Tonga
Tonga is a Polynesian kingdom of more than 170 islands spread across the South Pacific, grouped mainly into Tongatapu, Haʻapai and Vavaʻu. The eastern islands are generally low, uplifted coral islands, while the western chain is volcanic and includes several active volcanoes. Tongatapu, home to the capital and most of the population, is largely flat and intensively cultivated; the Haʻapai group consists of numerous small islands and reefs, while Vavaʻu has a distinctive landscape of raised limestone islands, sheltered channels and deep bays. Tropical forest survives most extensively on less-developed and volcanic islands. The climate is warm and maritime, with a wetter, more cyclone-prone season from roughly November to April. Tonga is notable as the Pacific's only remaining indigenous monarchy.
Overview
Tonga is particularly interesting for Polynesian island birds and seabirds, with the Tongan Whistler the standout endemic, restricted to the island of ʻEua. ʻEua's forests are consequently the main destination for specialist birders and also hold Polynesian Triller, Polynesian Starling and Pacific Imperial-Pigeon. Another notable species is the Tongan Megapode, now restricted mainly to the remote volcanic island of Niuafoʻou, where it nests in volcanically heated ground. Smaller and uninhabited islands support colonies of boobies, noddies, terns, tropicbirds and frigatebirds. Birding tourism is limited, although ʻEua is reasonably accessible from Tongatapu and has hiking opportunities through its forest. Reaching Niuafoʻou is considerably more difficult because of its remote location and limited transport. Tonga therefore rewards birders seeking a few highly localised specialties combined with Pacific seabirding, rather than a large species list.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue-billed White-Tern Gygis candida | 32.1% | 16.8% | 40.9% | 35.4% | 38.6% | 13.7% | 30.9% | 15.6% | 21.2% | 46.8% | 40.8% | 41.5% | 42.6% |
| Wedge-tailed Shearwater Ardenna pacifica | 25.7% | 46.0% | 22.0% | 57.5% | 47.5% | 11.5% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.5% | 37.4% | 26.6% | 58.8% |
| White-rumped Swiftlet Aerodramus spodiopygius | 22.1% | 19.2% | 19.9% | 0.0% | 23.1% | 19.0% | 36.7% | 12.8% | 43.8% | 23.0% | 24.7% | 29.4% | 13.9% |
| Brown Noddy Anous stolidus | 20.8% | 29.3% | 21.0% | 12.8% | 27.9% | 12.9% | 19.6% | 17.7% | 11.3% | 17.0% | 15.3% | 42.7% | 21.4% |
| Polynesian Starling Aplonis tabuensis | 20.0% | 16.1% | 18.3% | 0.0% | 20.7% | 14.0% | 36.0% | 13.7% | 34.9% | 31.1% | 20.6% | 23.5% | 10.7% |
| Polynesian Triller Lalage maculosa | 19.4% | 17.2% | 19.9% | 0.0% | 17.0% | 14.5% | 36.0% | 17.1% | 30.1% | 22.1% | 25.6% | 21.5% | 11.8% |
| Pacific Kingfisher Todiramphus sacer | 18.5% | 12.9% | 29.9% | 0.0% | 13.7% | 20.7% | 22.5% | 14.8% | 28.3% | 27.3% | 20.4% | 18.1% | 13.9% |
| Brown Booby Sula leucogaster | 18.2% | 12.3% | 21.0% | 8.0% | 18.1% | 12.8% | 25.6% | 22.9% | 20.2% | 18.9% | 15.6% | 29.4% | 13.0% |
| Eastern Wattled-Honeyeater Foulehaio carunculatus | 17.7% | 6.7% | 32.0% | 0.0% | 11.7% | 10.0% | 31.4% | 20.2% | 28.0% | 20.7% | 19.7% | 21.8% | 10.0% |
| Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer | 17.1% | 28.6% | 19.2% | 0.0% | 7.0% | 14.1% | 25.8% | 12.6% | 27.7% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 29.8% | 16.5% |