Data Zone
Country/territory: United Arab Emirates
IBA criteria met: A1, B2a (2017)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,600 hectares (16.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2017 | poor | medium | low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
An isolated massif on the UAE/Oman border, 20 km to the west of the main Hajar range. The barren, arid slopes are deeply incised by wadis full of scree. A road runs up the western flank to the summit (1,300 m), whilst the east flank is very steep. There are no rivers: all rain (mainly storms in early spring) runs off immediately. Vegetation is very sparse: Ziziphus and Acacia bushes grow on the lower flanks. Most of the mountain is inaccessible and seldom visited.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. An important site for raptors and for some Middle Eastern speciality species. Other interesting species include Aquila chrysaetos (one record, November), Hieraaetus fasciatus (recorded outside breeding season) and Falco pelegrinoides (probably breeds).
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Hemitragus jayakari (V): an isolated population formerly occurred on the mountain; there were probably less than 20 in 1980. None has been seen more recently and they are generally believed to be extinct.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Colin Richardson.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Jebel Hafeet (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/jebel-hafeet-iba-united-arab-emirates on 27/12/2024.