Biodiversity and the Environment in Palau - "Information to Guarantee Our Future"

Palau Fruit Dove Ptilinopus pelewensis The Biib (Palau Fruit Dove, Ptilinopus pelewensis) is a beautiful dove with green feathers and a purple cap. Legends say that the Biib is related to giant clams, and when the tide is low and people are collecting clams, it calls loudly to mourn its lost relatives. It can be heard "cooing" throughout the day and night. *

Wuul or Chesisebarsech Palau Bush Warbler Pitohui tenebrosa The Wuul or Chesisebarsech (Palau Bush Warbler, Cettia annae) lives in dense vegetation near the ground in all forests except mangroves. It is shy and very difficult to see. It has a loud and beautiful call, sounding like a long whistle followed by a tumbling warble of short whistles, and often sings continuously for long periods. *

Chetitalial Dusky White-Eye Zosterops cinereus The Chetitalial (Dusky White-Eye, Zosterops cinereus) is a dull gray bird, smaller than any other Palauan bird species. It lives in noisy flocks that move through the forest feeding on seeds and small fruits. It occurs from Babeldaob to Peleliu. *

Melimdelebteb or Chesisirech Palau Fantail Rhipidura lepida The Melimdelebteb or Chesisirech (Palau Fantail, Rhipidura lepida) is common in the forests from Babeldaob to Peleliu. When threatened it fans out its tail and wags it from side to side. This curious bird has a song that is a jumble of chirps and squeaks. *

Charmelachull Palau Flycatcher Myiagra erythrops The Charmelachull (Palau Flycatcher, Myiagra erythrops) is found in all forest types but prefers mangroves. It eats insects and is often seen hopping around branches looking for prey. The male is blue-gray on its upper feathers while the female is brown. Its Palauan name can be translated as “bird of the rain” which describes the bird’s habit of singing in the rain. *

Charmbedel era Ioueldaob Giant White-Eye Megazosterops palauensis The Charmbedel era Ioueldaob (Giant White-Eye, Megazosterops palauensis) lives only on Peleliu and the Rock Island of Ngeruktabl. They are noisy and curious birds that often gather to scold an observer. The Charmbedel era Ioueldaob is not the same as the Charmbedel era Babeldaob (Caroline Islands White-Eye), a small yellow bird that lives throughout Palau. *

Omekrengukl or Doldol Palau Ground Dove Gallicolumba canifrons The Omekrengukl or Doldol (Palau Ground Dove, Gallicolumba canifrons) lives in thick forests from Babeldaob to Angaur, although it is very rare on Babeldaob and more common on the Rock Islands. It is the rarest of all the endemic birds of Palau, and may be a globally threatened species. This small dove looks for seeds on the forest floor. *

Chesuch Palau Owl Pyrroglaux podargina The Chesuch (Palau Owl, Pyrroglaux podargina) is the only resident owl in Palau. This very small owl is active at night and stays in dark forests during the day. It has a call that is similar to the call of the Biib. *

Tutau Palau Morningbird Pitohui tenebrosa The brown Tutau (Palau Morningbird, Pitohui tenebrosa) is known because of its loud singing early in the morning. It lives in all types of forest except mangroves, from Babeldaob to Peleliu. *

Biodiversity Highlights