FJ08
Rairaimatuku Highlands


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2006 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
Shy Ground Dove Pampusana stairi LC resident 2005 uncommon A1, A2
Barking Imperial-pigeon Ducula latrans LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Golden Dove Chrysoena luteovirens LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Many-coloured Fruit-dove Ptilinopus perousii LC resident 2005 frequent A2
Fiji Goshawk Accipiter rufitorques LC resident 2005 rare A2
Masked Shining-parrot Prosopeia personata NT resident 2005 uncommon A1, A2
Red-throated Lorikeet Charmosyna amabilis CR resident 1993 rare A1, A2
Collared Lory Phigys solitarius LC resident 2005 common A2
Giant Honeyeater Gymnomyza brunneirostris LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Kikau Foulehaio procerior LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Sulphur-breasted Myzomela Myzomela jugularis LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Polynesian Triller Lalage maculosa LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Fiji Woodswallow Artamus mentalis LC resident 2005 common A2
Fiji Streaked Fantail Rhipidura layardi LC resident 2005 common A2
Vanikoro Flycatcher Myiagra vanikorensis LC resident 2005 common A2
Chestnut-throated Flycatcher Myiagra castaneigularis LC resident 2005 rare A2
Slaty Monarch Mayrornis lessoni LC resident 2005 rare A2
Fiji Shrikebill Clytorhynchus vitiensis LC resident 2005 frequent A2
Black-throated Shrikebill Clytorhynchus nigrogularis NT resident 2005 uncommon A1, A2
Long-legged Thicketbird Cincloramphus rufus EN resident 2005 2 breeding pairs A1, A2
Fiji Bush-warbler Horornis ruficapilla LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Fiji White-eye Zosterops explorator LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Polynesian Starling Aplonis tabuensis LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Fiji Parrotfinch Erythrura pealii LC resident 2005 abundant A2
Pink-billed Parrotfinch Erythrura kleinschmidti VU resident 2005 uncommon A1, A2

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2006) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2006. The most recent assessment (2018) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2018 near favourable high negligible
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat poor

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Quantity (% remaining) Quality (% carrying capacity) Result
Forest - moderate (70-90%) near favourable

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 area/population (>90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Energy production and mining happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) moderate to rapid deterioration low
Human intrusions and disturbance 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
Little/none of site covered (<10%) No management planning has taken place Very little or no conservation action taking place negligible

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Nadrau Plateau Nature Reserve -
- Monasavu Catchment Other -
2004 Monasavu Catchment Water Dam 2

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Forest major (>10)
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
water management -
forestry -
agriculture -

Land ownership
The forested watershed is owned by local land-owners but is not leased or managed by FEA, even though the FEA relies on the catchment for an uninterrupted supply of water for its hydropower. The land tenure is mostly Native Lands except for three Crown Lands totalling about 1,490 ha.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rairaimatuku Highlands (Fiji). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rairaimatuku-highlands-iba-fiji on 22/11/2024.