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LR006
Zwedru
Location Liberia, Grand Gedeh
Central coordinates 8o 16.00' West  6o 17.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A2, A3
Area 15,000 ha
Altitude 200 m
Year of IBA assessment 2001

Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (Affiliate)



Ornithological information See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. This site is the only one from which Phyllastrephus leucolepis is known.

Site description The site is located in central-eastern Liberia, north-west of the town of Zwedru. The Cavalla river, the international frontier with Côte d’Ivoire, forms the northern boundary to the site, which lies immediately west of the Cavally and Goin-Débé Forest Reserves IBA (CI008) in Côte d’Ivoire. The site includes the fragmented forest blocks that remain north of the road between the towns of Zwedru and Zlehtown and the Cavalla river, as far west as the point where its course turns northwards. The forests of this area, transitional between evergreen and semi-deciduous, are being destroyed by slash and burn agriculture. Further work is required to define site boundaries.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
White-breasted Guineafowl Agelastes meleagrides resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Forest Francolin Francolinus lathami resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Ahanta Francolin Francolinus ahantensis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Hartlaub's Duck Pteronetta hartlaubii resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Spot-breasted Ibis Bostrychia rara resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-crested Tiger-heron Tigriornis leucolopha resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Congo Serpent-eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-thighed Sparrowhawk Accipiter erythropus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Cassin's Hawk-eagle Aquila africanus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Nkulengu Rail Himantornis haematopus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey-throated Rail Canirallus oculeus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-headed Wood-dove Turtur brehmeri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Not Recognised 
Yellow-billed Turaco Tauraco macrorhynchus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Olive Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx olivinus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-throated Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-throated Coucal Centropus leucogaster resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sandy Scops-owl Otus icterorhynchus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Fraser's Eagle-owl Bubo poensis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Shelley's Eagle-owl Bubo shelleyi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Near Threatened 
Akun Eagle-owl Bubo leucostictus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous Fishing-owl Scotopelia ussheri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Red-chested Owlet Glaucidium tephronotum resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black Spinetail Telacanthura melanopygia resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Cassin's Spinetail Neafrapus cassini resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Dwarf-kingfisher Ceyx lecontei resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-bellied Kingfisher Alcedo leucogaster resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Merops muelleri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Not Recognised 
Forest Woodhoopoe Phoeniculus castaneiceps resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black Dwarf Hornbill Tockus hartlaubi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-billed Dwarf Hornbill Tockus camurus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Pied Hornbill Tockus fasciatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-crested Hornbill Tropicranus albocristatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Piping Hornbill Bycanistes fistulator resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill Bycanistes subcylindricus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Brown-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes cylindricus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna elata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A3  Vulnerable 
Naked-faced Barbet Gymnobucco calvus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bristle-nosed Barbet Gymnobucco peli resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-billed Barbet Trachyphonus purpuratus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Cassin's Honeyguide Prodotiscus insignis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Willcocks's Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Piculet Sasia africana resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Little Green Woodpecker Campethera maculosa resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Campethera nivosa resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Brown-eared Woodpecker Campethera caroli resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Fire-bellied Woodpecker Thripias pyrrhogaster resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Shrike-flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
West African Batis Batis occulta resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut Wattle-eye Platysteira castanea resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-cheeked Wattle-eye Platysteira blissetti resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-bellied Helmet-shrike Prionops caniceps resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus cruentus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Large-billed Puffback Dryoscopus sabini resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sooty Boubou Laniarius leucorhynchus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue Cuckooshrike Coracina azurea resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrhynchus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-winged Oriole Oriolus nigripennis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Shining Drongo Dicrurus atripennis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-headed Crested-flycatcher Trochocercus nitens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-headed Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Dusky Crested-flycatcher Elminia nigromitrata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-capped Flycatcher Erythrocercus mccallii resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-necked Picathartes Picathartes gymnocephalus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Dusky Tit Parus funereus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Tit-hylia Pholidornis rushiae resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Fanti Saw-wing Psalidoprocne obscura resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-throated Blue Swallow Hirundo nigrita resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Sharpe's Apalis Apalis sharpii resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A2, A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-browed Camaroptera Camaroptera superciliaris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Olive-green Camaroptera Camaroptera chloronota resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Greenbul Andropadus gracilis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Ansorge's Greenbul Andropadus ansorgei resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Plain Greenbul Andropadus curvirostris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Golden Greenbul Calyptocichla serina resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Swamp Greenbul Thescelocichla leucopleura resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Liberian Greenbul Phyllastrephus leucolepis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Critically Endangered 
Common Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green-tailed Bristlebill Bleda eximius resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Near Threatened 
Grey-headed Bristlebill Bleda canicapillus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bearded Bulbul Criniger barbatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-tailed Bulbul Criniger calurus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-bearded Greenbul Criniger olivaceus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Vulnerable 
Yellow-spotted Nicator Nicator chloris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Black-headed Rufous Warbler Bathmocercus cerviniventris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Near Threatened 
Kemp's Longbill Macrosphenus kempi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Hylia Hylia prasina resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Lemon-bellied Crombec Sylvietta denti resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blackcap Illadopsis Illadopsis cleaveri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Near Threatened 
Puvel's Illadopsis Illadopsis puveli resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Copper-tailed Glossy-starling Lamprotornis cupreocauda resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Near Threatened 
Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-tailed Ant-thrush Neocossyphus poensis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush Stizorhina fraseri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Grey Ground-thrush Zoothera princei resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-tailed Alethe Alethe diademata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Not Recognised 
Forest Robin Stiphrornis erythrothorax resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Forest Scrub-robin Erythropygia leucosticta resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
African Forest Flycatcher Fraseria ocreata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
White-browed Forest Flycatcher Fraseria cinerascens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Ussher's Flycatcher Muscicapa ussheri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Olivaceous Flycatcher Muscicapa olivascens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Muscicapa comitata resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Cassin's Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa cassini resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Scarlet-tufted Sunbird Anthreptes fraseri resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Mouse-brown Sunbird Anthreptes gabonicus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Green Sunbird Anthreptes rectirostris resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Little Green Sunbird Nectarinia seimundi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Bates's Sunbird Nectarinia batesi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Nectarinia cyanolaema resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Buff-throated Sunbird Nectarinia adelberti resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Tiny Sunbird Nectarinia minulla resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Johanna's Sunbird Nectarinia johannae resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Superb Sunbird Nectarinia superba resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yellow-mantled Weaver Ploceus tricolor resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Maxwell's Black Weaver Ploceus albinucha resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Preuss's Weaver Ploceus preussi resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gola Malimbe Malimbus ballmanni resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3  Endangered 
Red-vented Malimbe Malimbus scutatus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Gray's Malimbe Malimbus nitens resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-headed Malimbe Malimbus rubricollis resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Red-fronted Antpecker Parmoptila rubrifrons resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Near Threatened 
White-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita fusconotus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Chestnut-breasted Negrofinch Nigrita bicolor resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Crimson Seedcracker Pyrenestes sanguineus resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Western Bluebill Spermophaga haematina resident  1997  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial)   8%
Unknown   16%
Forest   75%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
forestry -
hunting -

Other biodiversity Mammals recorded from the nearby Grebo National Forest, some or all of which may be expected to occur or to have occurred, include Loxodonta africana (EN), Pan troglodytes (EN), Colobus polykomos (LR/nt), Piliocolobus badius (LR/nt), Cercopithecus diana (VU), Hexaprotodon liberiensis (VU), Syncerus caffer (LR/cd), Cephalophus zebra (VU), C. jentinki (VU), C. sylvicultor (LR/nt), Tragelaphus euryceros (LR/nt) and Liberiictis kuhni (EN).

Management considerations The forests are becoming increasingly fragmented and degraded as a result of clearance for agriculture. Other threats include commercial logging and hunting.

Further web sources of information 

Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This site has been identified as an AZE due to it containing a Critically Endangered or Endangered species with a limited range.

Click here for more information about the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)

References Gatter (1985, 1997), Gatter and Gardner (1993).

Contribute  Please click here to help BirdLife conserve the world's birds - your data for this IBA and others are vital for helping protect the environment.

Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Zwedru. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013

To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife