Birds

Birdman George with Redred   

Atiu also has a traditional name, Enuamanu, which means, land of the birds.  When the first Polynesians arrived Atiu, must have been covered with birds. This is not quite the case today. Atiu's birds were plundered as food and decoration by the early polynesians. The Atiu community is now active in re-establishing Atiu place as the land of the birds in the Cook Islands and this activity has resulted in rapid increases in most species.

It is interesting to see how Atiu slipped from it's reputation as the "land of the birds". There are legends still told of how, by setting fire to the fern land, one could harvest cooked duck eggs. More recently the 12 gauge shot gun was brought to bear on Atiu's larger birds. As can be expected duck numbers rapidly fell. However they were not wiped out and now more conservative practices have seen their number increase again.

Another large bird, the pacific pigeon was also shot in large numbers but is now making a rapid comeback as more fruit tree varieties have been introduced and has increased the bird's food source. The pacific pigeon is now often seen eating the Java plum and the fruit of the Acacia Mangium both recently introduced and very abundant tree species. The bird is no longer shot.

Two kura photographed by Chong Fasan on Rimatara

A red lorikeet was also once plentiful on Atiu. The Ariki and lesser chiefs once wore its red feathers as a signature for their rank. Cloaks were made of their feathers. The bird's feathers were still around when Captain Cook visited but are not today. The same bird still exists only on Rimatara in French Polynesia in large numbers but it is classified as endangered as the bird will be destroyed by the ship rat if the pest ever gets introduced to Rimatara. Rat trapping showed that Atiu does not have the Ship Rat so on 24th April 2007 27 Red Lorikeets were released on Atiu. Click here for more information

In 2001, 10 Kakerori (Rarotongan Flycatcher) were released on Atiu as part of the recovery programme for the bird. The numbers of this bird on Rarotonga had dropped as low as 29 before a ship rat trapping programme brought numbers back from the brink. In 2001 there were more than 200 birds and Atiu was chosen as a home for a second colony. Remember, Atiu does not have the ship rat yet. In 2002 a further 10 birds and in August 2003 another 10 birds were released from the gardens of Atiu Villas. Check on the first years of sightings

There are other birds of note. Both sea and land birds can be seen around the coast and in the jungle. The kopeka is Atiu's signature bird with a habit of never landing outside it's cave and then not even landing in it's cave but hanging upside down instead, like a bat. There is a special tour available to this cave that should not be missed. There are colourful fruit doves, kingfishers, plovers and hard to find crakes. Download a PDF of Atiu's land birds.

The nearby bird sanctuary of Takutea Island has many nesting seabirds and these birds often visit Atiu. If you are lucky that when you visit there is an expedition to this island, then you will have an experience you will never forget. The island is almost untouched by humans. The birds nest on the beach, in low trees and on the ground in the bush. They are almost tame.

Red-red the Kakerori

NOTE 29/12/2002 the first two Kakerori nestlings were sighted. It is the beginning of the next generation of Atiuan Kakerori.

NOTE 9/9/2003 a total of four fledglings found for the year 2002.

NOTE 4/10/2004 a total of ten fledglings found for the year 2003 and three pairs have taken up territory around Atiu Villas.

NOTE 9/4/2005 five fledglings so far found for the year 2004. This was a year noticable for the large number of New Zealand migratory long-tailed cookoos (kakerori predator) stopping on Atiu during the breeding season and 2 destructive cyclones immediately after the season.

NOTE 1/12/2006 two pairs of second generation Kakerori seen nesting. Red Lorikeet scheduled for release on Atiu in 2007.

NOTE 24/4/2007 27 Red Lorikeets from Rimatara released on Atiu to be known as "Kura".

NOTE 1/7/2007 4 kura sighted on the island of Mitiaro 40 km from Atiu.

NOTE 21/2/2008 first kura fledgling sighted.

NOTE 24/8/2008 two kura seen fledging from nest near Takaiti sawmill

NOTE 25/8/2008 A day of infamey. Two mynah birds attack one of the first kura to fledge in full view of spectators and video camera. The fledgling suffers repeated attacks and finally ends up undetected by its attackers about 50cm from the ground. The fledgling survived.

NOTE 6/5/2009 Mynah bird reduction programme begins. Mynah bird roosts are located and poisoning starts. It is successful and reduces Mynah numbers down from over 8000 to about 3000.

NOTE 28/2/2011 Estimates of the number of kura on Atiu pass 100 and 7 sighted on Mitiaro.

NOTE 25/8/2011 With ripe fruit on the trees, open homes and being able to leave unattended food on the tables, glimpses of an island without the mynah became too enticing. The mynah bird reduction programme turns into an eradication programme.

NOTE 10/7/2014 Mynah bird eradication programme reaches 90 plus or minus 44 mynahs left on Atiu. This is the last non-breeding season before the money and effort runs out about October.