Data Zone
Country/territory: Laos
IBA criteria met: A1, A3 (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 60,070 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2008 | not assessed | medium | medium |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2003 baseline)
The IBA is centred on the Phou Louey massif, the most extensively forested part of Phou Louey Protected Area, in northern Lao P.D.R. The massif supports mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forest on its lower slopes, lower montane evergreen forest between 1,500 and 1,800 m asl and upper montane evergreen forest above 1,800 m asl. There are also some areas of secondary grassland within the IBA, where the forest has been cleared for cultivation. The IBA supports a rich and distinctive montane avifauna, including the globally threatened Beautiful Nuthatch Sitta formosa. In addition, Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis has been recorded, and, given the relatively large area of mature forest, the IBA may support a significant population of this species. Furthermore, the IBA also contains significant stretches of forested streams, which are important for Blyth's Kingfisher Alcedo hercules (Davidson 1998). Finally, Yellow-vented Warbler Phylloscopus cantator, a restricted-range species, is suspected to breed at the IBA. If this were confirmed, the IBA would qualify for inclusion within the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.
Key biodiversity
Breeding is suspected but unconfirmed for Yellow-vented Warbler. This species may also breed at Nam Ha Protected Area, at the other site in Laos. However the species is probably a winter visitor at that site.The area does not support many the IBA key species of birds (Ai and Aii criteron), but supports many Biome-restricted assemblages. It is maybe one of few breeding sites for Yellow-vented Warbler known occur in Laos so far.
Non-bird biodiversity: Davidson (1998) recorded four species of primate: Slow Loris Nyticebus coucang, Assamese/Rhesus Macaque Macaca assamensis/mulatta, Bear Macaque M. arctoides, White-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates leucogenys. Villagers reported Francois's Langur Semnopithecus francoisi but not confirmed with further substantiating evidence.There were reliable reports from two local villagers, Ban Nampoung and Ban Sakok that four species of turtles present at the IBA area Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum, Four-eyed Turtle Sacalia quadriocellata, Impressed Tortoise Manouria impressa and Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartilaginea. However the sites of collecting animals were not confrimed clearly. (Davidson 1998)Davidson (1998) recorded two species of ungulate: Gaur Bos gaurus and Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis. Villagers reported another two species of ungualate also present, but not confirmed by with further substantiating evidence: Indochinese Warty Pig Sus bucculentus and Banteng B. javanicus.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Phou Loeuy (Laos). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/phou-loeuy-iba-laos on 22/11/2024.