Data Zone
Country/territory: Cuba
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii (2008)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 56,290 ha
Site description (2008 baseline)
Las Picuas-Cayo Del Cristo IBA is located in the Sabana-
Camagüey Archipelago, a group of cays off the north-east
coast of Villa Clara province. The IBA extends from Cayo
Blanquizal to Cayo Cristo. These cays and islets are
characterised by a muddy-sandy substrate, and are dominated
by mangrove forests and dunes with associated shrubby
vegetation. The administrative centre of the IBA is in the
coastal town of Carahatas, with around 666 residents who
mostly work in fishing through a state fisheries cooperative,
but also in agriculture and cattle farming.
Key biodiversity
This IBA supports globally significant breeding colonies of
Caribbean Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus and the Vulnerable West Indian Whistling-duck
Dendrocygna arborea. It represents an important
waterbird site with 46 species nesting including herons, ibises,
spoonbills, cormorants, and pelicans. More than 17 waterbird
species roost communally on several of cays and islets. The
Near Threatened White-crowned Pigeon Patagioenas
leucocephala breeds in the IBA.
Non-bird biodiversity: Marine life includes the Vulnerable West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus and globally threatened sea-turtles. The Vulnerable Cuban ground iguana Cyclura nubila occurs on more than 20 cays. Two plants are Cuban endemics, one of which is the Endangered Pilosocereus robinii.
Acknowledgements
Authors: MARÍA MORALES, VICENTE BEROVIDES, SUSANA AGUILAR
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Las Picuas - Del Cristo Cay (Cuba). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/las-picuas--del-cristo-cay-iba-cuba on 22/11/2024.