THE increasing population of black noddy and brown noddy birds on Managaha is getting out of control and is adversely affecting the popular tourist site, according to local architect Herman B. Cabrera.
“With regard to the birds on Managaha Island, their presence is overwhelming. As soon as you arrive, you can see flocks flying across the island and resting in the trees. Nests are visible throughout the trees, and if you walk inland, you’ll see even more. These birds are colonial and reproduce rapidly,” Cabrera said, referring to the black noddy (Anous minutus) and brown noddy (Anous stolidus).
According to eBird, a global online bird checklist managed by Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology, the black and brown noddy were recorded as the most numerous bird species on Managaha during an observation conducted on May 27, 2025.
In an interview over the weekend, Cabrera said the overpopulation of these birds is disrupting the island’s ecosystem. “It is no longer balanced. The birds have become a pest and are making Managaha unsanitary for visitors.”
He noted that droppings from the birds litter the roofs of pavilions and other amenities, reducing the island’s appeal as a tourist destination. “It’s becoming more of a nuisance. There are more birds than tourists now. Bird droppings cover the tops of umbrellas, lounge chairs, and concession areas. The main food and drink section smells, and the droppings have to be washed off daily.”
Caretakers, he said, face a never-ending task of cleaning up bird droppings in the main areas where tourists stay.
“The abundance of these birds continues to be a problem, and nobody seems to care about it,” Cabrera said.
The most serious concern, he added, is the contamination of rainwater collected from the roofs of pavilions and the tourist center. “The roofs are used to collect rainwater, which flows into the island’s only water tank reservoir,” Cabrera said, adding that a caretaker told him the primary concern is the foul smell caused by bird droppings.
Cabrera questioned whether any federal regulation prevents the CNMI from addressing the problem. “If there is, then we need to bring it to their attention and resolve this as soon as possible,” he said. “Further delays will only worsen our already troubled tourism industry.”
He believes the inaction by regulatory agencies suggests they “consider the birds more important than the people’s welfare.”
A black noddy
Contributed photo
Birds have become a pest on Managaha, according to local architect Herman B. Cabrera.
Contributed photo
