• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

The site was identified as important in 2008 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
Micronesian Scrubfowl Megapodius laperouse	NT	resident	2005	present	A1, A2
Palau Ground Dove Pampusana canifrons	EN	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Imperial-pigeon Ducula oceanica	VU	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Fruit-dove Ptilinopus pelewensis	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Swiftlet Aerodramus pelewensis	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Owl Pyrroglaux podargina	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Kingfisher Todiramphus pelewensis	NT	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Myzomela Myzomela rubratra	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Morningbird Pachycephala tenebrosa	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Fantail Rhipidura lepida	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Flycatcher Myiagra erythrops	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Palau Bush-warbler Horornis annae	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Dusky White-eye Zosterops finschii	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Citrine White-eye Zosterops semperi	LC	resident	2005	present	A2
Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca	LC	resident	2005	present	A2

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2008) may differ.

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2008. The most recent assessment (2018) is shown below.

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat	Quantity (% remaining)	Quality (% carrying capacity)	Result
Forest	-	good (> 90%)	favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Residential and commercial development	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Agricultural expansion and intensification	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	some of area/population (10-49%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	majority/most of area/population (50-90%)	slow but significant deterioration	medium
Natural system modifications	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	small area/few individuals (<10%)	no or imperceptible deterioration	low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas	Management plan	Other action	Result
Some of site covered (10-49%)	A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive	Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity	low

Year	Protected Area	Designation	% overlap with IBA
-	Ngermeskang	Nature Reserve	6
-	Mesekelat	Conservation Area	1
2000	Ngardok	Nature Reserve	4
2002	Lake Ngardok Nature Reserve	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	4

Habitat1	Habitat detail	% of IBA
Forest	Lower montane rain forest (tropical), Lowland forest - mixed swamp	major (>10)
Savanna		minor (<10)
Wetlands (inland)	Freshwater lakes and pools, Rivers & streams	minor (<10)

1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use	% of IBA
not utilised	major (>10)
agriculture	minor (<10)
nature conservation and research	minor (<10)
water management	minor (<10)

---

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Middle Ridge, Babeldaob (Palau). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/middle-ridge-babeldaob-iba-palau on 23/11/2024.