BirdLife IBA Factsheet

Country/Territory

Guatemala

Administrative region(s)

Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, San Marcos, Sololá, Suchitepéquez

Central coordinates

14^o 45' North 91^o 38' West Map

Area

121461 ha

Altitude

500 - 3600m

Criteria

A1, A2, A3

Site description IBA Santiaguito Volcano is located in the Guatemalan volcanic belt, bordered in the West by IBA Tacana-Tajumulco and in the East by IBA Atitlan. The site includes volcano Santiaguito, one of Guatemala's active volcanoes, and the major volcanoes Santa María, Santiaguito, Chicabal, and Santo Tomás. The site ranges in altitude from 500 to 3600 m.

Birds IBA Santiaguito Volcano is important for range-restricted species of the North Central American Highlands (16 species recorded) and of the North Central American Pacific Slope (2 species), and for biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands (36 species) and the Pacific Arid Slope (6 species). The site supports populations of four globally threatened species: Highland and Horned Guan (Penelopina nigra and Oreophasis derbianus), Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor), and Azure-rumped Tanager (Tangara cabanisi), according to local bird inventories (Vannini 1989, Tenez 1997, 2005, Valle et al. 2000, González-García et al. 2001, 2006, Cooper 2003, Brooks & Gee 2006, Eisermann & Avendaño 2007).

Protection status About 21% of the IBA are legally protected, including a National Park, five Regional Parks, protected zones of all volcano cones (Zona de Veda Definitiva), and six Private Nature Reserves (CONAP 2007).

Conservation issues About 150 years ago began the establishment of coffee plantations, which caused an extensive loss of habitat for species like Azure-rumped Tanager and Highland Guan, which are now considered threatened. Bird populations are threatened by management deficiencies in protected areas, an advancing agricultural border, illegal logging and hunting, and forest fires.

Recommended Citation BirdLife International (2009) Important Bird Area factsheet: Santiaguito Volcano, Guatemala. Downloaded from the Data Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 2/9/2010