14 May 2008
Tunis — On the occasion of Tunisia's recent celebration of the "World Days of migrant birds", a thirty year old Tunisian association dubbed the "Friends of birds " (AAO), has issued a report on the important role of birds as best indicators of a country's biodiversity, because of the link they establish between the world's eco systems.
The association which is about to launch its website, will also publish a poster/brochure on migrant birds in Tunisia .
Indeed, during the winter season, Tunisia welcomes a number of rare bird species some of which are classified as threatened species, by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and ornithologists from all over the world, visit Tunisia to watch these species as they breed on the country's vast humid areas and especially on the water collecting dams north of the country.
A few figures best testify to Tunisia 's role as a bird sanctuary, two thirds of the Mediterranean population of pink flamingos hibernate in Tunisia and particularly in the Gabes area, south of the country. The great salt regions in the governorate of Sfax (salines) are also a major transit and hibernating zone for tens of thousands of birds. The islands and archipelagos of La Galite and Zembra are well -known natural shelters for the 'Eleonora falcon' and the 'Audouin gull'. Tunisia is also a passage point for the great migratory birds such as the 'ciconia' and the 'ciconia nigra'.
During springtime, they cross the country and focus on El Haouaria in the Cap Bon area, when it is possible to count some 40,000 birds of prey belonging to some 23 different species.
On the other hand, the "Friends of birds" association, has plans afoot to issue an official census on the overall bird population in the country during winter. This census will be carried out with the help of the centre of regional activities for specially protected areas (CAR/ASP).
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