Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
This site includes the Las Macanas Multiple-Use Area and surrounding agricultural areas. Las Macanas contains a small lake and associated marshes near the Santa María River between the towns of El Rincón and Paris.
The area contains the only known nesting site for Glossy Ibis in Panama. With at least 450 individuals in the area, the site exceeds 1% of the regional population. The nesting site, which is also used by herons and other aquatic birds, is at the Ciénaga del Rey, on private property near the town of Santa María. The area also contains several nationally threatened species, including various ducks, Aplomado Falcon, and the endemic Panama race of Common Ground-Dove. It is the only known breeding site in Panama for Fulvous Whistling-Duck and Killdeer (F. Delgado unpublished data).
Non-bird biodiversity: Neotropical River Otter and American Crocodile occur (Delgado 1985).
The lake, which is slightly brackish, is a maximum of 6 m deep during the rainy season. Part of it is covered with floating vegetation including the introduced water hyacinth and Pistia. There are small patches of dry forest scrub surrounding the wetlands (Delgado 1985). The surrounding area is inhabited by latinos. Most of the surrounding area is devoted to rice cultivation, but it also includes cattle and subsistence agriculture.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Illegal hunting, especially of ducks, is a problem. Pesticide and agricultural chemical use in the agricultural areas could have detrimental effects on the birds and other wildlife.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
None known.
The Las Macanas Multiple Use Area was established in 1996. Two park guards are assigned to the area. This protection category places few restrictions on use of the area beyond those on forest clearing and hunting that are applicable nationally. Crop dusting is prohibited andthe use of water for irrigation is regulated, but fishing and cultivation of areas that lack forest are permitted. Recently an observation tower and other facilities have been constructed to serve tourists visiting the area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Santa María Wetlands (Panama). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/santa-maría-wetlands-iba-panama on 27/12/2024.
