Tag Archives: Vanua Levu

Cincloramphus rufus ssp. cluniei (Kinsky)

Vanua Levu Long-legged Thicketbird (Cincloramphus rufusssp. cluniei)

The Long-legged Thicketbird (Cincloramphus rufus (Reichenow)) is restricted to the Fijian Islands, where it is known to inhabit the two largest islands, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu.

The subspecies from Vanua Levu, which differs from the nominate race by its larger white areas, is known only from a specimen that was found in 1974; it was never found again and appears to be extinct. [1] 

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References:

[1] F. C. Kinsky: A new subspecies of the Long-legged Warbler, Trichocichla rufa Reichenow, from Vanua Levu, Fiji. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club 95(3): 98-101. 1975

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edited: 07.05.2021

Charmosyna amabilis (Ramsay)

Red-throated Lorikeet (Charmosyna amabilis)  

This small, mainly green colored bird is deemed to be the rarest parrot of the Fiji Islands, where it formerly inhabited the islands of Ovalau, Taveuni, Vanua Levu, and Viti Levu.  

The Red-throated Lorikeet reached a size of 18 cm, its biology is virtually unknown, the same applies to its breeding behavior, the size of the clutch and similar data. The species is, resp. was known to the natives of the Fijian islands by several names, including Mihi (?), Kula, Kulawai, and Talaki ni medra wai na kula.  

The Red-throated Lorikeet was last found only in the higher regions at Mt. Tomanivi on the island of Viti Levu, the largest of the Fijian Islands, where it was last recorded in the year 1993, it is now most probably extinct. [1][2][3][4]

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References:  

[1] E. L. Layard: Notes on the Birds of the Navigators’ and Friendly Islands, with some Additions to the Ornithology of Fiji. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 490-506. 1876 
[2] H. Douglas Pratt, Phillip L. Bruner, Delwyn G. Berrett: A Field Guide to the Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific. Princeton University Press 1987 
[3] Tony Juniper; Mike Parr: Parrots; A Guide to Parrots of the World. Yale University Press 1998 
[4] David W. Steadman: Extinction and Biogeography of Tropical Pacific Birds. University Of Chicago Press 2006

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Depiction from: ‘G. D. Rowley: The Birds of the Fiji Islands. Ornithological Miscellany 1: 259-262. 1876’  

(public domain)

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edited: 12.02.2020

Parkia parrii Horne ex Baker

Parr’s Parkia (Parkia parrii)

Parr’s Parkia was described in 1883, it is known only from the type collection that was allegedly made on the enigmatic ‘Parr’s Coffee Plantation’ somewhere along the Rewa River on the island of Viti Levu, Fiji, a locality that now cannot be traced anymore. 

According the the information accompanying the type, however, it was also found on the island of Vanua Levu.

The species was described as being an about 21 m tall tree with a 12 m tall trunk, the finely divided leaves are said to be about 30 cm long with six to eight opposite pairs of 10 to 12,5 cm long pinnae, which again bear about 1,6 to 1,9 cm long opposite leaflets.

The Fijian name was said to be vaivai, which is a generic name given to many legume species with finely divided leaves. [1]

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References:

[1] Helen C. Fortune Hopkins: The Indo-Pacific species of Parkia (Leguminosae: Mimosoideae). Kew Bulletin 49(2): 181-234. 1994

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edited: 10.05.2019