Data Zone
Country/territory: Virgin Islands (to UK)
IBA criteria met: A2, A4ii, B4i (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,695 ha
Site description (2006 baseline)
Great Tobago is one of the most Westerly of islands in BVI. It is a small, steep island of volcanic origin with mixed vegetation including Caribbean Dry forest and coastal scrub. Recent removal of 95% of feral goats by the Trust has resulted in the regeneration of vegetation particularly within the bird colony.
Key biodiversity
Great Tobago is known for its large colony of nesting Magnificent Frigatebirds. Hundreds of pairs nest in trees within Man o War Bay and the steep eastern hillsides facing the prevailing winds. Other nesting species include the Brown Pelican, Brown Booby, and, Laughing Gull. The Red-billed Tropicbird, or White-tailed Tropicbird, nest on exposed sea cliffs. Restricted range species found on Great Tobago, include the Green-throated Carib, Antillean Crested Hummingbird, and Puerto Rican Flycatcher .
Non-bird biodiversity: At present there is no other threatened or endemic wildlife known on Great Tobago.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Great Tobago. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/great-tobago-iba-virgin-islands-(to-uk) on 02/12/2023.
