Data Zone
Country/territory: Cyprus
IBA criteria met: A1, A3, B1i, B2, B3, C1, C2, C3, C6 (2012)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 20,772 hectares (207.72 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2016 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site summary
One of the larger, more distinctive and most rich-in-qualifying-species IBAs, ‘Akamas Peninsula and Agia Aikaterini – Agia Paraskevi Gorges’ is the top breeding site on the island for the European Roller (Coracias garrulus), a species of global conservation concern. This IBA is also a Mediterranean Biome Site, with its scrub vegetation hosting high breeding densities of the endemics, Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax) and Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca), Sardinian Warbler (Sylvia melanocephala), Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus), Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia) and Black-headed Bunting (Emberiza melanocephala). The coastline of the Akamas peninsula is important for waterbird passage, especially in the autumn, with Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) and Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) the most important species. Demoiselle Cranes (Grus virgo) also occur in passage. Other notable breeders (all in qualifying numbers) are Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), European Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Cyprus Scops Owl (Otus scops cyprius), Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) and Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Akamas and Agia Aikaterini – Agia Paraskevi Gorges (Cyprus). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/akamas-and-agia-aikaterini-–-agia-paraskevi-gorges-iba-cyprus on 22/12/2024.