This species eats a variety of fruit from the forest canopy (Engbring et al. 1982) particularly from native Ficus spp. and Premna obtusifolia trees. It may also descend to feed in bushes or on the ground, where it takes the fruits of the introduced prostrate vine Momordica charantia (del Hoyo et al. 1997). It is found in a variety of forest types but appears more common in limestone forest (Craig 1996) and do prefer mature native forest (del Hoyo et al. 1997). On Aguijan, it is found in heavily grazed forest and on Tinian in the scrubland of introduced Leucaena trees. It seems to breed all year round with a peak in breeding activity and consequently population size during April-July (Craig 1996). It lays one egg in a nest approximately 2.8 m from the ground (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Restricted to the Northern Mariana Islands (USA) where it occurs on the islands of Saipan, Tinian, Aguijan and Rota. It has been extirpated from Guam. Birds self-established on the island of Sarigan (first detected in 2006) and the population was bolstered by the introduction of ten individuals from Saipan in 2012 with confirmed sightings since (Radley 2012).

Conservation Actions Underway
Efforts continue to prevent the accidental introduction of the Brown Tree Snake Boiga irregularis into the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Inspections of planes, vessels and cargo are conducted at the airports and seaports on the islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota as a first line of defence. Snake traps are maintained on fence lines surrounding ports of entry on all three of these islands. Rapid response action to reports of Brown Tree Snakes is coordinated between the CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife (DFW), the USGS Rapid Response Coordinator and local volunteers. A population of self-colonising birds on Sarigan was supplemented by the introduction of more individuals (Radley 2012). Public education efforts on Saipan, led by Pacific Bird Conservation and AZA zoos, include partnerships with the CNMI Public School System, Northern Mariana College, and the local conservation organization Mariana Islands Nature Alliance (MINA). Programs include: assistance with development of local ecology lesson plans to be formally incorporated into primary school curriculum; hosting Northern Mariana College students as field interns (with stipend); and supporting MINA’s the Bring the Trees Back Campaign. Additionally, educational outreach continues via public presentations at several community event venues and in primary school classrooms (K. Reininger in litt. 2021).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continuously monitor the population on all islands. Control the spread of of introduced plant species, especially Leucaena. Continue to avoid the introduction of Brown Tree Snake on all islands using robust biosecurity protocols. Establish further protected areas and control development to protect remaining habitat, particularly forest, on Saipan (Liske-Clark 2015). Continue public awareness programmes on Saipan to raise awareness of conservation issues (Radley 2012).