Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2014 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| See-see Partridge Ammoperdix griseogularis | LC | resident (2010) | 25 pairs | A3 |
| Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus | EN | breeding (2009) | 1 pairs | A1 |
| Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus | LC | breeding (2008–2010) | 20 pairs | A3 |
| Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris | LC | resident (2008–2010) | 20 pairs | A3 |
| Upcher's Warbler Hippolais languida | LC | breeding (2011) | 1 pairs | A3 |
| Menetries's Warbler Curruca mystacea | LC | breeding (2008–2010) | 3 pairs | A3 |
| Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer | LC | resident (2011) | 50 pairs | A3 |
| Eastern Rock Nuthatch Sitta tephronota | LC | resident (2007–2011) | 100 pairs | A3 |
| White-throated Robin Irania gutturalis | LC | breeding (2010) | 3 pairs | A3 |
| Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe hispanica | LC | breeding (2007–2010) | 40 pairs | A3 |
| Finsch's Wheatear Oenanthe finschii | LC | resident (2007–2008) | 5 pairs | A3 |
| Kurdish Wheatear Oenanthe xanthoprymna | LC | breeding (2011) | 9 pairs | A3 |
| Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala | LC | breeding (2008–2010) | 500 pairs | A3 |
| Cinereous Bunting Emberiza cineracea | NT | breeding (2010–2011) | 11 pairs | A3 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2014. The most recent assessment (2014) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | not assessed |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | unset | good | |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Energy production and mining | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | very high |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Not assessed | Not assessed | Not assessed | not assessed |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Barzan Area and Gali Balnda | Nature Reserve (IV) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| energy production and mining | major (>10) |
| rangeland/pastureland | major (>10) |
| water management | major (>10) |
| urban/industrial/transport | major (>10) |
| tourism/recreation | major (>10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Barzan Area and Gali Balnda (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/barzan-area-and-gali-balnda-iba-iraq on 22/12/2024.