Data Zone
Country/territory: São Tomé e Príncipe
IBA criteria met: A4i, A4ii, A4iii (2001)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 23 ha
Site description (2001 baseline)
The two islands of Tinhosa Pequena (3 ha) and Tinhosa Grande (20 ha) lie 22 km south-west of Príncipe. They are unvegetated rocky islets that reach altitudes of 65 m (Tinhosa Pequena) and 56 m (Tinhosa Grande). Tinhosa Pequena is inaccessible because of its almost sheer slopes, but there is a small platform on Tinhosa Grande which enables landing.
Key biodiversity
See Box for key species. The Tinhosas islands shelter the largest seabird colonies in the Gulf of Guinea. In addition to the species listed below, a fifth, Phaethon lepturus, also breeds regularly at the site in small numbers. The status of two other species, Sterna anaethetus and Oceanodroma castro, is unclear—they are sometimes seen around the islets, but there is no proof of breeding. There are two breeding seasons, coinciding with the two dry seasons, December–January and June–August. Non-breeding visitors include, in small numbers, Phaethon aethereus, Sula dactylatra, Sula sula and the globally threatened Fregata aquila. These birds are presumed to come from colonies on Ascension Island, 2,500 km to the south-west.
Non-bird biodiversity: An unidentified gecko has been found.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tinhosas islands (São Tomé e Príncipe). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tinhosas-islands-iba-são-tomé-e-príncipe on 22/11/2024.