Iran, the Paradise of Birds and Bird Watchers

 

Iran is an ideal destination for recording rare birds. This country is home to 562 migratory and endemic birds belonging to 80 families and 10 orders of birds. Of these species, one species is endemic and 33 species are endangered.

It is interesting to know that Iran is in a migration corridor. As a result, many birdwatchers travel to this country from all over the world.

The Best Season for Bird-watching in Iran

Autumn is one of the best seasons for bird-watching in Iran. Because migratory birds come from cold regions to this country as well as endemic birds. So, the largest number of endemic and migratory species of birds can be seen in this season

Most of the migratory birds coming to Iran belong to West Siberian and Western Europe. Most of them are often seen in the northern provinces of the country. Most species that we can see in this season are swan, goose, duck, sandpiper, dalmatian pelican, Eurasian teal and gull. Some birds such as mallard and the Pleske’s ground jay are found in all seasons in Iran.

Iran also hosts some migratory birds such as plover, little ringed plover, purple heron, Squacco heron collared pratincole. In the recent years, some species have immigrated to Iran for the first time. The most important one is oriental White-eyed Warbler.

Bird watching

The Most Important Bird-watching Areas in Iran

Bird-watching is a pleasure to see birds in their natural habitat. So, all the natural reserves, especially wetlands, plains, lakes, forests and pastures are suitable for bird-watching.
There are a lot of areas dedicated to bird-watching in Iran. In addition, wetlands, forests and plains provide a good opportunity for watching rare valuable species in this country. It is also possible to watch birds in some city parks.

Miankaleh, the Natural Biosphere Reserve and the Best Area for Bird-watching

Miankaleh is one of the most important areas for bird-watching in Iran. Because the beaches of this peninsula are more pristine compared to the other beaches of Mazandaran. More importantly, this region is registered in UNESCO as a natural biosphere reserve.

Some birds such as pheasants and the francolinus live permanently in Miankaleh. This peninsula is also a refugee for the migratory birds such as different types of ducks, wild geese, whooper swans, dalmatian pelicans, coots and Eurasian teal.

Miankaleh is a narrow peninsula which leads to the Caspian Sea in the north and Gorgan Gulf in the south. It neighbors Zagh Marz Lagoon and Lapou Wetland of Behshahr in the west. The island of Ashuradeh lies off the eastern tip of the peninsula. Bandar Torkaman (port) is also located 1 km away this peninsula.

Bird Watching in Miankaleh
Fereydunkenar Wetland, the Destination of the Only Siberian Crane in Iran

Fereydunkenar Wetland is another suitable bird-watching site in Iran. The wetland is located in Mazandaran Province and the south of Babolsar City. It is also home to some birds such as different types of geese, cormorants, coots, grebes, herons, pelicans, falcon, sea eagle and eastern imperial eagle.

Of the spectacular attractions of this wetland is watching the only surviving migratory Siberian crane in Iran. Until 2007, cranes from the northern regions of Russia came to Kiashahr’s Boujagh National Park in winter. However, today they are almost extinct in Iran and only one single crane exists in this park.

This popular crane, called “Hope”, is 135 Cm long. This bird travels alone for nearly 3,000 kilometers to reach the wetland. This crane usually arrives in the middle of November or early December and stays in the wetland until mid-March.

Bird Watching in Fereydunkenar

Meighan Wetland, a Good Destination for Bird-watching in Fall and Winter

Of the most important bird-watching wetlands in Iran is Meighan Wetland, located 15 km northeast of Arak in Markazi Province. In terms of climate, this wetland has mild winters. So, it is the habitat of migratory birds coming from cold areas in autumn and early winter.

Mighan Wetland is a habitat for 16% of the birds in Iran. More than 60% of the birds in Markazi Province also live in this wetland. Above all, more than 15000 aquatic, semiaquatic and terrestrial species of birds immigrate to this region from European and Siberian regions. Of the birds we can mention flamingo, different types of ducks, goose, Eurasian teal and herons.

Tehran, an Attractive Destination for Bird-watching in Iran

If you are interested in bird-watching, you can observe beautiful birds in the heart of the capital. The best site for bird-watching is Tehran’s City Park which hosts more than 40 bird species in a year. Some of them are endemic, some are spring and summer migrators, some are autumn and winter migrators and some are transient migrators.

It is noteworthy that in the bird-watching site of City Park you are provided with bird-watching facilities. Moreover, bird-watching experts give you useful information about the birds.

Migratory birds in City Park

Bird-watching in Iran and Visiting the Largest Bird of the Country in Qarah Qeshlaq Wetland

Qarah Qeshlaq Wetland lies on the margin of Lake Urmia in East Azarbaijan. More than 190 endemic and migratory bird species live in the wetland. So, it is one of the most important bird-watching sites. More importantly, this wetland is the habitat of Iran’s largest and rarest bird, called the great bustard. This bird is among the rarest species of the world, which is capable to fly despite its heavy body.

Lake Zerebar, an Appropriate Place for Bird-watching in Kurdestan

Lake Zerebar, located Marivan City in Kurdestan Province, it is an important destination for bird-watching in Iran. The lake is a center in which migratory birds spend the winter and lay their eggs. In addition to bird-watching and visiting the lake, seeing the nests of storks and birding in the mountainous areas can be so attractive.

Bird Watching in Lake Zerebar

Bird-watching in Iran and Birding the Most Unique Birds of the Country

Pleske’s Ground Jay, the Endemic Bird of Iran

A purpose of wildlife enthusiast from traveling to Iran can be watching pleske’s ground jay. This bird, also known as Persian ground jay, is an endemic or native bird.

Pleske’s ground jay is so-called terrestrial such that it prefers running to flying even when in danger. It has a melodious call and brownish beige feather. The pleske’s ground jay lives in desert and semi-desert areas, and you may encounter them in the east and southeast of Iran.

The origin of some birds such as White-throated robin is Iran Plateau, but they are not the endemic species of Iran.

Golden Eagle, the Symbol of Glory in Ancient Persia

A purpose of birdwatching in Iran is birding the Golden Eagle. This species is one of the strongest and most magnificent hunting birds in Asia and Europe. You can see the images of this species, as a symbol of power in ancient Persia, in ancient Iranian motifs.

The superb beauty of Golden Eagle has caused it to be overhunted. That is why it is considered as a protected species. This bird prefers rocky areas to forests, so they mainly live in the Alborz and Zagros Range.

The color of this bird is dark brown, with light brown or golden feathers on the head and neck. The females are bigger than the males and speed up to 320 kilometers per hour.

Golden Eagle

Eurasian Eagle-Owl, the Biggest Iranian Owl

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is the biggest owl in Iran and one of the world’s most beautiful owl species. The favorite habitat of this species is mountain slopes, semi-desert areas, scattered forests and steppe regions. It is often seen in northern parts of Iran.

The Eurasian eagle-owl can live up to 60 years in perfect condition. The length of the wings of this magnificent owl is about 2 meters while flying.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Annual Bird-watching Programs in Iran

In the Iranian environmental calendar, 23 November is named “National Bird-watching Day”. On this day, special programs are arranged to promote bird-watching among people and tourists.

The 10th of May has also been called as World Migratory Bird Day. The Africa-Eurasia Aquatic Birds Agreement (AEWA) has called this day to raise global awareness about the importance of migratory birds for maintaining the balance of the earth.

Diverse activities are held on the World Migratory Bird Day in Iran. The activities include holding various bird related festivals; educational activities such as seminars, workshops, copying and distributing; Running bird-watching tours, etc.

Bird-watching, a Special Opportunity to See Unique Birds

On your trip to Iran, don’t lose the opportunity for bird-watching. Even if your main purpose of travelling to this country is visiting the historical sites, you can dedicate a part of your trip to bird watching. Because you can even do bird-watching activities in the heart of Iran’s beautiful cities.

The nature of Iran is a good habitat for different species of wildlife due to enjoying four seasons. As a result, most of the interested ones to the wildlife from all over the world choose Iran as their destination. Diverse wildlife tours are also run in Iran.

1001 Nights Tours, has a high experience in running bird watching tours. Many interested ones to bird watching has travelled with us and birded unique species. You can click here to get familiar with our bird watching tours. If you have a proposal about running special tours don’t hesitate to drop us an email.