Fiji bush warbler

The Fiji bush warbler is a species of bird in the family Cettiidae. It is endemic to the islands of Fiji. There are four subspecies occurring on all the main islands of the group. The species has been afforded its own genus, Vitia, in the past, but similarities of egg colour, song and morphology place it firmly within the Horornis bush-warblers.

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Distribution

Region

Fiji (South Pacific)

Typical Environment

Found across the larger Fijian islands, including Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, and Kadavu. It favors dense undergrowth in primary and secondary rainforest, forest edges, and ferny thickets. The species often keeps close to the ground or mid-story, using tangles, vines, and bamboo stands for cover. Along streams and gullies it forages among mossy logs and leaf-litter, and it tolerates lightly disturbed habitats so long as thick understory remains.

Altitude Range

0–1200 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size12–14 cm

Wing Span16–20 cm

Male Weight0.012 kg

Female Weight0.011 kg

Life Expectancy5 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

A skulking understory warbler, it is heard more often than seen, delivering a clear, ringing song from dense cover. It occurs on Fiji’s main islands in four subspecies, showing slight differences in size and tone. Formerly placed in its own genus Vitia, it is now grouped with Horornis based on song, egg color, and morphology.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

secretive and territorial

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats, low and direct through cover

Social Behavior

Usually solitary or in pairs, maintaining territories in dense understory. During breeding it builds a well-concealed, domed nest low in vegetation or among ferns. Pairs are attentive, with both birds staying close to nest sites and giving alarm calls when disturbed.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

Song is a loud, clear series of whistles and trills, often accelerating and delivered from hidden perches. Calls include sharp ticks and churrs used for contact and alarm.

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Identification

Comb Type

Plumage Description

Feather Color

Leg Color

Earlobe Color

Eye Color

Feeding Habits

Diet

Preferred Environment

Requires Supplement

Population

Conservation Status

Species Status

Wild Population

Total Known Population

Fiji goshawk

The Fiji goshawk is a species of bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. It was once considered to be the same species (conspecific) as the brown goshawk of Australia and New Caledonia. It is endemic to Fiji, where it occurs on the larger islands of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu, Taveuni, Kadavu, Gau and Ovalau. It occupies a range of wooded habitats in Fiji, from natural rainforest to coconut plantations and urban gardens and parks.

Fiji island thrush

Fiji island thrush is a species of passerine in the thrush family Turdidae that is endemic to Fiji. It was formerly considered a subspecies of island thrush, but in 2024 the island thrush was split into 17 separate species by the IOC and Clements Checklist based on morphological and phylogenetics differences.

Fiji parrotfinch

The Fiji parrotfinch is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Fiji that was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the red-headed parrotfinch. This parrotfinch is a small, mainly green bird with a red head and tail and a stubby dark grey bill. It is found in both forested and open habitats, and has adapted well to man-made environments such as grasslands, pasture and gardens. Pairs have a courtship display in which they fly above the trees in an undulating flight, calling constantly. Breeding birds build a domed grass nest with a side entrance, and lay a clutch normally of four white eggs. Newly hatched chicks are naked and pink, with blue balls at the upper and lower corners of the gape, and black markings inside the mouth; older fledglings resemble the adults, but lack the red head colouring. The Fiji parrotfinch eats seeds, especially of grasses, and also readily feeds on insects and nectar. It forms small flocks of up to six birds after the breeding season.