• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

The site was identified as important in 2017 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
Sand Partridge Ammoperdix heyi	LC	resident	2006-2017	250-999 individuals	B2a
Pallid Scops-owl Otus brucei	LC	resident	2014-2015	90-165 males	A3, B2a
Omani Owl Strix butleri	LC	resident	2014-2015	min 1 males	A3, B2a
Plain Leaf-warbler Phylloscopus neglectus	LC	winter	2006-2017	1,000-2,499 individuals	B2a
Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps	LC	resident	2006-2017	50-249 individuals	B2a
Hooded Wheatear Oenanthe monacha	LC	resident	2006-2017	< 50 individuals	B2a
Hume's Wheatear Oenanthe albonigra	LC	resident	2006-2017	1,000-2,499 individuals	A3, B2a

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2017).

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

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification	livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
Biological resource use	hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - persecution/control	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low
Energy production and mining	mining and quarrying	likely in long term (beyond 4 years)	small area/few individuals (<10%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	low
Natural system modifications	dams & water management/use - abstraction of surface water (agricultural use)	happening now	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
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation	A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species	The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented	high

For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

Protected area (PA)	PA designation	PA area (ha)	Relationship of PA with IBA	Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Wadi Wurayah	Protected Area	22,413	protected area contains site	22,100
Wadi Wurayah	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	22,413	protected area contains site	22,100

Habitat (IUCN level 1)	Habitat detail	Extent (% of site)
Wetlands (inland)	Permanent rivers, streams & creeks, Freshwater springs & oases, Seasonal/intermittent/irregular river/stream/creek	-
Shrubland	Subtropical & tropical dry	-

For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land-use	Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research	-
other	-

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wadi Wurayah. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wadi-wurayah-iba-united-arab-emirates on 03/10/2023.