Boatswain Bird Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Boatswain Bird Island Sanctuary |
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IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
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Boatswain Bird Island Sanctuary
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Boatswain Bird Island is the small 5.3 ha (13 acres) island off the east coast of Ascension Island
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| Location | Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha |
Boatswain Bird Island is a small island in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is located about 270 meters (295 yards) off the east coast of Ascension Island. The island is about 5.3 hectares (13 acres) in size.
This island is part of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. This is an overseas territory of the United Kingdom. An overseas territory is a place that is governed by another country but is not directly part of it.
Don't confuse Boatswain Bird Island with Boatswain Bird Rock. The rock is much smaller, only about 10 by 5 meters (33 by 16 feet). It is located further south-east. The southern side of Boatswain Bird Island has a cool natural arch.
Amazing Birds of Boatswain Bird Island
Thousands of birds live on Boatswain Bird Island. They are the only inhabitants! Their droppings make the island look white. Many different seabirds nest here. These include boobies, petrels, and noddies. You can also find tropicbirds here. The island is named after these tropicbirds, which are also called "boatswain birds."
Boatswain Bird Island is very important for birds. Most of Ascension Island's birds now live here. This is because of rats and cats on the main island. Rats were brought by accident from ships. Cats were brought to catch the rats, and also as pets. Both rats and cats ate the birds and their eggs on Ascension Island.
Since the mid-1990s, people have worked to remove the wild cats. They also have a program to get rid of rats. This helps encourage the birds to return to the main island.
Why This Island is an Important Bird Area
BirdLife International has called Boatswain Bird Island an Important Bird Area (IBA). This means it is a very important place for seabirds to breed. Many types of birds come here to lay their eggs and raise their young.
Some of the important birds found here include:
- Madeiran storm petrels: About 1,500 pairs breed here.
- Red-billed tropicbirds: Around 500 pairs.
- White-tailed tropicbirds: About 1,000 pairs.
- Ascension frigatebirds: A large group of 6,000 pairs.
- Masked boobys: About 1,300 pairs.
- Black noddys: Around 5,000 pairs.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Boatswain Bird para niños
