AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

The Avifauna of Farallon de Medinilla, Mariana Islands (La Avifauna del Farallón Medinilla, Islas Marianas)

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:2000
Authors:Lusk, MR, Bruner, P, Kessler, C
Journal:Journal of Field Ornithology
Volume:71
Issue:1
Date Published:2000
ISBN Number:02738570
Keywords:Fregata, Fregata minor, Fregatidae, Megapodiidae, Megapodius, Megapodius laperouse, Northern Mariana Islands, Sula, Sula dactylatra, Sulidae
Abstract:Farallon de Medinilla is a small island in the western Pacific that is leased by the U.S. military from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands as an impact area for training exercises. We spent 5.5 h on the island surveying its avifauna on 4 Nov. 1996 and observed a total of 17 species including seabirds, migratory shorebirds, and resident landbirds. Of special interest was the first island record of the endangered Micronesian Megapode (Megapodius laperouse) and breeding colonies of Great Frigatebirds (Fregata minor) and Masked Boobies (Sula dactylatra). Locations of individual megapodes and seabird colonies were mapped and breeding information recorded. Historical records and photographs indicate that since the island has been used as an impact area its vegetative structure has changed from a medium-height, relatively closed canopy forest, to primarily open areas with intermittent patches of low forest. Alterations of native vegetation likely resulted in changes in the density, distribution, and species composition of the island's avifauna, although these changes are difficult to quantify. /// El Farallón Medinilla es una pequeña isla en el Pacífico occidental que pertenece al Estado Libre Asociado de las Marianas del Norte y es arrendada al ejército de los Estados Unidos para hacer prácticas de bombardeo. Visitamos dicha isla el 4 de noviembre de 1996 y en 5.5 hrs. logramos observar 17 especies de aves. De especial interés fue el primer informe de colonias reproductivas de Fregata minory Sula dactylatra. Además se observaron individuos de Megapodius laperouse, especie que se considera en peligro de extinción. Los informes y fotografias históricas indican que desde que la isla esta siendo utilizada para prácticas de bombardeo, ha cambiado la estructura de la vegetación de una de mediana altura y de docel cerrado a áreas abiertas con parches intermitentes de bosque bajo. La alteración de la vegetación nativa aparentemente ha ocasionado cambios en la composición, densidad, y distribución de las especies de aves, auque dichos cambios son dificiles de cuantificar.
URL:http://www.jstor.org/stable/4514458
Short Title:Journal of Field Ornithology
Taxonomic name: 
Fregata (Birds), Fregata minor (Birds), Fregatidae (Birds), Megapodiidae (Birds), Megapodius (Birds), Sula (Birds), Sula dactylatra (Birds), Sula dactylatra (Birds), Sulidae (Birds)
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith