Birds

Scientists believe all birds evolved from Theropodous dinosaurs, learn more about our feathered friends of Samoa!

1)Manumea

Common Name: Tooth-Billed Pigeon

Scientific Name:Didunculus strigirostris

Did You Know?
• The Manumea is the only said relative of the Mauritius Dodo that became extinct 3000 years ago!
• It is the last surviving genus of its species in the world!

Habitat:Occurs at very low density in the mature forests of Samoa at all elevations

Conservation Status:The Manumea is found only in Samoa, and is Endangered (IUCN Global Status).

 

2)Tiotala

Common Name:Flat-Billed Kingfisher

Scientific Name:Todirhamphus recurvirostris

Did You Know?

-Kingfishers have a hard beak much like a dagger and is used as a ‘spear’ for fishing.

-Female kingfishers are more colourful than males

Habitat:The Flat-billed Kingfisher is found in a range of habitats, from dense forests to urban centers, foraging on mangroves or out on the reef.

Conservation Status:The Flat-billed Kingfisher is endemic to Samoa, and is of least concern (IUCN Global Status)

 

 

3) Mao

Common Name: Mao or Ma’oma’o

Scientific Name: Gymnomyza samoensis

Did you know?

-The juvenile mao has brown eyes and a yellowish beak, while the adult mao has blue eyes and a black beak.

Habitat: The mao can be found in mountain forest and scrub and coconut trees along the coast. They are endemic to the Samoan archipelago.

Conservation Status: The mao has become endangered and locally extinct in American Samoa(IUCN Global Status)

4) Se’u

Common name: Samoan Fantail

Scientific name: Rhipidura nebulosa

Did you know?

– The Se’u uses a mixture of squeaks for its call that sound like chur and zweet! It also has a distinctive white stripe at the eye.

Habitat: Found more commonly in the upland forests.

Conservation status: The Se’u is endemic to Samoa: Sava’ii and Upolu and is of least concern (IUCN Global Status).

5) Segasegamau’u

Common name:  Cardinal Honey-eater

Scientific name: Myzomela cardinalis nigriventris

Did you know?

– That both the female and male work together to build a tiny cup shaped nest of grass and moss.

– Their curved bill is designed especially to slip into flowers to gather nectar and insects.

Habitat: A broad from from mangroves, to villages to forests.

Conservation Status: Subspecies is endemic to Samoa and is of least concern (IUCN Global Status).

5) Fui’a

Common name: Samoan starling

Scientific name: Aplonis atrifusca

Did you know?

– These starlings are starting to dominate the disturbed areas between villages and dense forest . Small groups can be heard with loud screeching calls and nest in holes in large trees.

Habitat: May be found in any habitat but are less common in thick forest.

Conservation: Endemic to Samoa and America Samoa and is of least concern (IUCN Global Status).

6) Tolaifatu

Common name: Samoan broad-bill or Samoan fly-catcher

Scientific name: Myiagra albiventris

Did you know?

– This handsome bird is a skilled insect eater, that snatches its prey midair during short flights.

Habitat: Prefers open forest and the edge of the forest. Also seen around village gardens and on the edge of mangroves.

Conservation: Endemic to Samoa and is vulnerable (IUCN Global Status).

7) Segaula 

Common name: Samoan parrot finch

Scientific name: Erythrura  cyaneovirens cyaneovirens (Upolu) & Erythrura cyaneovirens gaughrani (Savaii)

Did you know?

–  This small, brightly coloured finch eats insects and fruit. Its call is a high pitched double peep sung from the top of the trees.

Habitat:  Found in mature and secondary forest.

Conservation status:  Subspecies endemic to Upolu and Savii. Conservation Concern due to habitat loss following the cyclones of 1990-91 and introduced pests.

8) Mitivao

Common name: Samoan triller

Scientific name: Lalage sharpei

Did you know?

–  This bird has a loud churr and a sweaky trill and eats caterpillars and other insects.

Habitat: Mostly seen at the forest edge or in the canopy.

Conservation status: Endemic to Samoa – Near Threatened.

9) Manuma

Common name: Many-coloured fruit dove

Scientific name: Ptilinopus perousii perousili

Did you know?

–   The Manuma has a characteristic coo-coo -co-co call, which increases in tempo and diminishes in volume.

– These doves will fly from island to island to find fruit. They fly straight with whirring wingbeats, often above the tree-line.

Habitat: Mostly in mature forest, although fruit-laden trees such as the fig, will temp them out of the forest.

Conservation status: Endemic sub-species to Samoa and is of least concern.

10) Vasavasa

Common name: Samoan whistler

Scientific name: Pachycephala flavifrons

Did you know?

– This mainly insect-eating whistler will also eat fruit.

– Their call is a musical series of quick whistles.

– The male and female look quite similar

Habitat:  Broad range from high to low forests, cleared areas, secondary bush and village gardens.

Conservation status: Endemic to Savaii, Upolu and Nuutele and is of least concern.

11) Manuali’i

Common name: Purple swamp hen

Scientific name: Porphyrio porphyrio samoensis

Did you know?

–  The Manuali’i eat grasses, insects and small birds and can cause problems to village gardens.

– The chicks are black and look too small for their huge feet!

–  They are called the ‘Bird of Kings’ as traditionally chiefs kept them in captivity, sending them ahead into a village to announce a chiefly visit.

Habitat: Mainly in or near swamps, but also found in forests and village gardens.

Conservation status: Hunting by introduced animals such as feral cats and dogs threaten
the swamp hen. Also hunted by people.

12) Matapapae

Common name: Samoan white-eye

Scientific name: Zosterops samoensis

Did you know?

–  This white-eye’s short beak is used to feed on fruit and nectar.

– The yellow iris is unusual, as most white-eyes have a brown iris. Listen for the high tzi as flocks fly overhead.

Habitat: Prefers upland mature forest and volcanic succession forest.

Conservation status: Endemic to Savaii and is vulnerable.