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Forest bird and fruit bat populations on Sarigan, Mariana Islands

Micronesica
By: , and 

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Abstract

We conducted the first quantitative surveys of forest bird and bat populations on the uninhabited island of Sarigan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Severe habitat degradation has occurred on Sarigan because of overgrazing by introduced goats and pigs. Planting of coconut palms (Cocos nucifera) for copra production has also eliminated much of the island’s native forest. We recorded five species of forest birds on Sarigan: Micronesian Honeyeater (Myzomela rubratra), Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse laperouse), Micronesian Starling (Aplonis opaca), Collared Kingfisher (Halcyon chloris), and White-throated Ground Dove (Gallicolumba xanthonura). Estimated population sizes (95% confidence interval) in 1997 were 1,821 (1,617–2,026) for Micronesian Honeyeater, 677 (545–810) for Micronesian Megapode, 497 (319–675) for Micronesian Starling, 107 (82–131) for Collared Kingfisher, and 170 (101–238) for Mariana Fruit Bat (Pteropus mariannus).

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Forest bird and fruit bat populations on Sarigan, Mariana Islands
Series title Micronesica
Volume 31
Issue 2
Year Published 1999
Language English
Publisher University of Guam
Contributing office(s) Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center
Description 8 p.
First page 247
Last page 254
Country Mariana Islands
State Sarigan
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