Each island that we explore on this epic adventure exhibits its own distinctive ensemble of characteristic and rarely seen endemics, including some of our planet’s least-known species; and, although these oceanic islands and their bird lists are not large, they are nevertheless very special indeed. On this trip, we will be treated to a wonderful assortment of imperial pigeons, fruit doves (one of the most beautiful of all bird groups), parrots and lorikeets, kingfishers, hosts of flycatchers, monarchs, fantails, whistlers, honeyeaters, and white-eyes, all of which are endemic and consequently found nowhere else on earth. In the mid-80s, the Kagu was critically endangered and seemingly impossible to see. Now, thanks to concerted conservation efforts by the local park authorities, it has staged a remarkable comeback, and with special help, we have an excellent chance of seeing this “missing link” in the avian world. And while seeing this iconic species may well be the focus of the tour for many of us, we should also encounter a remarkable diversity of other spectacular avian endemics.

We begin on the islands of Samoa, where we should be able to find a large proportion the Samoan specialities, including the lovely White Tern, Crimson-crowned Fruit Dove, Blue-crowned Lorikeet, Flat-billed Kingfisher, Samoan Fantail, Samoan Triller, Samoan Flycatcher, Samoan Whistler, the scarce Mao (a large, endemic honeyeater), and Samoan Starling.

Moving westwards, we will next wing our way to the lovely Fijian Islands, where we will explore luxuriant forests only a short distance from our delightful hotels/resorts/lodges. We will visit four different islands in Fiji, each supporting its own coterie of exciting endemics and near-endemics. Among mist-draped montane forests, we should be treated to such spectacular species as Orange Fruit Dove (an almost unbelievable colour!), the enigmatic Taveuni and Natewa Silktails, Azure-crested Flycatcher (a real humdinger!) and a plethora of other attractive endemics, including Fiji Goshawk, Golden and Whistling Fruit Doves, Barking (Peale’s) Imperial Pigeon, Collared Lory, Maroon (Red), Crimson and Masked Shining Parrots, Polynesian Triller, Fiji Bush Warbler, Slaty Monarch, Chestnut-throated and Vanikoro Flycatchers, Black-throated and Fiji Shrikebills, Yellow-throated Fiji and White-throated Fiji Whistlers, Fiji White-eye, Sulphur-breasted Myzomela, Fiji Wattled Honeyeater, the spectacular sounding Giant and Yellow-billed Honeyeaters, Kikau, Fiji Woodswallow, and the handsome Fiji Parrotfinch. We will also seek out some of Fiji’s most elusive and least-known species, including Long-legged Thicketbird and Pink-billed Parrotfinch, while good chances also exist for the rarely-seen Tongan (Shy) Ground Dove.

Our extension to New Caledonia visits this seriously ancient chip off the once enormous Gondwanaland block. New Caledonia hosts, in addition to Kagu, one of the most extraordinary aggregations of endemic plants and birds, as well as several endemic mammals and reptiles. During our time on the mainland, or “Grande Terre”, we will seek out such specialities as White-bellied Goshawk, Goliath Imperial Pigeon (the world’s largest arboreal pigeon), the lovely Cloven-feathered Dove, New Caledonian and the rare Horned Parakeets, the endangered and most peculiar Crow Honeyeater, New Caledonian Myzomela, Barred Honeyeater, New Caledonian Friarbird, Yellow-bellied Flyrobin, New Caledonian Whistler, New Caledonian Cuckooshrike, New Caledonian Thicketbird, Striated Starling, Green-backed White-eye, 
and the superb Red-throated Parrotfinch.

This is just a sample of what we can hope to see in these remarkable islands on what promises to be a most memorable tour. The islands of the Southwest Pacific have a lazy, relaxed charm about them and one of the features we can anticipate on this tour, in addition to many, many special birds, includes a fascinating collage of landscapes and culture, great food and some lovely accommodations.