Easter Island (1 Viewer)

Allen S. Moore · Feb 20, 2010

I have read that the avifauna of Easter Island is very impoverished, but I am thinking about going there to see the statues next year. Has anyone from the forum been there, and what birds did you see?

Allen

njlarsen · Feb 21, 2010

I cannot remember where I read it, but seabirds should dominate the scene

Niels

Chlidonias · Feb 21, 2010

you could well say the avifauna is very impoverished - the native land birds are entirely extinct! (Only a few species are known from pre-European remains in caves and lava tubes). Most of the breeding seabirds were also wiped out. I haven't been there myself, but there are still a few seabirds around and a few introduced land-birds

Here is the Easter Island checklist http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=clei&list=clements

Allen S. Moore · Feb 21, 2010

Easter Island bird list

Chlidonias said:
you could well say the avifauna is very impoverished - the native land birds are entirely extinct! (Only a few species are known from pre-European remains in caves and lava tubes). Most of the breeding seabirds were also wiped out. I haven't been there myself, but there are still a few seabirds around and a few introduced land-birds

Here is the Easter Island checklist http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?region=clei&list=clements

Many thanks. It is an interesting, albeit very short, list. I was wondering if any waders ever made it to Easter Island!

Allen

JWN Andrewes · Feb 21, 2010

What, no Turnstone?!

James

Allen S. Moore · Feb 21, 2010

JWN Andrewes said:
What, no Turnstone?!

James

Right, I will keep an eye out for them. I did see turnstones on Lord Howe Island, at the other side of the Pacific!

Allen

Chlidonias · Feb 21, 2010

as I understand it, most of the Easter Island shoreline is cliffs. There aren't many beaches for waders to, um, wade. There are no longer any streams on the island since the forest cover was entirely destroyed, but there is a swamp at the top of the island (not sure if its continuously wet or not though).

Allen S. Moore · Feb 21, 2010

Chlidonias said:
as I understand it, most of the Easter Island shoreline is cliffs. There aren't many beaches for waders to, um, wade. There are no longer any streams on the island since the forest cover was entirely destroyed, but there is a swamp at the top of the island (not sure if its continuously wet or not though).

Aye, I have a DVD with some films by David Attenborough which includes "The Lost Gods of Easter Island." It includes a scene on the island in which David Attenborough stands on a sandy beach describing Captain Cook's visit. The cliffs look quite spectacular, too.

Easter Island (1 Viewer)

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Allen S. Moore

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njlarsen

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Chlidonias

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Allen S. Moore

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JWN Andrewes

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Allen S. Moore

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Allen S. Moore

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