CD010
Virunga National Park


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2001 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
Handsome Francolin Pternistis nobilis LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Afep Pigeon Columba unicincta LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Western Bronze-naped Pigeon Columba iriditorques LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Blue-headed Wood-dove Turtur brehmeri LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Bates's Nightjar Caprimulgus batesi LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Fiery-necked Nightjar Caprimulgus pectoralis LC resident 2000 present A3
Montane Nightjar Caprimulgus poliocephalus LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Sabine's Spinetail Rhaphidura sabini LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Scarce Swift Schoutedenapus myoptilus LC resident 2000 present A3
Bates's Swift Apus batesi LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Yellow-throated Cuckoo Chrysococcyx flavigularis LC resident 2000 present A3
Dusky Long-tailed Cuckoo Cercococcyx mechowi LC resident 2000 present A3
White-spotted Flufftail Sarothrura pulchra LC resident 2000 present A3
Ruwenzori Turaco Gallirex johnstoni LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Shoebill Balaeniceps rex VU resident 2000 present A1
African Long-eared Owl Asio abyssinicus LC resident 2000 present A3
Fraser's Eagle-owl Bubo poensis LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Mountain Buzzard Buteo oreophilus NT resident 2000 present A3
Congo Serpent-eagle Dryotriorchis spectabilis LC resident 2000 present A3
Cassin's Hawk-eagle Aquila africana LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Chestnut-flanked Sparrowhawk Accipiter castanilius LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Long-tailed Hawk Urotriorchis macrourus LC resident 2000 present A3
Bare-cheeked Trogon Apaloderma aequatoriale LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Bar-tailed Trogon Apaloderma vittatum LC resident 2000 present A3
Eastern Long-tailed Hornbill Horizocerus cassini LC resident 2000 present A3
Dwarf Hornbill Lophoceros camurus LC resident 2000 present A3
Western Little Hornbill Horizocerus hartlaubi LC resident 2000 present A3
Congo Pied Hornbill Lophoceros fasciatus LC resident 2000 present A3
Black-casqued Hornbill Ceratogymna atrata LC resident 2000 present A3
White-thighed Hornbill Bycanistes albotibialis LC resident 2000 present A3
Cinnamon-chested Bee-eater Merops oreobates LC resident 2000 present A3
Black Bee-eater Merops gularis LC resident 2000 present A3
Blue-headed Bee-eater Merops muelleri LC resident 2000 present A3
Blue-throated Roller Eurystomus gularis LC resident 2000 present A3
African Dwarf-kingfisher Ispidina lecontei LC resident 2000 present A3
Chocolate-backed Kingfisher Halcyon badia LC resident 2000 present A3
Eastern Yellow-billed Barbet Trachylaemus purpuratus LC resident 2000 present A3
Eastern Yellow-spotted Barbet Buccanodon duchaillui LC resident 2000 present A3
Sladen's Barbet Gymnobucco sladeni LC resident 2000 present A3
Speckled Tinkerbird Pogoniulus scolopaceus LC resident 2000 present A3
Western Green Tinkerbird Pogoniulus coryphaea LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Red-rumped Tinkerbird Pogoniulus atroflavus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Yellow-throated Tinkerbird Pogoniulus subsulphureus LC resident 2000 present A3
Hairy-breasted Barbet Tricholaema hirsuta LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Cassin's Honeybird Prodotiscus insignis LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Zenker's Honeyguide Melignomon zenkeri LC resident 2000 present A3
Dwarf Honeyguide Indicator pumilio LC resident 2000 unknown A2, A3
Willcocks's Honeyguide Indicator willcocksi LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Spotted Honeyguide Indicator maculatus LC resident 2000 present A3
Lyre-tailed Honeyguide Melichneutes robustus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Gabon Woodpecker Dendropicos gabonensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Fine-banded Woodpecker Campethera taeniolaema LC resident 2000 present A3
Buff-spotted Woodpecker Pardipicus nivosus LC resident 2000 present A3
Brown-eared Woodpecker Pardipicus caroli LC resident 2000 present A3
Yellow-crested Woodpecker Dendropicos xantholophus LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus EN resident 2000 present A3
Black-collared Lovebird Agapornis swindernianus LC resident 2000 present A3
Green-breasted Pitta Pitta reichenowi LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey-headed Broadbill Smithornis sharpei LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Rufous-sided Broadbill Smithornis rufolateralis LC resident 2000 present A3
Western Black-headed Oriole Oriolus brachyrynchus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Mountain Oriole Oriolus percivali LC resident 2000 present A3
Grauer's Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris graueri LC resident 2000 unknown A2, A3
Grey Cuckooshrike Ceblepyris caesius LC resident 2000 present A3
Petit's Cuckooshrike Campephaga petiti LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Yellow-crested Helmetshrike Prionops alberti VU resident 2000 present A1, A2, A3
African Shrike-flycatcher Megabyas flammulatus LC resident 2000 present A3
Ruwenzori Batis Batis diops LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Jameson's Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia jamesoni LC resident 2000 present A3
Chestnut Wattle-eye Dyaphorophyia castanea LC resident 2000 present A3
Fiery-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus cruentus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri NT resident 2000 present A1, A3
Mountain Sooty Boubou Laniarius poensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Doherty's Bush-shrike Telophorus dohertyi LC resident 2000 present A3
Western Crested-flycatcher Trochocercus nitens LC resident 2000 present A3
Bedford's Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone bedfordi LC resident 2000 present A1, A3
Red-bellied Paradise-flycatcher Terpsiphone rufiventer LC resident 2000 present A3
Violet-backed Hyliota Hyliota violacea LC resident 2000 present A3
White-tailed Crested-flycatcher Elminia albonotata LC resident 2000 present A3
Dusky Tit Melaniparus funereus LC resident 2000 present A3
Stripe-breasted Tit Melaniparus fasciiventer LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Western Nicator Nicator chloris LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Green Crombec Sylvietta virens LC resident 2000 unknown A3
White-browed Crombec Sylvietta leucophrys LC resident 2000 present A3
Yellow Longbill Macrosphenus flavicans LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey Longbill Macrosphenus concolor LC resident 2000 present A3
Rufous-crowned Eremomela Eremomela badiceps LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Turner's Eremomela Eremomela turneri NT resident 2000 unknown A3
Ruwenzori Apalis Oreolais ruwenzorii LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Black-faced Apalis Apalis personata LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Chestnut-throated Apalis Apalis porphyrolaema LC resident 2000 present A3
Tawny-breasted Camaroptera Camaroptera toroensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Chubb's Cisticola Cisticola chubbi LC resident 2000 present A3
Papyrus Yellow Warbler Calamonastides gracilirostris VU resident 2000 unknown A3
Mountain Yellow Warbler Iduna similis LC resident 2000 present A3
Grauer's Swamp-warbler Bradypterus graueri VU resident 2000 present A1, A2, A3
Cinnamon Bracken-warbler Bradypterus cinnamomeus LC resident 2000 present A3
Square-tailed Saw-wing Psalidoprocne nitens LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Eastern Mountain Greenbul Arizelocichla nigriceps LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-tailed Bristlebill Bleda syndactylus LC resident 2000 present A3
Spotted Greenbul Ixonotus guttatus LC resident 2000 present A3
Swamp Palm Bulbul Thescelocichla leucopleura LC resident 2000 present A3
Honeyguide Greenbul Baeopogon indicator LC resident 2000 present A3
Joyful Greenbul Chlorocichla laetissima LC resident 2000 present A3
Simple Greenbul Chlorocichla simplex LC resident 2000 present A3
Shelley's Greenbul Arizelocichla masukuensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey Greenbul Eurillas gracilis LC resident 2000 present A3
Plain Greenbul Eurillas curvirostris LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-tailed Greenbul Criniger calurus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Xavier's Greenbul Phyllastrephus xavieri LC resident 2000 present A3
Toro Olive Greenbul Phyllastrephus hypochloris LC resident 2000 present A3
Icterine Greenbul Phyllastrephus icterinus LC resident 2000 present A3
Brown Woodland-warbler Phylloscopus umbrovirens LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-faced Woodland-warbler Phylloscopus laetus LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Green Hylia Hylia prasina LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Ruwenzori Hill-babbler Sylvia atriceps LC resident 2000 present A3
Brown Illadopsis Illadopsis fulvescens LC resident 2000 present A3
Mountain Illadopsis Illadopsis pyrrhoptera LC resident 2000 present A3
Scaly-breasted Illadopsis Illadopsis albipectus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Grey-caped Capuchin Babbler Phyllanthus bohndorffi LC resident 2000 present A3
Black-lored Babbler Turdoides sharpei LC resident 2000 present A3
Slender-billed Starling Onychognathus tenuirostris LC resident 2000 present A3
Chestnut-winged Starling Onychognathus fulgidus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Waller's Starling Onychognathus walleri LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Sharpe's Starling Pholia sharpii LC resident 2000 present A3
Stuhlmann's Starling Poeoptera stuhlmanni LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Narrow-tailed Starling Poeoptera lugubris LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Purple-headed Starling Hylopsar purpureiceps LC resident 2000 unknown A3
White-tailed Ant-thrush Neocossyphus poensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Rufous Flycatcher-thrush Stizorhina fraseri LC resident 2000 present A3
Abyssinian Ground-thrush Geokichla piaggiae LC resident 2000 present A1, A2, A3
Abyssinian Ground-thrush Geokichla piaggiae LC resident 2000 present A3
Fire-crested Alethe Alethe castanea LC resident 2000 present A3
Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata LC resident 2000 present A3
Yellow-footed Flycatcher Muscicapa sethsmithi LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Dusky-blue Flycatcher Bradornis comitatus LC resident 2000 present A3
African Forest-flycatcher Fraseria ocreata LC resident 2000 present A3
Olivaceous Flycatcher Fraseria olivascens LC resident 2000 present A3
White-eyed Slaty-flycatcher Melaenornis fischeri LC resident 2000 present A3
Archer's Robin-chat Dessonornis archeri LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
White-starred Robin Pogonocichla stellata LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-throated Alethe Chamaetylas poliophrys LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Blue-shouldered Robin-chat Cossypha cyanocampter LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Yellow-breasted Forest-robin Stiphrornis xanthogaster LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Equatorial Akalat Sheppardia aequatorialis LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey-chested Kakamega Kakamega poliothorax LC resident 2000 present A3
Grey-headed Sunbird Deleornis axillaris LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Grey-chinned Sunbird Anthreptes tephrolaemus LC resident 2000 present A3
Blue-throated Brown Sunbird Cyanomitra cyanolaema LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Blue-headed Sunbird Cyanomitra alinae LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Green-throated Sunbird Chalcomitra rubescens LC resident 2000 present A3
Purple-breasted Sunbird Nectarinia purpureiventris LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Bronze Sunbird Nectarinia kilimensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-tufted Sunbird Nectarinia johnstoni LC resident 2000 present A3
Northern Double-collared Sunbird Cinnyris reichenowi LC resident 2000 present A3
Regal Sunbird Cinnyris regius LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Rockefeller's Sunbird Cinnyris rockefelleri VU resident 2000 unknown A2, A3
Red-chested Sunbird Cinnyris erythrocercus LC resident 2000 present A3
Bates's Sunbird Cinnyris batesi LC resident 2000 present A3
Baglafecht Weaver Ploceus baglafecht LC resident 2000 present A3
Strange Weaver Ploceus alienus LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Black-billed Weaver Ploceus melanogaster LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Northern Brown-throated Weaver Ploceus castanops LC resident 2000 present A3
Brown-capped Weaver Ploceus insignis LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Vieillot's Black Weaver Ploceus nigerrimus LC resident 2000 present A3
Crested Malimbe Malimbus malimbicus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Grant's Bluebill Spermophaga poliogenys LC resident 2000 present A3
Red-faced Crimsonwing Cryptospiza reichenovii LC resident 2000 present A3
Abyssinian Crimsonwing Cryptospiza salvadorii LC resident 2000 present A3
Dusky Crimsonwing Cryptospiza jacksoni LC resident 2000 present A2, A3
Shelley's Crimsonwing Cryptospiza shelleyi EN resident 2000 present A1, A2, A3
Yellow-bellied Waxbill Coccopygia quartinia LC resident 2000 present A3
White-collared Oliveback Nesocharis ansorgei LC resident 2000 present A3
White-breasted Nigrita Nigrita fusconotus LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Chestnut-breasted Nigrita Nigrita bicolor LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Pale-fronted Nigrita Nigrita luteifrons LC resident 2000 present A3
Oriole Finch Linurgus olivaceus LC resident 2000 present A3
Yellow-browed Citril Crithagra frontalis LC resident 2000 present A3
Papyrus Canary Crithagra koliensis LC resident 2000 present A3
Thick-billed Seedeater Crithagra burtoni LC resident 2000 unknown A3
Streaky Seedeater Crithagra striolata LC resident 2000 present A3

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2001).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2020 very unfavourable very high low
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no habitat good

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 poor (40-69%) poor (40-69%) very unfavourable
Savanna 0 0 poor (40-69%) moderate (70-90%) very 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 - agro-industry farming likely in long term (beyond 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) very rapid to severe deterioration low
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming happening now some of area/population (10-49%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Agricultural expansion and intensification livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration medium
Biological resource use fishing & harvesting aquatic resources - intentional use: subsistence/sml scale happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use gathering terrestrial plants - persecution/control happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use logging & wood harvesting - intentional use: subsistence/small scale happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Climate change and severe weather drought happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Energy production and mining mining and quarrying happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Energy production and mining renewable energy happening now some of area/population (10-49%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Geological events earthquakes/tsunamis happening now whole area/population (>90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Geological events volcanic eruptions likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration medium
Human intrusions and disturbance war, civil unrest and military exercises likely in short term (within 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Human intrusions and disturbance work and other activities happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) very rapid to severe deterioration very high
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - abstraction of ground water (unknown use) likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications fire & fire suppression - suppression in fire frequency/intensity happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Pollution domestic & urban waste water - run-off likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Pollution garbage & solid waste likely in long term (beyond 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Pollution industrial & military effluents - seepage from mining likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Residential and commercial development housing and urban areas likely in short term (within 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas likely in long term (beyond 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Transportation and service corridors roads and railroads happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Some of site covered (10-49%) No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun Some limited conservation initiatives are in place 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)
Virunga National Park World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 790,000 protected area overlaps with site 780,000
Virunga Parc National 776,893 protected area overlaps with site 780,000
Parc national des Virunga Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 800,000 protected area overlaps with site 780,000

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial/Terrestrial -
Unknown -
Wetlands (inland) -
Shrubland -
Savanna -
Grassland -
Forest -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
fisheries/aquaculture -
forestry -
nature conservation and research -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Virunga National Park. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/virunga-national-park-iba-congo-the-democratic-republic-of-the on 01/10/2023.