Caledonia Birds Charlotte Bertonneau 2008
Charlotte 2050The bird-curious and bird-enthusiasts and are in luck! New Caledonia’s avifauna includes many endemic species. While the undeniable star is the kagu, the notou and the green pigeon are also among the birds found only on Grande Terre. With a little patience, you’re sure to come across them on rainforest trails. The Caledonian striated starling, a pretty passerine, also nests in tropical forests. In drier areas, you’ll also come across other species typical of the archipelago, like the stunning New Caledonia sparrowhawk or the Caledonian crow. In the marine environment, catch the flight of the White-bellied Storm Petrel, an endemic subspecies of the Gould’s Petrel, with a white underside. Look out for birds in the landscape, and pay attention to the sounds around you: you’ll be really pleased you did.
This quirky bird with its gray plumage is the emblem of New Caledonia. The kagu can’t fly and has the unusual characteristic of barking. That’s how it got its name, because the locals noticed that it seemed to cry out “kagu”. Fearful by nature, the kagu (rhynochetos jubatu) unfurls its crest when it feels threatened, to intimidate potential aggressors. But why can’t it fly? In fact, the kagu lost its ability to fly long ago, before humans arrived. With no predators, it simply didn’t need its wings. It finds its food on the ground, among worms, snails and larvae. Unfortunately, dogs, cats, feral pigs, and deforestation have proven a real threat, and the kagu population has been decimated.
As an endangered species, the kagu is the subject of a conservation campaign. Today, the latest counts show a healthy growth in the number of specimens. It’s estimated that there are now 1,500 specimens on Grande Terre. Since females lay only one egg per year, reproduction isn’t easy. Although rare, you might come across it in the region’s rainforests, in the Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, the Parc des Grandes Fougères, or the Parc Forestier in Nouméa.
Parc Provincial Des Grandes Fougeres Charlotte Bertonneau Patrice Hauser 8
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Sentier Pedestre Des Grandes Fougeres Charlotte Bertonneau 6025The park is one of the most important bird conservation areas in New Caledonia. It serves as a refuge for all endemic species of Grande Terre, including the rare and fascinating crow honeyeater (gymnomyza aubryana), classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). On the park’s trails on the Blue River side, it’s easy to come across pairs or families of kagus on the Kaori and Kagus trails. While it’s not always easy to see the notou, make sure you listen carefully, as you might hear its guttural song. And heads up: it’s often perched on a branch! As you can see, the park’s avifauna is rich and diverse. A visit to the Maison du Parc will help you better understand the species and their habitat.
If you want to see the park’s birds at close quarters, the best thing to do is sleep there. Birdsong invades your senses at sunset and in the early morning. Your chances of spotting specimens multiply at these times when visitors have left the park.
In this large natural park located at the intersection of the communes of Farino, Sarraméa, and Moindou, 70% of the species are endemic. It’s a bird-lover’s paradise! Kagus, notous, passerines, and green pigeons nest on the ground and in trees. Birdlife International has classified the Great Ferns National Park as an Important Bird Area (IBA). With numerous hiking trails and the possibility of guided tours, the park is ideal for birdwatching for novices and enthusiasts alike.
The vast protected natural area of Deva Domain in Bourail, is home to over 38 species of birds. Whether in dry or wet forest, you’ll have plenty of time to observe this fascinating fauna. Follow the Géants hiking trail or the Forêt des Origines du lagon path to reach Marais Fournier. This birdwatching area is ideal for families. Built of wood, it has observation posts with binoculars overlooking the water and mangroves. Panels describe the species present, their habitat, and their geographical distribution.
Species that can be seen at Marais Fournier include the Pacific black ducks, white-faced egrets, kingfishers, cormorants, whistling eagles, and fish eagles.
In the surrounding dry forest, you’ll come across other species such as the Rufous whistler, with its song that ends like an alarm, the harrier swallows, and the White-breasted wood swallow, with its white belly. Finally, the Caledonian crow is a star for scientists who come to observe it. Ultra-intelligent, it crafts custom tools to extract insects from tree holes.
Observation posts are also at kids’ height to give everyone the best possible view of the marsh!
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defaultAre you in Nouméa? Don’t miss a visit to the Parc Zoologique et Forestier. It’s a must-see for discovering New Caledonian flora and fauna. Right in the heart of the city, this space attracts young and old alike. Part wildlife park, part botanical garden, and part dry forest, the park is home to many of New Caledonia’s endemic animals. Among the 110 bird species living in the park are the famous kagu, the notou, the Ouvéa parakeet and the Caledonian crow. A large aviary with a vestibule lets you get up close and personal with the birds. Other tropical birds provide insight into birdlife worldwide. The park is an ideal place for families. Picnic areas, walking trails, and a few children’s play areas are also provided.
Take advantage of a boat trip or a camping trip on an islet to observe New Caledonia’s marine birdlife! The Coral Sea islands are home to the breeding colonies of several species of seabirds that nest during the warm season. The White-bellied storm petrel and the Wedge-tailed shearwater are emblematic of the islets. This is also the case for the Tahitian petrel, classified as endangered by the IUCN. It has to be said that human presence on and around the islets causes numerous disturbances for these birds. In order not to jeopardise their survival, some twenty islets in the South Province have been identified and are subject to strict regulations. Identified breeding sites, where you are not allowed to land at certain times of the year.
Ouest Corail Charlotte Bertonneau 712
53782OrnitO (Ornithology in Oceania) is an app for identifying birds on the islands of the South Pacific, including New Caledonia. The Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie (The New Caledonian Ornithological Society) created this app, which presents 201 bird species found in New Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. You can download it onto your smartphone and take it with you wherever you go. Thanks to the illustrations and explanations, you’ll be able to easily identify the birds you come across along the way. The names are given in French, but also in the vernacular, English, and Latin.
Even better than the app, treat yourself to the expertise of a birdwatching guide. Passionate about birds, they’ll have no trouble attracting them to you, and will pass on all their observation and whistling techniques. In South Province, Caledonia Birds and its guide Isabelle take you on a discovery of the territory’s avifauna. At Parc des Grandes Fougères or Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, ornithologists share their passion with you and teach you how to listen and observe.
Caledonia Birds was awarded the 2019 Trophées du Tourisme!
