The Cook Islands are one place where you can find around 50 different bird species, six of which are endemic and ten are globally threatened. The best place to watch land birds is Atiu. You can easily find there an endemic Cook Island Fruit Dove or a Chattering Kingfisher.
One more important birding place on the Cook islands is the uninhabited Suwarrow Atoll. This is a national park which supports huge colonies of birds. Among them, you can find lesser frigatebirds and red-footed boobies.
Another seabird island is Takûtea. This is an uninhabited sand-cay, which is the country’s largest colony of red-tailed tropicbirds. The most well known and endangered bird on the Cook Islands is the Rarotonga Flycatcher. Local people call it Kakerori or Rarotonga Monarch. Kakerori can be found only in one special area, in a bushland of Takitumu in the southern part of Rarotonga. Seabirds nest and breed throughout the year, as the weather conditions are usually stable. For the rest of the birds that are visiting the island the breeding time is in June and December.
Practical info
When is the best time to visit Rarotonga & Cook Islands for birdwatching?
To watch seabirds, endemic land birds and migratory species, bird lovers should plan their visit during the breeding time, which is in June and December, for most of the bird species. Although, seabirds do not have specific breeding seasons due to stable weather conditions. Show more
Where are the best places for birdwatching in Rarotonga & Cook Islands?
Rarotonga & Cook Islands have the best bird watching locations Atiu, Suwarrow Atoll, and Takûtea. Cook Island Fruit Dove, Chattering Kingfisher, red-footed boobies, and lesser frigatebirds can be found at Atiu and Suwarrow Atoll. Moreover, the largest red-tailed tropicbirds colony is in Takûtea. Show more
What are some of the endemic and threatened bird species present in Rarotonga & Cook Islands?
Around 50 bird species dwell in Rarotonga & Cook Islands, with six being endemic and ten being globally threatened. The Rarotonga Flycatcher, also known as Kakerori or Rarotonga Monarch, is one of the threatened species that can only be found in a specific area of Takitumu in the southern part of Rarotonga. Show more
When is the breeding season for birds in Rarotonga & Cook Islands?
June and December are the most favourable months to observe breeding in most bird species in Rarotonga & Cook Islands, owing to stable weather conditions. As for seabirds, they can breed and nest all year due to negligible disturbances to their respective environments. Show more
What is the most well-known and endangered bird species found in Rarotonga & Cook Islands?
Rarotonga Flycatcher, also known as Kakerori or Rarotonga Monarch, is the most famous and endangered species of bird that inhabits Rarotonga and Cook Islands. This species is exclusive to a specific area in a bushland of Takitumu in the southern part of Rarotonga and is considered threatened due to its endemism and low abundance. Show more
