Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
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.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The grove of
Mimusops laurifolia has been scheduled as a site of special interest by the NCWCD, but the mountain is otherwise unprotected. Urban development is continuing on the summit area. There is little or no grazing on the mountain, and the dry, scrub-covered eastern side seems not to be threatened.
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 23/11/2024.
