Orange Dove by Simon Colenutt. This fabulous bird can only be seen on the islands of Fiji.
- Fantastic birds and coral reef fish in a tropical paradise
- Including such spectacular endemic birds as Golden, Orange and Whistling Doves, Crimson, Masked and Maroon Shining-parrots, Collared Lory, Azure-crested and Chestnut-throated Flycatchers, and two silktails
- And more widespread spectacular birds including Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, Lesser Frigatebird, Red-footed Booby, and Black-naped and Sooty Terns
- As well as a chance of Spinner Dolphins
- All on islands with rainforest, palm-fringed white sand beaches and shallow coral reefs, some of the best in the world to don snorkel, mask and flippers, and fly, like an eagle, in a psychedelic world, over and down in amongst the coral where the 'trees' are green and blue and red and every other colour, and marvel at the unbelievable numbers and variety of fish and invertebrates, in a diversity of form and an explosion of brilliant colours and crazy patterns almost impossible to comprehend.
- Tour companies often combine Fiji with other islands in the western Pacific, including New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Western Samoa. In New Caledonia it is possible to see endemic bird species such as the unique Kagu, as well as Cloven-feathered Dove, Horned Parakeet, New Caledonian Crow and Red-throated Parrotfinch. On Vanuatu Tanna Fruit-dove, a kingfisher and Buff-bellied Monarch are quite easy to see but to have a chance of the rest of the endemics it is necessary to trek high up into the forests of the island of Espiritu Santo and camp. Then it is possible to see Vanuatu (Baker's) Imperial-pigeon, Vanuatu Honeyeater and Santo Thicketbird, as well as the near-endemic Santa Cruz Ground-dove, Palm Lorikeet andRusty-winged Starling. The endemic Mountain Starling and Royal Parrotfinch are very rare and not likely to be seen. On the island of Upolu in Western Samoa it is possible to see seven out of the eight known surviving Samoan endemics only a short distance from Apia, the main town; Flat-billed Kingfisher, Mao, Samoan Whistler, Samoan Triller, Samoan Fantail, Samoan Flycatcher and Red-headed Parrotfinch, as well as Samoan Myzomela and Samoan Starling. To see Samoan White-eye it is necessary to hike up Mount Silisili on the island of Savai’i. Tooth-billed Pigeon may be extinct. Other possibilities on Upolu include Many-coloured Fruit-dove and Blue-crowned Lorikeet, as well as White-tailed Tropicbird, Grey-backed Tern and Common White Tern.
Best Birds and other wildlife in Fiji
Birds
The strange Taveuni Silktail, in the fantails family, photographed by Simon Colenutt.
Endemics 35 Widespread 14 Barking (Peale’s) Imperial-pigeon, Fiji Petrel (most likely south-southwest of Gau, May- October, but possible from Suva-Gau Ferry which traverses the waters west of Gau), Fiji Goshawk, Red-throated Lorikeet, Collared Lory, Orange-breasted Myzomela, Fiji Whistler, Fiji Woodswallow, Fiji Streaked Fantail, Slaty Monarch, Black-throated Shrikebill, Fiji Bush-warbler, Fiji (Layard’s) White-eye and Fiji Parrotfinch.
Vanua Levu 1 Natewa Silktail (Natewa Peninsula).
Vanua Levu and Viti Levu 2 Chestnut-throated Flycatcher and Long-legged Thicketbird.
Vanua Levu and Taveuni 4
Orange Dove, Maroon (Red) Shining-parrot (introduced to Tonga), Yellow-billed (Chattering Giant) Honeyeater and Fiji
Wattled (Northern Wattled)
Honeyeater.
Taveuni 3 Taveuni Silktail, Taveuni Streaked Fantail and Azure-crested Flycatcher.
Viti Levu 5 Golden Dove, Masked Shining-parrot, Giant (Duetting Giant) Honeyeater, Kikau (Western Wattled Honeyeater) and Pink-billed Parrotfinch.
Kadavu 4 Whistling (Velvet) Dove (also Ono), Crimson Shining-parrot (also Ono), Kadavu Honeyeater and Kadavu Fantail.
Rotuma 1 Rotuma Myzomela.
South Lao 1 Ogea Monarch.
Near-endemics
Fiji, Samoa and Tonga 1
Many-coloured Fruit-dove.
Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Wallis and Futuna 1
Shy Ground-dove.
Fiji, American Samoa, and Wallis and Futuna 1 Fiji Shrikebill.
Fiji and Solomon Islands 1 Vanikoro Flycatcher.
Other Specialities
Polynesian Triller and Polynesian Starling. Also a chance of Collared Petrel.
Others
Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, Lesser Frigatebird, Pacific Reef-egret, White-faced Heron, Swamp Harrier,
Buff-banded Rail, Australasian (Purple) Swamphen, Wandering Tattler, Black-naped, Bridled, Greater Crested and Sooty Terns, Black and Brown Noddies,
Metallic Pigeon, White-rumped Swiftlet, Pacific Kingfisher, Pacific Robin, House (Pacific) Swallow, Island Thrush and Silvereye. Also a
chance of Herald, Kermadec, Murphy’s and Tahiti Petrels. Introduced species include Australian Magpie, Red-vented Bulbul, Common and Jungle Mynas,
and Red Avadavat.
Mammals
A chance of Spinner Dolphin.
Fish
The amazingly diverse marine life includes about 1000 fish species, notably a fantastic range of coral reef fish, Manta Ray, and several species of
shark including Hammerheads which are resident off Koro Sun Resort on the island of Vanua Levu, and Bull, Lemon and Tiger Sharks, all three of which
can be seen while scuba-diving in Beqa Lagoon. The diving season is from April to October.
Other Natural Wonders of Fiji
Great Astrolabe Reef At over 120 km (75 miles) long this is the fourth largest barrier reef in the world. It is situated along the south side of Kadavu Island.
Best Sites for Birds and other wildlife in Fiji
- Viti Levu Fiji Goshawk, Golden Dove, Many-coloured Fruit-dove, Barking Imperial-pigeon, Masked Shining-parrot, Collared Lory, Orange-breasted Myzomela, Giant Honeyeater, Fiji Woodswallow, Slaty Monarch, Chestnut-throated and Vanikoro Flycatchers, Fiji Shrikebill, Pacific Robin, Fiji Bush-warbler, Fiji White-eye and Fiji Parrotfinch. Also a chance of Black-throated Shrikebill and Long-legged Thicketbird (along Monsavu Dam Road). Most of these birds can be seen at Colo-i-Suva Forest Park (Golden Dove, Masked Shining-parrot, Giant Honeyeater, Slaty Monarch, Fiji Whistler and Chestnut-throated Flycatcher) and along the Namosi Road (Golden Dove and Black-throated Shrikebill).
- Kadavu Whistling Dove, Crimson Shining-parrot, Kadavu Honeyeater and Kadavu Fantail, all along the Namara Road.
- Kadavu Boat Trips Red-tailed and White-tailed Tropicbirds, Red-footed Booby, Lesser Frigatebird, Black-naped and Sooty Terns, and Black and Brown Noddies.
- Taveuni Red-footed Booby, Lesser Frigatebird, Black-naped Tern, Orange Dove (at Nabogiono Farm run by Naresh (Bobby) Shankaran at nabogiono@yahoo.com.au and on Des Veoux Peak at 1320 m (4331 ft)), Many-coloured Fruit-dove, Maroon Shining-parrot, Giant Honeyeater, Taveuni Silktail (on Des Veoux Peak and in Vidawa Forest), and superb snorkelling on the surrounding reef. Also a chance of Shy Ground-dove.
- Taveuni Boat Trips White-tailed Tropicbird, Red-footed Booby, Lesser Frigatebird, Black-naped, Bridled and Sooty Terns, and Black and Brown Noddies. Also a chance of Herald, Kermadec, Murphy’s and Tahiti Petrels, as well as Spinner Dolphin.
Best Times for Birds and other wildlife in Fiji
The best time to visit Fiji is the cooler 'dry season' from May to October, when humidity is also lower, especially September, but this is the high season as far as prices go, although prices usually peak in June and July. Plankton blooms usually occur during April-May and/or November-December and may hamper visibility underwater so in between these times is the best for scuba-diving. The average temperature is a warm to hot 25°C, even 30°C plus at times in December-January. Rain falls year round, mainly in the form of showers, but especially from December to mid-April when cyclones also occasionally occur. Quick-dry shorts, t-shirts, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are recommended for the sunshine, a light waterproof jacket for the showers, and a fleece for the evenings. While snorkelling water temperatures are likely to be very comfortable but it is often best to wear a thin wet suit if in the water for longer than 30 or 40 minutes, and remember it is best to wear something while in the water anyway to provide some protection from the sun, stinging animals and sharp corals.
Recommended Bird Books etc. for Fiji
A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia (including Tonga) by D Watling. Dick Watling, 2003 (Second Edition).
A Field Guide to The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific by H D Pratt, P L Bruner and D G Berrett. PUP, 1987.
Birds of Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Central and West Pacific by B v Perlo. PUP, 2011.
Reef Fish Identification: Tropical Pacific by G Allen et al. New World, 2015 (Second Edition).
Butterflies of the South Pacific by B and H Patrick. Otago University Press, 2012.
Where to watch birds in Australasia & Oceania by N Wheatley. Helm, 1998.
Don’t know which country/countries/regions to visit in Australasia? Then it may be worth considering taking a look at this book, written by this website’s author. It is many years old of course but it still provides a starting point, an overview and a guiding light to the best birds and the best places to look for them in the region, and could save hours of searching for similar information on the internet. However, it is important to check more up-to-date sources for sites which have been opened up, sites and species which have been discovered, lodges that have been built etc. since the book was published.
Birding and Wildlife Trip Reports for Fiji
Many trip reports, some for Fiji, are posted on the websites listed here. On some of these websites some reports are independent and some are posted by tour companies who organize tours to Fiji. These tour companies and others also post their own reports on their websites, which are listed under 'Some Organized Tours to Fiji' below.
- The best website for trip reports is CloudBirders
- but these are also worth a look
- Birdtours
- Fatbirder
- Jon Hornbuckle
- Mammal Watching
Local bird and wildlife guides in Fiji
The costs of organized tours partly reflect the quality of the tour leaders. Some leaders are certainly better than others and many companies claim their leaders are the best but even the best rely at least to some extent on the exceptional skills of the local guides they employ. If you are travelling independently, employing such local guides will greatly increase your chances of seeing the wildlife you wish to see.
Accommodation for birders in Fiji
Some Organized Tours for birds and other wildlife to Fiji
There are many tour companies who organize tours to see mammals, birds, other wildlife and other natural wonders. The cost of these tours vary considerably according to such variables as the airlines used, the number of days the tours last, the number of sites visited, the number of people in the group (an important consideration if you wish to see such wildlife as rainforest mammals and birds), the number of tour leaders, the standard of accommodation and transport, and the percentage profit the company hopes to make. Generally, where the number of days tours last and the number of sites visited are similar, the cheapest tours are those that use the cheapest airlines, accommodation and local transport, that have the largest groups with the least number of leaders, and that make the least amount of profit. The most expensive tours tend to be those which are exceptionally long, use the most expensive accommodation (ridiculously lavish in some cases, even for single nights) and which make the most profit. Some tour costs partly reflect the quality of the tour leaders. Some leaders are certainly better than others and many companies claim their leaders are the best but even the best rely at least to some extent on the exceptional skills of the local guides they employ.
While tour companies organize tours with set itineraries many also organize custom tours for individuals and private groups who instead of taking a tour with a set itinerary want to follow their own itinerary to suit their own personal tastes, whether it be mammals, birds, other wildlife, other natural wonders or even man-made attractions, or a mixture of them all. Many organized tours with set itineraries are also fast-paced and target as many species as possible, whether they are mammals, birds or other wildlife or everything, which usually leaves little time to enjoy the best sites and individual species, but on a custom tour those taking part can specify the pace and the sites and species they wish to concentrate on. Custom tours also suit people who like to travel with people they already know, rather than with a group of strangers, and people with partners with different interests. Individuals and small groups will almost certainly have to pay more than the price of an organized tour with a set itinerary but a large group of friends may be able to travel for less than the price quoted for a set tour.
Tour companies who are running organized tours to Fiji in the next couple of years include the following. Many of these also offer custom tours.
