JM002
Dolphin Head


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2007 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 List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala NT resident 2007 unknown A1
Ring-tailed Pigeon Patagioenas caribaea VU resident 2007 unknown A1, A2
Jamaican Mango Anthracothorax mango LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Vervain Hummingbird Mellisuga minima LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Red-billed Streamertail Trochilus polytmus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo Coccyzus vetula LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Owl Pseudoscops grammicus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Tody Todus todus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Woodpecker Melanerpes radiolatus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Becard Pachyramphus niger LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Large Jamaican Elaenia Elaenia fallax LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Small Jamaican Elaenia Myiopagis cotta LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Pewee Contopus pallidus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Sad Flycatcher Myiarchus barbirostris LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Rufous-tailed Flycatcher Myiarchus validus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Stolid Flycatcher Myiarchus stolidus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Vireo Vireo modestus LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Rufous-throated Solitaire Myadestes genibarbis LC resident 2007 unknown A2
White-eyed Thrush Turdus jamaicensis LC resident 2007 unknown A2
White-chinned Thrush Turdus aurantius LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Euphonia Euphonia jamaica LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Oriole Icterus leucopteryx LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Arrowhead Warbler Setophaga pharetra LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Jamaican Spindalis Spindalis nigricephala LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Orangequit Euneornis campestris LC resident 2007 unknown A2
Yellow-shouldered Grassquit Loxipasser anoxanthus LC resident 2007 unknown A2

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2007) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2006) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2006 unfavourable high low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat poor

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Quantity (% remaining) Quality (% carrying capacity) Result
Forest moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification happening now some of area/population (10-49%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Natural system modifications happening now some of area/population (10-49%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Biological resource use happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Residential and commercial development likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Bath Mountain Forest Reserve -
1950 Dolphin Head Forest Reserve 6
1950 Burnt Savannah Forest Reserve 1
1950 Burnt Savannah Block A Forest Reserve -
1961 Geneva Mountain Forest Reserve 3
1961 Raglan Mountain Forest Reserve 2
1965 Quasheba Mountain Forest Reserve 7
1965 Georges Plain Mountain Forest Reserve 1

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Caves and Subterranean Habitats (non-aquatic) -
Forest -
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
water management major (>10)
agriculture minor (<10)
nature conservation and research minor (<10)
rangeland/pastureland minor (<10)
tourism/recreation minor (<10)
forestry -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dolphin Head (Jamaica). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dolphin-head-iba-jamaica on 22/11/2024.