MP010
Guguan Island


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2012 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Micronesian Scrubfowl Megapodius laperouse NT resident (-) present A1, A2
White-throated Ground Dove Pampusana xanthonura NT resident (-) present A1, A2
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus LC non-breeding (1979–1988) 37,655 birds A4i
Grey-backed Tern Onychoprion lunatus LC breeding (1979–1988) 1,200 pairs A4i
Micronesian Myzomela Myzomela rubratra LC resident (-) present A2
Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca LC resident (-) present A2
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a unknown (1979–1988) 40,273 birds A4iii

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2012. The most recent assessment (2012) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2012 not assessed high medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population poor

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Actual vs Reference (units) % remaining Result
A4iii Species group - waterbirds 40,273 / 40,273 (birds) 100 not assessed

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Geological events likely in long term (>4 years) most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) rapid decline (>30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
- Guguan Island Preserve (V) 97
1985 Guguan Island Preserve (Ia) 100


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Guguan Island (Northern Mariana Islands (to USA)). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/guguan-island-iba-northern-mariana-islands-(to-usa) on 24/12/2024.