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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).

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

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

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

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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.