Colo-I-Suva Forest Park is a delight and is only 5 minutes walk away. The early morning observer may well be the first to greet the unafraid Scarlet Robin and be scolded by the Spotted Fantail. The sounds of civilization fade as the bush deepens, and soon the twitter of the mixed flocks of Golden whistlers, Blue-Crested Broadbills, Slaty Flycatchers and Spotted Fantails take over, punctuated occasionally by the raucous screech of the Sulphur-Breasted Musk Parrot or the Resounding “woof” of a barking Pigeon.

Observe the Fiji Goshawk glide majestically – a bird you only find in Fiji, or the Blue-Crested Broadbill, found only in the Viti Levu rainforest; or you may hear the deep hollow call of the Barking Pigeon – a bird widely hunted, but safe here. Pick up a Colo-I-Suva Bird Guide from our reception area.

Fiji white-eyes, Vanikoro Broadbills, Orange-Breasted Honeyeaters, Lesser Shrikebills, and other Small birds make their way noisily through the bush. Only the experienced twitcher will catch the glimpse of the shy Fiji Warbler in the undergrowth but all can hear their melodious duet. Golden doves too, are more often heard than seen as their abrupt "ÿap" is delivered with the skill of a professional ventriloquist.

Visitors from north America will find their American "Robin" has a relative in the Fiji bush, the island thrush. There are several races of island thrush found in Fiji, all of which vary greatly in the plumage.

The Bird known as "Robin" in Fiji is an unrelated insect eater whose bright red breast will surprise New Zealanders who are used to seeing only Grey or Black Robins of the same family. The Golden Dove, Sulphur-Breasted Musk Parrot, Orange - Breasted Honeyeaters, Fijian Collared Lory and Blue-Crested Broadbill, all endemic to be found in the park, will impress Australians, accustomed to brightly coloured birds.

Photographer’s Note: On a cloudless day with the sun directly overhead, the amount of light along the trails is often only 3% that in open. You’ll have better luck with a high-speed film.

Some Commonly Seen Birds in Colo-I-Suva

• Barking Pigeon
• Blue-crested Broadbill
• Collared lory
• Fiji Goshawk
• Fiji Warbler
• Fiji White-eye

• Golden Dove
• Golden Whistler
• Island Thrush
• Lesser Shrikebills
• Orange - Breasted honeyeaters

• Scarlet Robin
• Slaty Flycatcher
• Sulphur-breasted Musk Parrot
• Vanikoro Broadbill
• Wattled Honeyeaters
  
  

For scientific and Fijian names and more information on Fijian wildlife see:

Pocket Poster Guide to the Birds of Fiji - Landbirds, Dick Walting
Birds of Fiji, Clunle 1994, Fiji Museum
Birds of Fiji, Tonga & Samoa, Walting 1992, Wellington
"Mai Veikau" - Tales of Fijian Wildlife, Walting & Rolls 1987, Suva
Birds of the Fiji Bush, Clunie & Morse 1984, Fiji Museum