Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Tillabéri roost occupies a
Eucalyptus woodlot in an area of irrigated rice on the flood-plain of the Niger river near Daikaina, just east of Tillabéri. The woodlot is managed by the irrigation authority, ONAHA (Office National des Aménagements Hydro-Agricoles). Some of the trees were felled in early 1997 and, as a result, the birds temporarily moved to a wooded area 1.0–1.5 km to the south. More recently, however, the birds have moved back to the woodlot.
See Box for key species. The first site was counted in February 1995–1998 while counts of the alternative roost, following its relocation as a result of human disturbance, took place in April 1997. In total, 35 species of waterbird have been observed at the roost and in immediately surrounding areas. Notable counts, in addition to those listed below, include 1,132
Phalacrocorax africanus in February 1996 and 5,581
Bubulcus ibis, 333
Nycticorax nycticorax and 506
Threskiornis aethiopicus in February 1995. In March 1998, 14
Ixobrychus minutus were seen. Total numbers counted were 11,868, 10,762, 5,667 and 3,541 in February 1995–1998, respectively.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main roost-site was completely abandoned in 1997 for a short while as a result of the felling. Both the original roost and the alternative, another wooded area 1.0–1.5 km further south, need to be given immediate protection. For unknown reasons, some species appeared to have been declining in numbers even before the first roost-site was disturbed. These include
Ardeola ralloides and
Egretta garzetta. Because the site is so close to an urban centre, is sensitive to human activity and is important, for example, for the migratory
Plegadis falcinellus, its conservation could be made to have a significant impact in raising public awareness. The Département de la Faune, de la Pêche et de la Pisciculture has formulated a project proposal for this.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tillabéri roost (Niger). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tillabéri-roost-iba-niger on 23/11/2024.
