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

Site description (2001 baseline)
The site is a wooded hill above the town of Moulay Idriss, 12 km north-east of Meknès. Stretching 15 km east–west, Jbel Zerhoun rises to over 1,000 m from the lower-lying surrounding plains of the Saïss and Oued Kroumane at 200–400 m. The site is the only natural space remaining near the urban centres of Fès and Meknès. The town of Moulay Idriss is included within the IBA boundary. The soft rock of the formation has been eroded into numerous steep valleys and gorges, resulting in a spectacular landscape. Average annual rainfall is around 800 mm, and the natural vegetation is rich and varied—although large parts are now covered with plantations of introduced Pinus spp. (P. radiata, P. halepensis and P. canariensis).

Key biodiversity
See Box for key species. Jbel Zerhoun is chiefly important for its breeding population of Falco naumanni. Over 200 pairs have been known to nest (1995 figure) so the population may perhaps exceed A4ii thresholds. This colonial cliff-nesting species utilizes nest-sites in the ravines of Jbel Zerhoun and in and around the walled town of Moulay Idriss. Seven species of the Mediterranean North Africa biome have been recorded (Table 2): all breed except Caprimulgus ruficollis, a summer visitor. Many migrating Palearctic passerines and raptors also pass through the site.

Non-bird biodiversity: The tortoise Testudo graeca (VU) occurs.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jbel Zerhoun (Morocco). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jbel-zerhoun-iba-morocco on 23/11/2024.