Birds
Christmas Island goshawk Accipiter hiogaster natalis
This endemic and endangered bird is found in both plateau and terrace forest. Not usually seen near settled areas, preferring the forest rather than open ground. For a bird of prey, it is quite tame and will follow walkers in forest.
Photo: Ian Montgomery
There are 23 breeding or resident species of birds on Christmas Island. This includes nine species of seabird (two species and two subspecies are endemic) and 14 land birds (six are recent arrivals).
Owing to its proximity to Southeast Asia, Christmas Island attracts a lot of vagrant species never or rarely recorded in other parts of Australia and its Territories. A handful of migrants and vagrants also arrive from Australia. Some of the most regular migrants include barn swallow (Aug-Apr), common sandpiper (Oct-Mar), oriental cuckoo (Oct-Dec), grey wagtail (Sept-Jan) and yellow wagtail (Sept-Nov).
Download the Christmas Island birds iPhone app
The app contains all the information below plus a whole lot more - take your iPhone to Christmas Island next time you visit and you will have a handy field guide for the Island's birdlife. Download the app from the iTunes store now
Printable bird brochure
Island explorer's Bird brochure
Publication provided by islandexplorer.com.au
