Sites - Important Bird Areas (IBAs)

Ornithological information See Box and Table 3 for key species. The site is poorly known, but clearly holds a rich diversity of species owing to the variety and maturity of the habitat. Grus carunculatus is a resident and probably breeds, while Gallinago media winters. Characteristic of the dambo are Coturnix chinensis, Turnix hottentotta, Sarothrura lugens, Caprimulgus natalensis, Hirundo nigrorufa, Schoenicola brevirostris, Cisticola tinniens, Macronyx fuellebornii, M. ameliae, Euplectes hartlaubi and Anomalospiza imberbis. Mushitu species known to occur include Cossypha bocagei, Bradypterus lopezi, Phylloscopus laurae, Apalis cinerea and Telophorus multicolor, and the miombo holds a large number of Zambezian biome endemics.

Site description This site is currently a disused farm, owned by the state, but up for sale. About 100 km east-north-east of Kasama and lying at the headwaters of the Kalungwishi river, it is in one of the highest parts of the Northern Province. At its heart is a vast dambo flanking the river and its many tributaries, which also support numerous patches of mushitu. The remaining area is predominantly miombo and both the ranch and adjacent areas are very sparsely populated.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Habitats

Land use

Other biodiversity None known to BirdLife International.

Management considerations At present the area is virtually pristine and benefits from the very low density of human habitation. However, the site needs very careful monitoring, especially if it is sold and subdivided.

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

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