Data Zone
Country/territory: Saudi Arabia
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, B2, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 12,000 hectares (120.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
An isolated steep-sided jabal on the western side of the Asir mountains (above 500 m). The temperate summit area (c.2,000 m) is heavily built up and cultivated, with Juniperus in parts too steep for terracing, as well as various broadleaved shrubs and bushes, Ficus and a few Dracaena trees, as well as introduced Eucalyptus and Opuntia. At lower altitudes Adenium obesum and Commiphora occur. The western slopes have considerable rainfall but there is very little permanent water on the summit area and supplies for crops are brought up by bowser.
Key biodiversity
The mountain and its foothills hold c.70 breeding species. See box for key species; other breeding species include Terathopius ecaudatus, Melierax metabates, Falco pelegrinoides, Streptopelia lugens, Treron waalia, Cypsiurus parvus, Halcyon leucocephala, Merops albicollis, Coracias abyssinica, Tockus nasutus, Anthus similis, Oenanthe bottae, Monticola rufocinereus, Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Muscicapa gambagae, Anthreptes metallicus, Nectarinia habessinica, N. osea, Zosterops abyssinicus, Tchagra senegala, Cinnyricinclus leucogaster and Emberiza tahapisi.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: the only Saudi Arabian site for several small species. Reptiles: the only Saudi Arabian site for several species, including Varanus yemenensis (endemic). Flora: the site is of very high botanical interest; features include a grove of the tree Mimusops laurifolia (rare), the largest trees in Saudi Arabia.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheets compiled by P. Symens and M. C. Jennings.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jabal Fayfa (Saudi Arabia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jabal-fayfa-iba-saudi-arabia on 23/12/2024.