Just Wingin’ It!

08/12/2025 - “Why are birds important?” That’s a question a curious kid asked me during an outreach event—and it made me think.

Buenas yan Tirow Wami! My name is Guillerma Chong, but I more lovingly go by Emma, and this is my second year as a DCRM Summer Intern. This summer, I’ve been placed with the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), working with the Wildlife Section and the Geographic Information System (GIS) team. It’s been an awesome ride—I've helped monitor native birds, compiled marine species profiles, and even learned how to fly a drone! Previously, I was placed at the Department of Coastal Resources Management under the Shoreline Monitoring Program. Going from marine to terrestrial these past two years has provided me with the true “Ridge to Reef” experience. 

Before this internship, I had no idea what an “Egigi” was. But now? I can proudly tell you that the Egigi is the bright red Micronesian Myzomela. I can even identify its call! And did you know that we have 3 different kinds of doves that all sound the same but all different at the same time? I can tell you all about it!

One of my main projects this summer was helping create Species Profiles for the Marine Species of Greatest Conservation Need as part of the 2025 CNMI State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP). Why does that matter? Because SWAP is what helps bring in funding for important wildlife conservation efforts across the CNMI.

Now, back to birds—why are they important?

Besides being beautiful and fun to watch, birds play major roles in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Their poop (a.k.a. guano) spreads seeds and helps plants grow. They’re pollinators like bees, they control bug and spider populations, and they even act as nature’s cleanup crew. 

Here in the CNMI, we’re lucky to have a wide variety of birds—from those deep in the jungles to migratory birds that visit our shores. Some, like the Saipan Nightingale Reed-Warbler, are endemic to the CNMI —you can’t find them anywhere else in the world. Conservation is key to protecting and cultivating the habitats and greenery we have today, “we must protect natural habitats so these important animals can keep living—and pooping!” (Lautenschlager & Feeley 2024)

This summer taught me that birds aren’t just part of the scenery—they’re essential. And thanks to this internship, I’ll never look at the sky (or a red bird!) the same way again.

Citation:

Lautenschlager, L., & Feeley, K. (2024). Poop is cool! Animal “bathrooms” help animals and plants. Frontiers for Young Minds, 12, Article 1284583. https://doi.org/10.3389/frym.2024.1284583