Current view: Text account
Site description (2006 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA consists of the main island of Rotuma and associated small satellite islets. The main island is a shield volcano divided into two parts by a sandy isthmus, with coastal terraces, a central plateau (30-60m asl) and steep volcanic cones.
The total world populations of the Rotuman Myzomela and the Rotuman subspecies of Polynesian Starling
A. t. rotumae and Lesser Shrikebill
C. v.wiglesworthi occur in this IBA. Rotuma also supports isolated outlying populations of Crimson-crowned Fruit-dove and Polynesian Triller. The offshore islets of Ha’atana, Hofliua and Hatawa have nationally significant seabird colonies.
A1 (globally threatened species)
* [Bristle-thighed Curlew (VU) – non-breeding visitor in unknown but probably very small numbers]
* Rotuman Myzomela (VU) – common to abundant across the island
A2 (restricted-range species)
Five species (compared to 35 on the main Fiji group).
Non-bird biodiversity: Rotuma has one other endemic vertebrate, the Rotuman Forest Gecko, and two other lizards endemic to Fiji, the Green Tree Skink and Barred Tree Skink.
Rotuma has a wet tropical climate with about 3,350 mm of rain annually, and lowland rainforest as climax vegetation. Most of the land has been cultivated at some time in the past, and the forest is mostly a mosaic of forest in various stages of succession. The myzomela also visits the limited areas of mangrove, but most of the coast is rocky, with some sandy-mud bays, and a barrier reef. Rotuma is inhabited by an island people, closely related to both Polynesians and Fijians, who speak their own language. About 2,500 Rotumans live on the island and the population has been stable for many years with migration draining off the net population increase.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Agriculture - Alien Invasive Species
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The Rotuman Myzomela is common in all habitats on the main island, including forest edge and plantations and has no known threats. It is categorised as Vulnerable because its very small geographical range makes it potentially susceptible to chance catastrophes such as cyclones, disease or invasive alien species. Colonisation by exotic predators (other than Pacific Rat, which is already present) is a possible threat, but the myzomela’s abundance and wide habitat tolerance should protect it from cyclone damage. It could be used as a figurehead species to promote tighter quarantine controls to prevent colonisation by invasive alien species for the benefit of all other native species and traditional agriculture. The nesting seabirds have been traditionally harvested for food and the sustainability of this practice needs investigation.
Unprotected. Site of National Significance.
The island’s physical isolation has led to a powerful and relatively traditional local government. The land is Native Tenure administered through a specific Act.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Rotuma (Fiji). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/rotuma-iba-fiji on 23/12/2024.
