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ZM020
Lukanga Swamp
Location Zambia, Central
Central coordinates 27o 43.00' East  14o 22.00' South
IBA criteria A1, A4iii
Area 330,000 ha
Altitude 1,100 m
Year of IBA assessment 2005

Zambian Ornithological Society (Partner Designate)



Ornithological information See Box for key species. The site is very poorly known, but is likely to be very rich in waterbirds. It almost certainly holds important numbers of Grus carunculatus (a breeding resident) and is presumably an important breeding area for many other species. Circus macrourus occurs; Gallinago media and Egretta vinaceigula have not been recorded, but are likely to occur. There have been two sightings of Balaeniceps rex, probably wandering individuals, and there is a record of the very localized Charadrius forbesi. Seven species occur that are restricted to the Zambezian biome (see Table 3).

Site description Despite its proximity to the main railway line, this enormous wetland remains one of Zambia’s least-explored areas. It comprises swamp, open water and seasonally inundated flood-plain and access is difficult. It is part of the Kafue drainage system and, whilst it usually drains into that river, there are occasions when the reverse occurs. There is much small-scale fishing and presumably much human habitation, but further exploration is required.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Dickinson's Kestrel Falco dickinsoni resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus winter  -  present [units unknown]  -  A1  Near Threatened 
Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus resident  -  present [units unknown]  -  A1  Vulnerable 
Coppery-tailed Coucal Centropus cupreicaudus resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Angola Babbler Turdoides hartlaubii resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Kurrichane Thrush Turdus libonyanus resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
White-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia talatala resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Brown Firefinch Lagonosticta nitidula resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
Broad-tailed Paradise-whydah Vidua obtusa resident  1998  -  -    Least Concern 
A4iii Species group - waterbirds unknown  -  20,000 individuals  unknown  A4iii   

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial)   24%
Shrubland   19%
Forest   55%

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
fisheries/aquaculture -
urban/industrial/transport -

Other biodiversity Mammals known to occur include Tragelaphus spekii (LR/nt).

Management considerations General disturbance caused by human activity is likely to be the principal threat and more specific problems may include nest-robbing at breeding colonies. However, further investigation is required.

References Benson and Irwin (1967).

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lukanga Swamp. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013

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