List of birds of the Northern Mariana Islands
This is a list of the bird species recorded in the Northern Mariana Islands. The avifauna of the Northern Mariana Islands include a total of 104 species, of which one is endemic, one has been introduced by humans and three are rare or accidental. Five species are globally threatened.
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, 5th 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 the Northern Mariana Islands.
The following tags have been used to highlight several categories. The commonly occurring native species do not fall into any of these categories.
- (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands
- (E) Endemic - a species endemic to the Northern Mariana Islands
- (I) Introduced - a species introduced to the Northern Mariana Islands as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions
Table of contents |
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Non-passerines: Shearwaters and petrels • Storm-petrels • Tropicbirds • Boobies and gannets • Cormorants • Frigatebirds • Bitterns, herons and egrets • Ducks, geese and swans • Hawks, kites and eagles • Caracaras and falcons • Megapodes • Pheasants and partridges • Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots • Plovers and lapwings • Sandpipers and allies • Gulls • Terns • Pigeons and doves • Typical owls • Swifts • Kingfishers |
Passerines: Swallows and martins • Wagtails and pipits • Thrushes and allies • Old World warblers • Fantails • Monarch flycatchers • White-eyes • Honeyeaters • Drongos • Crows, jays, ravens and magpies • Starlings • Sparrows |
Shearwaters and petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Procellariidae
The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized "true petrels", characterized by united nostrils with medium septum and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Streaked shearwater, Calonectris leucomelas
- Wedge-tailed shearwater, Puffinus pacificus
- Short-tailed shearwater, Puffinus tenuirostris
- Christmas shearwater, Puffinus nativitatis
- Townsend's shearwater, Puffinus auricularis
- Audubon's shearwater, Puffinus lherminieri
Storm-petrels
Order: Procellariiformes Family: Hydrobatidae
The 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 is fluttering and sometimes bat-like. There are 21 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Leach's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma leucorhoa
- Matsudaira's storm-petrel, Oceanodroma matsudairae
Tropicbirds
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phaethontidae
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings. There are 3 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Red-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda
- White-tailed tropicbird, Phaethon lepturus
Boobies and gannets
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Sulidae
The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups are medium to large coastal seabirds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Masked booby, Sula dactylatra
- Red-footed booby, Sula sula
- Brown booby, Sula leucogaster
Cormorants
Order: Pelecaniformes Family: Phalacrocoracidae
Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful. There are 38 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Little pied cormorant, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos
Frigatebirds
Order: Pelecaniformes 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 colored inflatable throat pouches. They do not swim or walk and cannot take off from 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. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Great frigatebird, Fregata minor
- Lesser frigatebird, Fregata ariel
Bitterns, herons and egrets
Order: Ciconiiformes Family: Ardeidae
The Ardeidae family contains 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. There are 61 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Gray heron, Ardea cinerea
- Intermediate egret, Egretta intermedia
- Little egret, Egretta garzetta
- Pacific reef-heron, Egretta sacra
- Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
- Striated heron, Butorides striata
- Black-crowned night-heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
- Rufous night-heron, Nycticorax caledonicus
- Yellow bittern, Ixobrychus sinensis
Ducks, geese and swans
Order: Anseriformes Family: 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. There are 131 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Eurasian wigeon, Anas penelope (A)
- Falcated duck, Anas falcata (A)
- Gadwall, Anas strepera
- Eurasian teal, Anas crecca
- Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
- Northern pintail, Anas acuta
- Garganey, Anas querquedula
- Northern shoveler, Anas clypeata (A)
- Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
- Greater scaup, Aythya marila
Hawks, kites and eagles
Order: Falconiformes 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. There are 233 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Chinese goshawk, Accipiter soloensis
- Japanese sparrowhawk, Accipiter gularis
- Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
Caracaras and falcons
Order: Falconiformes Family: Falconidae
Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. There are 62 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
- Amur falcon, Falco amurensis
Megapodes
Order: Galliformes Family: Megapodiidae
The Megapodiidae are stocky, medium-large chicken-like birds with small heads and large feet. All but the malleefowl occupy jungle habitats and most have brown or black coloring. There are 21 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Micronesian scrubfowl, Megapodius laperouse
Pheasants and partridges
Order: Galliformes Family: Phasianidae
The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds which consists of quails, partridges, snowcocks, francolins, spurfowls, tragopans, monals, pheasants, peafowls and jungle fowls. In general, they are plump (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Red junglefowl, Gallus gallus
Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots
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. There are 143 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Mariana common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
- Eurasian coot, Fulica atra
Plovers and lapwings
Order: Charadriiformes Family: 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. There are 66 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Pacific golden-plover, Pluvialis fulva
- Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
- Snowy plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
- Lesser sandplover, Charadrius mongolus
- Greater sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
Sandpipers and allies
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 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. There are 89 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Pintail snipe, Gallinago stenura
- Swinhoe's snipe, Gallinago megala
- Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
- Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
- Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
- Bristle-thighed curlew, Numenius tahitiensis
- Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
- Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
- Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
- Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
- Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
- Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
- Gray-tailed tattler, Heterosceles brevipes
- Wandering tattler, Heterosceles incanus
- Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
- Sanderling, Calidris alba
- Red-necked stint, Calidris ruficollis
- Little stint, Calidris minuta
- Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
- Pectoral sandpiper, Calidris melanotos
- Sharp-tailed sandpiper, Calidris acuminata
- Dunlin, Calidris alpina
- Ruff, Philomachus pugnax
Gulls
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Laridae
Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically gray or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and webbed feet. There are 55 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Herring gull, Larus argentatus
- Black-headed gull, Larus ridibundus
Terns
Order: Charadriiformes Family: Sternidae
Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with gray 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. There are 44 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Great crested tern, Sterna bergii
- Common tern, Sterna hirundo
- Little tern, Sterna albifrons
- Gray-backed tern, Sterna lunata
- Sooty tern, Sterna fuscata
- White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
- Black noddy, Anous minutus
- Brown noddy, Anous stolidus
- White tern, Gygis alba
Pigeons and doves
Order: Columbiformes Family: Columbidae
Pigeons and doves are stout-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere. There are 308 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Rock pigeon, Columba livia
- Island collared-dove, Streptopelia bitorquata
- White-throated ground-dove, Gallicolumba xanthonura
- Mariana fruit-dove, Ptilinopus roseicapilla
Typical owls
Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae
The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a conspicuous circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk. There are 195 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus
Swifts
Order: Apodiformes 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 the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Uniform swiftlet, Aerodramus vanikorensis
- Fork-tailed swift, Apus pacificus
Kingfishers
Order: Coraciiformes Family: Alcedinidae
Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Collared kingfisher, Todirhamphus chloris
Swallows and martins
Order: Passeriformes Family: Hirundinidae
The Hirundinidae family is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill with a wide gape. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
Wagtails and pipits
Order: Passeriformes Family: Motacillidae
Motacillidae is a family of small passerine birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
Thrushes and allies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Turdidae
The thrushes are a group of passerine birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs. There are 335 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Dusky thrush, Turdus naumanni
Old World warblers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sylviidae
The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, as the common name implies, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally undistinguished appearance, but many have distinctive songs. There are 291 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Nightingale reed-warbler, Acrocephalus luscinia
Fantails
Order: Passeriformes Family: Rhipiduridae
The fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 44 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Rufous fantail, Rhipidura rufifrons
Monarch flycatchers
Order: Passeriformes Family: Monarchidae
The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Tinian monarch, Monarcha takatsukasae (E)
White-eyes
Order: Passeriformes Family: Zosteropidae
The white-eyes are small and mostly undistinguished, their plumage above being generally some dull color like greenish-olive, but some species have a white or bright yellow throat, breast or lower parts, and several have buff flanks. As their name suggests, many species have a white ring around each eye. There are 96 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Bridled white-eye, Zosterops conspicillatus
- Golden white-eye, Cleptornis marchei
Honeyeaters
Order: Passeriformes Family: Meliphagidae
The honeyeaters are a large and diverse family of small to medium-sized birds most common in Australia and New Guinea. They are nectar feeders and closely resemble other nectar-feeding passerines. There are 174 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Micronesian myzomela, Myzomela rubratra
Drongos
Order: Passeriformes Family: Dicruridae
The drongos are mostly black or dark gray in color, sometimes with metallic tints. They have long forked tails, and some Asian species have elaborate tail decorations. They have short legs and sit very upright when perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Black drongo, Dicrurus macrocercus
Crows, jays, ravens and magpies
Order: Passeriformes Family: Corvidae
The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Mariana crow, Corvus kubaryi
Starlings
Order: Passeriformes Family: Sturnidae
Starlings are small to medium-sized passerine birds. Their flight is strong and direct and they are very gregarious. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic sheen. There are 125 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Micronesian starling, Aplonis opaca
- Ashy starling, Spreo unicolor
Sparrows
Order: Passeriformes Family: Passeridae
Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or gray birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in the Northern Mariana Islands.
- Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus (I)
See also
References
- Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of the Northern Mariana Islands". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
- Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.