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YE018
High mountains of Ibb
Location Yemen, Ibb
Central coordinates 44o 8.00' East  13o 53.00' North
IBA criteria A1, A2, A3, B2, B3
Area 25,000 ha
Altitude 1,500 - 3,100m
Year of IBA assessment 2001

Yemen Society for the Protection of Wildlife (Affiliate)



Ornithological information See table for key species. Other breeding species of Afrotropical or more narrowly Eritreo-Arabian affinities include Scopus umbretta, Circaetus gallicus (possible: seen carrying nest material in February), Melierax metabates, Accipiter badius, Aquila rapax, Streptopelia lugens, Treron waalia, Chrysococcyx caprius, C. klaas, Bubo africanus, Halcyon leucocephala, Tockus nasutus, Mirafra cantillans, Anthus cinnamomeus, A. similis, Oenanthe bottae, Monticola rufocinereus, Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Muscicapa gambagae, Terpsiphone viridis, Tchagra senegala, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster, Petronia dentata and Amandava subflava. There is an autumn passage of Ciconia ciconia, Accipiter nisus, Buteo buteo and Aquila nipalensis; the magnitude of the passage is unknown, but the raptors stop off and disperse to feed, at notably high densities. There is also a strong autumn passage of Cuculus canorus, Apus apus, Merops apiaster, Motacilla flava, Luscinia megarhynchos, Sylvia communis, Muscicapa striata and Oriolus oriolus; the area is probably very important as a refuelling zone for migrant passerines in autumn. Wintering species include Circaetus gallicus (1-10), Accipiter nisus, Buteo buteo (10-1,000), Aquila nipalensis (10-100), Hieraaetus pennatus (1-10), Coturnix coturnix, Apus apus, and Motacilla citreola.

Site description A highland area (1,500-3,100 m), from a little north of Ibb to the small town of Dhi Sufal to the south-west, with the town of Jiblah (2,000 m) and Jabal al-Ta'kar (up to 3,100 m) in between.

Populations of IBA trigger species

Species Season Period Population estimate Quality of estimate IBA Criteria IUCN Category
Arabian Partridge Alectoris melanocephala resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus resident  1993  1 breeding pairs  poor  B2  Least Concern 
Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus resident  1993  1 breeding pairs  poor  B2  Endangered 
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca winter  1993  5-10 individuals  poor  B2  Vulnerable 
Dusky Turtle-dove Streptopelia lugens resident  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Arabian Woodpecker Dendrocopos dorae resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3, B2  Vulnerable 
Brown Woodland-warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens resident  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yemen Warbler Sylvia buryi resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3, B2  Vulnerable 
Tristram's Starling Onychognathus tristramii resident  1993  common [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Yemen Thrush Turdus menachensis resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3, B2  Vulnerable 
Arabian Wheatear Oenanthe lugentoides resident  1993  common [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Little Rock-thrush Monticola rufocinereus resident  1993  present [units unknown]  -  A3  Least Concern 
Arabian Waxbill Estrilda rufibarba resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
Yemen Accentor Prunella fagani resident  1993  uncommon [units unknown]  -  A1, A2, A3, B2  Near Threatened 
Olive-rumped Serin Serinus rothschildi resident  1993  common [units unknown]  -  A3, B3  Least Concern 
Yemen Serin Serinus menachensis resident  1993  uncommon [units unknown]  -  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 
Arabian Grosbeak Rhynchostruthus percivali resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  B3  Near Threatened 
Yemen Linnet Carduelis yemenensis resident  1993  frequent [units unknown]  -  A2, A3, B3  Least Concern 

Habitats

IUCN habitat Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial landscapes (terrestrial)   major
Grassland   minor
Shrubland   minor
Rocky areas   minor
Wetlands (inland)   minor
Forest   minor

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture major
rangeland/pastureland minor
tourism/recreation minor
forestry minor

Other biodiversity Mammals: Papio hamadryas (endemic). Reptiles: Chamaeleo arabicus (endemic), Chamaeleo calyptratus (endemic).

Management considerations Abandonment of the existing terrace agriculture system, due to emigration of manpower, is a problem at least locally, leading to tree-cutting, deterioration of terrace walls, loss of rich topsoil reserves, and overgrazing/browsing. Road building and built development could exacerbate these problems in the future.

Conservation response No formal conservation measures are known to have been taken. Local practices which may benefit nature have not been investigated in depth yet, but it is widely considered that the existing terrace agriculture system greatly benefits wildlife through its low intensity.

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Recommended citation  BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: High mountains of Ibb. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 19/06/2013

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