The Ornithological Society of Polynesia (French: Société d'Ornithologie de Polynésie), also known as Manu, a Polynesian

Polynesian languages

The Polynesian languages are a language family spoken in the region known as Polynesia. They are classified as part of the Austronesian family, belonging to the Oceanic branch of that family. They fall into two branches: Tongic and Nuclear Polynesian. Polynesians share many cultural traits...

 word for “bird”, is an environmental non-governmental organization

Non-governmental organization

A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...

 dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats in Polynesia

Polynesia

Polynesia is a subregion of Oceania, made up of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The indigenous people who inhabit the islands of Polynesia are termed Polynesians and they share many similar traits including language, culture and beliefs...

. It was founded in July 1990 by bird enthusiasts in French Polynesia

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...

, for which it is the BirdLife International

BirdLife International

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...

 partner organisation. Its emblem

Emblem

An emblem is a pictorial image, abstract or representational, that epitomizes a concept — e.g., a moral truth, or an allegory — or that represents a person, such as a king or saint.-Distinction: emblem and symbol:...

 is the Red-tailed Tropicbird

Red-tailed Tropicbird

The Red-tailed Tropicbird, Phaethon rubricauda, is a seabird that nests across the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the rarest of the tropicbirds, yet is still a widespread bird that is not considered threatened. It nests in colonies on oceanic islands....

.

Activities

The Society publishes the quarterly French language

French language

French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...

 bulletin Te Manu, which is sent to all members. It is involved in surveys and conservation programs regarding the critically endangered

Critically endangered

Version 2010.3 of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 3744 Critically Endangered species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and subpopulations.Critically Endangered by kingdom:*1993 Animalia*2 Fungi*1745 Plantae*4 Protista-References:...

 Polynesian Ground Dove, Marquesan Imperial Pigeon

Marquesan Imperial Pigeon

The Marquesan Imperial Pigeon or Nukuhiva Pigeon is a pigeon which is endemic to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. This pigeon is only found in some valleys in the western part of that island...

, Tuamotu Kingfisher

Tuamotu Kingfisher

The Tuamotu Kingfisher is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It is endemic to the island of Niau in French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, plantations and rural gardens...

, Tahiti Monarch

Tahiti Monarch

Pomarea nigra, the Tahiti Monarch or Tahiti Flycatcher, is a rare species of bird in the Monarch flycatcher family. It is endemic to Tahiti in French Polynesia. There are fewer than 50 individuals remaining....

, Fatuhiva Monarch

Fatuhiva Monarch

The Fatuhiva Monarch is a large flycatcher. It is endemic to Fatu Hiva in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia.It is critically endangered, with an estimated population of less than 1,000....

; the endangered Phoenix Petrel

Phoenix Petrel

The Phoenix Petrel, Pterodroma alba is a medium-sized, up to long, tropical seabird with a wingspan of . It has a dark brown upperparts plumage, white below and whitish throat. Both sexes are similar....

, Tuamotu Sandpiper

Tuamotu Sandpiper

The Tuamotu Sandpiper, Prosobonia cancellata, is an endangered member of the large wader family Scolopacidae, that is endemic to the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia. It is sometimes placed in the monotypic genus Aechmorhynchus...

, Marquesan Ground Dove, Polynesian Imperial Pigeon, Rimatara Lorikeet

Rimatara Lorikeet

The Kuhl's Lorikeet also called Rimatara Lorikeet, Rimitara Lorikeet, Kuhl's Lory, or Kura is a species of lorikeet in the Psittacidae family. It is one of several species of Vini lorikeets found in islands ranging across the South Pacific...

, Ultramarine Lorikeet

Ultramarine Lorikeet

The Ultramarine Lorikeet , also known as the Lori Ultramarin or Lori Ultramar, is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family, endemic to the Marquesas Islands. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes and plantations...

, Marquesan Kingfisher

Marquesan Kingfisher

The Marquesan Kingfisher is a species of bird in the Alcedinidae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* BirdLife International 2004. . Downloaded on 24...

, Marquesan Monarch

Marquesan Monarch

The Marquesan Monarch is a species of bird in the Monarchidae family. It is endemic to French Polynesia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, and subtropical or tropical moist montanes. It is threatened by habitat...

, as well as the Blue Lorikeet

Blue Lorikeet

The Blue Lorikeet is a small lorikeet from French Polynesia and the Cook Islands. It is also known as the Tahiti Lorikieet, Violet Lorikeet, Tahitian Lory, Blue Lory, Nunbird, and the Indigo Lory...

 and Tahiti Petrel

Tahiti Petrel

The Tahiti Petrel, Pétrel De Tahiti, or Petrel De Tahití is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family....

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