JM002
Dolphin Head


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala NT resident 2007 unknown A1
Ring-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas caribaea VU resident 2007 unknown A1, A2
Jamaican Mango Anthracothorax mango LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Vervain Hummingbird Mellisuga minima LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Red-billed Streamertail Trochilus polytmus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo Coccyzus vetula LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Owl Pseudoscops grammicus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Tody Todus todus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Woodpecker Melanerpes radiolatus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Becard Pachyramphus niger LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Large Jamaican Elaenia Elaenia fallax LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Small Jamaican Elaenia Myiopagis cotta LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Pewee Contopus pallidus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Sad Flycatcher Myiarchus barbirostris LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher Myiarchus validus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Stolid Flycatcher Myiarchus stolidus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Vireo Vireo modestus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Rufous-throated Solitaire Myadestes genibarbis LC resident 2007 unknown A2
White-eyed Thrush Turdus jamaicensis LC resident 2007 unknown A2
White-chinned Thrush Turdus aurantius LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Euphonia Euphonia jamaica LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Oriole Icterus leucopteryx LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Arrowhead Warbler Setophaga pharetra LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Spindalis Spindalis nigricephala LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Orangequit Euneornis campestris LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Yellow-shouldered Grassquit Loxipasser anoxanthus LC resident 2007 unknown A2

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2007).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2006 unfavourable high low
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat poor

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Habitat detail Reference area (ha) Actual area (ha) Habitat quantity (% remaining) Habitat quality (carrying capacity) Result
Forest 0 0 moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - shifting agriculture happening now some of area/population (10-49%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification wood and pulp plantations (includes afforestation) - small-holder plantations happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Biological resource use logging & wood harvesting - unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Climate change and severe weather storms and floods likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - unspecified species happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Natural system modifications other ecosystem modifications happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity low
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Raglan Mountain Forest Reserve 102 protected area contained by site 0
Quasheba Mountain Forest Reserve 372 protected area contained by site 0
Georges Plain Mountain Forest Reserve 43 protected area contained by site 0
Geneva Mountain Forest Reserve 170 protected area contained by site 0
Dolphin Head Forest Reserve 314 protected area contained by site 0
Burnt Savannah Block A Forest Reserve 39 protected area contained by site 0
Burnt Savannah Forest Reserve 39 protected area contained by site 0
Bath Mountain Forest Reserve 121 protected area contained by site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -
Forest -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
forestry -
water management -
nature conservation and research -
rangeland/pastureland -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dolphin Head. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dolphin-head-iba-jamaica on 25/09/2023.