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

Site description (2007 baseline)
Les Grottes are sheltered in the limestone cliffs on the terrace system of Île de la Tortue, located on the northeast part of Morne Monde and Morne Pois Congo. It is in the la Tortue commmune, Departement du Nord'Ouest. The land is exploited by farmers that plant plantains and bananas, coffee, beans. Access from the main land is from Port Vincent to Aux Palmistes. Identified as historic landscapes and monuments to be protected by the Ministry of Culture and Communication and in 1997 by the Route 2004 project. This IBA will consist of three caves and surroundings where the Atlantic Ocean and marine birds can be observed. Nearby Aux Palmistes (Lat: 20.01667 Long: -72.73333) and surroundings are densely populated with about 10,000 people. It counts religious missions, schools, health centers, stores, and a radio station.

Key biodiversity
Its avifauna includes more than 40 species with 3 unique forms: Tortue Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris tortugae), (Coereba bananivora nectarea), (Loxigilla violacea maurella) not found on the main land. It is an important area for migratory species including transiting species.

Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic subspecies do Île de la Tortue Thick-billed Vireo (Vireo crassirostris tortugae); Bananaquit (Coereba flaveola nectarea); Greater Antillean Bullfinch (Loxigilla violacea maurella). Marine migratory species need to be inventoried, this includes species the wetlands/mangrove

Acknowledgements
Florence Sergile, Société Audubon Haiti Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Les Grottes (Haiti). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/les-grottes-iba-haiti on 23/12/2024.