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close| Location | Saudi Arabia, Jizan |
| Central coordinates | 41o 41.70' East 17o 53.50' North |
| IBA criteria | A4i, B1i, B2 |
| Area | 8 ha |
| Altitude | 0 - 100m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2001 |
Ornithological information See box for key species. An important breeding area for Platalea leucorodia (of the Red Sea subspecies P. l. archeri); however the site has only once been surveyed in the breeding season, in 1982. Other breeding species included Egretta gularis (9 pairs), Butorides striatus (2 pairs) and Pandion haliaetus (1 pair). Small numbers of wintering waterfowl include Pelecanus rufescens (9), Sula leucogaster (30), gulls Larus (200) and terns Sterna (200).
Site description An island lying 5 km off the coast of south-west Saudi Arabia, midway between Shuqaiq and al-Birk. It is dominated by a mound of volcanic clinker rising to 100 m; a few trees (up to 3 m high) grow on its slopes, and there is a good growth of salt-tolerant bushes along its base on the south and south-east side abutting a flat and sandy area. Offshore are rich coral reefs. There is a small 7-m-high rock outcrop 200 m to the south.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia | breeding | 1993 | 60 breeding pairs | good | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
| Sooty Falcon Falco concolor | breeding | 1993 | 2 breeding pairs | poor | B2 | Near Threatened |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Sea | minor | |
| Desert | major | |
| Coastline | major |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| other | major |
| Notes: About 50% of the eggs or young of Platalea leucorodia were almost certainly taken by visiting people in 1982. | |
Other biodiversity None known to BirdLife International.
Management considerations About 50% of the eggs or young of Platalea leucorodia were almost certainly taken by visiting people in 1982. Hundreds or even thousands of feral pigeons Columba livia have been recorded in winter, and may compete with breeding seabirds for nest-sites in summer.
References Stagg (1984b).
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Kutambil island. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 21/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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