Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
Koffe swamp is 7 km south-west of Jimma, the capital of Jimma Zone. It is on the Jimma–Seka road in an area of relatively flat land, surrounded by small hills. Small rivers in the area include the Kilo and Melka Faki. Koffe swamp supports significant expanses of
Typha sp., but there is no further information on vegetation. However, at Jimma Airport, the swamp near the road also comprises
Persicaria spp. and
Alisma plantago-aquatica, while the meadow around the airport has several species of grasses up to 1 m tall. Areas of short grassland, which are intensively grazed, contain
Cynodon dactylon and some clumps of
Hyparrhenia sp. The dominant crop is maize, but the farmers also grow root and other crops.
See Box for key species. Koffe swamp is believed to be a breeding location for
Grus carunculatus, with at least 10 present in December 1995. According to local inhabitants, the species breeds in the wetlands of the Koffe Peasants’ Association, with birds also seen on the nearby Jimma Airport wetland.
Macronyx flavicollis also occurs (at least 10 birds), as do small numbers of various Palearctic and Afrotropical ducks and geese. In all, 78 species have been recorded at the site.
Sarothrura rufa is also known to occur in Koffe swamp, and various Palearctic crake species may use the site seasonally.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Koffe swamp is totally unprotected, although it is part of an area controlled by the Koffe Peasants’ Association. A disturbing report was that the eggs of
Grus carunculatus are being collected and sold. The farmers view these birds as pests because they voraciously eat
Eragrostis tef, particularly when it is about to mature. There is a small-scale industry in the area making red-clay bricks from soil dug out of the swamp area. The area under crops is expanding at the expense of the few remaining patches of natural forest and woodland.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Koffe swamp (Ethiopia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/koffe-swamp-iba-ethiopia on 22/11/2024.
