Current view: Text account
Site description (2012 baseline):
Site location and context
Aitutaki is one of the northernmost of the Southern Cook Islands and is classified as an 'almost-atoll', being composed of a volcanic cone and a ring of small coral islands encircling a lagoon. The entire main island is under cultivation or secondary growth, while the vegetation of the coralline islets is largely native forest.
Blue Lorikeet (VU) is resident on the island. Wintering site for Bristle-thighed Curlew (VU).
Deforested island with secondary growth vegetation. Human population of 2,035. Reef islets uninhabited and comprising atoll vegetation.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Rats, cats and other invasive species. Habitat destruction. Over-harvesting.
Four marine reserves: Ootu ra’ui (220ha), Maina ra’ui 1 (128ha), Maina ra’ui 2 (81ha) & Motikitiu ra’ui (407 ha)
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aitutaki (Cook Islands). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aitutaki-iba-cook-islands on 23/11/2024.
