Birding Tour New Caledonia: Kagu and Other Endemics

This small group, short tour visits the island of Grande Terre, New Caledonia, and focuses on the many exciting endemic birds found across the island. New Caledonia is an ancient island archipelago comprised of over 100 islands of Gondwanan (continental) origin, our tour visits the largest island of Grande Terre. Starting in Nouméa the capital city, we travel north along the western coastline to Bourail while exploring some of the most picturesque national parks on the island, before finishing back in Nouméa. Most of the island is covered in tropical evergreen forest at higher elevations, while savanna and maquis dominate the lower elevations. Most famous for being the home of the unique Kagu (a highly sought-after monotypic family), Grande Terre hosts over 20 endemic birds as well as about a dozen more Melanesian endemics. We will spend time birding dense evergreen forests in the stunning Parc des Grandes Fougères (Great Tree Fern Park), various wetlands and coastal sites, and maquis and dry forests of La Farino reserve and the extensive Parc de la Rivière Bleue. Parc de la Rivière Bleue is renowned to birdwatchers, being the home of our prime target and New Caledonia’s endemic star bird, the charismatic Kagu. We have two full days within the park to ensure a good chance of seeing this iconic species well.

Kagu, our main endemic target of this trip — we will hope for repeated great views.

Most endemics found on Grande Terre should be encountered during our time here, and these include White-bellied Goshawk, Kagu, Cloven-feathered Dove, Goliath Imperial Pigeon, Horned Parakeet, New Caledonian Parakeet, New Caledonian Myzomela, Barred Honeyeater, New Caledonian Friarbird, New Caledonian Whistler, New Caledonian Streaked Fantail, the tool-using New Caledonian Crow, New Caledonian Cuckooshrike, Yellow-bellied Flyrobin, Green-backed White-eye, Striated Starling, and Red-throated Parrotfinch. Two species, the Critically Endangered (IUCN) Crow Honeyeater and the increasingly rare New Caledonian Thicketbird, are becoming more difficult year on year but we will still try to find them in suitable areas where they may still be hanging on. Unfortunately, four endemic species are now considered likely to be extinct with no recent sightings, these include New Caledonian Nightjar, New Caledonian Owlet-nightjar, New Caledonian Rail, and New Caledonian Lorikeet, in addition, New Caledonia Buttonquail is so rare that it hasn’t been seen since the early 1900s and the recently split New Caledonian Island Thrush is now restricted to small outlying islands.

New Caledonian Crow is a fascinating species because it uses tools to forage.

If you would like to extend your time in New Caledonia, we can offer extensions to visit either, or both, of the nearby islands of Lifou and Ouvea (both part of New Caledonia). These islands are home to several endemic and range-restricted species not found on the main island of Grande Terre such as Ouvea Parakeet, Small Lifou White-eye, Large Lifou White-eye, Red-bellied Fruit Dove, Melanesian Whistler, Cardinal Myzomela, and Blue-faced Parrotfinch. Please just ask us about these optional extras and we would be happy to help.

The striking Blue-faced Parrotfinch can be found on the smaller islands of Lifou and Ouvea.