Data Zone
Country/territory: Saudi Arabia
IBA criteria met: B2, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 6,800 hectares (68.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
Shallal ad-Dahna lies 90 km north of Abha on the road to Taif and comprises broken granite hill country at 2,400-2,700 m covered with Juniperus and Acacia scrub. The site contains one of the very few permanent waterfalls of the country, and a pool.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. The main interest is the presence of the isolated and distinctive endemic race Pica pica asirensis (3 pairs). Other breeding species include Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Ploceus galbula and Corvus rhipidurus. Further surveys would be advantageous.
Non-bird biodiversity: The fauna is unusually rich in Palearctic relict species; vertebrate species include the shrew Crocidura russula, the snake Eirenis coronella fennelli, the toad Bufo viridis, and the frogs Rana ridibunda and Hyla savignyi.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by A. Stagg and P. Symens.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Shallal ad-Dahna (Saudi Arabia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/shallal-ad-dahna-iba-saudi-arabia on 22/12/2024.