Data Zone
Country/territory: Cyprus
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, B2, B3, C1, C6 (2012)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 9,558 hectares (95.58 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | high | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site summary
This extensive IBA is one of the four ‘valley’ IBAs carved by rivers flowing from the Troodos massif to the south-west coast, with the Xeros River being the creating force in this case. This is the most important of the four ‘valley’ IBAs, with a long catalogue of qualifying species including three species of global conservation concern: breeding European Rollers (Coracias garrulus), migrating Pallid Harriers (Circus macrourus) and Redfooted Falcons (Falco vespertinus). This site is also an Endemic Bird Area with both Cyprus Wheatear (Oenanthe cypriaca) and Cyprus Warbler (Sylvia melanothorax) found here in very good numbers. The open landscape of the Xeros valley also hosts important breeding populations of Long-legged Buzzard (Buteo rufinus) and Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) – plus a pair of Bonelli’s Eagle
(Aquila fasciata). To this catalogue must be added important breeding numbers of Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus), Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus), Little Owl (Athene noctua), Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Crested Lark (Galerida cristata) and Cretzschmar’s Bunting (Emberiza caesia). Finally, the site is also an important feeding area for the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) and an
important site for autumn raptor passage.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Xeros Valley and Hanoutaris Cliffs (Cyprus). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/xeros-valley-and-hanoutaris-cliffs-iba-cyprus on 22/12/2024.