Endemic Animals of Fiji

The Central Fijian banded iguana (Brachylophus bulabula) is a lizard native to some of the larger central and northwestern islands of Fiji. It is one of the few species of iguana found outside of the New World and one of the most geographically isolated members of the family Iguanidae. The Central Fijian Banded Iguana was described in 2008. Less

The Fiji crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) is a rare critically endangered species of lizard. Its scientific name, Brachylophus, comes from two Greek words which mean "short" and "crest" or "plume", denoting the short spiny crests along the back of this species. Less

The Fijian monkey-faced bat (Mirimiri acrodonta ) Also known as Fijian flying fox or Fijian flying monkey, is a megabat endemic to Fiji. It was discovered in old-growth cloud forest on Des Vœux Peak, the second highest mountain peak (1,195 m) on the island of Taveuni by William and Ruth Beckon in 1976, and is Fiji's only endemic mammal. It has recently been transferred from Pteralopex to its own monotypic genus Mirimiri. Less

The Fiji parrotfinch (Erythrura pealii ) is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Fiji that was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the red-headed parrotfinch. This parrotfinch is a small, mainly green bird with a red head and tail and a stubby dark grey bill. It is found in both forested and open habitats, and has adapted well to man-made environments such as grasslands, pasture and gardens. Pairs have a courtship display in which they ...
fly above the trees in an undulating flight, calling constantly. Breeding birds build a domed grass nest with a side entrance, and lay a clutch normally of four white eggs. Newly hatched chicks are naked and pink, with blue balls at the upper and lower corners of the gape, and black markings inside the mouth; older fledglings resemble the adults, but lack the red head colouring. The Fiji parrotfinch eats seeds, especially of grasses, and also readily feeds on insects and nectar. It forms small flocks of up to six birds after the breeding season.Parrotfinches may be preyed upon by indigenous birds of prey such as the endemic Fiji goshawk, or by introduced mammals such as the small Asian mongoose, rats, and mice, and they may be susceptible to disease. The Fiji species, despite being both uncommon and endemic to one island group, appears to be stable in numbers. It is therefore classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, and it is protected under Fijian law. Less

The crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia splendens ) is a parrot from Fiji. The species is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu Group. The species was once considered conspecific with the red shining parrot of Vanua Levu and Taveuni, but is now considered its own species. The species is sometimes known as the Kadavu musk parrot.The crimson shining parrot is a medium-sized parrot (45 cm) with a long tail and bright plumage. The ...
head, breast and belly are covered in bright crimson-red, its back, wings and tail are green with hints of blue in the wing. It has a long winged appearance in flight, flying with undulating bouts of flaps and gliding. The species is very vocal; the shrieks and squawks of the crimson shining parrot are of a higher pitch than that of the red shining parrot. On Kadavu it is unlikely to be mistaken for the other species of parrot, the collared lory.The crimson shining parrot is a common forest species that has recently taken to entering gardens and agricultural land. Pairs forage for seeds and fruits. The species has not been observed nesting but is assumed to be a hole nester like red shining parrot. The species is considered to be Vulnerable by the IUCN due to its restricted range, habitat loss and the illegal trade in parrots. Less

The red-throated lorikeet (Vini amabilis ) is a critically endangered lorikeet endemic to Fiji. It is 18 cm long and is bright green overall, with red cheeks, throat and thighs. This bird has been found on the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni and Ovalau. Ten specimens were collected in 1923, but it was last recorded in 1993, although it may also have been seen on Mount Tomanivi on Viti Levu in 2001. A search of Viti Levu in 2001-2 ...
failed to find any birds, as did a second series of surveys in 2003. It continues to be threatened by habitat loss, the introduced black rat, as well as introduced feral cats and small Indian mongooses. It is known as the Kulawai in Fiji and is the bird found on the Fijian $5 dollar bills. Less

The masked shining parrot (Prosopeia personata ), also known as the masked parrot, masked musk parrot, or the yellow-breasted musk parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Viti Levu in Fiji. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical mangrove forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, arable land, and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The whistling fruit dove (Ptilinopus layardi ), also known as the velvet dove or yellow-headed dove, is a small fruit dove from Fiji. The species is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu Group in the south of Fiji. Less

The Fiji woodswallow (Artamus mentalis ) is a species of woodswallow in the family Artamidae. It is endemic to most of the islands of Fiji, although it is absent from Kadavu Archipelago and the Lau Archipelago. The species was once considered a race of the white-breasted woodswallow, which breeds from Australia, New Caledonia and Vanuatu through to Borneo and the Philippines. Some authors retain it in that species.The Fiji woodswallow is a ...
chunky bird 18 centimetres (7 in) long with a heavy black-tipped blue bill. The plumage is sooty dark above, with a white belly, rump and throat. It is distinguished from the white-breasted woodswallow by the amount of white on the throat, which in the Fiji woodswallow comes up to the level of the bill. Less

The Fiji whistler (Pachycephala vitiensis ) is a species of bird in the family Pachycephalidae, endemic to Fiji. Less

The Natewa silktail (Lamprolia klinesmithi ) is a species of bird endemic to Fiji. This beautiful bird looks superficially like a diminutive bird-of-paradise but it is actually closely related to the fantails.The species name kleinschmidti is named for Theodor Kleinschmidt, a collector from Museum Godeffroy in Hamburg, who obtained the first specimens. Less

The Fiji white-eye (Zosterops explorator ) is a species of passerine bird in the white-eye family Zosteropidae. The species is also known as Layard's white-eye.It is endemic to the islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, and Ovalau in Fiji, where it is a common bird of forests. Where it co-occurs with the closely related silvereye it is more common in denser forest.It is a typical small white-eye of the genus Zosterops, similar in ...
appearance to the silvereye, although the plumage is much yellower, it is chunkier and has a complete eye-ring. The back is olive green and the throat and belly yellow. The call is described as "a high pitched seeu-seeu ".The Fiji white-eye feeds by gleaning insects from shrubs and trees. It will join mixed-species feeding flocks with other Fijian birds, including silvereyes. It also feeds lower down in the trees than silvereyes. Less

The slaty monarch (Mayrornis lessoni ) is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae endemic to Fiji. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. Less

The Kadavu fantail (Rhipidura personata ) is a species of bird in the fantail family Rhipiduridae.It is endemic to Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu archipelago, in southern Fiji. It is closely related to the streaked fantail of the rest of Fiji, and forms a superspecies with the numerous island species of fantail ranging from the Solomon Islands (the brown fantail) to Samoa (the Samoan fantail).The Kadavu fantail is restricted to tropical moist ...
lowland forests, where it feeds by flycatching for insects. It sometimes joins mixed-species feeding flocks with Polynesian trillers, Fiji bush warblers and silvereyes. The breeding season is October and November. It is threatened by habitat loss. Less

The sulphur-breasted myzomela (Myzomela jugularis ), also known as the orange-breasted myzomela or orange-breasted honeyeater, is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. Less

The Chestnut-throated flycatcher (Myiagra castaneigularis ) is a species of bird in the monarch-flycatcher family Monarchidae. The species is endemic to Fiji. Less

The orange fruit dove (Ptilinopus victor ) is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. One of the most colorful doves, the male has a golden olive head and elongated bright orange "hair-like" body feathers. The golden-olive remiges are typically covered by the long orange wing coverts when perched. The legs, bill and orbital skin are bluish-green and the iris is whitish. The female is a dark green bird with blackish tail and ...
orange-yellow undertail coverts. The young resemble females.The orange dove is endemic to Fiji, where it inhabits forests on the islands of Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Rabi, Kioa, Qamea and Laucala. They mainly feed on various small fruits, berries, caterpillars and insects. The female usually lays one white egg. The orange fruit dove is closely related to the whistling fruit dove and golden fruit dove. A common species throughout its limited range, the orange fruit dove is evaluated as being of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Less

The Fiji goshawk (Accipiter rufitorques ) is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be the same species (conspecific) as the brown goshawk of Australia and New Caledonia. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Ovalau. It occupies a range of wooded habitats in Fiji, from natural rainforest to coconut plantations and urban gardens and ...
parks. Less

The golden fruit dove (Ptilinopus luteovirens ), also known as the lemon dove or yellow dove, is a small, approximately 20 cm (8 in) long, short-tailed fruit-dove in the family Columbidae. The common name refers to the males' bright golden-yellow colour. The body feathers appear almost iridescent due to their elongated shape and hair-like texture. The head is slightly duller with a greenish tinge. The bill, orbital skin and legs are bluish-green a ...
nd the iris is whitish. The underwings and tail coverts are yellow. The female is a dark green bird with bare parts resembling those of the male. The young resembles the female.The golden fruit dove is endemic to the forests of Fiji. The diet consists mainly of various small fruits, berries and insects. The female usually lays a single white egg.The golden fruit dove is closely related to the whistling fruit dove and orange fruit dove. These species are allopatric, meaning they do not share the same habitat in any location.A common species throughout its limited range, the golden fruit dove is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Less

The maroon shining parrot or red shining-parrot (Prosopeia tabuensis ), is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to the islands of Vanua Levu and Taveuni in Fiji and was introduced to the islands of southern Tonga in prehistoric times. The species is sometimes considered conspecific with the crimson shining-parrot of Kadavu. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or ...
tropical mangrove forests. Less

The Fiji petrel (Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi ), also known as MacGillivray's petrel, is a small, dark gadfly petrel.The Fiji petrel was originally known from one immature specimen found in 1855 on Gau Island, Fiji by naturalist John MacGillivray on board HMS Herald who took the carcass to the British Museum in London. It was rediscovered in 1983, since when there have been a further 21 records, which included the capture and photographing of ...
one adult in April 1984. This species is classified as critically endangered as it is inferred from the number of records that there is only a tiny population of less than 50 confined to a very small breeding area.This bird is described as being 30 cm (12 in) long dark with chocolate-coloured feathers, a dark eye and bill and pale blue foot patches. It may be seen in waters around Gau Island but is believed to disperse to pelagic waters far from the island.The rarity and significance of this species is known to local residents of Gau and it is featured on a Fijian bank note, as well as featuring in the logo for now-defunct Air Fiji. It is protected under Fijian law. In 1989, research on the ridge around possible nesting areas was terminated since it was felt that such activities, without complementary conservation action, could encourage cats to follow paths into the area.In August 2007, a recent skin of an injured Fiji petrel, that subsequently died was made available for study in Fiji.In May 2009, the first photographs of the bird at sea were taken approximately 25 nautical miles (46 km) south of Gau Island. Less

The pink-billed parrotfinch (Erythrura kleinschmidti ) is a species of estrildid finch found on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji. Commonly found at undisturbed mature forest in the centre and east of Viti Levu, e.g. Joske's Thumb near Suva. This species is found at mid-height along tree-trunks and branches, usually alone or in pairs but also joining mixed-species flocks, feeding primarily on insects, but also on flower buds and fruits. Less

The barking imperial pigeon (Ducula latrans ), also known as Peale's imperial pigeon, is a species of bird in the pigeon family Columbidae. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on most of the medium and large islands.Its natural habitats are mature tropical moist lowland forests and tropical moist montane forest. The species is one of two imperial-pigeons found in Fiji; the other, the Pacific imperial pigeon, is found on smaller islands. Less

The Taveuni silktail (Lamprolia victoriae ) is a species of bird endemic to Fiji. This beautiful bird looks superficially like a diminutive bird-of-paradise but it is actually closely related to the fantails.Finsch named the species after Victoria, eldest daughter of Queen Victoria, who was then Crown Princess of Germany. Less

The long-legged thicketbird (Cincloramphus rufus ) is a small bird endemic to Fiji. The species is sometimes known as the long-legged warbler. It was formerly classified as the sole representative of the genus Trichocichla.The long-legged thicketbird is a large thin warbler (19 cm) with a long tail and long legs. The species' plumage is reddish brown, the throat, breast and belly being white and the face being marked with a distinctive ...
eye-stripe. The long-legged warbler is a shy bird and easily overlooked as it forages on the ground in pairs or small family groups. It has a distinctive alarm call, and a variable and loud song somewhat similar to that of the Fiji bush warbler. The species inhabits old-growth forest in mountainous areas on Viti Levu, usually in habitat adjacent to streams.The long-legged thicketbird was first collected in 1890 and four specimens were collected between then and 1894, after which the species was not seen again until 1974 (though there were a few unconfirmed sightings). In 1974 the Vanua Levu subspecies Megalurulus rufus cluniei was discovered (although it has not been seen since). In 2003 scientists from BirdLife International working in Wabu Forest Reserve in Viti Levu discovered a small population of M. rufus. Twelve pairs, along with two recently fledged chicks, were observed by the team.Other populations were subsequently found to occur in various locations in old-growth montane forest between 300 and 800 meters AMSL. The population is assessed to be stable or at least not declining rapidly, if very small (between 50 and 249 mature birds) but protection of sufficient habitat is necessary to keep it that way. Threats include some logging and the impact of introduced predators (the small Asian mongoose and the black rat). Neither has been quantified, but they appear not to be very serious at the moment. Less

The Rotuma myzomela (Myzomela chermesina ) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.It is endemic to the island of Rotuma in the far north of Fiji.Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, secondary forest and coconut plantations. The species is tolerant of habitat loss but is listed as vulnerable due to its tiny range. Less

The azure-crested flycatcher (Myiagra azureocapilla ) or the blue-crested flycatcher, is a species of bird in the monarch flycatcher family Monarchidae. It is endemic to Fiji, where it is found on Taveuni.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. Less

The Kadavu honeyeater (Meliphacator provocator ) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Meliphacator. It is endemic to the islands of Kadavu in Fiji. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and tropical mangrove forests.The Kadavu honeyeater is described as being fairly large, somewhat resembling the spotted honeyeater, but with a yellowish-green bare skin ...
eye-patch, bordered towards the rear by light green feathering on the ear coverts. It is dark streaked beneath with a whitish unstreaked central strip, and has upperparts which are greenish-grey with pale fringes to the wing feathers. This bird makes loud, ringing, friarbird-type calls, and prefers the tall mangroves along creek margins.This species was previously placed in the genus Xanthotis. It was moved to Meliphacator based on the results of a molecular phylogenetic study published in 2019. Less

The kikau or western wattled honeyeater (Foulehaio procerior ) is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It was considered conspecific with the Fiji wattled honeyeater and the Polynesian wattled honeyeater.The species is endemic to Fiji.Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, tropical mangrove forests, and tropical moist montane forest. Less

The giant honeyeater or duetting giant honeyeater (Gymnomyza brunneirostris ) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.It is endemic to Fiji.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.It is threatened by habitat loss.It is endemic Viti Levu island. It was formerly considered conspecific with the yellow-billed honeyeater. Both showed phenotypic and behavioural ...
differences. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that they also differed significantly in their mitochondrial DNA sequences and suggested that G. v. brunneirostris should be promoted to the species level. The International Ornithologists' Union accepted these proposals and introduced the name "yellow-billed honeyeater" for G. viridis and "giant honeyeater" for G. brunneirostris. Less

The Fiji bush warbler (Horornis ruficapilla ) is a species of bird in the family Cettiidae.It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. There are four subspecies occurring on all the main islands of the group. The species has been afforded its own genus, Vitia, in the past, but similarities of egg colour, song and morphology place it firmly within the Horornis bush-warblers. Less

The yellow-billed honeyeater, yodeling giant honeyeater, or chattering giant honeyeater (Gymnomyza viridis ) is a species of bird in the family Meliphagidae.It is endemic to Fiji.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, and subtropical or tropical moist montane forest.It is threatened by habitat loss.It occurs on the Vanua Levu and Taveuni islands. It was considered conspecific with the giant honeyeater, although ...
they showed both phenotypic and behavioural differences. A molecular phylogenetic study published in 2014 found that they also differed significantly in their mitochondrial DNA sequences and suggested that G. v. brunneirostris should be promoted to the species level. The International Ornithologists' Union accepted these proposals and introduced the name "yellow-billed honeyeater" for G. viridis and "giant honeyeater" for G. brunneirostris. Less

The Fiji wattled honeyeater (Foulehaio taviunensis ) or northern wattled honeyeater, is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It was considered conspecific with the Polynesian wattled honeyeater and the kikau.The species is endemic to Fiji.Its natural habitats are tropical moist lowland forests, tropical mangrove forests, and tropical moist montane forest. Less

The Ogea monarch or versicolored monarch (Mayrornis versicolor ) is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae.It is endemic to two islands, Ogea Driki and Ogea Levu, in the Lau Group of south eastern Fiji.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. The species is little known, it feeds on insects and is thought to breed around July. Alternate names for the Ogea monarch include the Fiji versicolored monarch, Mayr's ...
flycatcher, Ogea flycatcher and versicolored flycatcher. Less

Platymantis vitiensis (common names: Fiji tree frog, Levuka wrinkled ground frog) is a species of frog in the family Ceratobatrachidae.It is one of two endemic frogs in Fiji, the other being the closely related Platymantis vitianus (Viti Wrinkled ground frog or Fiji ground frog). Less

The Fiji snake (Ogmodon vitianus ), also known as the Bolo snake, is a species of snake in the family Elapidae. It is monotypic within the genus Ogmodon. It is endemic to Fiji, found only on the island of Viti Levu, and is strongly subterranean. Less

Gaza daedala is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Margaritidae. Less

Granulina globosa is a species of very small sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk or micromollusk in the family Granulinidae. Less

Clanculus rubicundus is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Trochidae, the top snails. Less

Drillia fijiensis is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Drilliidae. Less

Carinapex papillosa is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Horaiclavidae.It was previously included within the family Turridae. Less

Turbonilla musorstom is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Pyramidellidae, the pyrams and their allies.The specific name musorstom is the acronym for the joint expeditions by the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (‘Mus.’) and the Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre-Mer (‘Orstom’). Less