BirdLife IBA Factsheet

Country/Territory

Guatemala

Administrative region(s)

Chimaltenango, Escuintla, Guatemala, Sacatepéquez

Central coordinates

14^o 28' North 90^o 47' West Map

Area

137862 ha

Altitude

500 - 3900m

Criteria

A1, A2, A3

Site description IBA Antigua Guatemala is located in the Guatemalan volcanic belt, bordered in the west by the IBA Atitlan. The site ranges in altitude from 500 to 3900 m and includes the major volcanoes Agua, Fuego (active), and Acatenango, in the surroundings of the colonial town Antigua Guatemala, as well as the active volcano Pacaya to the southeast.

Birds IBA Antigua Guatemala is important for range-restricted species of the North Central American Highlands (15 species recorded) and for biome-restricted species of the Madrean Highlands (36 species). The site supports populations of three globally threatened species: Highland and Horned Guan (Penelopina nigra and Oreophasis derbianus), and Pink-headed Warbler (Ergaticus versicolor), according to recent bird records (Tenez 2005, Pérez 2006, González-García et al. 2006, Rivas Romero 2006, Eisermann & Avendaño 2007).

Protection status About 30% of the IBA are legally protected, including a national park, a watershed preserve, protected zones of all volcano cones (zona de veda definitiva), and three 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 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: Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala. Downloaded from the Data Zone at http://www.birdlife.org on 9/9/2010