Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
A mountain with surrounding foothills at 1,700-2,000 m in the Hijaz range, west of al-Madinah. The vegetation is open
Juniperus phoenicia climax woodland with associated Mediterranean-type flora. Lichens and ferns occur on the wetter slopes. The
Juniperus zone is easily accessible, unlike anywhere else in the central Hijaz. There is an ancient agricultural terrace system, now abandoned. Bee-keeping is an important local activity; secondary human activities are agriculture and recreation.
See box for key species. Other breeding species include
Aquila verreauxii (min. 1 pair),
Buteo rufinus (min. 1-2 pairs),
Hieraaetus fasciatus,
Tachymarptis melba (possible),
Apus pallidus,
Rhodopechys githaginea and
Emberiza striolata.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V; unconfirmed), Panthera pardus (rare) and Capra nubiana (I).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The site is proposed as a Special Nature Reserve, Natural Reserve, Resource Use Reserve and Controlled Hunting Reserve in the NCWCD System Plan for Protected Areas, and establishment is proceeding. The mountain is a 'hima' (traditional protected area) for bee-keeping, and grazing animals have long been excluded. Possible abandonment of this system in the future is a major threat to the presently good condition of the vegetation. Agricultural intensification, involving rehabilitation of terraces and construction of new houses and roads, is currently a major problem. Water supplies are now being brought in by tanker to permit this otherwise unsustainable development.
Data-sheet compiled by B. Meadows.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hima al-Fiqrah (Saudi Arabia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hima-al-fiqrah-iba-saudi-arabia on 23/12/2024.
