MP007
Maug Islands


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
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda LC breeding (1979–1988) 200 pairs A4ii
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus LC breeding (1979–1988) 6,000 pairs A4i
Micronesian Myzomela Myzomela rubratra LC resident (-) present A2
Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca LC resident (-) present A2

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 low 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
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda 200 / 200 (pairs) 100 not assessed
Brown Noddy Anous stolidus 6,000 / 6,000 (pairs) 100 not assessed

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
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90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium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
1985 Maug Island Preserve (V) 100
2009 Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (V) 100
2009 Marianas Trench Marine National Monument (V) 100
2009 Mariana Arc Of Fire National Wildlife Refuge (IV) 100


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