Birding in French Polynesia - Day 19

Birding in French Polynesia XIX

19 January 2026

Over the next 28 days, I will be spending my time birding on Tahiti and Mo'orea, two islands in the Windward Islands, an archipelago belonging to French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France. Birds in italics indicate lifers.

Monday Jan 19 2026 - Day 19

Today, we spent much of the day inside, since it was raining on and off all morning. However, in the afternoon, my sisters, dad and I went to the beach, where we had a swim and watched as Great Crested Terns, Brown Noddies, and a Pacific Reef-Heron came in to take some fish that some fishermen were throwing out. 

White Tern

Red-vented Bulbul

Then, in the afternoon, we went to Marae Ta'ata, another sacred site. Here we saw some more interesting plants and a Grey-Green Fruit Dove, as well as some White Terns. After visiting the Marae, we went up the Pa'ea Valley, where, before long, my parents pointed out some swallow-like birds flying around. When I got eyes on them, I realised they were Tahiti Swiftlets, another lifer and endemic.

Tahiti Swiftlet catching flies over the river

Tahiti Swiftlet silhouette

Tahiti Swiftlet

This was also my dad's 300th bird species! When we reached the end of the road, we continued by foot, crossing the river to follow the path. There were many Tahiti Swallows and Tahiti Swiftlets flying over the river. When we crossed, we were greeted by very close views of a Grey-Green Fruit Dove, sadly, despite it being an official hiking trail, the locals weren't so happy we were there, and we had to head back home.

Digiscoped Grey-Green Fruit Dove

Digiscoped Grey-Green Fruit Dove