List of birds of Papua New Guinea

This is a list of the bird species recorded in Papua New Guinea. The avifauna of Papua New Guinea includes a total of 781 species, of which 76 are endemic, one has been introduced by humans, and 18 are rare or accidental. 28 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 Clements's 5th edition. The family accounts at the beginning of each heading reflects this taxonomy, as do the species counts found in each family account. Introduced and accidental species are included in the total counts for Papua New Guinea.

The following tags have been used to highlight certain relevant categories. It must be noted that not all species fall into one of these categories. Those that do not are commonly occurring, native species.

* (A) Accidental A species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Papua New Guinea.
* (E) Endemic A species endemic to Papua New Guinea.
* (I) Introduced A species introduced to Papua New Guinea as a consequence, direct or indirect, of human actions.

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Cassowaries

Order: StruthioniformesFamily: Casuariidae

The cassowaries are large flightless birds native to Australia and New Guinea.

*Southern Cassowary "Casuarius casuarius"
*Dwarf Cassowary "Casuarius bennetti"
*Northern Cassowary "Casuarius unappendiculatus"

Grebes

Order: PodicipediformesFamily: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large sized freshwater diving birds. They have lobed toes, and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, making them quite ungainly on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Little Grebe "Tachybaptus ruficollis"
*Australasian Grebe "Tachybaptus novaehollandiae"

hearwaters and Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Procellariidae

The procellariids are the main group of medium-sized 'true petrels', characterised by united nostrils with a medium septum, and a long outer functional primary. There are 75 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Antarctic Giant Petrel "Macronectes giganteus"
*Tahiti Petrel "Pterodroma rostrata"
*Kermadec Petrel "Pterodroma neglecta"
*Gould's Petrel "Pterodroma leucoptera"
*Fairy Prion "Pachyptila turtur"
*Streaked Shearwater "Calonectris leucomelas"
*Flesh-footed Shearwater "Puffinus carneipes"
*Wedge-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus pacificus"
*Sooty Shearwater "Puffinus griseus"
*Short-tailed Shearwater "Puffinus tenuirostris"
*Christmas Shearwater "Puffinus nativitatis"
*Little Shearwater "Puffinus assimilis"
*Audubon's Shearwater "Puffinus lherminieri"
*Heinroth's Shearwater "Puffinus heinrothi"

torm-Petrels

Order: ProcellariiformesFamily: Hydrobatidae

The storm-petrels are relatives of the petrels, and are the smallest of sea-birds. 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 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Wilson's Storm-Petrel "Oceanites oceanicus"
*Black-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta tropica"
*White-bellied Storm-Petrel "Fregetta grallaria"
*Leach's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma leucorhoa"
*Matsudaira's Storm-Petrel "Oceanodroma matsudairae"

Tropicbirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: 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 Papua New Guinea.

*Red-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon rubricauda"
*White-tailed Tropicbird "Phaethon lepturus"

Pelicans

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under the beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have webbed feet with four toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Australian Pelican "Pelecanus conspicillatus"

Boobies and Gannets

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Sulidae

The sulids comprise the gannets and boobies. Both groups comprise medium-to-large coastal sea-birds that plunge-dive for fish. There are 9 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Abbott's Booby "Sula abbotti"
*Masked Booby "Sula dactylatra"
*Red-footed Booby "Sula sula"
*Brown Booby "Sula leucogaster"

Cormorants

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Phalacrocoracidae

The Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating sea-birds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black and white, and a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Little Black Cormorant "Phalacrocorax sulcirostris"
*Great Cormorant "Phalacrocorax carbo"
*Pied Cormorant "Phalacrocorax varius"
*Little Pied Cormorant "Phalacrocorax melanoleucos"

Darters

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Anhingidae

Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck, which gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies submerged.The males have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on the nape and a larger bill than the female. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet, and their legs are short and set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants, and they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Darter "Anhinga melanogaster"

Frigatebirds

Order: PelecaniformesFamily: Fregatidae

Frigatebirds are large sea-birds usually found over tropical oceans. They are large, black and white or completely black, with long wings and deeply-forked tails. The males have inflatable coloured 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 Papua New Guinea.

*Great Frigatebird "Fregata minor"
*Lesser Frigatebird "Fregata ariel"

Bitterns, Herons and Egrets

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more wary. Unlike other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted. There are 61 species worldwide and 14 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Pacific Heron "Ardea pacifica"
*Great-billed Heron "Ardea sumatrana"
*Great Egret "Ardea alba"
*Pied Heron "Egretta picata"
*Intermediate Egret "Egretta intermedia"
*White-faced Heron "Egretta novaehollandiae"
*Little Egret "Egretta garzetta"
*Pacific Reef-Heron "Egretta sacra"
*Cattle Egret "Bubulcus ibis"
*Striated Heron "Butorides striata"
*Rufous Night-Heron "Nycticorax caledonicus"
*Forest Bittern "Zonerodius heliosylus"
*Yellow Bittern "Ixobrychus sinensis"
*Black Bittern "Ixobrychus flavicollis"

torks

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with long, stout bills. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory. There are 19 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Black-necked Stork "Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus"

Ibises and Spoonbills

Order: CiconiiformesFamily: Threskiornithidae

The Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestrial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, very capable soarers. There are 36 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Sacred Ibis "Threskiornis aethiopicus"
*Australian Ibis "Threskiornis molucca"
*Straw-necked Ibis "Threskiornis spinicollis"
*Glossy Ibis "Plegadis falcinellus"
*Royal Spoonbill "Platalea regia"

Ducks, Geese and Swans

Order: AnseriformesFamily: Anatidae

The family Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These are birds that are modified for 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 17 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Magpie Goose "Anseranas semipalmata"
*Spotted Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna guttata"
*Plumed Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna eytoni"
*Wandering Whistling-Duck "Dendrocygna arcuata"
*Black Swan "Cygnus atratus"
*Radjah Shelduck "Tadorna radjah"
*Green Pygmy-goose "Nettapus pulchellus"
*Cotton Pygmy-goose "Nettapus coromandelianus"
*Salvadori's Teal "Salvadorina waigiuensis"
*Eurasian Wigeon "Anas penelope"
*Sunda Teal "Anas gibberifrons"
*Gray Teal "Anas gracilis"
*Pacific Black Duck "Anas superciliosa"
*Northern Pintail "Anas acuta"
*Garganey "Anas querquedula"
*Northern Shoveler "Anas clypeata" (A)
*White-eyed Duck "Aythya australis"

Osprey

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Pandionidae

The Pandionidae family contains only one species, the Osprey. The Osprey is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

*Osprey "Pandion haliaetus"

Hawks, Kites and Eagles

Order: FalconiformesFamily: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey and include 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 31 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Pacific Baza "Aviceda subcristata"
*Long-tailed Honey-buzzard "Henicopernis longicauda"
*Black Honey-buzzard "Henicopernis infuscatus" (E)
*Bat Hawk "Macheiramphus alcinus"
*Black-shouldered Kite "Elanus caeruleus"
*Black Kite "Milvus migrans"
*Whistling Kite "Haliastur sphenurus"
*Brahminy Kite "Haliastur indus"
*White-bellied Sea-Eagle "Haliaeetus leucogaster"
*Eastern Marsh-Harrier "Circus spilonotus"
*Swamp Harrier "Circus approximans"
*Pied Harrier "Circus melanoleucos"
*Chinese Goshawk "Accipiter soloensis"
*Variable Goshawk "Accipiter hiogaster"
*Gray Goshawk "Accipiter novaehollandiae"
*Brown Goshawk "Accipiter fasciatus"
*Black-mantled Goshawk "Accipiter melanochlamys"
*Pied Goshawk "Accipiter albogularis"
*Slaty-mantled Goshawk "Accipiter luteoschistaceus" (E)
*Gray-headed Goshawk "Accipiter poliocephalus"
*New Britain Goshawk "Accipiter princeps" (E)
*Collared Sparrowhawk "Accipiter cirrocephalus"
*New Britain Sparrowhawk "Accipiter brachyurus" (E)
*Meyer's Goshawk "Accipiter meyerianus"
*Chestnut-shouldered Goshawk "Erythrotriorchis buergersi"
*Doria's Goshawk "Megatriorchis doriae"
*Gray-faced Buzzard "Butastur indicus"
*New Guinea Eagle "Harpyopsis novaeguineae"
*Gurney's Eagle "Aquila gurneyi"
*Wedge-tailed Eagle "Aquila audax"
*Little Eagle "Aquila morphnoides"

Caracaras and Falcons

Order: FalconiformesFamily: 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 feet. There are 62 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Spotted Kestrel "Falco moluccensis" (A)
*Australian Kestrel "Falco cenchroides"
*Oriental Hobby "Falco severus"
*Australian Hobby "Falco longipennis"
*Brown Falcon "Falco berigora"
*Gray Falcon "Falco hypoleucos" (A)
*Peregrine Falcon "Falco peregrinus"

Megapodes

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 colouring. There are 21 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Wattled Brush-turkey "Aepypodius arfakianus"
*Black-billed Brush-turkey "Talegalla fuscirostris"
*Brown-collared Brush-turkey "Talegalla jobiensis"
*Melanesian Scrubfowl "Megapodius eremita"
*New Guinea Scrubfowl "Megapodius affinis"
*Orange-footed Scrubfowl "Megapodius reinwardt"

Pheasants and Partridges

Order: GalliformesFamily: 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 may vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings. There are 156 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Brown Quail "Coturnix ypsilophora"
*Blue-breasted Quail "Coturnix chinensis"
*Snow Mountain Quail "Anurophasis monorthonyx"

Buttonquails

Order: GruiformesFamily: Turnicidae

The buttonquails are small, drab, running birds which resemble the true quails. The female is the brighter of the sexes, and initiates courtship. The male incubates the eggs and tends the young. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Red-backed Buttonquail "Turnix maculosa"

Cranes

Order: GruiformesFamily: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Brolga "Grus rubicunda"

Rails, Crakes, Gallinules, and Coots

Order: GruiformesFamily: 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, difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs, and have long toes which are well adapted to soft, uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Chestnut Forest-Rail "Rallina rubra"
*Forbes's Rail "Rallina forbesi"
*Mayr's Rail "Rallina mayri"
*Red-necked Crake "Rallina tricolor"
*Buff-banded Rail "Gallirallus philippensis"
*New Britain Rail "Gallirallus insignis" (E)
*Barred Rail "Gallirallus torquatus"
*Lewin's Rail "Rallus pectoralis"
*Bare-eyed Rail "Gymnocrex plumbeiventris"
*Plain Bush-hen "Amaurornis olivaceus"
*Rufous-tailed Bush-hen "Amaurornis moluccanus"
*Baillon's Crake "Porzana pusilla"
*Spotless Crake "Porzana tabuensis"
*White-browed Crake "Porzana cinerea"
*Chestnut Rail "Eulabeornis castaneoventris"
*New Guinea Flightless Rail "Megacrex inepta"
*Purple Swamphen "Porphyrio porphyrio"
*Common Moorhen "Gallinula chloropus"
*Dusky Moorhen "Gallinula tenebrosa"
*Eurasian Coot "Fulica atra"

Bustards

Order: GruiformesFamily: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays. There are 26 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Australian Bustard "Ardeotis australis"

Jacanas

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Jacanidae

The jacanas are a group of tropical waders in the family Jacanidae. They are found worldwide in the Tropics. They are identifiable by their huge feet and claws which enable them to walk on floating vegetation in the shallow lakes that are their preferred habitat. There 8 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Comb-crested Jacana "Irediparra gallinacea"

Oystercatchers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or prising open molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Pied Oystercatcher "Haematopus longirostris"

Avocets and Stilts

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and the stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*White-headed Stilt "Himantopus leucocephalus"
*Red-necked Avocet "Recurvirostra novaehollandiae" (A)

Thick-knees

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow black bills, large yellow eyes and cryptic plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species have a preference for arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Bush Thick-knee "Burhinus grallarius"
*Beach Thick-knee "Burhinus magnirostris"

Pratincoles and Coursers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds comprising the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Australian Pratincole "Stiltia isabella"
*Oriental Pratincole "Glareola maldivarum"

Plovers and Lapwings

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: 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, although there are some exceptions. There are 66 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Masked Lapwing "Vanellus miles"
*Red-kneed Dotterel "Erythrogonys cinctus"
*Pacific Golden-Plover "Pluvialis fulva"
*American Golden-Plover "Pluvialis dominica"
*Black-bellied Plover "Pluvialis squatarola"
*Little Ringed Plover "Charadrius dubius"
*Red-capped Plover "Charadrius ruficapillus" (A)
*Lesser Sandplover "Charadrius mongolus"
*Greater Sandplover "Charadrius leschenaultii"
*Oriental Plover "Charadrius veredus"

andpipers and allies

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Scolopacidae

The Scolopacidae are 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 species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills enable different species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 89 species worldwide and 36 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Dusky Woodcock "Scolopax saturata"
*Latham's Snipe "Gallinago hardwickii"
*Pintail Snipe "Gallinago stenura" (A)
*Swinhoe's Snipe "Gallinago megala"
*Short-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus griseus" (A)
*Long-billed Dowitcher "Limnodromus scolopaceus" (A)
*Asian Dowitcher "Limnodromus semipalmatus"
*Black-tailed Godwit "Limosa limosa"
*Bar-tailed Godwit "Limosa lapponica"
*Little Curlew "Numenius minutus"
*Whimbrel "Numenius phaeopus"
*Far Eastern Curlew "Numenius madagascariensis"
*Common Redshank "Tringa totanus"
*Marsh Sandpiper "Tringa stagnatilis"
*Common Greenshank "Tringa nebularia"
*Green Sandpiper "Tringa ochropus"
*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"
*Great Knot "Calidris tenuirostris"
*Red Knot "Calidris canutus"
*Sanderling "Calidris alba"
*Red-necked Stint "Calidris ruficollis"
*Little Stint "Calidris minuta"
*Long-toed Stint "Calidris subminuta"
*Baird's Sandpiper "Calidris bairdii" (A)
*Pectoral Sandpiper "Calidris melanotos"
*Sharp-tailed Sandpiper "Calidris acuminata"
*Curlew Sandpiper "Calidris ferruginea"
*Broad-billed Sandpiper "Limicola falcinellus"
*Buff-breasted Sandpiper "Tryngites subruficollis"
*Ruff "Philomachus pugnax"
*Red-necked Phalarope "Phalaropus lobatus"

kuas and Jaegers

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Pomarine Jaeger "Stercorarius pomarinus"
*Parasitic Jaeger "Stercorarius parasiticus"
*Long-tailed Jaeger "Stercorarius longicaudus"

Gulls

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large birds seabirds and includes gulls and kittiwakes. They are typically grey 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 Papua New Guinea.

*Silver Gull "Larus novaehollandiae"
*Black-headed Gull "Larus ridibundus"

Terns

Order: CharadriiformesFamily: Sternidae

Terns are a group of generally general medium to large sea-birds typically with grey 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 now known to live in excess of 25 to 30 years. There are 44 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Gull-billed Tern "Sterna nilotica"
*Caspian Tern "Sterna caspia"
*Lesser Crested Tern "Sterna bengalensis"
*Great Crested Tern "Sterna bergii"
*Roseate Tern "Sterna dougallii"
*Black-naped Tern "Sterna sumatrana"
*Common Tern "Sterna hirundo"
*Little Tern "Sterna albifrons"
*Gray-backed Tern "Sterna lunata" (A)
*Bridled Tern "Sterna anaethetus"
*Sooty Tern "Sterna fuscata"
*Whiskered Tern "Chlidonias hybridus"
*White-winged Tern "Chlidonias leucopterus"
*Black Noddy "Anous minutus"
*Brown Noddy "Anous stolidus"
*White Tern "Gygis alba"

Pigeons and Doves

Order: ColumbiformesFamily: 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 54 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Rock Pigeon "Columba livia"
*Metallic Pigeon "Columba vitiensis"
*Yellow-legged Pigeon "Columba pallidiceps"
*Spotted Dove "Streptopelia chinensis" (A)
*Slender-billed Cuckoo-dove "Macropygia amboinensis"
*Black-billed Cuckoo-dove "Macropygia nigrirostris"
*Mackinlay's Cuckoo-dove "Macropygia mackinlayi"
*Great Cuckoo-dove "Reinwardtoena reinwardtii"
*Pied Cuckoo-dove "Reinwardtoena browni" (E)
*Emerald Dove "Chalcophaps indica"
*Stephan's Dove "Chalcophaps stephani"
*New Guinea Bronzewing "Henicophaps albifrons"
*New Britain Bronzewing "Henicophaps foersteri" (E)
*Zebra Dove "Geopelia striata"
*Peaceful Dove "Geopelia placida"
*Bar-shouldered Dove "Geopelia humeralis"
*Nicobar Pigeon "Caloenas nicobarica"
*Cinnamon Ground-dove "Gallicolumba rufigula"
*White-bibbed Ground-dove "Gallicolumba jobiensis"
*Bronze Ground-dove "Gallicolumba beccarii"
*Thick-billed Ground Pigeon "Trugon terrestris"
*Pheasant Pigeon "Otidiphaps nobilis"
*Western Crowned Pigeon "Goura cristata"
*Southern Crowned Pigeon "Goura scheepmakeri"
*Victoria Crowned Pigeon "Goura victoria"
*Wompoo Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus magnificus"
*Pink-spotted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus perlatus"
*Ornate Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus ornatus"
*Orange-fronted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus aurantiifrons"
*Superb Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus superbus"
*Rose-crowned Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus regina"
*Coroneted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus coronulatus"
*Beautiful Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus pulchellus"
*White-breasted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus rivoli"
*Yellow-bibbed Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus solomonensis"
*Claret-breasted Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus viridis"
*Orange-bellied Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus iozonus"
*Knob-billed Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus insolitus" (E)
*Dwarf Fruit-dove "Ptilinopus nanus"
*White-eyed Imperial-pigeon "Ducula perspicillata" (A)
*Elegant Imperial-pigeon "Ducula concinna" (A)
*Pacific Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pacifica"
*Red-knobbed Imperial-pigeon "Ducula rubricera"
*Purple-tailed Imperial-pigeon "Ducula rufigaster"
*Finsch's Imperial-pigeon "Ducula finschii" (E)
*Rufescent Imperial-pigeon "Ducula chalconota"
*Island Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pistrinaria"
*Pinon Imperial-pigeon "Ducula pinon"
*Bismarck Imperial-pigeon "Ducula melanochroa" (E)
*Collared Imperial-pigeon "Ducula mullerii"
*Zoe Imperial-pigeon "Ducula zoeae"
*Pied Imperial-pigeon "Ducula bicolor"
*Torresian Imperial-pigeon "Ducula spilorrhoa"
*Papuan Mountain-pigeon "Gymnophaps albertisii"

Cockatoos

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Cacatuidae

The cockatoos share many features with other parrots including the characteristic curved beak shape and a zygodactyl foot, with two forward toes and two backwards toes. They differ, however in a number of characteristics, including the often spectacular movable headcrest. There are 21 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.=

Promeropidae

*Palm Cockatoo "Probosciger aterrimus"
*Little Corella "Cacatua sanguinea"
*Sulphur-crested Cockatoo "Cacatua galerita"
*Blue-eyed Cockatoo "Cacatua ophthalmica" (E)

Parrots

Order: PsittaciformesFamily: Psittacidae

Parrots are small to large birds with a characteristic curved beak shape. Their upper mandibles have slight mobility in the joint with the skull and the have a generally erect stance. All parrots are zygodactyl, having the four toes on each foot placed two at the front and two back. There are 335 species worldwide and 44 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black Lory "Chalcopsitta atra"
*Brown Lory "Chalcopsitta duivenbodei"
*Yellow-streaked Lory "Chalcopsitta sintillata"
*Cardinal Lory "Chalcopsitta cardinalis"
*Dusky Lory "Pseudeos fuscata"
*Rainbow Lorikeet "Trichoglossus haematodus"
*Goldie's Lorikeet "Psitteuteles goldiei"
*Purple-bellied Lory "Lorius hypoinochrous" (E)
*Black-capped Lory "Lorius lory"
*White-naped Lory "Lorius albidinuchus" (E)
*Red-chinned Lorikeet "Charmosyna rubrigularis" (E)
*Striated Lorikeet "Charmosyna multistriata"
*Pygmy Lorikeet "Charmosyna wilhelminae"
*Red-fronted Lorikeet "Charmosyna rubronotata"
*Red-flanked Lorikeet "Charmosyna placentis"
*Fairy Lorikeet "Charmosyna pulchella"
*Josephine's Lorikeet "Charmosyna josefinae"
*Papuan Lorikeet "Charmosyna papou"
*Plum-faced Lorikeet "Oreopsittacus arfaki"
*Yellow-billed Lorikeet "Neopsittacus musschenbroekii"
*Orange-billed Lorikeet "Neopsittacus pullicauda"
*Pesquet's Parrot "Psittrichas fulgidus"
*Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot "Micropsitta keiensis"
*Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot "Micropsitta pusio"
*Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot "Micropsitta bruijnii"
*Meek's Pygmy Parrot "Micropsitta meeki" (E)
*Finsch's Pygmy Parrot "Micropsitta finschii"
*Orange-breasted Fig-parrot "Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii"
*Double-eyed Fig-parrot "Cyclopsitta diophthalma"
*Large Fig-parrot "Psittaculirostris desmarestii"
*Edwards's Fig-parrot "Psittaculirostris edwardsii"
*Painted Tiger Parrot "Psittacella picta"
*Brehm's Tiger Parrot "Psittacella brehmii"
*Modest Tiger Parrot "Psittacella modesta"
*Madarasz's Tiger Parrot "Psittacella madaraszi"
*Red-cheeked Parrot "Geoffroyus geoffroyi"
*Blue-collared Parrot "Geoffroyus simplex"
*Singing Parrot "Geoffroyus heteroclitus"
*Great-billed Parrot "Tanygnathus megalorynchos"
*Eclectus Parrot "Eclectus roratus"
*Papuan King Parrot "Alisterus chloropterus"
*Red-winged Parrot "Aprosmictus erythropterus"
*Papuan Hanging Parrot "Loriculus aurantiifrons"
*Green-fronted Hanging Parrot "Loriculus tener" (E)

Cuckoos

Order: CuculiformesFamily: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of variable size with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. Unlike the cuckoo species of the Old World, North American cuckoos are not brood parasites. There are 138 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Oriental Cuckoo "Cuculus saturatus"
*Horsfield's Cuckoo "Cuculus horsfieldi"
*Pallid Cuckoo "Cuculus pallidus"
*Brush Cuckoo "Cacomantis variolosus"
*Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo "Cacomantis castaneiventris"
*Fan-tailed Cuckoo "Cacomantis flabelliformis"
*Black-eared Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx osculans"
*Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo "Chrysococcyx basalis"
*Shining Bronze-Cuckoo "Chrysococcyx lucidus"
*Rufous-throated Bronze-cuckoo "Chrysococcyx ruficollis"
*White-eared Bronze-cuckoo "Chrysococcyx meyeri"
*Little Bronze-cuckoo "Chrysococcyx minutillus"
*Long-billed Cuckoo "Rhamphomantis megarhynchus"
*White-crowned Koel "Caliechthrus leucolophus"
*Dwarf Koel "Microdynamis parva"
*Asian Koel "Eudynamys scolopacea"
*Australian Koel "Eudynamys cyanocephala"
*Long-tailed Koel "Eudynamys taitensis"
*Channel-billed Cuckoo "Scythrops novaehollandiae"
*Violaceous Coucal "Centropus violaceus" (E)
*Greater Black Coucal "Centropus menbeki"
*Pied Coucal "Centropus ateralbus" (E)
*Pheasant Coucal "Centropus phasianinus"
*Lesser Black Coucal "Centropus bernsteini"

Barn owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large sized owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Greater Sooty-owl "Tyto tenebricosa"
*Lesser Sooty-owl "Tyto multipunctata"
*Australian Masked-owl "Tyto novaehollandiae"
*New Britain Masked-owl "Tyto aurantia" (E)
*Manus Owl "Tyto manusi" (E)
*Australasian Grass-owl "Tyto longimembris"
*Barn Owl "Tyto alba"

Typical owls

Order: StrigiformesFamily: Strigidae

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 7 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Rufous Owl "Ninox rufa"
*Barking Owl "Ninox connivens"
*Jungle Hawk Owl "Ninox theomacha"
*Manus Hawk Owl "Ninox meeki" (E)
*Bismarck Hawk Owl "Ninox variegata" (E)
*New Britain Hawk Owl "Ninox odiosa" (E)
*Papuan Hawk Owl "Uroglaux dimorpha"

Owlet-nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Aegothelidae

The owlet-nightjars are small nocturnal birds related to the nightjars and frogmouths. They are insectivores which hunt mostly in the air. Their soft plumage is a mixture of browns and paler shades. There are 9 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Feline Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles insignis"
*Spangled Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles tatei" (E)
*Wallace's Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles wallacii"
*Archbold's Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles archboldi"
*Mountain Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles albertisi"
*Barred Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles bennettii"
*Australian Owlet-nightjar "Aegotheles cristatus"

Frogmouths

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Podargidae

The frogmouths are a group of nocturnal birds related to the nightjars. They are named for their large flattened hooked bills and huge frog-like gape, which they use to take insects. There are 12 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Marbled Frogmouth "Podargus ocellatus"
*Papuan Frogmouth "Podargus papuensis"

Nightjars

Order: CaprimulgiformesFamily: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills that usually nest on the ground. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Spotted Nightjar "Eurostopodus argus"
*White-throated Nightjar "Eurostopodus mystacalis"
*Papuan Nightjar "Eurostopodus papuensis"
*Archbold's Nightjar "Eurostopodus archboldi"
*Gray Nightjar "Caprimulgus indicus" (A)
*Large-tailed Nightjar "Caprimulgus macrurus"

wifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Apodidae

Swifts are small aerial birds, spending 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 that resemble a crescent or a boomerang. There are 98 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Glossy Swiftlet "Collocalia esculenta"
*Mountain Swiftlet "Aerodramus hirundinaceus"
*White-rumped Swiftlet "Aerodramus spodiopygius"
*Bare-legged Swiftlet "Aerodramus nuditarsus"
*Mayr's Swiftlet "Aerodramus orientalis"
*Uniform Swiftlet "Aerodramus vanikorensis"
*Papuan Swiftlet "Aerodramus papuensis"
*Papuan Needletail "Mearnsia novaeguineae"
*White-throated Needletail "Hirundapus caudacutus"
*Fork-tailed Swift "Apus pacificus"

Treeswifts

Order: ApodiformesFamily: Hemiprocnidae

The treeswifts or crested swifts are aerial near passerine birds, closely related to the true swifts. They differ from the other swifts in that they have crests, long forked tails and softer plumage. There are 4 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Moustached Treeswift "Hemiprocne mystacea"

Kingfishers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Alcedinidae

Kingfishers are medium-sized birds with large heads, long pointed bills, short legs, and stubby tails. There are 93 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Common Kingfisher "Alcedo atthis"
*Azure Kingfisher "Alcedo azurea"
*Bismarck Kingfisher "Alcedo websteri" (E)
*Little Kingfisher "Alcedo pusilla"
*Variable Kingfisher "Ceyx lepidus"
*Blue-winged Kookaburra "Dacelo leachii"
*Spangled Kookaburra "Dacelo tyro"
*Rufous-bellied Kookaburra "Dacelo gaudichaud"
*Shovel-billed Kookaburra "Clytoceyx rex"
*Blue-black Kingfisher "Todirhamphus nigrocyaneus"
*Forest Kingfisher "Todirhamphus macleayii"
*New Britain Kingfisher "Todirhamphus albonotatus" (E)
*Collared Kingfisher "Todirhamphus chloris"
*Beach Kingfisher "Todirhamphus saurophaga"
*Sacred Kingfisher "Todirhamphus sanctus"
*Hook-billed Kingfisher "Melidora macrorrhina"
*Yellow-billed Kingfisher "Syma torotoro"
*Mountain Kingfisher "Syma megarhyncha"
*Little Paradise Kingfisher "Tanysiptera hydrocharis"
*Common Paradise Kingfisher "Tanysiptera galatea"
*Red-breasted Paradise Kingfisher "Tanysiptera nympha"
*Brown-headed Paradise Kingfisher "Tanysiptera danae" (E)
*Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher "Tanysiptera sylvia"

Bee-eaters

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of near passerine birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterised by richly coloured plumage, slender bodies and usually elongated central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Blue-tailed Bee-eater "Merops philippinus"
*Rainbow Bee-eater "Merops ornatus"

Typical Rollers

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colourful appearance of those groups with blues and browns predominating. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Dollarbird "Eurystomus orientalis"

Hornbills

Order: CoraciiformesFamily: Bucerotidae

Hornbills are a group of birds whose bill is shaped like a cow's horn, but without a twist, sometimes with a casque on the upper mandible. Frequently, the bill is brightly coloured. There are 57 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Blyth's Hornbill "Aceros plicatus"

Pittas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pittidae

Pittas are medium-sized by passerine standards, and stocky, with fairly long, strong legs, short tails and stout bills. Many, but not all, are brightly coloured. They are spend the majority of their time on wet forest floors, eating snails, insects and similar invertebrate prey which they find there. There are 32 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Hooded Pitta "Pitta sordida"
*Superb Pitta "Pitta superba" (E)
*Red-bellied Pitta "Pitta erythrogaster"
*Noisy Pitta "Pitta versicolor"

Larks

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds. There are 91 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Singing Bushlark "Mirafra cantillans"
*Australasian Bushlark "Mirafra javanica"

wallows and Martins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Hirundinidae

The Hirundinidae family is a group of passerines characterized by their adaptation to aerial feeding. Their adaptations include a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and short bills with wide gape. The feet are designed for perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Bank Swallow "Riparia riparia"
*Barn Swallow "Hirundo rustica"
*Pacific Swallow "Hirundo tahitica"
*Welcome Swallow "Hirundo neoxena"
*Red-rumped Swallow "Cecropis daurica"
*Striated Swallow "Cecropis striolata"
*Tree Martin "Petrochelidon nigricans"
*Fairy Martin "Petrochelidon ariel"

Wagtails and Pipits

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Motacillidae

The Motacillidae are 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 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Yellow Wagtail "Motacilla flava"
*Gray Wagtail "Motacilla cinerea"
*Oriental Pipit "Anthus rufulus" (A)
*Australasian Pipit "Anthus novaeseelandiae"
*Alpine Pipit "Anthus gutturalis"

Cuckoo-shrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Campephagidae

The cuckoo-shrikes are small to medium-sized passerine birds. They are predominantly greyish with white and black, although some species are brightly coloured. There are 82 species worldwide and 16 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina novaehollandiae"
*Stout-billed Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina caeruleogrisea"
*Yellow-eyed Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina lineata"
*Boyer's Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina boyeri"
*White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina papuensis"
*Hooded Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina longicauda"
*Cicadabird "Coracina tenuirostris"
*Sulawesi Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina morio"
*Papuan Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina incerta"
*Gray-headed Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina schisticeps"
*New Guinea Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina melas"
*Black-bellied Cuckoo-shrike "Coracina montana"
*Golden Cuckoo-shrike "Campochaera sloetii"
*White-winged Triller "Lalage tricolor"
*Varied Triller "Lalage leucomela"
*Black-browed Triller "Lalage atrovirens"

Bulbuls

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pycnonotidae

Bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds. Some are colourful with yellow, red or orange vents, cheeks, throat or supercilia, but most are drab, with uniform olive brown to black plumage. Some species have distinct crests. There are 130 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Sooty-headed Bulbul "Pycnonotus aurigaster" (A)

Thrushes and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 6 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Blue Rock-Thrush "Monticola solitarius"
*Scaly Thrush "Zoothera dauma"
*Olive-tailed Thrush "Zoothera lunulata"
*Russet-tailed Thrush "Zoothera heinei"
*New Britain Thrush "Zoothera talaseae"
*Island Thrush "Turdus poliocephalus"

Cisticolas and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cisticolidae

The Cisticolidae are warblers found mainly in warmer southern regions of the Old World. They are generally very small birds of drab brown or grey appearance found in open country such as grassland or scrub. There are 111 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Zitting Cisticola "Cisticola juncidis"
*Golden-headed Cisticola "Cisticola exilis"

Old World warblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous passerine birds. The Sylviidae 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 13 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Gray's Warbler "Locustella fasciolata"
*Great Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus arundinaceus"
*Oriental Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus orientalis"
*Clamorous Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus stentoreus"
*Australian Reed-Warbler "Acrocephalus australis"
*Arctic Warbler "Phylloscopus borealis" (A)
*Mountain Warbler "Phylloscopus trivirgatus"
*Island Leaf-Warbler "Phylloscopus poliocephalus"
*Tawny Grassbird "Megalurus timoriensis"
*Little Grassbird "Megalurus gramineus"
*Fly River Grassbird "Megalurus albolimbatus"
*Bismarck Thicketbird "Megalurulus grosvenori" (E)
*Rusty Thicketbird "Megalurulus rubiginosus" (E)

Old World flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly small arboreal insectivores. The appearance of these birds is very varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls. There 274 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Gray-spotted Flycatcher "Muscicapa griseisticta"
*Siberian Rubythroat "Luscinia calliope"
*Pied Bushchat "Saxicola caprata"

Fantails

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Rhipiduridae

The Fantails are small insectivorous birds which are specialist aerial feeders. There are 44 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Northern Fantail "Rhipidura rufiventris"
*Willie-wagtail "Rhipidura leucophrys"
*Friendly Fantail "Rhipidura albolimbata"
*Chestnut-bellied Fantail "Rhipidura hyperythra"
*Sooty Thicket-fantail "Rhipidura threnothorax"
*Black Thicket-fantail "Rhipidura maculipectus"
*White-bellied Thicket-fantail "Rhipidura leucothorax"
*Black Fantail "Rhipidura atra"
*Mangrove Fantail "Rhipidura phasiana"
*Gray Fantail "Rhipidura fuliginosa"
*Dimorphic Fantail "Rhipidura brachyrhyncha"
*Rufous-backed Fantail "Rhipidura rufidorsa"
*Matthias Fantail "Rhipidura matthiae" (E)
*Bismarck Fantail "Rhipidura dahli" (E)
*Manus Fantail "Rhipidura semirubra" (E)
*Rufous Fantail "Rhipidura rufifrons"
*Arafura Fantail "Rhipidura dryas"

Monarch flycatchers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Monarchidae

The monarch flycatchers are small to medium-sized insectivorous passerines, which hunt by flycatching. There are 99 species worldwide and 22 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black Monarch "Monarcha axillaris"
*Rufous Monarch "Monarcha rubiensis"
*Island Monarch "Monarcha cinerascens"
*Black-winged Monarch "Monarcha frater"
*Black-faced Monarch "Monarcha melanopsis"
*Spot-winged Monarch "Monarcha guttulus"
*Spectacled Monarch "Monarcha trivirgatus"
*Hooded Monarch "Monarcha manadensis"
*Manus Monarch "Monarcha infelix" (E)
*White-breasted Monarch "Monarcha menckei" (E)
*Black-tailed Monarch "Monarcha verticalis" (E)
*Golden Monarch "Monarcha chrysomela"
*Frilled Monarch "Arses telescopthalmus"
*Rufous-collared Monarch "Arses insularis"
*Leaden Flycatcher "Myiagra rubecula"
*Broad-billed Flycatcher "Myiagra ruficollis"
*Satin Flycatcher "Myiagra cyanoleuca"
*Restless Flycatcher "Myiagra inquieta"
*Shining Flycatcher "Myiagra alecto"
*Dull Flycatcher "Myiagra hebetior" (E)
*Black-breasted Boatbill "Machaerirhynchus nigripectus"
*Yellow-breasted Boatbill "Machaerirhynchus flaviventer"

Australasian robins

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Petroicidae

Most species of the Petroicidae have a stocky build with a large, rounded head, a short, straight bill, and rounded wingtips. They occupy a wide range of wooded habitats, from subalpine to tropical rainforest, and mangrove swamps to semi-arid scrubland. All are primarily insectivorous, although a few supplement their diet with seeds. There are 43 species worldwide and 23 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Greater Ground-Robin "Amalocichla sclateriana"
*Lesser Ground-Robin "Amalocichla incerta"
*Torrent Flycatcher "Monachella muelleriana"
*Jacky-winter "Microeca fascinans"
*Lemon-bellied Flycatcher "Microeca flavigaster"
*Yellow-legged Flycatcher "Microeca griseoceps"
*Olive Flyrobin "Microeca flavovirescens"
*Canary Flycatcher "Microeca papuana"
*Garnet Robin "Eugerygone rubra"
*Alpine Robin "Petroica bivittata"
*White-faced Robin "Tregellasia leucops"
*Mangrove Robin "Eopsaltria pulverulenta"
*Black-chinned Robin "Poecilodryas brachyura"
*Black-sided Robin "Poecilodryas hypoleuca"
*Olive-yellow Robin "Poecilodryas placens"
*Black-throated Robin "Poecilodryas albonotata"
*White-winged Robin "Peneothello sigillatus"
*White-rumped Robin "Peneothello bimaculatus"
*Blue-gray Robin "Peneothello cyanus"
*Gray-headed Robin "Heteromyias albispecularis"
*Green-backed Robin "Pachycephalopsis hattamensis"
*White-eyed Robin "Pachycephalopsis poliosoma"
*Northern Scrub-Robin "Drymodes superciliaris"

Whistlers and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pachycephalidae

The family Pachycephalidae includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and Crested Bellbird. There are 57 species worldwide and 24 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Mottled Whistler "Rhagologus leucostigma"
*Dwarf Whistler "Pachycare flavogrisea"
*Rufous-naped Whistler "Aleadryas rufinucha"
*Rusty Whistler "Pachycephala hyperythra"
*Brown-backed Whistler "Pachycephala modesta" (E)
*Gray-headed Whistler "Pachycephala griseiceps"
*Golden Whistler "Pachycephala pectoralis"
*Sclater's Whistler "Pachycephala soror"
*Lorentz's Whistler "Pachycephala lorentzi"
*Black-tailed Whistler "Pachycephala melanura"
*Regent Whistler "Pachycephala schlegelii"
*Golden-backed Whistler "Pachycephala aurea"
*Black-headed Whistler "Pachycephala monacha"
*White-bellied Whistler "Pachycephala leucogastra"
*Rufous Whistler "Pachycephala rufiventris"
*Rufous Shrike-thrush "Colluricincla megarhyncha"
*Grey Shrike-thrush "Colluricincla harmonica"
*Hooded Pitohui "Pitohui dichrous"
*White-bellied Pitohui "Pitohui incertus"
*Rusty Pitohui "Pitohui ferrugineus"
*Crested Pitohui "Pitohui cristatus"
*Variable Pitohui "Pitohui kirhocephalus"
*Black Pitohui "Pitohui nigrescens"
*Wattled Ploughbill "Eulacestoma nigropectus"

Pseudo-babblers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Pomatostomidae

The pseudo-babblers are small to medium-sized birds endemic to Australia-New Guinea. They are ground-feeding omnivores and highly social. There are 5 species and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*New Guinea Babbler "Pomatostomus isidorei"
*Grey-crowned Babbler "Pomatostomus temporalis"

Logrunners and Chowchilla

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Orthonychidae

The Orthonychidae is a family of birds with a single genus, Orthonyx, which comprises two types of passerine birds endemic to Australia and New Guinea, the Logrunners and the Chowchilla. Both use stiffened tails to brace themselves when feeding. There are 3 species and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*New Guinea Logrunner "Orthonyx novaeguineae"

Whipbirds and Quail-thrushes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cinclosomatidae

The Cinclosomatidae is a family containing whipbirds, wedgebills and the quail-thrushes. There are 15 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Painted Quail-thrush "Cinclosoma ajax"
*Spotted Jewel-babbler "Ptilorrhoa leucosticta"
*Blue Jewel-babbler "Ptilorrhoa caerulescens"
*Chestnut-backed Jewel-babbler "Ptilorrhoa castanonota"
*Blue-capped Ifrita "Ifrita kowaldi"

Fairy-wrens

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Maluridae

The Maluridae are a family of small, insectivorous passerine birds endemic to Australia and New Guinea. They are socially monogamous and sexually promiscuous, meaning that although they form pairs between one male and one female, each partner will mate with other individuals and even assist in raising the young from such pairings. There are 25 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Orange-crowned Fairy-wren "Clytomyias insignis"
*Wallace's Fairy-wren "Sipodotus wallacii"
*Broad-billed Fairy-wren "Malurus grayi"
*White-shouldered Fairy-wren "Malurus alboscapulatus"
*Emperor Fairy-wren "Malurus cyanocephalus"

Thornbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Acanthizidae

Thornbills are small passerine birds, similar in habits to the tits. There are 65 species worldwide and 20 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Rusty Mouse-warbler "Crateroscelis murina"
*Bicolored Mouse-warbler "Crateroscelis nigrorufa"
*Mountain Mouse-warbler "Crateroscelis robusta"
*Beccari's Scrubwren "Sericornis beccarii"
*Perplexing Scrubwren "Sericornis virgatus"
*Large Scrubwren "Sericornis nouhuysi"
*Buff-faced Scrubwren "Sericornis perspicillatus"
*Papuan Scrubwren "Sericornis papuensis"
*Grey-green Scrubwren "Sericornis arfakianus"
*Pale-billed Scrubwren "Sericornis spilodera"
*Papuan Thornbill "Acanthiza murina"
*Mountain Gerygone "Gerygone cinerea"
*Green-backed Gerygone "Gerygone chloronotus"
*Fairy Gerygone "Gerygone palpebrosa"
*White-throated Gerygone "Gerygone olivacea"
*Yellow-bellied Gerygone "Gerygone chrysogaster"
*Large-billed Gerygone "Gerygone magnirostris"
*Golden-bellied Gerygone "Gerygone sulphurea"
*Brown-breasted Gerygone "Gerygone ruficollis"
*Mangrove Gerygone "Gerygone levigaster"

itellas

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Neosittidae

The sitellas are a family of small passerine birds found only in Australasia. They resemble treecreepers, but have soft tails. There are 2 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black Sittella "Neositta miranda"
*Varied Sittella "Neositta chrysoptera"

Australasian Treecreepers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Climacteridae

The Climacteridae are medium-small, mostly brown-coloured birds with patterning on their underparts and all are endemic to Australia-New Guinea. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Papua New Guinea.

*Papuan Treecreeper "Cormobates placens"

unbirds and Spiderhunters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Nectariniidae

The sunbirds and spiderhunters are very small passerine birds which feed largely on nectar, although they will also take insects, especially when feeding young. Flight is fast and direct on their short wings. Most species can take nectar by hovering like a hummingbird, but usually perch to feed. There are 131 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black Sunbird "Leptocoma sericea"
*Olive-backed Sunbird "Cinnyris jugularis"

Berrypeckers and Longbills

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Melanocharitidae

The Melanocharitidae are medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and some insects and other invertebrates. They have drab coloured plumage in greys, browns or black and white. The berrypeckers resemble stout short-billed honeyeaters, and the longbills are like drab sunbirds. There are 10 species, all of which are restricted to New Guinea.

*Obscure Berrypecker "Melanocharis arfakiana"
*Black Berrypecker "Melanocharis nigra"
*Lemon-breasted Berrypecker "Melanocharis longicauda"
*Fan-tailed Berrypecker "Melanocharis versteri"
*Streaked Berrypecker "Melanocharis striativentris"
*Spotted Berrypecker "Melanocharis crassirostris"
*Yellow-bellied Longbill "Toxorhamphus novaeguineae"
*Slaty-chinned Longbill "Toxorhamphus poliopterus"
*Dwarf Honeyeater "Toxorhamphus iliolophus"
*Pygmy Honeyeater "Toxorhamphus pygmaeum"

Tit Berrypicker and Crested Berrypecker

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paramythiidae

The Paramythiidae is a very small bird family restricted to the mountain forests of New Guinea. The two species are colourful medium-sized birds which feed on fruit and some insects.

*Tit Berrypecker "Oreocharis arfaki"
*Crested Berrypecker "Paramythia montium"

Flowerpeckers

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicaeidae

The flowerpeckers are very small, stout, often brightly coloured birds, with short tails, short thick curved bills and tubular tongues. There are 44 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Olive-crowned Flowerpecker "Dicaeum pectorale"
*Red-capped Flowerpecker "Dicaeum geelvinkianum"
*Louisiade Flowerpecker "Dicaeum nitidum" (E)
*Red-banded Flowerpecker "Dicaeum eximium" (E)
*Mistletoebird "Dicaeum hirundinaceum"

White-eyes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Zosteropidae

The white-eyes are small and are mostly of undistinguished appearance, the plumage above being generally either 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 the eyes. There are 96 species worldwide and 6 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Black-fronted White-eye "Zosterops minor"
*White-throated White-eye "Zosterops meeki" (E)
*Black-headed White-eye "Zosterops hypoxanthus" (E)
*Capped White-eye "Zosterops fuscicapillus"
*New Guinea White-eye "Zosterops novaeguineae"
*Louisiade White-eye "Zosterops griseotinctus" (E)

Honeyeaters

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 63 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Olive Straightbill "Timeliopsis fulvigula"
*Tawny Straightbill "Timeliopsis griseigula"
*Long-billed Honeyeater "Melilestes megarhynchus"
*Green-backed Honeyeater "Glycichaera fallax"
*Brown Honeyeater "Lichmera indistincta"
*Silver-eared Honeyeater "Lichmera alboauricularis"
*White-chinned Myzomela "Myzomela albigula" (E)
*Red-throated Myzomela "Myzomela eques"
*Ashy Myzomela "Myzomela cineracea" (E)
*Dusky Myzomela "Myzomela obscura"
*Red Myzomela "Myzomela cruentata"
*Black Myzomela "Myzomela nigrita"
*New Ireland Myzomela "Myzomela pulchella" (E)
*Red-headed Myzomela "Myzomela erythrocephala"
*Mountain Myzomela "Myzomela adolphinae"
*Scarlet-bibbed Myzomela "Myzomela sclateri" (E)
*Ebony Myzomela "Myzomela pammelaena" (E)
*Black-bellied Myzomela "Myzomela erythromelas" (E)
*Red-collared Myzomela "Myzomela rosenbergii"
*Forest Honeyeater "Meliphaga montana"
*Spot-breasted Meliphaga "Meliphaga mimikae"
*Mountain Meliphaga "Meliphaga orientalis"
*Scrub Honeyeater "Meliphaga albonotata"
*Puff-backed Honeyeater "Meliphaga aruensis"
*Mimic Honeyeater "Meliphaga analoga"
*Tagula Honeyeater "Meliphaga vicina" (E)
*Graceful Honeyeater "Meliphaga gracilis"
*Yellow-gaped Honeyeater "Meliphaga flavirictus"
*Black-throated Honeyeater "Lichenostomus subfrenatus"
*Obscure Honeyeater "Lichenostomus obscurus"
*Varied Honeyeater "Lichenostomus versicolor"
*Yellow-tinted Honeyeater "Lichenostomus flavescens"
*Tawny-breasted Honeyeater "Xanthotis flaviventer"
*Spotted Honeyeater "Xanthotis polygramma"
*White-throated Honeyeater "Melithreptus albogularis"
*Plain Honeyeater "Pycnopygius ixoides"
*Marbled Honeyeater "Pycnopygius cinereus"
*Streak-headed Honeyeater "Pycnopygius stictocephalus"
*Meyer's Friarbird "Philemon meyeri"
*Little Friarbird "Philemon citreogularis"
*Helmeted Friarbird "Philemon buceroides"
*White-naped Friarbird "Philemon albitorques" (E)
*New Britain Friarbird "Philemon cockerelli" (E)
*New Ireland Friarbird "Philemon eichhorni" (E)
*Noisy Friarbird "Philemon corniculatus"
*Leaden Honeyeater "Ptiloprora plumbea"
*Olive-streaked Honeyeater "Ptiloprora meekiana"
*Mayr's Honeyeater "Ptiloprora mayri"
*Rufous-backed Honeyeater "Ptiloprora guisei" (E)
*Black-backed Honeyeater "Ptiloprora perstriata"
*Sooty Melidectes "Melidectes fuscus"
*Bismarck Melidectes "Melidectes whitemanensis" (E)
*Long-bearded Melidectes "Melidectes princeps"
*Cinnamon-browed Melidectes "Melidectes ochromelas"
*Belford's Melidectes "Melidectes belfordi"
*Yellow-browed Melidectes "Melidectes rufocrissalis"
*Huon Melidectes "Melidectes foersteri" (E)
*Ornate Melidectes "Melidectes torquatus"
*Smoky Honeyeater "Melipotes fumigatus"
*Spangled Honeyeater "Melipotes ater" (E)
*Brown-backed Honeyeater "Ramsayornis modestus"
*Rufous-banded Honeyeater "Conopophila albogularis"
*Blue-faced Honeyeater "Entomyzon cyanotis"

Old World Orioles

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Oriolidae

The Old World Orioles are colourful passerine birds. They are not related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Brown Oriole "Oriolus szalayi"
*Olive-backed Oriole "Oriolus sagittatus"
*Green Oriole "Oriolus flavocinctus"
*Green Figbird "Sphecotheres viridis"

hrikes

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Laniidae

Shrikes are passerine birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey. There are 31 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Brown Shrike "Lanius cristatus"
*Long-tailed Shrike "Lanius schach"

Drongos

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Dicruridae

The drongos are mostly are black or dark grey in colour, 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 whilst perched, like a shrike. They flycatch or take prey from the ground. There are 24 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Papuan Drongo "Chaetorhynchus papuensis"
*Hair-crested Drongo "Dicrurus hottentottus"
*Ribbon-tailed Drongo "Dicrurus megarhynchus" (E)
*Spangled Drongo "Dicrurus bracteatus"

Mudnest builders

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Grallinidae

The Grallinidae was a presumed family of passerine birds containing four species, which have been found to be unrelated. Two of the four are still classified together, and these 2 species occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Magpie-lark "Grallina cyanoleuca"
*Torrent-lark "Grallina bruijni"

Woodswallows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Artamidae

The woodswallows are soft-plumaged, somber-coloured passerine birds. They are smooth, agile flyers with moderately large, semi-triangular wings. There are 11 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Great Woodswallow "Artamus maximus"
*White-breasted Woodswallow "Artamus leucorynchus"
*Bismarck Woodswallow "Artamus insignis" (E)
*Black-faced Woodswallow "Artamus cinereus"

Bellmagpies and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Cracticidae

The cracticids: currawongs, bellmagpies, and butcherbirds, are similar to the other corvids. They have large, straight bills and mostly black, white or grey plumage. All are omnivorous to some degree. There are 12 species worldwide and 7 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Mountain Peltops "Peltops montanus"
*Lowland Peltops "Peltops blainvillii"
*Black-backed Butcherbird "Cracticus mentalis"
*Hooded Butcherbird "Cracticus cassicus"
*Tagula Butcherbird "Cracticus louisiadensis" (E)
*Black Butcherbird "Cracticus quoyi"
*Australian Magpie "Gymnorhina tibicen"

Birds-of-paradise

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Paradisaeidae

The birds-of-paradise are best known for the striking plumage possessed by the males of most species, in particular highly elongated and elaborate feathers extending from the tail, wings or head. These plumes are used in courtship displays in order to attract females. There are 44 species worldwide and 35 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Loria's Bird-of-paradise "Cnemophilus loriae"
*Crested Bird-of-paradise "Cnemophilus macgregorii"
*Yellow-breasted Bird-of-paradise "Loboparadisea sericea"
*Macgregor's Bird-of-paradise "Macgregoria pulchra"
*Glossy-mantled Manucode "Manucodia atra"
*Jobi Manucode "Manucodia jobiensis"
*Crinkle-collared Manucode "Manucodia chalybata"
*Curl-crested Manucode "Manucodia comrii" (E)
*Trumpet Manucode "Manucodia keraudrenii"
*Short-tailed Paradigalla "Paradigalla brevicauda"
*Splendid Astrapia "Astrapia splendidissima"
*Ribbon-tailed Astrapia "Astrapia mayeri" (E)
*Princess Stephanie's Astrapia "Astrapia stephaniae" (E)
*Huon Astrapia "Astrapia rothschildi" (E)
*Carola's Parotia "Parotia carolae"
*Lawes's Parotia "Parotia lawesii" (E)
*Wahnes's Parotia "Parotia wahnesi" (E)
*King-of-Saxony Bird-of-paradise "Pteridophora alberti"
*Magnificent Riflebird "Ptiloris magnificus"
*Superb Bird-of-paradise "Lophorina superba"
*Black Sicklebill "Epimachus fastuosus"
*Brown Sicklebill "Epimachus meyeri"
*Black-billed Sicklebill "Epimachus albertisi"
*Pale-billed Sicklebill "Epimachus bruijnii"
*Magnificent Bird-of-paradise "Cicinnurus magnificus"
*King Bird-of-paradise "Cicinnurus regius"
*Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise "Seleucidis melanoleuca"
*Lesser Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea minor"
*Greater Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea apoda"
*Raggiana Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea raggiana"
*Goldie's Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea decora" (E)
*Emperor Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea guilielmi" (E)
*Blue Bird-of-paradise "Paradisaea rudolphi" (E)
*Lesser Melampitta "Melampitta lugubris"
*Greater Melampitta "Melampitta gigantea"

Bowerbirds

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Ptilonorhynchidae

The Bowerbirds are small to medium-sized passerine birds. The males notably build a bower to attract a mate. Depending on the species, the bower ranges from a circle of cleared earth with a small pile of twigs in the center to a complex and highly decorated structure of sticks and leaves. There are 20 species worldwide and 10 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*White-eared Catbird "Ailuroedus buccoides"
*Spotted Catbird "Ailuroedus melanotis"
*Archbold's Bowerbird "Archboldia papuensis"
*Sanford's Bowerbird "Archboldia sanfordi" (E)
*Macgregor's Bowerbird "Amblyornis macgregoriae"
*Streaked Bowerbird "Amblyornis subalaris" (E)
*Flame Bowerbird "Sericulus aureus"
*Fire-maned Bowerbird "Sericulus bakeri" (E)
*Yellow-breasted Bowerbird "Chlamydera lauterbachi"
*Fawn-breasted Bowerbird "Chlamydera cerviniventris"

Crows, Jays, Ravens and Magpies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Corvidae

The Corvidae family includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers, and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size for the bird order Passeriformes. Some of the larger species show high levels of learning behavior. There are 120 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Gray Crow "Corvus tristis"
*Torresian Crow "Corvus orru"

tarlings

Order: PasseriformesFamily: 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 8 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Metallic Starling "Aplonis metallica"
*Yellow-eyed Starling "Aplonis mystacea"
*Singing Starling "Aplonis cantoroides"
*Atoll Starling "Aplonis feadensis"
*Yellow-faced Myna "Mino dumontii"
*Golden Myna "Mino anais"
*Long-tailed Myna "Mino kreffti"
*European Starling "Sturnus vulgaris"

Waxbills and allies

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Estrildidae

The estrildid finches are small passerine birds of the Old World tropics and Australasia. They are gregarious and often colonial seed-eaters with short thick but pointed bills. They are all similar in structure and habits, but have a wide variation in plumage colours and pattern. There are 141 species worldwide and 17 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*Mountain Firetail "Oreostruthus fuliginosus"
*Crimson Finch "Neochmia phaeton"
*Blue-faced Parrotfinch "Erythrura trichroa"
*Papuan Parrotfinch "Erythrura papuana"
*Streak-headed Munia "Lonchura tristissima"
*Grand Munia "Lonchura grandis"
*Grey-crowned Munia "Lonchura nevermanni"
*Hooded Munia "Lonchura spectabilis"
*Grey-headed Munia "Lonchura caniceps"
*Mottled Munia "Lonchura hunsteini" (E)
*New Ireland Munia "Lonchura forbesi" (E)
*New Hanover Munia "Lonchura nigerrima" (E)
*Chestnut-breasted Munia "Lonchura castaneothorax"
*Black Munia "Lonchura stygia"
*Snow Mountain Munia "Lonchura montana"
*Alpine Munia "Lonchura monticola" (E)
*Bismarck Munia "Lonchura melaena"

parrows

Order: PasseriformesFamily: Passeridae

Sparrows are small passerine birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plump, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed-eaters, and they also consume small insects. There are 35 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Papua New Guinea.

*House Sparrow "Passer domesticus" (I)
*Eurasian Tree Sparrow "Passer montanus" (A)

ee also

*List of birds
*Lists of birds by region

References

*cite web
last = Lepage
first = Denis
authorlink =
coauthors =
year =
url = http://www.bsc-eoc.org/avibase/avibase.jsp?region=pg&pg=checklist&list=clements
title = Checklist of birds of Papua New Guinea
format =
work = Bird Checklists of the World
publisher = Avibase
accessdate = 1 May
accessyear = 2007
*cite book
title=Birds of the World: a Checklist
first= James F.
last = Clements
publisher = Cornell University Press
date = 2000
id = ISBN 0934797161
pages = 880