Peer into the treetops for Fiji’s winged residents

Birdwatching may be both a soothing and exciting activity. The South Pacific archipelago is teeming with avian fauna. In fact, several bird species are indigenous to Fiji, which means you won't see them anyplace else on the planet. Hawks, herons, parrots, doves, finches, and the ultra-rare peregrine falcon - the world's fastest animal - are among Fiji's magnificent birds. Given that Taveuni is renowned as Fiji's "Garden Isle", it's no wonder that there's a plethora of birds flying free in the open. On the island, there is even a special bird sanctuary with 98 hectares of pure rainforest habitat. Taveuni's unique biodiversity includes lush bushlands, freshwater streams, healthy oceans, and upland marshes, making the place ideal for bird viewing.

Fiji's third-largest island is home to more than 100 bird species, including the jungly 1195m-high (3920ft) Des Voeux Peak, which is home to the rare, elusive orange dove and the tiny, endangered silktail; the Vidawa Rainforest Trail, which offers guided birdwatching walks; and the dreamy Lavena coast, where hatchlings can be seen teetering in the treetops. The rough secluded island of Kadavu also provides a birdwatcher's paradise; its jungles are home to a plethora of tropical species, including four that are found nowhere else in the world. Fiji's sole native mammal is the bat, and the islands are home to six different species. They are commonly seen rushing out of caverns or rustling in the treetops after dusk. Fruit bats frequently nibble into ripe papayas as soon as they are ready for harvest, much to the disgust of the tree owner.