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close| Location | Guatemala, Huehuetenango,Quiché |
| Central coordinates | 91o 18.90' West 15o 42.77' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A2, A3 |
| Area | 303,813 ha |
| Altitude | 400 - 3,800m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2007 |
Summary Cuchumatenes is an important site for range-restricted birds of the North Central American Highlands and for biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands. The site supports populations of three globally threatened species: Highland and Horned Guan and Pink-headed Warbler. Plantations of coffee, cardamom, and corn, and secondary growth scrub cover about 46% of the IBA. Only 2.4% of the IBA are legally protected.
Ornithological information Cuchumatanes is important for species of the North Central American Highlands (10 species recorded) and biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands (30 species). The site supports populations of three globally threatened species: Horned and Highland Guan (Oreophasis derbianus and Penelopina nigra) and Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor). Recent ornithological information is based on ecological rapid assessments (Sandoval 2000, García Barrientos & Gaitán Conzález 2003, Pérez 2006) and surveys focused on Horned Guan (Cóbar Carranza & Rivas Romero 2005, Cóbar Carranza 2006).
Site description This IBA is located in the western part of the Atlantic slope mountain range of Guatemala. It includes the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes and surroundings, ranging from Laguna Yolnabaj near the border to Chiapas, Mexico, to Uspantan in the East. The site ranges in altitude from 400 to 3800 m.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland Guan Penelopina nigra | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A1, A2, A3 | Vulnerable |
| Plain Chachalaca Ortalis vetula | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Horned Guan Oreophasis derbianus | resident | 2005 | - | poor | A1, A2, A3 | Endangered |
| White-eared Hummingbird Hylocharis leucotis | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Green-fronted Hummingbird Amazilia viridifrons | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Amethyst-throated Hummingbird Lampornis amethystinus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Green-throated Mountain-gem Lampornis viridipallens | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A2, A3 | Least Concern |
| Garnet-throated Hummingbird Lamprolaima rhami | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Mountain Trogon Trogon mexicanus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| White-collared Manakin Manacus candei | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Belted Flycatcher Xenotriccus callizonus | resident | 2003 | - | poor | A1, A2, A3 | Near Threatened |
| Greater Pewee Contopus pertinax | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Pine Flycatcher Empidonax affinis | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Buff-breasted Flycatcher Empidonax fulvifrons | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Tawny-winged Woodcreeper Dendrocincla anabatina | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Green Shrike-vireo Vireolanius pulchellus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Black-throated Jay Cyanolyca pumilo | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Unicoloured Jay Aphelocoma unicolor | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Grey Silky-flycatcher Ptilogonys cinereus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Black-capped Swallow Notiochelidon pileata | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A2, A3 | Least Concern |
| Rufous-browed Wren Troglodytes rufociliatus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A2, A3 | Least Concern |
| Northern Nightingale-wren Microcerculus philomela | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Brown-backed Solitaire Myadestes occidentalis | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Slate-coloured Solitaire Myadestes unicolor | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Black Thrush Turdus infuscatus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Rufous-collared Robin Turdus rufitorques | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A2, A3 | Least Concern |
| Black-capped Siskin Carduelis atriceps | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A2, A3 | Least Concern |
| Hooded Grosbeak Coccothraustes abeillei | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Crescent-chested Warbler Parula superciliosa | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Pink-headed Warbler Ergaticus versicolor | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A1, A2, A3 | Vulnerable |
| Painted Redstart Myioborus pictus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Golden-browed Warbler Basileuterus belli | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Black-vented Oriole Icterus wagleri | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Prevost's Ground-sparrow Melozone biarcuata | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| White-naped Brush-finch Atlapetes albinucha | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Crimson-collared Tanager Ramphocelus sanguinolentus | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Scarlet-rumped Tanager Ramphocelus passerinii | resident | 2000 | - | poor | Least Concern | |
| Cinnamon-bellied Flowerpiercer Diglossa baritula | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
| Blue-crowned Chlorophonia Chlorophonia occipitalis | resident | 2000 | - | poor | A3 | Least Concern |
Protected areas
| Protected area | Designation | Area (ha) | Relationship with IBA | Overlap with IBA (ha) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laguna Yolnabaj | Other Area | 0 | protected area contained by site | 0 | |
| Sierra de los Cuchumatanes | Other Area | 0 | protected area contained by site | 0 |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | Abandoned & fallow farmland, disturbed ground; Arable land; Forestry & agro-industrial plantations; Improved pasture land; Other urban & industrial areas; Perennial crops, orchards & groves; Urban parks & gardens | 14% |
| Forest | Montane broadleaf evergreen; Pine-oak; Tropical coniferous | 48% |
| Grassland | Second-growth & grazed | 5% |
| Rocky areas | Scree & boulders | 1% |
| Shrubland | Second-growth & disturbed scrub | 32% |
| Wetlands (inland) | Freshwater lakes & pools; Streams | 1% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| agriculture | 46% |
| forestry | minor |
| hunting | major |
| nature conservation and research | 2% |
| rangeland/pastureland | 5% |
| urban/industrial/transport | 1% |
| Notes: 0.1% | |
| water management | minor |
Management considerations Natural habitat is threatened by an advancing agricultural border and forest fires.
Protection status Only 2.4 % of the IBA are legally protected. The Sierra de los Cuchumatanes has been recognized as special protected area, a category without legal status of protection (CONAP 2007).
Acknowledgements Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP) - Solola supported a workshop to identify IBAs in June 2006, hosted by Universdad del Valle (UVG) Altiplano in Solola. Input of unpublished data and suggestions for the delimitation of the IBA was provided during this workshop by representatives of CONAP, UVG Altiplano, Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación (FUNDAECO) - Huehuetenango, Ministerio de Agricultura, Ganadería y Alimentación de Guatemala (MAGA) - Solola, Cuerpo de Paz, Municipality of Tecpan, Autoridad para el Manejo Sustentable de la Cuenca del Lago Atitlán y su Entorno (AMSCLAE), and Los Tarrales Nature Reserve. This first assessment of IBAs in Guatemala was conducted by Sociedad Guatemalteca de Ornitologia and BirdLife International in the Americas.
References
Cóbar Carranza, A. J. 2006. Distribución actual y selección de sitios para el estudio y conservación del pavo de cacho (Oreophasis derbianus Gray 1844) en los departamentos de San Marcos y Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Tesis de Licenciatura, Univ. San Carlos, Guatemala.
Cóbar Carranza, A. J. & J. A. Rivas Romero. 2005. Distribución actual y selección de sitios para el estudio y conservación del pavo de cacho (Oreophasis derbianus G. R. Gray, 1844) en los departamentos de San Marcos y Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Pp. 8-13 In J. Rivas, E. Secaira & J. Cornejo (eds.) Memorias II Simposium Internacional Oreophasis derbianus, 7-9 Abril 2005, Reserva Los Tarrales, Patulul, Suchitepéquez, Guatemala. The Nature Conservancy, Guatemala.
CONAP. 2007. Lista de áreas protegidas inscritas en el SIGAP. Consejo Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (CONAP), Guatemala. (Database accessed in June 2007)
García Barrientos, A. & L. B. Gaitán González. 2003. Evaluación rápida de la avifauna en tres sitios identificados por PROCUCH como prioritarios para conservación de: Todos Santos Cuchumatán, Pepajau-Magdalena y Cerro Cruz Maltín, Sierra de Los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Fundación Interamericana de Investigación Tropical (FIIT), Guatemala. (Unpublished report)
MAGA. 2006. Mapa de cobertura vegetal y uso de la tierra a escala 1:50,000 de la República de Guatemala, Año 2003 (Incluye 5 cultivos perennes actualizados al año 2005). Memoria técnica y descripción de resultados. Ministerio de Agricultura Ganadería y Alimentación –MAGA– / Unidad de Planificación Geográfica y Gestión de Riesgo –UPGGR–, Guatemala Ciudad, Guatemala.
Pérez, E. S. 2006. Propuesta de areas importantes para la conservación de aves en Huehuetenango. Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación FUNDAECO, Guatemala. (Unpublished report)
Sandoval, K. J. (ed.) 2000. Biodiversidad de Huehuetenango. Centro de Datos para la Conservación, Centro de Estudios Conservacionistas, Univ. San Carlos, Guatemala.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Cuchumatanes. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 25/05/2013
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