Bird Watching

Atius ancient name is "Enuamanu", which translate to "Island of birds". Atiu has many birds including the Kopeka, a swiftlet that lives in caves, the Kakerori, which was introduced to Atiu to help save the Rarotongan bird from extinction and the Rimatara Lorikeet an endangered bird from French Polynesia reintroduced to Atiu in April 2007. There are numerous nesting birds on Takutea. Those known to nest include Red Tailed Tropic Bird, Red-footed Booby, Brown-footed Booby, Great Frigate Bird, Brown Noddy, Black Noddy, White Tern, Bristle Thighed Curlew and the Reef Heron. There are probably more. More birds certainly visit and the sky is always full of wheeling sea-birds