A mountain area in north-east Sicily, west of the town of Messina, dominated by maquis, garrigue, broadleaved evergreen woodlands and agricultural land. The main land-uses are cultivation and stock-rearing.
Key biodiversity
A very important `bottleneck' site for migrating raptors, where more than 20,000 pass regularly in spring, especially Pernis apivorus (mean minimum of 6,032 pass per spring).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are fires and illegal hunting. In the past there was intense hunting of migrating raptors, which has now largely decreased. A major threat is the building of forestry roads. There are anti-poaching activities.
Protected areas
National None International UnknownOverlaps with SPA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2022) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Peloritani mountains. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 25/01/2022.
