MP010
Guguan Island


Country/territory: Northern Mariana Islands (to USA)

IBA criteria met: A1, A2, A4i, A4iii (2012)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 412 hectares (4.12 km2)

IBA conservation status
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2012 not assessed high medium
For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here


Site description (2007 baseline)
The proposed Guguan Island IBA is uninhabited and protected by CNMI law as a Wildlife Conservation Area. The volcanic island is free of large introduced mammals. The coast is bordered by steep basaltic rock with gables of high ridges which contain deep, rain-eroded gorges.

Key biodiversity
The entire island of Guguan is proposed as an IBA under A4i and A4iii criteria. The island qualifies as an IBA under A4i criteria for Grey-backed Terns and Sooty Terns. The island qualifies under A4iii criteria for its total seabird population. Guguan is also home to Micronesian Megapodes, White-throated Ground-Doves, Micronesian Starlings, Collared Kingfishers, and Micronesian Honeyeaters (DFW, 2007b).

Non-bird biodiversity: Additional rare and endangered species on the island include Mariana Fruit Bat.


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.