Important Bird Areas in Kenya

Leon Bennun and Peter Njoroge
Nature Kenya and Ornithology Department of the National Museums of Kenya (sponsored by Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - BirdLife International)
ISBN: 9966-9921-1-1

This is basically a directory of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Kenya, which meet the international criteria now being implemented across the globe. The sites are chosen because they hold bird species that are threatened with extinction, have highly restricted distributions, or are characteristic of particular biomes. Sites holding exceptionally large numbers of congregatory birds (especially migrants), also qualify. Each site is given two or more pages, with a site description in terms of habitats, specific details of the avifauna, and a detailed map. Of the 60 sites identified in Kenya, 35 are within existing protected areas (national parks and forest reserves), but the rest are completely unprotected. These 25 sites are therefore of high priority for conservation and this book now serves as a vital document for NGOs and government agencies to afford proper protection.

Interestingly, it has been shown throughout the world that areas which support a rich diversity of birds almost always contain a similar diversity of plants, invertebrates, and very often support a rich mammal, reptile and frog fauna. The identification and targeted protection of IBAs is therefore an extremely valuable strategy for biodiversity conservation and the hard-working authors (and many field contributors) to this book are to be congratulated.

Posted: Birds by CC Africa, Date: 22 November 2006