Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information The globally near-threatened Russet-crowned Quail-Dove and Rufous-cheeked Hummingbird are found, as well as several nationally threatened species, including the endemic Stripe-cheeked Woodpecker, Yellow-green Tyrannulet and Pirre Bush Tanager. Endemics of both the Darién Lowlands and Darién Highland EBAs occur in the area. Cerro Sapo has been visited by two ornithological expeditions, in 1925 and 1941, but is difficult of access and otherwise poorly known.

Site description This site includes the area from Punta Garachiné at the southwest end of the Gulf of San Miguel to the boundary of Darién National Park at Cerro Sapo and the Jesús River. On its eastern side the boundary follows the 100 m contour above the valleys of the San Antonio and Sambu Rivers, extending westward to the coast, and the site also includes the forest on Punta Garachiné. The highest point is Cerro Sapo (1,145 m). The site is adjacent to the Ensenada de Garachiné Wetlands.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Protected areas

Protected area	Designation	Area (ha)	Relationship with IBA	Overlap with IBA (ha)
Chepigana	Forest Reserve	36,379	protected area contains site	11,100
Darien National Park	World Heritage Site	597,000	protected area is adjacent to site	0

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity The fauna is poorly known. Many of the species recorded for Darién National Park probably occur. The toad Atelopus certus occurs.

Management considerations The extent of timber harvest in the area or clearing for agriculture is unknown, but the Garachiné area is remote and population pressure is low. Although nominally part of teh Chepogana Forest Reservem there is little effective protection of this area.

Protection status The area is part of the Chepigana Forest Reserve (257,219 ha), created in 1984. Due to its ornithological importance, the site merits inclusion in Darien National Park.

Conservation response None known.

References Angehr, George R. 2003. Directorio de areas importantes para aves en Panama. Directory of important bird areas in Panama. Panama: Sociedad Audubon de Panama. Ridgely, Robert S., and John A. Gwynne. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Panama (Second Edition). Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. Wetmore, Alexander. 1965. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 1. Tinamidae (Tinamous) to Rhynchopidae (Skimmers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander. 1968. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 2. Columbidae (Pigeons) to Picidae (Woodpeckers). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander. 1973. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 3. Passeriformes: Dendrocolaptidae (Woodcreepers) to Oxyruncidae (Sharpbill). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wetmore, Alexander, Roger F. Pasquier, and Storrs L. Olson. 1984. The Birds of the Republic of Panama. Part 4. Passeriformes: Hirundinidae (Swallows) to Fringillidae (Finches). Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Punta Garachiné-Cerro Sapo. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 24/05/2013

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