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• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

The site was identified as important in 2008 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):

Species	Current IUCN Red List Category	Season	Year(s)	Population estimate at site	IBA criteria met
Micronesian Scrubfowl Megapodius laperouse	NT	resident	2005	present	A1, A2
Palau Ground-dove Pampusana canifrons	EN	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Imperial-pigeon Ducula oceanica	VU	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Fruit-dove Ptilinopus pelewensis	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Swiftlet Aerodramus pelewensis	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Kingfisher Todiramphus pelewensis	NT	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Myzomela Myzomela rubratra	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Morningbird Pachycephala tenebrosa	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Fantail Rhipidura lepida	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Flycatcher Myiagra erythrops	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Bush-warbler Horornis annae	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Giant White-eye Megazosterops palauensis	NT	resident	2005	present	A2
Dusky White-eye Zosterops finschii	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Citrine White-eye Zosterops semperi	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca	LC	resident	2005	present	A2

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2008).

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat	Habitat detail	Reference area (ha)	Actual area (ha)	Habitat quantity (% remaining)	Habitat quality (carrying capacity)	Result
Forest		358	357	-	good (> 90%)	favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Biological resource use	gathering terrestrial plants - intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	high
Human intrusions and disturbance	recreational activities	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	no or imperceptible deterioration	low
Invasive and other problematic species and genes	invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation	Management planning	Other conservation action	Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation	A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species	Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity	high

For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

Protected area (PA)	PA designation	PA area (ha)	Relationship of PA with IBA	Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon	World Heritage Site (natural or mixed)	100,200	protected area overlaps with site	4,912
Rock Islands Southern Lagoon	Conservation Area	84,060	protected area contains site	4,912
Ngkisaol Sardines	Sanctuary	113	protected area contained by site	0
Ngerumekoal	Spawning Area	352	protected area overlaps with site	0
Ngerukewid Islands	Wildlife Preserve	1,140	protected area contained by site	0

Habitat (IUCN level 1)	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Forest	Lowland evergreen rain forest (tropical), Beach and atoll forest	-

For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research	-
tourism/recreation	-

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rock Islands. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rock-islands-iba-palau on 04/12/2023.