Many of the species of oceanic birds found in Micronesia have circumtropical ranges. These include Puffinus pacificus, P. lherminieri, Phaëthon, Sula, Fregata, Sterna anaethetus, S. fuscata, Anoüs stolidus, A. tenuirostris, and Gygis alba. Some of these kinds range along continental shores as well as in island archipelagoes. Others, like Gygis alba, are rarely found along the shores of continents or even at coastal islands.

Migratory Shore Birds

Twenty-eight species of shore birds of the families Charadriidae and Scolopacidae have been recorded from Micronesia, and one other of the family Phalaropodidae apparently occurs in the area, making a total of 29 kinds. From the entire Southwest Pacific, Mayr (1945a:28-47) lists 31 species and subspecies of shore birds and mentions six other species which may occur there. Thus, of a possible 37 kinds of shore birds in this large area (which includes Micronesia), 29 are present in the islands of Micronesia. For purposes of discussion, shore birds are here placed in one of two groups: regular visitors or uncommon visitors. A regular visitor is one which has been recorded in the literature or in unpublished field accounts as being frequently observed in Micronesia in periods of migration. An uncommon visitor is one which has been infrequently observed in Micronesia. Of the 28 kinds of shore birds recorded from Micronesia, 17 are classed as regular visitors and 11 are classed as uncommon visitors.

Original Homes of the Shore Birds that Visit Micronesia

Table 3. Breeding and Wintering Grounds of the Species of Migratory Shore Birds in Micronesia

Part A. Location of breeding grounds

Table 3. Breeding and Wintering Grounds of the Species of Migratory Shore Birds in Micronesia

Part A. Location of breeding grounds

ClassNumberCircum-
polar[A]		AsiaticAmerican
Regular visitors17 5 10 2
Uncommon visitors11 2 8 1
Totals28 7 18 3

Part B. Location of wintering grounds

Part B. Location of wintering grounds