The
Pacific reef-heron (dark
morph pictured) is one of three native land birds that breeds on Tuvalu.
Tuvalu, previously known as the
Ellice Islands, is an
island country in
Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of six
atolls and three reef islands (islands made of rocks from
coral skeletons), with a total land area of 26 km2 (10 sq mi). Its climate is hot and humid, with annual rainfall varying from 2,500–3,500 mm (98–138 in). The soil is very weakly
developed, consisting mostly of
coral sand and
calcium carbonate-rich
regosols. Vegetation on the islands predominantly consists of
coconuts,
screw palms, Casuarina,
creepers, and grass, although some native forest exists. Previously, the islands were likely covered with Pisonia woodland.[1][2]
This list's
taxonomic treatment (designation and sequence of orders, families, genera and species) and nomenclature (
common and
scientific names) follow the conventions of the 2022 edition of The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflect this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account.
The following codes have been used to show several categories. Species without any tags are commonly occurring native species.
(A)
Accidental: a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Tuvalu.
(I)
Introduced: a species introduced to Tuvalu as a direct or indirect consequence of human action.
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.[8]
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.[12] The buff-banded rail only established a breeding population in 1972.[1]
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.[13]
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. Some species have highly specialised bills adapted to specific feeding strategies.[14]
Laridae is a family of seabirds consisting of
gulls,
terns, and
skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. Terns are generally smaller than gulls with more pointed wings and bills, many also having forked tails which help with aerial manoeuvrability.[15]
Tropicbirds are slender white birds of tropical oceans, with exceptionally long central tail feathers. Their heads and long wings have black markings.[16]
The procellariids are a group of medium-sized petrels, characterised by united nostrils with a medium
nasal septum and a long outer functional
primary flight feather.[17]
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. They are essentially aerial, able to stay aloft for days at a time.[18]
The family Ardeidae 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 warier. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted.[20]
Clements, James F.; Schulenberg, Thomas S.; Illif, Marshall J.; Billerman, Shawn M.; Fredericks, T. A.; Gerbracht, J. A.; Lepage, Daniel; Sullivan, Brian L.; Wood, Christopher L. (2021).
The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. 15 (6th ed.). Cornell University Press.