)
Oystercatchers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae
The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs.
South Island oystercatcher, Haematopus finschi (A)
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.
Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola (N) Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva (N) Masked lapwing, Vanellus miles (N) Siberian sand plover, Anarhynchus mongolus (A) Lesser sand-plover, Charadrius mongolus (N) Greater sand-plover, Charadrius leschenaultii (A) Double-banded plover, Charadrius bicinctus (A) Semipalmated plover, Charadrius semipalmatus (A) Oriental plover, Charadrius veredus (A) Hooded plover, Thinornis cucullatus (N)
Sandpipers and allies Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae
Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enables multiple species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food.
Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus (N) Little curlew, Numenius minutus (A) Far Eastern curlew, Numenius madagascariensis (A) Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica (N) Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa (A) Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres (N) Great knot, Calidris tenuirostris (A) Red knot, Calidris canutus (A) Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata (N) Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea (A) Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis (N) Sanderling, Calidris alba (N) Latham's snipe, Gallinago hardwickii (A) New Caledonian snipe, Coenocorypha neocaledonica (Ext) Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus (N) Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos (N) Gray-tailed tattler, Tringa brevipes (N) Wandering tattler, Tringa incana (N) Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia (N) Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis (A)
Buttonquail Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Turnicidae
The buttonquail are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young.
New Caledonian buttonquail, Turnix novaecaledoniae (E)-possibly extinct
Pratincoles and coursers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae
Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards.
Australian pratincole, Stiltia isabella (A)
Skuas and jaegers Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae
The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants.
South polar skua, Stercorarius maccormicki (A) Brown skua, Stercorarius antarcticus (N) Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus (A) Parasitic jaeger, Stercorarius parasiticus (A) Long-tailed jaeger, Stercorarius longicaudus (N)
Gulls, terns, and skimmers
Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live in excess of 30 years.
Silver gull, Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae (N) Brown noddy, Anous stolidus (N) Black noddy, Anous minutus (N) Blue noddy, Anous ceruleus (A) Gray noddy, Anous albivitta (N) White tern, Gygis alba (N) Sooty tern, Onychoprion fuscatus (N) Bridled tern, Onychoprion anaethetus (N) Little tern, Sternula albifrons (N) Australian fairy tern, Sternula nereis (N) White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus (A) Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida (N) Roseate tern, Sterna dougallii (N)