King Island


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2009 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 List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris LC resident 1975-1995 458,000-735,607 nests A4ii
Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens LC resident 1984-1987 450 individuals A4i
Pied Oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris LC resident 2006-2007 110 breeding pairs A4i
Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus LC resident 2006-2007 50 breeding pairs A4i
Hooded Plover Thinornis cucullatus VU resident 2006-2007 60 breeding pairs A1, A4i
Pacific Gull Larus pacificus LC resident 1984-1987 33 breeding pairs A4i
Fairy Tern Sternula nereis VU resident 2006-2007 120-150 breeding pairs A1, A4i
Green Rosella Platycercus caledonicus LC resident 1998-2008 uncommon A2, A3
Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster CR non-breeding 1980-2007 70 individuals A1, A3
Black-headed Honeyeater Melithreptus affinis LC resident 2001-2002 frequent A2, A3
Strong-billed Honeyeater Melithreptus validirostris VU resident 2001-2002 common A2, A3
Yellow-throated Honeyeater Nesoptilotis flavicollis LC resident 1998-2008 common A2, A3
Yellow Wattlebird Anthochaera paradoxa LC resident 1998-2008 common A2, A3
Tasmanian Scrubwren Sericornis humilis LC resident 1998-2008 common A2, A3
Scrubtit Acanthornis magna LC resident 2001-2002 rare A2, A3
Tasmanian Thornbill Acanthiza ewingii LC resident 1998-2008 common A2
Black Currawong Strepera fuliginosa LC resident 1998-2008 frequent A2, A3
Flame Robin Petroica phoenicea LC breeding 1998-2008 uncommon A1, A3
Dusky Robin Melanodryas vittata VU resident 1998-2008 common A2, A3

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Natural system modifications happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Human intrusions and disturbance happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1982 Lavinia Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 36
1999 Seal Rocks State Reserve 2
1999 New Year Island Game Reserve 1
1999 Christmas Island Nature Reserve 1
1999 Currie Lightkeepers Residence Historic Site <1
2000 Cape Wickham State Reserve <1
2008 Councillor Island Nature Reserve <1
2010 Red Hut Road #1 Conservation Covenant 2
2011 Lavinia State Reserve 35
2011 Stokes Point Conservation Area 1
2011 Porky Beach Conservation Area 1
2011 Red Hut Point Conservation Area 1
2011 Cataraqui Point Conservation Area 1
2011 Sea Elephant Conservation Area 1
2011 Colliers Swamp Conservation Area <1
2011 Cape Wickham Conservation Area <1
2011 Disappointment Bay State Reserve <1
2011 Muddy Lagoon Nature Reserve <1
2011 Badger Box Creek Nature Reserve <1
2012 Sandfly Beach Conservation Covenant <1
2013 City of Melbourne Bay Conservation Area 1

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Shrubland Closed shrublands & low closed woodlands, Heath major (>10)
Artificial/Terrestrial Improved grassland & pasture minor (<10)
Grassland Tussock grasslands minor (<10)
Marine Coastal/Supratidal minor (<10)
Marine Intertidal minor (<10)
Marine Neritic minor (<10)
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research major (>10)
not utilised major (>10)

Land ownership
Most of coast is Crown Land; Lavinia State Reserve (and Ramsar site) is managed by Tasmanian NPWS.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: King Island (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/king-island-iba-australia on 22/11/2024.