Lebanon’s diverse landscapes, from coastal plains to mountainous regions, create an ideal habitat for a rich variety of bird species. One of the most effective conservation models in the country is the Hima approach, a traditional community-based practice that has been revived to protect birds and biodiversity. Through the efforts of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and local communities, these designated Hima areas provide critical stopover sites for migratory birds and safe havens for resident species.
Among the numerous bird species thriving in Lebanon’s Hima, five stand out for their ecological importance and unique characteristics: the Masked Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Common Chiffchaff, Hooded Crow, and European Greenfinch.
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Lebanon
Lebanon is home to 15 Important Bird Areas (IBAs), which are sites recognized globally for their significance in bird conservation. These areas serve as crucial habitats for both resident and migratory bird species, providing breeding, feeding, and stopover sites along migration routes. Some of the most notable IBAs include Shouf Biosphere Reserve, Palm Islands Nature Reserve, Aammiq Wetland, Kfar Zabad, Ebel es-Saqi, and Ras Baalbek.
Many of these IBAs overlap with Hima sites, reinforcing the importance of community-based conservation efforts. The Hima approach ensures that these IBAs are not only legally protected but also actively managed by local communities to prevent habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and other threats. These conservation areas play a vital role in supporting species such as the Masked Shrike and Spotted Flycatcher, which depend on these locations for breeding and migration.
By integrating the Hima model with the IBA network, Lebanon has strengthened its role as a regional leader in bird conservation, ensuring that key avian populations continue to thrive despite mounting environmental challenges.
Masked Shrike (Lanius nubicus)
The Masked Shrike is one of the most striking passerine birds found in Lebanon’s Hima areas. Recognizable by its black-and-white plumage and a distinct black “mask” across its eyes, this bird is a skilled predator. It often perches on exposed branches, scanning the surroundings for insects, small lizards, and even small birds. The Masked Shrike is a summer visitor to Lebanon, using the country’s woodlands and shrublands as breeding grounds before migrating south in autumn.
Hima sites such as Ehmej and Kfar Zabad provide excellent nesting opportunities for this species, as they offer a mix of open habitats with scattered trees, allowing them to hunt efficiently. Conservation efforts focus on maintaining these habitats by preventing deforestation and ensuring a healthy ecosystem of prey species.
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata)
A master of aerial hunting, the Spotted Flycatcher is a small, slender bird with a streaked chest and brownish-grey plumage. True to its name, it specializes in catching insects mid-air, a behavior that makes it an essential part of the ecosystem in Lebanon’s Hima sites.
This species is a common passage migrant in Lebanon, stopping in Hima areas such as Ras Baalbek and Ebel es-Saqi during its long journey between Europe and Africa. The Spotted Flycatcher prefers open woodlands and orchards, which provide ample perching sites for scanning insects. However, habitat loss and the excessive use of pesticides pose a threat to their survival.
The revival of the Hima approach, which promotes sustainable agricultural practices and limits pesticide use, directly benefits insectivorous birds like the Spotted Flycatcher by ensuring a stable food source.
Common Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita)
The Common Chiffchaff is a small, agile warbler with olive-brown plumage, a distinctive dark eye stripe, and a pale underbelly. Unlike the Willow Warbler, it has a more monotone song and a characteristic tail-wagging behavior. This species is a long-distance migrant that passes through Lebanon in large numbers, using the country as a critical stopover site on its journey between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa.
Common Chiffchaffs favor a variety of habitats, including woodlands, scrublands, and even urban green spaces, making the Hima sites in the Bekaa Valley and Akkar valuable resting points. They primarily feed on small insects, spiders, and larvae, actively foraging among leaves and branches. Unlike the Willow Warbler, which prefers deciduous woodlands, the Common Chiffchaff is more adaptable and can be found in a wider range of environments, including coniferous forests.
As climate change alters migration patterns and insect availability, Common Chiffchaffs increasingly depend on well-maintained habitats in Lebanon to sustain their energy reserves. Protecting diverse Hima sites, particularly those with a rich insect population and sufficient vegetation cover, is crucial to supporting this resilient yet vulnerable migratory species. Reforestation projects and habitat conservation efforts further enhance these stopover sites, ensuring the survival of birds like the Common Chiffchaff on their demanding journeys.
Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix)
The Hooded Crow is a highly intelligent and adaptable bird that thrives in various Lebanese landscapes, from urban areas to agricultural fields and woodlands. With its striking black-and-grey plumage, the Hooded Crow is easy to identify. It is known for its opportunistic feeding habits, consuming everything from insects and seeds to carrion and garbage.
Although often viewed as a pest in agricultural settings, the Hooded Crow plays a crucial role in ecosystem balance by controlling pest populations and cleaning up waste. In Lebanon’s Hima areas, such as those in Ras el-Matn and Kfar Zabad, Hooded Crows contribute to natural waste management and even help disperse seeds.
While they are common, the increase in human-wildlife conflicts due to habitat encroachment poses challenges. Conservation programs emphasize coexisting with Hooded Crows rather than eradicating them, recognizing their role in maintaining ecological health.
European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris)
A beautiful songbird, the European Greenfinch is recognized by its bright green and yellow plumage and melodious song. It is a seed-eater, often found in forests, orchards, and gardens, where it feeds on seeds from various plants, including thistles and sunflowers.
The Greenfinch is a resident breeder in Lebanon, with significant populations in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve and the Hima sites of Qoleileh and Mansouri. However, the widespread use of pesticides and habitat degradation have led to population declines in recent years.
Hima initiatives that promote organic farming and the planting of native trees directly benefit the European Greenfinch by providing a pesticide-free environment rich in food sources. Encouraging local communities to participate in bird-friendly agriculture has proven to be a successful strategy in conserving this species.
The Role of Hima in Bird Conservation
The Role of Hima in Bird Conservation
The Hima model is one of Lebanon’s most effective conservation strategies, blending traditional knowledge with modern conservation science. By engaging local communities, the Hima approach ensures sustainable land use while protecting critical bird habitats.
For migratory birds like the Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, Hima areas offer essential stopover points, providing food and rest during their long journeys. For resident species like the European Greenfinch and Hooded Crow, these sites serve as permanent sanctuaries, ensuring breeding success and population stability.
Moreover, species such as the Masked Shrike, which are semi-migratory, benefit from the balance between forested areas and open landscapes within the Hima system.
Hima Site vital for protection
Lebanon’s Hima sites and IBAs are vital for the protection of birds and biodiversity. By maintaining traditional conservation practices, reducing habitat destruction, and engaging local communities, these areas help safeguard species like the Masked Shrike, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Warbler, Hooded Crow, and European Greenfinch.
As environmental challenges grow, expanding and strengthening the Hima model and IBA network will be essential in ensuring that Lebanon remains a sanctuary for birds and a leading example of community-based conservation in the Middle East.
Photographs copyrights of Husein Ali Zorkot, Butterfly Garden Manager, SPNL
