New Caledonia’s long isolation, diverse soils and microclimates have produced a concentration of plants and animals found nowhere else. The islands are a living laboratory for evolution, and many species there play roles that are tightly linked to local habitats and conservation priorities.
There are 11 Endemic Species of New Caledonia, ranging from Amborella to New Caledonian pitcher plant. For each species, the entries are organized as Scientific name,Taxon,IUCN status — you’ll find below.
How were these endemic species identified and counted?
Researchers combine field surveys, herbarium and museum records, and peer-reviewed taxonomic work to confirm endemism—meaning a species occurs naturally only in New Caledonia. Counts reflect current consensus but can change with new discoveries or taxonomic revisions; the IUCN status column helps indicate conservation certainty.
What conservation information can I learn from the list?
The IUCN status column shows whether a species is considered threatened, near threatened, or of least concern, which helps prioritize actions like habitat protection, invasive species control, and ex situ propagation; use the Taxon and Scientific name fields to find more detailed studies or conservation programs.
Endemic Species of New Caledonia
| Name | Scientific name | Taxon | IUCN status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kagu | Rhynochetos jubatus | Bird | Endangered |
| New Caledonian crow | Corvus moneduloides | Bird | Near Threatened |
| Horned parakeet | Eunymphicus cornutus | Bird | Vulnerable |
| New Caledonian parakeet | Cyanoramphus saisseti | Bird | Near Threatened |
| New Caledonian owlet-nightjar | Aegotheles savesi | Bird | Critically Endangered |
| Crested gecko | Correlophus ciliatus | Reptile | Vulnerable |
| Leach’s giant gecko | Rhacodactylus leachianus | Reptile | Near Threatened |
| Bocourt’s giant skink | Phoboscincus bocourti | Reptile | Data Deficient |
| Amborella | Amborella trichopoda | Plant | Least Concern |
| Cook pine | Araucaria columnaris | Plant | Least Concern |
| New Caledonian pitcher plant | Nepenthes vieillardii | Plant | Not assessed |
Images and Descriptions
Kagu
A flightless, grey bird with crest and orange legs, about 55–60 cm long; found in humid mountain forests of Grande Terre. Iconic and evolutionarily distinct, the kagu is New Caledonia’s flagship species and is threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators.
New Caledonian crow
A medium-sized, black crow known for advanced tool use and problem-solving, about 40–45 cm long; found across forests and woodland on Grande Terre. Famous for intelligence, it’s culturally and scientifically notable and faces habitat and invasive-species pressures.
Horned parakeet
A green parrot with small feather “horns” above the bill, roughly 30 cm in length; native to mountain forests on Grande Terre and nearby islands within New Caledonia. Valued for striking appearance, it’s vulnerable due to trapping and habitat loss.
New Caledonian parakeet
A small green parakeet around 25–30 cm found in forested valleys and humid mountains of Grande Terre. Notable for its restricted range and bright plumage, it faces habitat degradation and competition from introduced species.
New Caledonian owlet-nightjar
A tiny, elusive nocturnal bird known only from very few records and forest remains on Grande Terre; likely under 20 cm. Its rarity and uncertain status make it one of the planet’s most enigmatic endemic birds, feared nearly extinct.
Crested gecko
A 8–16 cm arboreal gecko with fringed crest and sticky toes, native to humid forests on southern and western Grande Terre. Rediscovered in the 1990s, it’s famous in pet trade and conservation circles and threatened by habitat loss.
Leach’s giant gecko
One of the world’s largest geckos, reaching 30–40 cm; inhabits humid forests and large trees across Grande Terre and nearby islets. Notable for size and gentle demeanor, populations are vulnerable to habitat change and collection.
Bocourt’s giant skink
A large, secretive skink up to 30 cm known from New Caledonian forests and rocklands on Grande Terre. Remarkable for its rarity and robust build, it remains poorly known and requires more surveys to clarify status and threats.
Amborella
A small understory shrub or tree up to 4–5 m found in montane rainforests of southern Grande Terre. Botanically famous as the sister lineage to all other flowering plants, it’s of huge evolutionary importance and confined to New Caledonia.
Cook pine
A tall conifer reaching 30–50 m, naturally restricted to slopes and ridges of Grande Terre and nearby islets. Notable for its distinctive columnar silhouette and ancient lineage, it’s culturally important and widely planted outside New Caledonia.
New Caledonian pitcher plant
A climbing pitcher plant with insect-trapping pitchers up to 12–15 cm, occurring in montane and lowland forest on Grande Terre. Notable for carnivory and specialized habitats, it highlights New Caledonia’s unique, nutrient-poor soils and plant adaptations.
