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Site description (2022 baseline):

This site comprises the central mountain range of the island of Santiago and includes the island’s highest peak (Pico da Antónia, 1,392 m). The terrain is, in general, rugged, and accessibility is limited, but there are some roads and several trails which lead to the summit. Large parts of the slopes and crest are forested with a variety of trees, in particular Eucalyptus spp. These woods are managed by the state forestry service. The higher parts are often shrouded in clouds and, during much of the year, are relatively well-watered by mist and drizzle. There is some cultivation of coffee on the higher slopes, while maize and beans are grown at lower altitudes. Part of the mountain’s rim is a military zone, closed to the public, and there is also a telecommunications station.

Endemic birds breeding in the area comprise Puffinus boydi, Buteo (‘buteo’) bannermani, Falco (tinnunculus) alexandri, Falco (peregrinus) madens, Tyto (alba) detorta, Apus alexandri, Acrocephalus brevipennis and Passer iagoensis. Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda used to occur, but is now extinct on Santiago (and is virtually so everywhere). Other breeding species include Coturnix coturnix, Halcyon leucocephala, Sylvia conspicillata, S. atricapilla and Passer hispaniolensis.

Non-bird biodiversity: Endemic lizards Mabuya stangeri spinalis, Tarentola darwini, T. rudis and Hemidactylus brooki angulatus occur at the site. Endemic plants include Euphorbia tuckeyana, Campanula jacobaea and Sonchus daltonii.

The population of Buteo (‘buteo’) bannermani is now extremely small, while Milvus (milvus) fasciicauda has recently become extinct on Santiago, but the exact reasons for their decline are poorly understood. It is thought that pesticides have played a role (especially before 1975); also nest robbery by children may have contributed. Guns are rare amongst the population, but a few license holders regularly hunt Numida meleagris, an introduced species common in the area. It is unknown if, and to what extent, other birds are shot, but this is probably not a major threat today. In the past it may, however, have been considerable, because raptors are generally considered to be ‘chicken thieves’, and this may be at the root of the present rarity of large raptors. Specific research must be carried out to establish the present status of Pterodroma feae in the area (and on Santiago as a whole). The population of Acrocephalus brevipennis appears to be relatively stable, at least at this site. Tree-felling causes temporary disturbance.

MAVA Foundation.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Serra do Pico da Antónia (Cape Verde). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/serra-do-pico-da-antónia-iba-cape-verde on 22/11/2024.