Data Zone
Country/territory: Croatia
IBA criteria met: B2, B3, C2, C6 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 203,608 hectares (2,036.08 km2)
Site description (2005 baseline)
This area comprises the largest Croatian mountain with diverse habitats (forest, open, rocky and mixed habitats). The majority of important bird species inhabit forests – fir-beech in the northern part and beech in the southern part. Very important spruce forests (Stirovaca, Lomska duliba etc.), as well as black pine and hop-hornbeam forests are found here. Rocky habitats with exposed cliffs are best developed in Velika and Mala Paklenica. It is one of the most important breeding areas for Capercaillie, Pygmy and Tengmalm’s Owl, White-backed Woodpecker and Ortolan Bunting in Croatia. Birds are threatened mainly by intensified forest management, changes in traditional farming, excessive or illegal hunting and unregulated recreational activities and tourism.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mount Velebit (Croatia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mount-velebit-iba-croatia on 23/12/2024.