This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Cook Islands . The avifauna of the Cook Islands include a total of 88 species, of which 7 are endemic and 3 have been introduced by humans.
40-765: Nikao is a village settlement on Rarotonga in the Cook Islands . It is located on the north coast to the west of the capital Avarua . Nikao is the home of the Parliament of the Cook Islands , Tereora College (the oldest secondary school), Nikao's modern Cook Islands Christian Church , the Rarotonga International Airport and the first division football team Nikao Sokattak F.C. Originally, Nikao consisted of three tapere or settlements (Rangiura, Turamatuitui and Pokoinu). Most of
80-420: A London Missionary Society evangelist from Bora Bora , went ashore to teach his religion. Further missionaries followed, and by 1830 the island had converted to Christianity. From 1830 to 1850, Rarotonga was a popular stop for whalers and trading schooners, and trade began with the outside world. The missionaries attempted to exclude other Europeans as a bad influence, and in 1845 Rarotongan ariki prohibited
120-428: A flat surface. Having the largest wingspan-to-body-weight ratio of any bird, they are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for more than a week. Order: Suliformes Family: Sulidae The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies . Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Ardeidae The family Ardeidae contains
160-481: A fleshy cere . Order: Cuculiformes Family: 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 . Order: Caprimulgiformes Family: Apodidae Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on
200-404: A low coastal plain consisting of beaches, a storm ridge, lowland swamps, and alluvial deposits. This in turn is surrounded by a fringing reef , which ranges from 30 to 900 metres wide. The reef is shallow, with a maximum depth of 1.5m, and has a number of passages, notably at Avarua , Avatiu and Ngatangiia. Beyond the reef crest, the outer reef slopes steeply to deep water. The lagoon
240-508: A major export crop, though exports had been disrupted by poor shipping. In 1945 the industry was revived with a government-led citrus replanting scheme, and in 1961 a canning factory was opened to allow the export of juice. The industry survived until the 1980s, but collapsed after New Zealand adopted Rogernomics and removed privileged market access. An airstrip was built in 1944, leading to regular flights to Fiji , Tonga , Samoa and Aitutaki . The airport and better shipping links saw
280-906: A strong curved bill, an upright stance, strong legs, and clawed zygodactyl feet. Many parrots are vividly coloured, and some are multi-coloured. In size they range from 8 cm (3.1 in) to 1 m (3.3 ft) in length. Old World parrots are found from Africa east across south and southeast Asia and Oceania to Australia and New Zealand. Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. Order: Passeriformes Family: Acrocephalidae The members of this family are usually rather large for "warblers". Most are rather plain olivaceous brown above with much yellow to beige below. They are usually found in open woodland, reedbeds, or tall grass. The family occurs mostly in southern to western Eurasia and surroundings, but it also ranges far into
320-421: Is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Rarotonga Rarotonga is the largest and most populous of the Cook Islands . The island is volcanic, with an area of 67.39 km (26.02 sq mi), and is home to almost 75% of the country's population, with 10,898 of a total population of 15,040. The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga. Rarotonga
360-625: Is a very popular tourist destination with many resorts, hotels and motels. The chief town, Avarua , on the north coast, is the capital of the Cook Islands. Captain John Dibbs , master of the colonial brig Endeavour , is credited as the European discoverer on 25 July 1823, while transporting the missionary Reverend John Williams . Rarotonga is a kidney-shaped volcanic island , 32 km (20 mi) in circumference, and 11.2 km (7.0 mi) wide on its longest (east-west) axis. The island
400-463: Is at its widest off the southeast coast in the area of the Muri Lagoon . This area contains four small islets or motu . From north to south, the islets are: Another small islet, Motutoa, lies on the reef flat on the northwest coast. The interior of the island is dominated by eroded volcanic peaks cloaked in dense vegetation. Paved and unpaved roads allow access to valleys but the interior of
440-436: Is fluttering and sometimes bat -like. Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae Though the members of this family are similar in many respects to the southern storm-petrels, including their general appearance and habits, there are enough genetic differences to warrant their placement in a separate family. Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae The procellariids are
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#1732773202953480-526: Is the international airport of the Cook Islands. List of birds of the Cook Islands 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
520-526: Is the summit of an extinct Pliocene or Pleistocene volcano, which rises 5000 meters from the seafloor. The island was formed between 2.3 to 1.6 million years ago, with a later stage of volcanism between 1.4 and 1.1 million years ago. While its position is consistent with being formed by the Macdonald hotspot , its age is too young, and its formation is attributed to a short-lived Rarotonga hotspot , or to rejuvenated volcanism at Aitutaki . The core of
560-472: The ariki of Rarotonga as an independent government. By this time Makea Takau Ariki had become paramount among the ariki , and was recognised as the "Queen of Rarotonga" on a visit to New Zealand. In 1888 the island became a British protectorate after a petition from the ariki . In 1901, it was annexed by New Zealand. Oranges had been introduced by the Bounty mutineers, and after annexation developed into
600-888: The bitterns , herons , and egrets . Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills. Order: Accipitriformes Family: Accipitridae Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks , eagles , kites , harriers and Old World vultures . These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and keen eyesight. Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittaculidae Characteristic features of parrots include
640-770: 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. Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails , partridges , snowcocks , francolins , spurfowls , tragopans , monals , pheasants , peafowls , grouse , ptarmigan , and jungle fowls . In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with
680-566: 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. Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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
720-476: The Southern Cook Islands has been dated to around AD 1000. Oral tradition tells that Rarotonga was settled by various groups, including Ata-i-te-kura, Apopo-te-akatinatina and Apopo-te-ivi-roa in the ninth century, and Tangi'ia Nui from Tahiti and Karika from Samoa in 1250. An early ariki , Toi, is said to have built Te Ara Nui o Toi or Ara Metua , a paved road that encircles the island, though
760-405: The ancient marae , Arai te Tonga. Popular island activities include snorkeling , scuba diving , bike riding, kite surfing, hiking, deep-sea fishing, boat tours, scenic flights, going to restaurants, dancing, seeing island shows, squash , tennis, zipping around on mopeds, and sleeping on the beach. There are many churches open for service on Sunday, with a cappella singing. People congregate at
800-690: The beginnings of large-scale migration to New Zealand. Emigration increased further in the early 1970's when the airport was upgraded, but this was balanced by immigration from elsewhere in the Cook Islands. Flooding in April and May 1967 damaged bridges on the island and caused widespread crop losses, raising risks of a food shortage. An unnamed tropical cyclone in December of that year left hundreds homeless and caused widespread devastation after demolishing homes and offices in Avarua. In December 1976 80% of
840-596: The eastern and southern side and Puaikura on the western side. For administrative purposes it is divided into five Land Districts. The Land District of Avarua is represented under vaka Te Au O Tonga, the Land Districts of Matavera , Ngatangiia and Titikaveka are represented under vaka Takitumu and the Land District Arorangi is represented under vaka Puaikura. The districts are subdivided into 54 tapere (traditional sub-districts). In 2008,
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#1732773202953880-481: The ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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
920-746: The ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. Order: Gruiformes Family: 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. Order: Charadriiformes Family: Charadriidae The family Charadriidae includes
960-514: 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. Order: Phaethontiformes Family: Phaethontidae Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. Order: Procellariiformes Family: Diomedeidae The albatrosses are among
1000-461: The island consists of densely forested hills cut by deep valleys, the eroded remnants of the original volcanic cone. The hills are drained by a number of radial streams, including the Avatiu Stream and Takuvaine Stream. Te Manga , at 658 m (2,140 ft) above sea level, is the highest peak on the island. Ikurangi , a smaller peak, overlooks the capital. The hills are surrounded by
1040-588: The island in 1789 on HMS Bounty but did not land. Captain Theodore Walker sighted the island in 1813 on the ship Endeavour . The first recorded landing by a European was Captain Philip Goodenough with William Wentworth in 1814 on the schooner Cumberland . On 25 July 1823, while transporting the missionary Reverend John Williams , the Endeavour returned to Rarotonga. Papeiha ,
1080-739: The island remains largely unpopulated due to forbidding terrain and lack of infrastructure. A tract of 155 ha of land has been set aside in the south-east as the Takitumu Conservation Area to protect native birds and plants, especially the Vulnerable kakerori or Rarotonga monarch. Other threatened birds in the conservation area include the Rarotonga fruit dove and Rarotonga starling . The site has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International . The earliest evidence of human presence in
1120-400: The island's banana crop was destroyed by tropical cyclone Kim . In January 1987 Tropical Cyclone Sally made a thousand people homeless and damaged 80% of the buildings in Avarua. The population of Rarotonga was 13007 in 2016. The island is traditionally divided into three tribal districts or vaka . Te Au O Tonga on the northern side of the island ( Avarua is the capital), Takitumu on
1160-404: The largest of flying birds, and the great albatrosses from the genus Diomedea have the largest wingspans of any extant birds. Order: Procellariiformes Family: Oceanitidae The southern storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels and are the smallest seabirds. They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight
1200-464: The main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterised by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. Order: Suliformes Family: Fregatidae Frigatebirds are large seabirds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply forked tails. The males have coloured inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from
1240-530: The most sacred shrine in Rarotonga. Due to the mountainous interior, there is no road crossing the island. Rarotonga has only two bus routes: clockwise and anticlockwise. The clockwise bus runs from morning operating an hourly schedule until a last service at 11pm. The anti-clockwise route leaves Avarua on the half-hour, with the last service at 4.30 pm. Although there are bus stops, the buses pick up and set down anywhere en route. Rarotonga International Airport
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1280-402: 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. Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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
1320-665: The people of Pokoinu lived near the sea, but after extensions were made to the airport, the people were moved inland towards the mountain. Today they call that new tapere, "Tepuka". The new village of Nikao has three new tapere (Panama, Atupa and Tepuka). Black Rock (Tuoro) is also located at Nikao beach, across the street from the Golf Club, where in oral tradition the spirits of the dead are believed to depart for Avaiki . 21°12′35.21″S 159°49′10.78″W / 21.2097806°S 159.8196611°W / -21.2097806; -159.8196611 This Cook Islands location article
1360-485: The port is too small for cruise ships to enter and they are required to anchor off shore outside the harbour. The island is encircled by a main road, Ara Tapu, that traces the coast. Three-quarters of Rarotonga is also encircled by the ancient inner road, Ara Metua. Approximately 29 km long, this road was constructed in 11th century and for most or all of its whole length was paved with large stone slabs. Along this road are several important marae, including Arai Te Tonga,
1400-456: The sale of land to Europeans, though they were allowed to rent land on an annual basis. Despite a further ban on foreign settlement in 1848, European traders began to settle. In 1865, driven by rumours that France planned to annex the islands, the ariki of Rarotonga unsuccessfully petitioned Governor George Grey of New Zealand for British protection. In 1883 the Royal navy de facto recognised
1440-426: The sea wall that skirts the end of the airport's runway to be "jetblasted" by aircraft. Rarotonga has three harbours, Avatiu , Avarua and Avana, of which only Avatiu harbour is of commercial significance. The Port of Avatiu serves a small fleet of inter-island and fishing vessels, with cargo ships regularly visiting from New Zealand via other Pacific Islands ports. Large cruise ships regularly visit Rarotonga but
1480-656: The sites adjacent to it are dated to 1530. Trading contact was maintained with the Austral Islands, Samoa and the Marquesas to import basalt that was used for making local adze heads, while a pottery fragment found on Ma'uke has been traced to Tongatapu to the west, the main island of Tonga. The ultimate origin of almost all the islanders’ settlement cargo can be traced back to Southeast Asia: not just their chickens, Pacific rats, Polynesian pigs, Pacific dogs and crops, but also several kinds of lizards and snails. Among
1520-401: The species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for the Cook Islands. The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. Not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring native species. Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Anatidae includes
1560-548: The species that are understood to have reached Rarotonga by this means are at least two species of geckos and three of skinks. Likewise, the ultimate origin of almost 30 of their crops lies in the west. According to New Zealand Māori tradition, Kupe , the discoverer of Aotearoa , visited Rarotonga, and the Māori migration canoes Tākitimu , Te Arawa , Tainui , Mātaatua , Tokomaru , Aotea , and Kurahaupō passed through on their way to Aotearoa. Fletcher Christian visited
1600-564: The three vaka councils of Rarotonga were abolished. Palm-studded white sandy beaches fringe most of the island, and there is a popular cross-island walk that connects Avatiu valley with the south side of the island. It passes the Te Rua Manga, the prominent needle-shaped rock visible from the air and some coastal areas. Hikes can also be taken to the Raemaru, or flat-top mountain. Other attractions include Wigmore Falls (Papua Falls) and
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