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Rock Islands
The Rock Islands of Palau, also called ''Chelbacheb'', are a collection of several hundred small limestone or coral uprises in the Southern Lagoon of Palau between Koror and Peleliu, now an incorporated part of Koror State. There are between 250 and 300 islands in the group according to different sources, with an aggregate area of and a maximum height of . The islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. History Geography The Rock Islands are sparsely populated and famous for their beaches, blue lagoons, and the peculiar umbrella-like shapes of many of the islands themselves. Many of the islands display a mushroom-like shape with a narrower base at the intertidal notch. The indentation comes from erosion and from the dense community of sponges, bivalves, chitons, snails, urchins, and others that graze mostly on algae. Notable islands in the group are: *Eil Malk (Mecherchar) *Ngeruktabel *Ulong * Bablomekang (Abappaomogan) *Bukrrairong (Kamori) *Oilouch * O ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ngerukewid
Ngerukewid or Ngerukeuid (also known as Orukuizu) is a set of islands located inside the Palau's lagoon. The set contains 37 small raised coral islands A coral island is a type of island formed from coral detritus and associated organic material. It occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas, typically as part of a coral reef which has grown to cover a far larger area under the sea. Ecosystem ..., which range in size from 0.1 to 48.5 ha, and amount to total land area of 87.3 ha. The islands and the area around them are protected under the Ngerukewid Islands Wildlife Preserve, which was established in 1956. See also * Rock Islands References Uninhabited islands of Palau {{Palau-geo-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ulong Island
Ulong is a major island and channel of western Palau. It is sometimes called Aulong and originally written Oroolong in English. Ulong is regarded by many as one of the best drift dives in the world. Geography Ngerumekaol Pass (also known as Ulong Channel) partially cuts through the reef near the Island. The channel stretches about , with an average width of and leads into a coral reef lagoon. There are sharks within the currents of the channel and Ulong Corner. The channel contains giant clams and one of the largest known patches of green lettuce coral in the world. Uruktapel is the largest island southward of Koror; at about off its western point is Ulong. Denges and Eil Malk Passages are passable, but navigation may be difficult in the lagoon between them and Ulong Island. From Ulong to Malakal Harbor, the lagoon is navigable. History Henry Wilson (1740–1810), an English naval captain of the British East India Company was aboard his packet ship ''Antelope'', when it shi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Micronesian Myzomela
The Micronesian myzomela (''Myzomela rubratra'') is a species of bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. The species forms a superspecies with a number of related and similar looking island and mainland myzomelas across the Pacific and Australasia. It in turn is composed of seven insular subspecies. It is distributed throughout the Northern Mariana Islands, including Rota, Tinian and Saipan, as well as Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae in Micronesia, and the islands of Palau. The species once also occurred in Guam, but that population is now almost certainly extinct. Across its wide distribution, the Micronesian myzomela occupies a range of natural and man-made habitats, from sea level to the highest peaks, although the lack of mountains in Micronesia predominantly makes this a species of the lowlands. Forests, mangroves, scrubland, secondary scrub, savanna, as well as agricultural, plantation and urban areas, are all used by this species. The Micronesian myzomela primarily f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palau Kingfisher
The rusty-capped kingfisher or Palau kingfisher (''Todiramphus pelewensis'') is a species of bird in the family Alcedinidae. It is endemic to Palau. The natural habitat of this species is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the Micronesian kingfisher Micronesian kingfisher is a common name used to refer to several species of bird of the genus ''Todiramphus'' found in neighboring island countries of the western Pacific Ocean. * Guam kingfisher The Guam kingfisher (''Todiramphus cinnamominus'' .... This is a brilliantly colored, medium-sized kingfisher. Adults are characterized by white underparts with long black eyestripes, while juveniles are cinnamon below. They have large laterally-flattened bills and dark legs. Kingfishers defend permanent territories as breeding pairs and family groups. Both sexes care for young, and some offspring remain with parents for extended periods. Little has been published about the st ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palau Swiftlet
The Palau swiftlet (''Aerodramus pelewensis'') is a species of swift in the family Apodidae. It is endemic to Palau. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing, and ecological function. The United Nations' ...s. References Sources * BirdLife International 2004.Aerodramus pelewensis 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 24 July 2007. Aerodramus Birds of Palau Endemic fauna of Palau Birds described in 1935 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{apodiformes-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palau Fruit Dove
The Palau fruit dove (''Ptilinopus pelewensis'') is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Palau and it is also Palau's national bird. Description The Palau fruit dove is long and weighs around . The species has a grey head, neck and breast with a purple cap and yellow line. There is an orange band across the lower breast and belly and olive-green back, wings and tail. Both sexes are alike. Juvenile birds resemble the adults but lack the purple cap, the green upperparts are lined with yellow and the belly is yellow. Distribution and habitat The Palau fruit dove is endemic to Palau Palau,, officially the Republic of Palau and historically ''Belau'', ''Palaos'' or ''Pelew'', is an island country and microstate in the western Pacific. The nation has approximately 340 islands and connects the western chain of the Caro ..., where it is common in all habitats across the island. The species declined due to hunting prior to 1945, but has rebounded with ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Micronesian Imperial Pigeon
The Micronesian imperial pigeon (''Ducula oceanica''), also known as the Micronesian pigeon, and Belochel is a species of bird in the family Columbidae (doves). It is found in Palau, the Caroline Islands, the Marshall Islands and Nauru. Its habitats include montane forests, secondary forests, forests on beaches, and mangroves. It is threatened by hunting and deforestation, and the IUCN has assessed it as a near-threatened species. Taxonomy The species was first described as ''Columba oceanica'' in 1826. The binomial authority was formerly considered to be Lesson & Garnot, but it is now given as Desmarest. Five subspecies are recognized: ''D. o. monacha'' in Palau and Yap, ''D. o. teraokai'' on Chuuk, ''D. o. townsendi'' on Pohnpei, ''D. o. oceanica'' on Kosrae, and ''D. o. ratakensis'' in the Marshall Islands. Description The Micronesian imperial pigeon is about long and weighs . The head and neck are ashy grey. The back and wing coverts are dark green, reflecting dark blue. Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Palau Ground Dove
The Palau ground dove (''Pampusana canifrons'') is a species of bird in the family Columbidae. It is endemic to Palau, living in forests. The IUCN has assessed it as an endangered species. Taxonomy Hartlaub and Finsch described this species as ''Phlegoenas canifrons'' from Palau in 1872. The species is monotypic. Formerly placed in the genus ''Gallicolumba'', it was moved to ''Alopecoenas''. The name of the genus was changed in 2019 to ''Pampusana'' Bonaparte, 1855 as this name has priority. Description This dove is about long. The forehead and lores are ashy grey, and the crown is dark slaty. The nape and upper mantle are chestnut. The lower mantle is olive and has bronze reflections. The flight feathers are dark brown and rufous, and there is a purple patch on the wing coverts. The throat is pearly grey, and the breast is ashy grey. The abdomen is blackish brown. The upper tail has green and blackish feathers, and the under tail is blackish. The eyes are dark brown, the beak ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Micronesian Megapode
The Micronesian megapode or Micronesian scrubfowl (''Megapodius laperouse'') is an endangered megapode which inhabits islands of the Western Pacific Ocean. Description The Micronesian megapode is a stocky medium-sized bird that is mostly dark brownish-black in appearance. Its head is paler than its body, and it has a pale grey crest, a yellow bill, and large dull-yellow legs and feet. It is 38 cm. Medium-sized, dark megapode with paler head. Mostly brownish-black with short pale grey crest. Yellow bill, red facial skin showing through thin feathers. Unusually large, dingy yellow legs and feet. Similar spp. Could be confused with dark morphs of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus (or feral domestic stock). . Its call is a loud "keek", song often a duet with one bird beginning a rising and accelerating "keek-keek-keek-keek"- etc. culminating in a loud "kee-keer-kew" (Palau) or "keek-keer-keet" (Marianas), the other answering with a rising cackle that slows near the end. . The Micr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global partnership of non-governmental organizations that strives to conserve birds and their habitats. BirdLife International's priorities include preventing extinction of bird species, identifying and safeguarding important sites for birds, maintaining and restoring key bird habitats, and empowering conservationists worldwide. It has a membership of more than 2.5 million people across 116 country partner organizations, including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the Wild Bird Society of Japan, the National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy. BirdLife International has identified 13,000 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and is the official International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List authority for birds. As of 2015, BirdLife International has established that 1,375 bird species (13% of the total) are threatened with extinction ( critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable). BirdLife International p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) is an area identified using an internationally agreed set of criteria as being globally important for the conservation of bird populations. IBA was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International. There are over 13,000 IBAs worldwide. These sites are small enough to be entirely conserved and differ in their character, habitat or ornithological importance from the surrounding habitat. In the United States the Program is administered by the National Audubon Society. Often IBAs form part of a country's existing protected area network, and so are protected under national legislation. Legal recognition and protection of IBAs that are not within existing protected areas varies within different countries. Some countries have a National IBA Conservation Strategy, whereas in others protection is completely lacking. History In 1985, following a specific request from the European Economic Community, Birdlife International ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ngerekebesang
Ngerekebesang Island (alternative names: Ngerekebesang Hamlet, Arakabesan) is an island in the state of Koror, Palau, where the office of the President of the Republic of Palau was located before the capital was moved to the state of Melekeok. It is composed of three towns: Ngerekebesang, Meyuns Meyuns is the second most populous city in the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau, with a population of approximately 1,000. Meyuns is comparable in population to Palau's third largest city, Airai. It is located in the State of Koror, where the n ..., and Echang, where most Southwest Islanders moved to after a storm struck the southwest islands. They were later resettled. Meyuns is host to the largest hospital in Palau, Belau National Hospital. Ngerkebesang Island and the Island of Koror are connected by a causeway. The causeway, currently being remodeled, was originally built during the Japanese occupation of Palau. References Islands of Palau Koror {{Palau-geo-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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