Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 26,049 hectares (260.49 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
A complex of large haurs with extensive marshes on the plains to the east of the River Tigris, north of Haur Om Am Nyaj. The three main haurs, Haur Jazrah in the west, Haur Chubaisah in the centre and Haur Sanaf in the east, lie close together and merge into one another at high water levels. They are bordered on the south by the Musharra Canal. Haur Sanaf (between Amara and Al Halfaya) is about 20 km long and consists mainly of open water with a few reeds and extensive fringing grasslands. Haur Chubaisah includes the Bani Lam Marshes described by Savage (1968).
Key biodiversity
According to Savage (1968), these wetlands are particularly important for Anser anser, Anser erythropus and Tadorna ferruginea. Anhinga rufa is resident, and the reference by Ticehurst et al. (1921-1922) to a 'colony' of Marmaronetta angustirostris near Amara, and to Turdoides altirostris being common in reedbeds there, presumably refers to this site. The most recent surveys were in January 1968 and January 1979. The entire area was listed as a wetland of international importance by Carp (1980).
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Information compiled by Dr D. A. Scott and D. J. Brooks, reviewed by Dr Khalid Y. Al-Dabbagh and Dr Hanna Y. Siman.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sinnaf Seasonal Wetlands (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sinnaf-seasonal-wetlands-iba-iraq on 23/12/2024.