Current view: Text account
Site description (2014 baseline):
IBA Trigger species: Fiordland Crested Penguin
Note - Weka, Kaka and Kea (all VU) are also present at this site. Weka are likely to be breeding, Kaka and Kea are likely to be visitors.
Ornithological information: Besides the trigger species the following species are confirmed or likely to be breeding: Little Penguin, Sooty Shearwater, Black Shag, Pied Shag, Little Shag, White-faced Heron, Reef Heron, Paradise Shelduck, Mallard, Grey Duck, NZ Scaup, NZ Falcon, Variable Oystercatcher, Spur-winged Plover, Southern Black-backed Gull, Red-billed Gull, White-fronted Tern, NZ Pigeon, Shining Cuckoo, Long-tailed Cuckoo, Morepork, NZ Kingfisher, NZ Pipit, Brown Creeper, Grey Warbler, South Island Fantail, South Island Tomtit, Silvereye, Bellbird, Tui, Hedge Sparrow, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Redpoll, Yellowhammer.
Other species recorded: Grey-backed Storm Petrel, White Heron.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human disturbance – Yes - Overall disturbance to birds on land will be minimal due to inaccessibility of sites to most visitors, however landings by kayakers may present a problem. Also, approaches by small boats and kayaks close to shore can disturb penguins, although in general tour guides will control activity.
Predation by alien species – Yes - Stoats, rats, possibly possums.
Habitat loss or degradation – No
Contamination – Yes - A recent oil spill in the Milford Sound boat harbour (not within the IBA) and the high volume of boat traffic operating within Milford Sound highlights the potential for adverse impact an oil spill would have on marine fauna.
Natural disaster – No
Other – No
Fiordland - National Park - Protected area contains site
Piopiotahi - Marine Reserve - Protected area adjacent to site
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Milford Sound Piopiotahi (New Zealand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/milford-sound-piopiotahi-iba-new-zealand on 25/11/2024.
