• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (1994 baseline):

Extensive area of gravel plain to the east of Bab al-Mandab, stretching from the coast to foothills, and at least from al-Hajaf to beyond Bir Ras al-Ara.

See table for key species. Breeding species in good numbers include Pterocles lichtensteinii, P. exustus, Alaemon alaudipes, and especially Lanius excubitor which occurs here probably at a higher density than anywhere else in the country. The site's good cover of vegetation and closeness to the Bab al-Mandab make it a very important stop-over point for migrants.

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: unidentified Gazella (rare) are reported to occur in the area. Reptiles: Pristurus ornithocephalus (endemic), P. crucifer (endemic), P. flavipunctatus (endemic), Varanus griseus (rare).

This area may be the most extensive and intact woodland savanna in Yemen. The vegetation comprises mostly Acacia tortilis woodland with Panicum grassland and Zygophyllum in gravel areas. The Acacia trees are well-developed and relatively dense (up to 11 or more trees per ha). Plant cover is densest in shallow wadis and runnels that drain from the inland hills to the coast, where the grassland is best-developed. The area is not highly populated and is used by the local inhabitants for grazing of livestock, notably goats and camels.

The sparseness of the grass is clearly due to heavy grazing, which probably has a negative impact on the Ardeotis arabs population. Tree-cutting is a problem locally. Ardeotis arabs used to be shot in this area and this may still occur. Fire is a potential threat to the habitat.

No formal nature conservation measures are known to have been taken.

Data-sheet compiled by Chris Bradshaw and R. F. Porter.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hiswat al-Hugayma (Yemen). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hiswat-al-hugayma-iba-yemen on 23/11/2024.