Sites Programme
 M Sneary
Tandayapa, part of Mindo IBA, Ecuador
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The Important Bird Areas (IBA) program of BirdLife International is a worldwide initiative aimed at identifying and protecting a network of critical sites for the conservation of the world's birds.
IBAs are:
- critical sites for the conservation of birds and biodiversity
- places of international importance
- practical targets for conservation action
- selected according to internationally recognised criteria
- used to reinforce existing protected area networks
- used as part of a wider approach to conservation
Data collection and analysis play a highly influential role in underpinning the conservation and management of IBAs. Useful for conservationists, ornithologists, governmental and non-governmental agencies, policy-makers, researchers, consultants and planners, the data managed in the World Bird Database (WBDB) are intended to inform and guide practical management and actions at IBAs and to target political and legal mechanisms to achieve the adequate protection of IBAs.
Contributions have been made by a vast network of ornithologists, birdwatchers and conservation experts around the world. Many thousands of individuals have been involved in the collation of data. In most countries the relevant BirdLife International Partner has co-ordinated the work nationally, and this has generally involved substantial collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organisations.
Sites example
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For IBAs, data are maintained on:
- site characteristics
- location
- habitats
- land-uses
- threats
- species present
- species populations
- IBA criteria met
- relationship to protected areas
- images
- text accounts across a number of themes
- references
Much of this information is available through the Data Zone. Information is presented as a Site Account (see the example above).