The Birds of Azerbaijan

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The Birds ofAzerbaijan by

Michael Patrikeev



The Birds of Azerbaijan



Dedicated with affection and respect

to the memory of my mentor, Yuri Pukinski,

an outstanding ornithologist

and a great friend



The Birds

by

Michael Patrikeev 1999–2003 Edition

Edited by Geoffrey H. Harper, Russian Nature Press

of

Sofia–Moscow

2004

Azerbaijan



Printed in Bulgaria, September 2004

THE BIRDS OF AZERBAIJAN

by

Michael Patrikeev

Edited by Geoffrey H. Harper, Russian Nature Press

Pensoft Series Faunistica No 38

ISSN 1312-0174

First published 2004

ISBN 954-642-207-X

© PENSOFT Publishers

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written

permission of the copyright owner.

Pensoft Publishers, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl.6, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria

Fax: +359-2-979-34-06 or +359-2-870-45-08; e-mail: [email protected] www.pensoft.net



The Birds of Azerbaijan 5

Foreword 9

Acknowledgements 11

Geography of Azerbaijan 12 A Brief Review of Ornithological Studies in Azerbaijan 16

The Avifauna of Azerbaijan from the mid 19th century

to late 20th century 19

Avifaunistic Regions of Azerbaijan 24

Bird Conservation in Azerbaijan 27

Species Accounts:

Family Gaviidae – Divers (Loons) 35

Family Podicipedidae – Grebes 35Family Pelecanidae – Pelicans 38

Family Phalacrocoracidae – Cormorants 41

Family Ardeidae – Herons, Egrets and Bitterns 45

Family Ciconiidae – Storks 55

Family Threskiornithidae – Ibises and Spoonbills 57

Family Phoenicopteridae – Flamingo 60

Family Anatidae – Swans, Geese and Ducks 62

Family Pandionidae – Osprey 90

Family Accipitridae – Hawks, Eagles and Vultures 91

Family Falconidae – Falcons 109

Family Tetraonidae – Grouse 114

Family Phasianidae – Pheasants, Partridges and allies 116

Family Gruidae – Cranes 125

Family Rallidae – Rails, Crakes and allies 127

Family Otididae – Bustards 135

Family Burhinidae – Stone Curlews 139

Family Charadriidae – Plovers 140

Family Recurvirostridae – Stilts and Avocets 146

Family Haematopodidae – Oystercatchers 148

Family Scolopacidae – Sandpipers, Snipes and allies 149

Family Glareolidae – Pratincoles and Coursers 161

Family Stercorariidae – Skuas and Jaegers 163

Family Laridae – Gulls and Terns 163

Family Pteroclididae – Sandgrouse 175

Family Columbidae – Pigeons and Doves 176

Contents



6 The Birds of Azerbaijan

Family Cuculidae – Cuckoos 181

Family Strigidae – Owls 182

Family Caprimulgidae – Nightjars 187

Family Apodidae -Swifts 188

Family Coraciidae – Rollers 189

Family Alcedinidae – Kingfishers 190

Family Meropidae – Bee-eaters 191

Family Upupidae – Hoopoes 194

Family Picidae – Woodpeckers 195

Family Hirundinidae – Swallows and Martins 200

Family Alaudidae – Larks 203

Family Motacillidae – Wagtails and Pipits 209

Family Laniidae – Shrikes 215

Family Bombycillidae – Waxwings 218

Family Oriolidae – Orioles 218

Family Sturnidae – Starlings 219

Family Corvidae – Crows and allies 222

Family Cinclidae – Dippers 230

Family Troglodytidae – Wrens 230

Family Prunellidae – Dunnocks and Accentors 231

Family Turdidae – Thrushes and allies 233

Family Sylviidae – Old World Warblers 249

Family Regulidae – Kinglets 260

Family Muscicapidae – Old World Flycatchers 260

Family Timeliidae – Babblers and allies 262

Family Aegithalidae – Long-tailed Tits 263

Family Remizidae – Penduline Tits 263

Family Paridae – Tits 264

Family Sittidae – Nuthatches 267

Family Certhiidae – Treecreepers 269

Family Passeridae – Sparrows 270

Family Fringillidae – Finches275

Family Emberizidae – Buntings 284

Plates 289

Appendixes 317

Appendix 1. A List of Birds of Azerbaijan 319

Appendix 2. Important Birds Areas of Azerbaijan 326

Appendix 3. Mixed Colonies of Cormorants, Herons,

Egrets and Ibises in Azerbaijan 347




Appendix 4. Wildfowl Hunting in Azerbaijan 352

Appendix 5. Impact of Cold Winters on Birds 353

Appendix 6. Impact of Oil Pollution on Birds 354

Appendix 7. Glossary 357

Appendix 8. Geographic Names 358

References 359

Index of English names 369

Index of Scientific names 375







Azerbaijan is a relatively small country (86,600 km2 ) in Eastern Transcaucasia (formerly within the USSR). Georgia and Armenia border Azerbaijan to the west, Iran and Turkey to the south and southwest, and Dagestan (a part of theRussian Federation) to the north. On the eastern side is the Caspian Sea. Two vast mountain system - the Greater andLesser Caucasus - squeeze Azerbaijan from the north and southwest, with the extensive Kura-Aras Lowland lying inbetween.

The avifauna of Azerbaijan consists of 372 species. Significant numbers of many West Palaearctic bird species mi-grate, nest or winter in this country. Some internationally important wetlands (including Kizil Agach Nature Reserve)harbour hundreds of thousands of wintering waterfowl and other waterbirds. A major flyway from West Siberia andKazakhstan to Iran and northeast Africa also passes through Azerbaijan.

* * *

I lived in Azerbaijan for almost 14 years between 1970 and 1991. In the 1970s our family regularly traveled to north-eastern Azerbaijan, so providing me with an opportunity to observe birds in lowland broad-leaved forests adjacent tothe sand beaches of the Caspian Sea. Later, while attending the University of St. Petersburg (Russia), I annually visited Azerbaijan, and later headed the Wildlife Section of the Ecological Centre of Azerbaijan (Baku) in1988-1991.

While still in high school, I personally experienced a need for a bird book on Azerbaijan. Unlike many other regions of the former USSR, Azerbaijan was not well covered in available handbooks or field guides. When I started at theEcological Centre, the shortage of bird publications significantly slowed my work. Good information on distribution,population size and biology was unavailable for many species. Old monographs on birds of the Caucasus Region written by Radde (1884) and Satunin (1907) became rare and others obsolete. Newer bird papers were scatteredthrough numerous conference proceedings, university publications and journals. Some papers written in the Azerilanguage were little known outside Azerbaijan and even harder to find. While gathering field data and working withliterature sources, I acquired the idea of writing this book.

In 1988-91 I conducted intensive fieldwork in many regions of Azerbaijan. Because many areas were poorly knownornithologically I tried to visit as many of them as possible. The durations of my field trips to various locations variedfrom 1-2 days to 6 weeks. The most thorough work was carried out in the islands of the Baku Archipelago, GobustanUpland, Karayasi Forest, Shemakha Upland, southeastern Shirvan and the mountains of Turianchai Bosdag, but alsoat well known wintering sites including Kizil Agach Reserve, Lake Aggel and southern Mugan. Political instability in Azerbaijan in 1990-91 and a war with Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh Region significantly affected my studies,making visits to many areas in the west and southwest too dangerous and often impossible. By June 1991 I abandonedany further plans to work in Azerbaijan, but continued working on the monograph and completed the first draft in lateMarch 1993 in Canada (since then, more recent information has been added and the final draft was ready in March2003).

The present book contains a brief review of ornithological studies in Azerbaijan, the geographical and ornithological

features of this country, species accounts, a birdlist, and summaries of the important bird areas, bird conservation,colonial birds, migration and oil pollution. Species accounts contain information on status, distribution, populationsize, movements, breeding, diet, mortality and sometimes behaviour. Some sections (distribution, population size, etc.)are divided by region: southeast lowlands, Kura-Aras Lowland, etc. Distribution and taxonomy of subspecies mostly follows Stepanian (1990), and Azeri names follow Mustafaev et al. (1977). In writing the species accounts I haveomitted descriptions, measurements and field characteristics, simply because the work was never intended as a fieldguide, but rather a synopsis for conservation and management. For information on identification, measurements andplumages of birds occurring in Azerbaijan please refer to handbooks and field guides dealing with Europe and theMiddle East, e.g. The Birds of the Western Palearctic (Cramp & Simmons, 1977-94) and The Birds of the Soviet Union

(Dementiev & Gladkov, 1951-56), also available in English.

Foreword




Although this work does not pretend to be a comprehensive handbook, it is the first monograph ever published on thebirds of Azerbaijan. It is truly hoped that it may capture the interest of local and foreign ornithologists, conservation-ists, environmentalists, birdwatchers and travelers, and boost further studies of birds in this remarkable and very important Transcaucasian region - Azerbaijan, a small country beside the Caspian Sea.

Michael Patrikeev

Ancaster, Ontario, Canada20 June 2004




I would like to use this opportunity to thank all who helped me in my work, promoted this publication, reported new interesting bird observations or were helpful during my field studies.

In Azerbaijan, I am very grateful to Dr. Elchin Sultanov (Institute of Zoology, Baku) and his staff (Dr. Ilias Babaev,Dr. Nina Karabanova, Dr. Avtandyl Musaev, Azer Mustafaev and Gafiz Mukhtarov) for the warm and friendly recep-tion that I always received at the Laboratory of Ornithology. It was my pleasure to work with Dr. Yusif Khalilov (formerly head of the Nature Reserves Board of Azerbaijan) and other staff of the Nature Reserves Board as well as with Dr. Djavanshir Aliev, Tanya Djavanshir, Dr. Adil Orudjev, Dr. Vagif Bairamov (all of the Ecological Centre of Azerbaijan) and Dr. Sabir Israfilov (Nature Conservation Society of Azerbaijan). Yashar Guseinov (formerly of the Absheron Regional Committee for Nature Conservation), the late Gusameddin Bairamov (Baku Regional Committeefor Nature Conservation) and Dr. Raya Mustafaeva (Zakatali Reserve) shared many interesting unpublished sightingsand other information. Directors of nature reserves Suleiman Gasimov (Aggel Reserve), Novruz Ismailov (KarayasiReserve), Fekret Magerramov (Shirvan Reserve) and Ali Mammedov (Pirgulu Reserve), wardens and technicians Islam(Karayasi Reserve), Mammed (Aggel Reserve) and Maria (Shirvan Reserve) and chairmen of regional committees fornature conservation Aslan Fatullaev (Masalli) and Aidin Guseinov (Lenkoran) were very helpful and hospitable during my visits. Staff of the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters including Mirbashir Kasumov (senior warden), Said Ibragimov (deputy director) and Gardash (warden) provided accommodation and transport at Lake Mahmud-chala. Dmitri Mironov (Azerbaijan Research Institute of Electricity) reported incidents of bird electrocution. Many thanks to them all. I would like to thank ordinary Azeris and Russians for fixing my car and pulling it from mud-puddles, allowing me to usetheir boats, providing free housing and giving me all sorts of assistance.

In Russia I am indebted forever to my late mentor Dr. Yuri Pukinski (formerly of the Institute of Biology, University of St. Petersburg) who was my teacher in the field of ornithology and a good friend. I am also very grateful to my father, Vladimir Patrikeev, who was responsible for my interest in nature from the age of five and to my mother, Lina Patrikeev, who was very encouraging and supportive during all these years. Dr. Vladimir Loskot (Zoological Institute, St. Petersburg)kindly helped in locating bird books stored at the Department of Ornithology, Valery Malenkov (formerly of the Zoolog-ical Institute, St. Petersburg) found and copied some rare books important for my work, Dr. Alexander Khokhlov (Stavropol-

Moscow) published some of my earlier papers on birds of Azerbaijan, and Dr. Sergey Golovach (Pensoft Inc.) agreed toaccept and publish this manuscript. Juri Keskpaik from Estonia reported Common Crane migration over Baku.

The Birds of Azerbaijan could have forever remained an unpublished manuscript if not for invaluable help and supportof my friends and colleagues from the United Kingdom. Indeed, Mike Wilson (Alexander Library, Edward Grey Institute, Oxford) was a driving force behind it and always helpful with advice, constant encouragement, literaturesearches and overall help in promoting this publication, and Geoffrey Harper (Russian Nature Press, Edinburgh; website www.rusnatpress.org.uk) has volunteered to take on the lengthy task of editing this manuscript. My sincerethanks to both of them. In addition Peter Cranswick (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) reported unpublished sightings of birds from Azerbaijan, and Janet Hunter (Wildfowl & Wetland Trust) edited several species accounts later published inthe Threatened Waterfowl Research Group Newsletter.

In Canada I would like to thank Dr. Martin McNicholl (presently of Burnaby, B.C.) who was my very first contact in thiscountry and introduced me to the Ornithological Society of Toronto. Dr. Jon Barlow (Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto)kindly commented on several species accounts of the initial draft. Dr. Chip Weseloh (Canadian Wildlife Service, Downs- view, Ontario) edited some of species accounts, constantly encouraged me to keep working on the book and provided me with a computer. Karen Petitt (formerly of Canadian Wildlife Service, Burlington, Ontario) easily resolved all my comput-er troubles. I am very thankful to them all. I am also indebted to Mary Gartshore and Peter Carson (Walsingham, Ontario)for their friendship, encouragement and constant support. Special thanks and all my love go to my wife, Katherine, whoshowed so much patience and understanding during the many long hours I spent editing the manuscript.

Finally, in Bulgaria, I would like to thank Dr. Lyubomir Penev (Pensoft Publishers) for accepting and publishing thismanuscript.

Acknowledgements




Azerbaijan (86,600 km2 ) is the largest of the three ‘newly independent’ states making up Transcaucasia. Azer-baijan consists of 60 districts and two autonomous regions: the Nakhichevan Autonomous Region (c. 5,500 km2 )physically separated from the rest of the country by Armenia, and the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region(c. 4,400 km2 ) populated by ethnic Armenians. The population of Azerbaijan was c. 7,770,000 in 1995 (c. 250,000in Nakhichevan Region and c. 150,000 in Nagorno-Karabakh Region in 1990). The average population density was 90 people/km2. Urban and rural populations accounted for 54 and 46 % respectively. As of 1995, 90% of the population were Azeris (a Turkish speaking group), 3.2% Dagestani peoples, 2.5% Russians, 2.3% Arme-nians, 2% Avars, Georgians, Germans, Jews, Kurds, Lezghins, Talish, Turks, Udins, Ukrainians and other nation-alities (Baguirov, 1996-97).

The topography of Azerbaijan is very diverse. In the north the majestic Lateral and Watershed Ridges of the GreaterCaucasus Mountains with their snow-capped summits of Bazar-Duzu (4,466 m, the highest peak of Azerbaijan) andShahdag (4,243 m) separate Azerbaijan from Dagestan (Russian Federation) and protect the central valleys fromfreezing cold in winter. The southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus are mostly covered with broad-leaved and mixedforests often reaching the mountaintops. Sub-alpine and alpine meadows occur in the extreme northwest (Zakatali andBelokani districts) and northern-central parts of the country. The gradually descending southeastern slopes of theGreater Caucasus Mountains eventually merge with the partly forested and rather dry Shemakha Upland and semi-aridGobustan Upland with its low mountains and mud-volcanoes. South of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and northof the Kura River lies a parallel chain of low clayey mountains (barren or covered with juniper woodlands) called the

Geography of Azerbaijan

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A

D A G E S T A N(Russian Federation)

Lenkoran

A r a s R

i v e r

L E N K

O R A N

AGSU

KURDAMIR

ISMAILLY

UDJAR

ZARDOB

FISULI

KELBADJAR

LACHIN

KUBATLI

BABEK SHAHBUZ

NORASHEN

O R D U B A D

J U L F

A

Z A N G

E L A N

DJABRAIL

BEILAGAN

AGJABEDI

AGDAM

ASKERAN

M A R T U

N I

SHUSHA

G A D R U T

M I R B A S H I R

G U L I S

T A N

MA R DA K E R T

G E K C H AI

IMISHLI

DIVICHI

KUBA

KUSARI

K U T K

A S H E

N ( G A

B A L A )

KAH

KHANLARM I N G E C H A U K

KASUM-

ISMAIL

ZAKATALI

AKSTAFA

KAZAKH

SHAMKHOR

KEDABEK

D A S H K E S A N

TAUZ

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V A R T A S H E N

( O G U Z )

AGDASH

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B E L O K A

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A C H M A S

KHIZI

A B S H E R O N D I S T R I C T

S H E M A K H A

A S T A

R A

LERIK

YA R D I M L I

M A S A L

L I

D JA L I LA BA D

N E F T E C HA LA A S T

R A K H A N

B A Z A R

SALIANI

BAKU

DISTRICT

ALIBAIRAMLI

S A B I R A B A D

SAATLI

NAKHICHEVANREGION

NAGORNO-KARABAKH

REGION




Bosdag or ‘grey mountains’. Small rivers flowing from the southern slopes of the Greater Caucasus divide the Bosdag into separate ridges - Djeiranchel, Mingechaur Bosdag, Turianchai Bosdag and Gekchai Bosdag. Further east theBosdag joins the Langabiz Range and Gobustan Upland.

The Lesser Caucasus Mountains (within the limits of Azerbaijan proper) consist of the Murovdag, Shahdag andKarabakh ridges. These mountains occupy the western and southwestern parts of the country. The highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus in Azerbaijan is Mount Giamish (3,724 m) on the Murovdag Ridge. The slopes of the LesserCaucasus are mostly covered with broad-leaved and mixed forests. Alpine and sub-alpine meadows occur in thehighest parts, mostly in the Murovdag Ridge. The treeless Karabakh Upland is landlocked between Murovdag,Karabakh and other smaller ridges extending into Armenia. To the southwest from Azerbaijan proper, squeezedbetween the Aras River and Zangezur Ridge, lies the Nakhichevan Autonomous Region. This is an Azeri enclaveseparated from the rest of the country and surrounded by Armenia, Iran and Turkey. Nakhichevan is a mountain-ous region comprising the low semi-arid Negram Mountains in Aras Valley and high peaks of Zangezur Ridgeincluding Mounts Kapudjik (3,904 m) and Kukudag (3,120 m) where snowfields may remain throughout the sum-mer. The mountain slopes are mostly covered with upland steppe. Arboreal vegetation is scarce, but there is a forestat the Bichenek Pass (c. 2,000 m).

The third important mountain system in Azerbaijan is the Talish Mountains lying in the extreme southeast. Thelower slopes of these mountains were once covered with subtropical broad-leaved forests, buy very few fragmentsremain. Temperate broad-leaved forests and mixed forests cover the upper slopes. The semi-arid Zuvand Uplandlies in the elevated part of the Talish Mountains. The highest peak of Talish Mountains in Azerbaijan is Mt. Kemmur-keyi (2,492 m).

KAPUDJIK Mt.

3.904m

DALIDAG Mt.

3.616m

BEUK-KIRS Mt.

2.727m

DUBRAR Mt.

2.205m

BEUK-DASH Mt.

BABADAG Mt.

3.629m

SHAHDAG Mt.

4.243m

BAZAR DUZU Mt.

4.466m

GUTON Mt.

3.648m

KEMURKEY Mt.

2.492m

GIAMISH Mt.

3.724mSHAHDAG Mt.

2.901m

GINALDAG Mt. 3.362m

KUKUDAG Mt.

3.120m

G

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KARABAKHR B K H

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GOBUSTANOBUST N

UPLANDPL ND

SHEKIHEKI

UPLANDPL ND

SHEMAKHAHEM KH

UPLANDPL ND

Z U V A N

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Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

A r a s R

i v e r

Zhi loy i

I .

Yashma I .

Big Kiz i l Agach Bay

Sara Pen insu la

Li t t le Kiz i l Agach Bay

Mugan

Steppe

Shirvan

Steppe

Mil S teppe

Mil S teppe

Sal ian i

Steppe

South

Mugan

South-

Eastern

Shirvan

Lenkoran

Lowland

B a k

u

A r c h i p

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- names of mountain range or upland- Mountain

- other geographical namesMarsh or shallow lake

A bshe r o

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i p e l

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Absheron Peninsu la




Throughout the mountains of Azerbaijan fields and orchards are confined to valleys and gentle slopes. However,sheep are grazed everywhere except in forest and on sheer cliffs and snowfields. As a result overgrazing and slopeerosion have been recorded from foothills to alpine meadows.

The rivers Kura and Aras, joined by their numerous tributaries flowing from the slopes of the Greater and LesserCaucasus, run through the vast lowland in the central part of Azerbaijan. The headwaters of the Kura are in themountains of Turkey. From there the river flows through Georgia and enters Azerbaijan at Karayasi. Two majortributaries - the Alazani and Iori - pour into the Kura east of Shamkhor. From there the river flows through extensivelowland leaving behind oxbows and meanders known locally as the akhmas . In Mugan the Kura is joined by its maintributary, the Aras, and from there it flows through Saliani Steppe emptying into the Caspian Sea north of Neftechala.Patches of riverine forest or tugai with giant white-leaved poplars and dense thorny understorey still remain in someareas along the mid Kura. Karayasi and Barda forests are the largest tugai forests remaining in Azerbaijan. Thickets of impassable bushes and pastureland replace tugai in cleared areas. In the 1950s the enormous Mingechaur Reservoir wasbuilt at the confluence of the Kura, Alazani and Iori and the much smaller Varvara Reservoir further downstream. Thereservoirs flooded large areas of tugai and adjacent semi-desert.

The space between the Kura, Aras and the mountains is filled by extensive flat semi-desert with very sparse vegetationof saltwort, wormwood and tamarisk. Geographically this area, called the Kura-Aras Lowland, is divided into theShirvan, Hadjinour, Mil and Mugan steppes and the Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland. Large areas of the lowland are used forgrowing food crops and cotton, and as sheep pasture. A network of irrigation channels criss-crosses the steppe. TheKura-Aras Lowland also contains many important wetlands including Aggel, Sarisu, Bos-Koba (Mil Steppe) and Mah-mud-chala (southern Mugan) with extensive stands of emergent vegetation (mostly reedbeds). Formerly freshwater,

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

A r a s R

i v e r

LakeKarakush

LakesShorgel

LakeHadjikabul

Cape SangachalShah Spit

Cape Alat

Cape Pirsagat

Cape Biandavan

Karasu Marsh

DivichiLiman

Shilian MarshBardaTugaiForest

VarvaraReservoir

MingechaurReservoir

LakeHadjinour

LakeDjandargel

KarayasiForest

LakeSarisu

LakeAggel

LakeMehman

LakeBos-koba

Novogolovka-chala

Akusha Marsh

KalinovskiLiman

L e n k o r a n - c h a i

Astara-chai

S u m g a i t - c h a i

K u s a

r c h a i

V e l v e

l - c h a

i

T u r i a n c h a i

A d j i g

a n - c h a

i

A g r i c h

a i

Ka te k h -c

ha i

A l a z a n i

I o r i

S h a m k h o

r - c h a

i D z

e g a n

- c h a i

G a n d j a -

c h a i

A r p a

c h a i

N a k h i c h

e v a n

B a r g u s h a d

I n d j a c h

a i

P i r s a g

a t - c h a i

V i l a j - c h a

i

Mahmud-chala

BichenekForest

Lakes and Reservoirs

Marshes and semi-dry

lakes

Forested Areas




these wetlands turned brackish as a result of thoughtless irrigation. Other wetlands - including Shilian, Karasy, Sor-Sor(Shirvan Steppe) and Ah-chala (Mugan) - were almost completely drained to provide new lands for growing cotton and vegetables. Excessively large flocks of sheep caused overgrazing throughout the lowland.

The Caspian Lowland adjacent to the Caspian Sea encompasses the Samur-Divichi Lowland in the northeast, theLenkoran Lowland in the southeast, with Absheron Peninsula and southeastern Shirvan in between. Broad-leavedlowland forests reach the Caspian Sea in the Samur Delta in the extreme northeast, although a considerable part of these forests was cleared long ago. The rest of the Samur-Divichi Lowland is semi-desert, irrigated agricultural fieldsand the shallow Divichi Liman (also known as Lake Ah-Zibir). Absheron and southeastern Shirvan are mostly flatsemi-desert with isolated cones of active and inactive mud-volcanoes. Absheron Peninsula is the most populated partof the country with c. 2,500,000 inhabitants. The capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, and its suburbs occupy extensive areasin the southern and central parts of the peninsula. Absheron is also the most developed and therefore polluted part of Azerbaijan, with numerous chemical factories, oil-processing plants and oil derricks. Oil spills are not uncommon.

Lenkoran Lowland has also undergone dramatic changes. Once enormous impassable wetland with extensive tracts of sub-tropical broad-leaved forests, it had been dramatically changed by the 1930s. The forests were almost completely cleared - a single remaining tract of 90 ha being protected in the Girkan Reserve - and wetlands and coastal lakes( mortzo ) were drained to reclaim land and fight malaria. Tiny fragments of forest remained as the bidzar and istil - smallflooded woodlots holding water for irrigation. Agricultural fields replaced natural habitats throughout the lowland with the exception of Kizil Agach Reserve. The Kizil Agach Bays of the Caspian Sea and adjacent wetlands receivedprotection as the most important wintering grounds of waterfowl and other waterbirds in the Caspian Region and alsoas a home to the largest colony of wading birds and cormorants in Azerbaijan.

Several groups of islands of the Baku and Absheron archipelagoes are scattered off the coast of Caspian Sea betweenKilazi Spit in the north and the mouth of the Kura in the south. Most of the islands are summits of underwater mud- volcanoes, although others (including Pirsagat Islands) are limestone ridges. Settlements were built on the larger is-lands - Zhiloyi (Chilov), Nargin and Bulla.

The Caspian and Kura-Aras lowlands are hot and humid in the summer with temperatures reaching +30 to 35oC in July (average +25oC). Winters are benign with little or no snow (average +2oC in January). However, colder winters with

snow and gale force winds occur once or twice a decade. In mountainous parts of the country the climate ranges fromtemperate to cold with more rain and snow in winter. Average temperature in the mountain ranges from –5 oC in January to +15oC in July. Annual precipitation varies from 200-300 mm in the coastal areas to 1,000-1,400 mm on thesouthern slope of the Greater Caucasus Mountains and southern Lenkoran Lowland.




The earliest recorded bird observations from Azerbaijan were probably those made by S.G. Gmelin, who traveledthrough the Lenkoran Lowland in 1773. C. Hablizl (1809), a corresponding member of the Russian Imperial Academy of Science, then visited the Caspian Sea with the Russian Navy in 1781 and 1782. However, E. Menetries (1832) wascertainly the first naturalist who collected a large number of specimens (including birds) in the east and southeast. Three new bird species described by Menetries from specimens collected in Azerbaijan are the Marbled Teal ( Marma-

ronetta angustirostris ), Bimaculated Lark ( Melanocorypha bimaculata ) and Menetries’ Warbler ( Sylvia mystacea ). In the early 19th century the R.F. Hohenacker (1831, 1837) visited Gandja and adjacent areas, Karabakh, Shirvan and Talish.

It should be remembered that most observing and collecting conducted in Azerbaijan in the early 19th century oc-curred during the Russian Empire’s expansion into Transcaucasia and the wars between Russia and Iran. Travelers andcollectors visiting Transcaucasia accompanied Russian troops as physicians, or were officers with the Russian Army orNavy, or diplomats. After successful military campaigns against Iran (1804-13 and 1826-28), Russia gained vast hold-ings in the region including the Baku, Erivani, Gandja, Kuba, Karabakh, Lenkoran, Nakhichevan, Sheki and Shirvankhanates (principalities) ceded through treaties in 1813 and 1828. These holdings, with the exception of the ErivaniKhanate, formed the territory of the present day Republic of Azerbaijan.

After the wars in Transcaucasia were over the area became safer for travelers. In the mid 19th century an Italian, deFilippi (1864), collected birds in the southern section of Nakhichevan Region. At about same time the CaucasianMuseum was opened in the city of Tiflis (now Tbilisi, Georgia) - the capital of the Russian Governor General in theCaucasus. The first curator of the museum was Gustav Radde (a German in Russian service), who intensively collectedbirds throughout the entire Caucasus Region. His assistant K. A. Satunin was also collecting and observing birds in theregion, including Azerbaijan. N. Dinnick (1886) collected birds and other animals in the Talish Region (southeasterncorner of Azerbaijan) and near the town of Zakatali (the northwest, Greater Caucasus Mountains).

In 1879The Birds of the Caucasus

by Modest Bogdanov (University of Kazan, Russia) was published. It was the firstmonograph on the birds of the region. Mostly based on reports by Hablizl and Menetries the book also included originaldata and contained the first known list of bird species and subspecies occurring in the Caucasian Region, short data ondistribution, and even the biology of some species. In 1884 Radde published his monumental Ornithological Fauna of the

Caucasus (Ornis Caucasica). It was the most thorough work of his time, and described all the species and subspecies of theregion, their distribution, behaviour (e.g. in captivity) and diet, as well as the geography of the Caucasus. A new birdspecies, Radde’s Accentor ( Prunella ocularis ), was discovered and described by Radde from the Talish Mountains near theborder of Azerbaijan and Iran. Although Radde personally did not visit many parts of Azerbaijan, his work was very important for later explorers of Transcaucasia, and it still retains its value. K. A. Satunin became a curator of the Cauca-sian Museum after Radde. His On the Birds of the Caucasus Region (1907) was a valuable addition to Radde’s monograph.Unfortunately rivalry between Satunin and Radde left some things unclear. In preparing his book Satunin used not only his own observations and specimens, but also those collected by Shelkovnikov in the vicinity of Mingechaur. Satunin

continued intensive studies in the Caucasus Region and published ‘ A Systematic Catalogue of the Birds of the Caucasus Region ’(1911-12) and ‘The Fauna of Mugan ’ (1912). In addition Loudon (1910) collected birds in the Talish Mountains

During the First World War (1914-1918) bird studies in Azerbaijan mostly ceased, although Serebrovsky (1925) collect-ed some specimens near Zakatali, Greater Caucasus Mountains in 1916. The period following the World War I coincid-ed with the Civil War of 1917-20 in Transcaucasia. Large areas of Azerbaijan including Baku were temporarily occu-pied by the Turks, but recaptured by the Red Army in 1920. Between these two events the independent MusovatRepublic of Azerbaijan (1918-1920) emerged and fell, and then Azerbaijan was incorporated into the USSR.

Bird studies resumed in Azerbaijan after the end of the Civil War, although not immediately. The USSR’s Academy of Science - based on what remained of the Russian Imperial Academy of Science - opened a branch in Baku, Azerbaijan.

A Brief Review of Ornithological Studies in Azerbaijan




That branch later developed into the Academy of Science of Azerbaijan. Staff of the branch carried out some bird work including studies of birds wintering in the Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reserve (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1935, 1938). In the late 1920s-early 1930s E. Spangenberg (1951, 1987) worked on colonial and otherbirds in Lenkoran Lowland. In the 1930s A. Laister and G. Sosnin (1942) studied birds in Armenia, but also visitedNakhichevan and Nagorno-Karabakh regions of Azerbaijan. In the 1930s-40s an important contribution to studies of waterfowl, gallinaceous birds and bustards was made by N. Verestchagin (1943, 1947). His comprehensive paper on wintering and migrating waterfowl (1950) is especially worth mention. He also studied Great and Little Bustards(1940), and was probably the first scientist to draw attention to oil pollution in Azerbaijan and its effects on birds(1946). K. Gambarov (Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan) studied birds in the 1930s-60s. In 1941 he published ‘ ACatalogue of the Birds of Azerbaijan (Order Passerines)’ (a brief checklist), but the second part never followed.

By the 1950s-70s the number of scientists studying birds in Azerbaijan had increased. Results of preliminary avifaunalstudies were published for many regions including the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus Mountains (Gambarov,1954), Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), Nakhichevan Region (Khanmammedov, 1960), Gobust-an Upland (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961), Samur-Divichi Lowland and northeastern Azerbaijan (Tuaev,1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968), Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Grekov,1965c), Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967) and the vicinity of Mingechaur Reservoir (Gambarov, 1975). However, studies of economically important birds (such as waterfowl, gall-inaceous and piscivorous birds, and agricultural pests) remained a priority in those years. Papers were published on waterfowl (Tuaev, 1957b, c; 1958), coots (Grekov, 1965b), cormorants (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; Vasiliev, 1970), gulls(Dunin, 1948; Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vasiliev, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969), herons, egrets and ibises (Grek-ov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965, 1966b), gallinaceous birds (Khanmammedov, 1955, 1956,1960, 1962, 1965), crows and their allies (Mustafaev, 1958a. 1959, 1960a, b, 1963, 1976), and the Spanish Sparrow (Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1968). Only a few studies were on economically unimportant birds, including Black Vulture(Vinogradov, 1963), White-throated Robin (Mitropolsky, 1989), Menetries’ Warbler (Mustafaev, 1960b), Black-headedBunting (Gambarov & Bagirova, 1957), trumpeter finches (Panov & Bulatova, 1972), and thrushes (Mustafaeva, 1964,1965a, b; 1966).

In the 1960s-1980s Gara Mustafaev (Azerbaijani University, Baku) was a prominent figure in bird studies in Azer-baijan. Mostly he was interested in birds nesting in rural settlements, and the anthropogenic factors affecting those

birds (1969, 1971a, b, c, 1973a, b). Mustafaev also studied the winter avifauna of the Talish Mountains and LenkoranLowland (1968b, 1972). In 1977 G. Mustafaev and his co-authors published ‘ Birds. Part One. Non-Passerines’ in Azeri. That book contained the first almost complete list of birds occurring in Azerbaijan (358 species), identification keys,and general information on distribution and biology, but no plates or maps. The second part (Passerines) has neverbeen published. Afterwards G. Mustafaev wrote several papers analyzing the avifauna of the Greater Caucasus Moun-tains and the entire country (1983, 1985).

Also in the 1960s-80s intensive studies on waterfowl and other waterbirds were conducted in Kizil Agach Reserve by the staff and visiting scientists (Grekov, 1965a, b, c; Krivonosov, Poslavsky & Vinogradov, 1971; Konovalova, 1977;Morozkin, 1977; Vorobieva, 1977; Litvinov et al., 1984; Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Litvinov, 1986; Litvinova, 1986,1989a, b; Tkachenko, 1986, 1989). T. Agaeva (1969, 1972, 1985) studied birds in the Talish Mountains and ZuvandUpland and R. Mustafaeva prepared an annotated checklist of birds occurring in Zakatali Reserve and the Greater

Caucasus Mountains (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). A seasonal ornithological station under V. T. Butiev (Pedagog-ical Institute, Moscow) was working on migratory birds in the Samur Delta. Although the station was physically situated in Dagestan (the Russian Federation) its studies included the adjacent parts of the delta in Azerbaijan (Butiev et al., 1983, 1989, 1990a, b). The Laboratory of Ornithology (Institute of Zoology of Azerbaijan, Baku) publishedpapers on the Black Francolin (Musaev & Babaev, 1989; Musaev, 1991), waterfowl (Karabanova, 1984) and the birds of Baku (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989). Dr. E. Sultanov (head of the lab) studied bird vocalization in the Greater andLesser Caucasus.

In 1988-91 I conducted intensive field studies in Gobustan and Shemakha uplands, southeastern Shirvan, southernMugan, the Lenkoran Lowland, Mil Steppe, Karayasi Forest, Turianchai Bosdag, the islands of Baku Archipelago andother areas. Having my headquarters in Baku I also noted birds occurring in the city and on Absheron Peninsula.




Questionnaires were sent to naturalists, schoolteachers, hunters and nature enthusiasts across the country in an at-tempt to collect as much bird information as possible. Some results of my studies were published in Russian (Patrikeev,1990a, b; 1991a, b, c, d, e, f, g) and English (Patrikeev, 1996, 1997, 1998; Patrikeev & Wilson, 2000), but the main body of original observations presented in this book has never been published.

After Azerbaijan declared its independence from the USSR in 1990, the situation regarding bird studies and conserva-tion deteriorated. A few Russian ornithologists forming the backbone of the scientific staff in Kizil Agach Reserve leftthe country. Chaos in the economy, politics and finances led to almost complete cessation of any support for thealready poorly funded scientific centres and nature reserves. In addition access to the western parts of Azerbaijanincluding Nakhichevan Region was restricted due to the Karabakh War (1991-1994). During this war the Armeniansoccupied large areas in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. However, the political and economic situation in Azerbaijanstabilised somewhat by the mid 1990s, making it a safer place to visit and work. Interest in the birds of Azerbaijan hasalso increased in recent years. In January-February 1996, a joint team from Fauna & Flora International (UK), BritishPetroleum (UK) and the Azerbaijan Committee for Ecology counted waterfowl in Kizil Agach and Shirvan reserves,and lakes Mahmud-chala and Sarisu (Paynter et al., 1996b). In 1998 a joint Fauna & Flora International-Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust team surveyed birds along a proposed pipeline in central Azerbaijan (Cranswick et al., 1998). Hopefully more studies by local and international groups will follow.

Despite the apparent abundance of bird publications many areas in Azerbaijan were not visited by ornithologists or were neglected for decades. This is true of large sections of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, Nakhichevan region,Mugan and Hadjinour steppes, Gobustan upland, Djeiranchel hills, Talish Mountains, Greater Caucasus Mountainsbetween Sheki and Ismailly, and many districts in the Kura-Aras Lowland and southwestern Azerbaijan. Some system-atic groups (raptors, owls, sandgrouse, pigeons, woodpeckers and many families of passerines including Old World warblers) received considerably less attention from ornithologists in Azerbaijan.




According to Mustafaev (1985) the avifauna of Azerbaijan - combining elements of the European, Caucasian, MiddleEastern and Turan faunas - most probably formed during the Quaternary Period.

By the early 2000s, 372 bird species had been recorded in Azerbaijan, including 107 resident species, 139 summerresidents, 95 migrants and wintering species, 28 accidental visitors and 3 probably extirpated species. In addition there were unconfirmed records of another 8 species. Bird species found in Azerbaijan belong to 17 orders and 58 families,as follows:

Non-Passerines (220 species): loons (2 species), grebes (5), pelicans (2), cormorants (2), herons and egrets (9),storks (2), ibises and spoonbills (3), flamingo (1), swans, geese and ducks (32), osprey (1), hawks, eagles and allies (28),falcons (8), grouse (1), pheasants, partridges and quails (8), cranes (3), rails (8), bustards (3), stone-curlew (1), ploversand lapwings (13), stilts and avocets (2), oystercatcher (1), snipe, sandpipers, curlews and allies (27), pratincoles andcoursers (3), jaegers (2), gulls and terns (18), sandgrouse (3), pigeons and doves (6), cuckoo (1), owls (6), nightjar (1),swifts (3), roller (1), kingfishers (2), bee-eaters (2), hoopoe (1), woodpeckers (9).

Passerines (147 species): swallows and martins (4), larks (11), wagtails and pipits (10), shrikes (4), waxwing (1), oriole(1), starlings (2), crows and allies (9), dipper (1), wren (1), accentors and dunnocks (3), thrushes and allies (28), Old World warblers (26), goldcrest (1), Old World flycatchers (4), babbler (1), long-tailed tit (1), penduline tit (1), tits (5),nuthatches (3), treecreepers and wallcreepers (3), sparrows (6), finches (17) and buntings (8).

No birds are endemic to Azerbaijan, but some species and subspecies endemic to the Caucasus and/or Talish Moun-tains occur in this country.

From the beginning of the 19th century the status and population sizes of many species underwent significant chang-

es. Although very few (and perhaps only one) species have disappeared from Azerbaijan others were greatly reduced innumbers and some are close to local extinction due to hunting, conversion of habitats, pollution and direct persecu-tion. Many species however have managed to survive the anthropogenic changes, and some have extended their rangesinto man-modified habitats.

Species under threat and uncommon species are listed below by category.

Probably extirpated (3 species):

Sacred Ibis Pin-tailed SandgrouseLanner

Although the Sacred Ibis has probably disappeared from Azerbaijan for good, the other two species may still occur in

insignificant numbers.

Endangered (9 species):

Great White Pelican Common Pheasant (Talish subspecies)Marbled Teal Siberian CraneRed-breasted Goose Great BustardOsprey Slender-billed Curlew White-tailed Sea Eagle

Species included in this category are under immediate threat of extinction in Azerbaijan or/and globally, althoughGreat White Pelican, Red-breasted Goose, Osprey, White-tailed Sea Eagle and Great Bustard are still common else-

The Avifauna of Azerbaijan from the mid 19 th century to early 21st century




where. Only urgent measures undertaken on local and international levels may yet save the critically endangered Slen-der-billed Curlew.

Threatened (11 species):Dalmatian Pelican Caspian Snowcock Great Cormorant (resident population) Black FrancolinEurasian Spoonbill Black-bellied SandgrouseFerruginous Duck Short-eared Owl White-headed Duck Radde’s AccentorPeregrine

These species are considered threatened because of low numbers, small ranges or persistent threats in Azerbaijan orelsewhere. Some species (Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant, Black Francolin and Peregrine) have experienced adramatic decline in numbers, others (White-headed Duck) face problems on their breeding grounds. Small range andhabitat destruction present a constant threat to the very rare Radde’s Accentor. Unless conservation measures aretaken, some of these species may become endangered.

Rare (39 species):

Red-throated Diver White-tailed PloverBlack-throated Diver KnotGreat White Egret Broad-billed SandpiperBlack Stork Ruddy Turnstone Velvet Scoter Bar-tailed GodwitLong-tailed Duck Black-winged PratincoleRed-breasted Merganser Mediterranean GullLevant Sparrowhawk Great Black-backed GullImperial Eagle Black TernGolden Eagle Gull-billed TernLammergeier Caspian TernShort-toed Eagle Collared Dove

Pallid Harrier Eagle OwlRed-footed Falcon Lesser Spotted WoodpeckerSaker Alpine ChoughDemoiselle Crane River WarblerGreater Sand Plover Garden WarblerCaspian Plover Pied FlycatcherDotterel Rustic Bunting Sociable Plover

This category includes species that have experienced conspicuous decline in numbers, are naturally rare with low population densities, or are infrequent visitors or recent arrivals. Some migratory species placed in this category mighthave changed migration routes and/or wintering grounds in the second half of the 20th century.

Vulnerable (10 species):

Pygmy Cormorant Glossy IbisNight Heron Caucasian Black GrouseSquacco Heron Caucasian Snowcock Cattle Egret Slender-billed GullLittle Egret Sandwich Tern

Numbers of some of the colonial species are still considerable, but the majority of colonial birds in Azerbaijan areconfined to a few known sites during the nesting period and are therefore vulnerable to habitat changes, pollution anddisturbance. The Caucasian Black Grouse and Caucasian Snowcock - restricted to high altitudes of the Caucasus




Mountains - suffer from habitat degradation and disturbance, and their status may soon change from vulnerable tothreatened if their conservation situation does not improve.

With restricted range (10 species):

Several species (mostly passerines) are restricted to relatively small ranges in the southwest or southeast, or to specifichabitats in the Caucasus Mountains:

See-see Partridge Pale Rock Sparrow Red-tailed Wheatear Crimson-winged Finch White-throated Robin Trumpeter FinchUpcher’s Warbler Mongolian Trumpeter FinchSombre Tit Grey-headed Bunting

Insufficiently known (14 species):

Red Kite White-backed WoodpeckerShikra Carrion Crow Bonelli’s Eagle Western Grasshopper WarblerBaillon’s Crake Eastern Rock NuthatchHoubara Bustard Orphean Warbler Temminck’s Stint Short-toed TreecreeperLittle Swift Great Rosefinch

These species are possibly rare or even uncommon nesting species with small ranges in Azerbaijan; Temminck’s Stintmight be a common transient overlooked on migration.

Accidental visitors (28 species)

The following species are known in Azerbaijan from a few or single records. Many were recorded only in the 19th-early 20th centuries, and their current absence may reflect a natural range contraction or a change in migration routes. Someof these species might be observed in Azerbaijan in the future.

Bewick’s Swan White-breasted KingfisherSnow Goose Grey-headed WoodpeckerBean Goose Small Skylark Common Scoter Richard’s PipitPallas’s Sea Eagle Red-throated PipitPacific Golden Plover Desert WheatearRed-wattled Lapwing Eversmann’s RedstartPectoral Sandpiper SprosserCream-coloured Courser Savi’s WarblerPomarine Skua Icterine Warbler Arctic Skua Desert WarblerLesser Black-backed Gull Scrub Warbler

Black-legged Kittiwake Crested TitPallas’s Sandgrouse Common Redpoll

STATUS CHANGES

The status of some birds has changed over almost 200 years of bird studies in Azerbaijan. Several species no longernest or winter in this country while others, formerly known as migrants and/or wintering species, have establishedbreeding populations. In addition four new species have become established in Azerbaijan in the last forty years.

No longer nesting in Azerbaijan (12 species):

Red-necked Grebe Little BustardOsprey Corncrake




Hen Harrier OystercatcherPallid Harrier Great Black-headed GullGreater Spotted Eagle Black TernGreat Bustard Caspian Tern

White-tailed Sea Eagle and Dalmatian Pelican should probably be included in this category as well. However, it is likely that a few pairs of either species still nest in Azerbaijan.

New nesting species (4 species):

Species First recorded breeding

Red-crested Pochard 1950s-1960sFerruginous Duck 1950s-1960sSlender-billed Gull mid 1980sGull-billed Tern 1989

All these species were long known to occur in Azerbaijan during migration and in winter.

New arrivals (4 species)

The four following species have arrived in Azerbaijan in the last forty years. For the first two and, perhaps, also theLaughing Dove it might have been a natural range expansion. However, in the case of both doves an introduction(intentional or unintentional) should not be ruled out. Nesting of the first three species has been confirmed, and issuspected for the Collared Dove.

Species First recorded

White-tailed Plover 1954Mediterranean Gull 1989Laughing Dove Late 1960s-early 1970sCollared Dove 1990

No longer wintering (2 species):

Common Crane Demoiselle Crane

Both species of crane still regularly occur in Azerbaijan during migration.

TRENDS IN COMMON SPECIES

Some common species also showed considerable number fluctuations or trends in the 20th century. However, all thesespecies remain relatively common.

Conspicuous decline (12 species):

Greylag Goose Common Pheasant (Caucasus subspecies)Red-crested Pochard Common Crane Tufted Duck Common Coot

Common Goldeneye Great BustardSteppe Eagle Little BustardChukar Spanish Sparrow

Conspicuous increase (8 species):

Greater Flamingo Yellow-legged GullMute Swan Common TernCommon Pochard Hooded Crow Purple Gallinule House Sparrow




Local range extension (7 species):

These ubiquitous species have significantly increased their ranges through adaptation to man-modified and man-madehabitats.

This overview clearly indicates that positive trends are shown mostly by ubiquitous species readily adaptable to anthro-pogenic habitats. Meanwhile numbers of many species requiring specific habitats or intolerant to disturbance aredeclining or remaining low.

Species Habitat in 19th – early 20th centuries New habitat in mid-late 20th century

Rock Dove mountains and foothills man-made constructions throughout the country

Common Swift cliffs in foothills man-made constructions throughout the country

House Martin foothills lowlands

Blackbird montane and riverine forest planted trees in towns and villages

Common Starling forest man-made constructions throughout the country

Rufous Bushchat south-eastern lowlands lowlands throughout the country

Greenfinch montane and riverine forest planted trees in towns and villages




Azerbaijan can be divided into seven avifaunal regions:

1) Greater Caucasus; 2) Lesser Caucasus and Zangezur; 3) Nakhichevan Low Mountains; 4) Talish (South-east); 5)Central Low Mountains; 6) Central Lowland; and 7) Caspian Coast.

I. Greater Caucasus Region: encompasses the Greater Caucasus Mountains and Samur Valley. Three sub-regions: Alpine and Sub-alpine (1), Montane Forest (2) and Samur Valley (3).

1. Alpine and Sub-alpine Sub-Region (c. 2,500 to 4,500 m)

Rhododendron belt, alpine and sub-alpine meadows, bedrock, snowfields and glaciers on summits of Bazar-Duzu andShahdag mountains.Birds: Caucasian Snowcock (endemic of the Greater Caucasus Mountains) and Caucasian Black Grouse (endemic of the Caucasus), also Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Peregrine, Shore Lark, Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Twite, Red-frontedSerin, Great Rosefinch and Snowfinch.2. Montane Forest (500-3,000 m).

Broad-leaved and mixed montane forests, shrubs, pastures, orchards. Bird fauna resembles that of Southern Europe,but many passerines and some non-passerine are represented by Caucasian subspecies. Birds: Honey Buzzard, Gos-hawk, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Hobby, Scops Owl, Eagle Owl, Long-eared Owl, Tawny Owl, Wood Pigeon,Stock Dove, Eurasian Cuckoo, European Nightjar, Great Spotted, Green and Black woodpeckers, European Roller,thrushes, warblers, tits, nuthatches, etc.

Avifaunal Regions of Azerbaijan

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

A r a s R

i v e r

15

15

15

15

16

16

16

13

14

14

14

13

11

10

10

10

5

55

4

4

4

1

1

22

3

7

89

13

13

13

12

IV VIII

VII VI

VI

VI

II

IIIII

V

Regional boundary

Sub-regional boundary

Numbers correspond to those

in the respective chapters




3. Samur Valley (-28.5 to 500 m)

Remnants of lowland broad-leaved forests, agricultural lands. Very similar to Greater Caucasus Montane Forest (2),but bird fauna is less diverse. Some species are represented by European subspecies.

II. Lesser Caucasus and Zangezur Region: includes Lesser Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan (Murovdag, Shah-dag and Karabakh ridges, and Karabakh Upland) and Zangezur Ridge in Nakhichevan region. Two sub-regions: Al-pine and Sub-alpine (4) and Lesser Caucasus Montane Forest (5).

4. Alpine and Sub-alpine Sub-Region (c. 2,000 to 3,900 m)

Similar to Alpine and Sub-alpine Sub-Region of Greater Caucasus (1), but lower elevations. Rhododendron belt, alpineand sub-alpine meadows, bedrock, and upland steppe. No extensive snowfields or glaciers, although small snowfieldsremain through the summer at the top of Mount Kapudjik (Zangezur Range).Birds: Caspian Snowcock and Radde’s Accentor (endemics of the Middle East Mountains), Caucasian Black Grouse(endemic of the Caucasus), Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Peregrine, Shore Lark, Red-fronted Serin, Twite and Snow-finch. Species of Central Asian origin (e.g. Güldenstadt’s Redstart and Great Rosefinch) are absent.5. Montane Forest (500 to 2,000-2,500 m)

Broad-leaved and mixed montane forests, shrubs, pastures, orchards. Includes Bichenek Forest in Nakhichevan. Very similar to Greater Caucasus Montane Forest (2), but poorly known. Forests are more fragmented. Birds: Red Kite andSombre Tit (southwestern species), Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Hobby, Eagle Owl, Tawny Owl, Wood Pigeon,Eurasian Cuckoo, Green and Black woodpeckers, thrushes, warblers, tits, nuthatches, etc.

III. Nakhichevan Low Mountains (300-2,000 m)

One sub-region (6). Semi-desert mountains, upland steppe, cereal fields from Aras Valley to c. 2,000 m.Birds: Little Swift, Bimaculated Lark, White-throated Robin, Red-tailed Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch, Crimson-wingedFinch, Pale Rock Sparrow (Middle Eastern-Central Asia species), Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture,Short-toed Eagle, Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

IV. Talish (South-east) Region: includes Lenkoran Lowland, southern Mugan and Talish mountains. Three sub-regions: Lenkoran-Mugan Lowland (7), Talish Montane Forest (8) and Zuvand Upland (9).

7. Lenkoran-Mugan Lowland (from -10 to 200-300 m)

Lenkoran Lowland and adjacent part of southern Mugan (including wetlands of international significance: wetlandsof Kizil Agach Reserve and Mahmud-chala). Wetlands, fields, semi-desert, pastures, small flooded woodlots. Once anextensive wetland with sub-tropical broad-leaved forest in drier areas.Birds: Large numbers of wintering and migrating waterfowl, coots, cormorants and shorebirds. Colonial waterbirds(Pygmy Cormorant, egrets, herons, Eurasian Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis), also Shikra, Sacred Ibis (in the past), Black Francolin, rails, semi-desert and ubiquitous species including Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, larks, wheatears, sparrows,some forest species.8. Talish Montane Forest (200-300 to 2,500 m)

Foothills and slopes of the Talish Mountains. Sub-tropical and temperate broad-leaved forests, fields. Closely resem-bles montane forests of Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains (2) and (5).Birds: Short-toed Treecreeper, Sombre Tit; Common Pheasant, several species of woodpeckers and passerines repre-

sented by subspecies endemic to Talish Mountains in Azerbaijan and Iran.9. Zuvand Upland Sub-Region (1,500-2,000 m)

Semi-desert mountains, upland steppe, pastures and fields.Birds: similar to Nakhichevan Low Mountains (6) including Bimaculated Lark, Pale Rock Sparrow, Grey-necked Bunting (Middle Eastern species), but Güldenstadt’s Redstart and Radde’s Accentor show connections to Alpine and Sub-alpine sub-regions of Greater (1) and Lesser (4) Caucasus, respectively; also Long-legged Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture,Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture.

V. Central Low Mountains: includes Bosdag Mountains, Shemakha and Gobustan uplands and Absheron Peninsula. Three sub-regions: Bosdag (10), Shemakha Upland (11) and Gobustan-Absheron (12).




10. Bosdag (300-700 m)

Low clayey semi-desert ridges: bare or with scattered juniper or pine woodlands.Birds: European-Caucasian species (Jay, thrushes, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit) occur in woodlands whereas MiddleEastern-Central Asian species (Isabelline Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch, Rock Bunting, Black-headed Bunting) inhabittreeless slopes; also raptors (Sparrowhawk, Imperial Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle).11. Shemakha Upland (400-2,000 m)

Upland steppe, patches of broad-leaved forests, pastures, fields. Birds: Common Quail, Grey Partridge, Corncrake,Skylark (species present in agricultural habitats of Europe occur in Azerbaijan mostly in Shemakha Upland); alsoCaucasian Black Grouse and forest species from Greater Caucasus Mountains.12. Gobustan-Absheron (-28.5 to 1,000 m)

Includes Gobustan Upland, Absheron Peninsula and southern semi-desert part of the Samur-Divichi Lowland. Semi-desert hills, rocky outcrops, mud-volcanoes, coastal semi-desert, wetlands, towns and villages (the peninsula is themost populated part of the country).Birds: Mostly species of Middle-Eastern origin (Long-legged Buzzard, Chukar, larks, Finch’s Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch,Rock Sparrow, formerly Lanner and Black-bellied Sandgrouse). Several important staging wetlands (Divichi Liman,Shah spit); Laughing Dove, Blackbird, Greenfinch in planted trees in settlements.

VI. Central Lowland: extends from border with Georgia to the Caspian Sea and includes Kura-Aras Lowland (Mil,Mugan, Shirvan, Hadjinour and Saliani steppes), Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland and southeastern Shirvan. Two sub-re-gions: Semi-desert lowland (13), Tugai (14).

13. Semi-desert lowland (-10 to 400 m)

The most extensive of the avifaunal sub-regions of Azerbaijan.Semi-desert, shrub thickets (along rivers and channels), wetlands (including wetlands of international importance:lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Kura Delta), agricultural fields, pastures, orchards, villages.Birds: Dalmatian Pelican (nested), Marbled Teal, White-tailed Plover, large numbers of wintering and transient water-fowl and coots, several large colonies of Pygmy Cormorants, egrets, herons, Eurasian Spoonbill, and Glossy Ibis; alsoCrested, Lesser Short-toed, Short-toed and Calandra larks, Isabelline Wheatear, Stone Curlew, Black Francolin, LittleBustards (large winter concentrations).14. Tugai (0-300 m)

Narrow strips of riverine ( tugai ) forests along Kura, Iori and Alazani in Azerbaijan, shrub thickets.Birds: Black Stork, Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Francolin, Common Pheasant and forest birds presentin montane forests of the Caucasus Mountains.

VII. Caspian Coast: includes islands and coastal waters of the Caspian Sea. Two sub-regions: Islands (15), Coastal Waters (16).

15. Islands (-28.5 to 100 m)

Islands of the Baku and Absheron archipelagos, Yashma Island. Semi-desert islands.Birds: important colonies of seabirds (Yellow-legged Gull, Slender-billed Gull, Sandwich Tern, Gull-billed Tern, Com-mon Tern) and Collared Pratincole; also shelducks ( Tadorna sp.). The islands are important stopovers for migrants,

especially shorebirds.16. Coastal Waters (-28.5 m)

Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea (includes sites of international importance: Kizil Agach Bays). Birds: Wintering,staging and feeding areas for divers (loons), grebes, cormorants, Great White and Dalmatian pelicans, Whooper andMute swans, Tufted Duck, other diving ducks, Common Coot, gulls and terns.




Overview of Protected Areas

As of summer 1991 c. 5% of Azerbaijan was protected in 13 strict nature reserves (c. 185,000 ha) and 14 gamepreserves (c. 250,000 ha).

Strict nature reserves ( zapovednik in Russian, goruh in Azeri) were created to protect representative and rare ecosystems,endangered species or areas with high densities of other species. In zapovedniks all wildlife and habitats were protectedand no commercial or recreational use was generally allowed. A special permit was required to visit or carry outresearch. However, these rules were not always followed and various violations were not uncommon. Staff of azapovednik consisted of a director, a deputy director (usually a Ph.D.) co-ordinating scientific work, several researchers,technicians and guards. An annual report (called Chronicle of Nature or Letopis’ prirodi in Russian) was prepared on statusof the environment, fauna and flora of each zapovednik.

Game preserves ( zakaznik in Russian, yasaglakh in Azeri) were usually established to protect certain species (gameanimals, colonial birds) or habitats from some forms of anthropogenic activity (e.g. hunting, fishing or grazing). Agricultural lands or even settlements could be included in game preserves. Access was not generally restricted, al-though there were exceptions. A few guards living along the borders of the preserve were supposed to enforce protec-tion. However, in real life, game preserves provided little protection to species and habitats.

The Greater Caucasus Mountains had the largest number of protected areas: 6 nature reserves and 3 game preserves. The reserves protected large tracts of relatively undisturbed montane forests. Zakatali Reserve also included 5,800 haof alpine and sub-alpine meadows and other high-altitude habitats. The habitats crucial for survival of CaucasianSnowcock were underrepresented in zapovedniks of Azerbaijan.

The fauna of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains was protected in only one large reserve: Geigel Nature Reserve. Thisreserve was unlike other nature reserves in Azerbaijan since some tourism development was allowed. The small Basut-chai Nature Reserve (107 ha) protects a unique stand of plane-trees. Three non-functioning game preserves (Lachin,Kubatli and Kizildjar) existed on paper only. Before the Karabakh War broke out in the early 1990s there were plans to

establish a nature reserve on Mount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland) for protection of the largest population of CaspianSnowcock in Azerbaijan. In the early 1990s the area was overrun by the Armenians.

Only one reserve (Ordubad Game Preserve) existed in the biologically rich Nakhichevan Region. Established to pro-tect wild ungulates, Ordubad Game Reserve also included many important bird habitats. Hunting was illegal in thegame preserve, although mining, grazing of sheep and many other activities were allowed. In 1989-90 the AzerbaijanCommittee for Nature Conservation (ACNC) planned three strict nature reserves in Nakhichevan Region, but the war with Armenia and civilian unrest altered these plans.

The low semi-desert mountains of Azerbaijan also were underrepresented in the network of protected areas. The only real exception was Turianchai Nature Reserve with its diverse fauna of diurnal raptors. In addition there was the virtually unprotected Gobustan Historic Reserve in Gobustan Upland.

Semi-desert plains were nominally protected in Shirvan Nature Reserve (south-eastern Shirvan), established to protect a largeherd of Goitred Gazelles ( Gazella subgutturosa ). However, in practice, Shirvan Reserve was bound by agreements to provide winter pastures for over 100,000 sheep from the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. The sheep were causing serious damage to thesemi-desert through overgrazing, were trampling nests of ground-nesting birds, and compete with the gazelles for bestpastures. Similar sheep overgrazing occurred throughout the semi-deserts of Azerbaijan. No protected areas or specialmeasures were planned to protect the newly-discovered wintering grounds of Little Bustards in Mugan Steppe.

Riverine or tugai forests along the Kura, Alazani and Iori rivers provide nesting habitat for many uncommon birdspecies including Black Stork, Lesser Spotted Eagle and Imperial Eagle. Large tracts of tugai were protected only inKarayasi Nature Reserve (western Azerbaijan). Unfortunately old growth tugai stands east of the reserve remain un-

Bird Conservation in Azerbaijan




protected. Two other large tugai forests were found in Barda and Shamkhor districts. Those forests were, in part,included in game preserves, but were lacking adequate protection from illegal logging and overgrazing. A nature re-serve was planned in the Barda area, but was probably never implemented.

The broad-leaved sub-tropical forests once covering the Lenkoran Lowland have been reduced to several fragments.One remaining woodlot (91 ha) was protected in Girkan Nature Reserve. The reserve also included 2,400 ha of montane broad-leaved forests in the Talish Mountains. There were plans to expand Girkan Reserve, but the outcomeis unknown. The Talish montane forests remained in relatively good shape until recently. Upland steppe is formally protected in Zuvand Game Preserve.

No protected areas or special conservation measures were planned in the lowland forests of the Samur Delta, alsoreduced to fragments.

Wetlands of Azerbaijan may appear well protected in Kizil Agach (88,350 ha), Aggel (9,100 ha) and Shirvan naturereserves. However, poaching, commercial fishing and other forms of legal and illegal activities have adversely affectedthese protected areas. Kizil Agach Reserve was in especially bad shape. Other important wetlands and stopover sitesincluding Lake Sarisu and Divichi Liman were unprotected. The famous mixed colony of herons, egrets, ibises andcormorants in Kizil Agach Reserve was in a serious trouble. Although the colony remained the largest in Transcauca-sia, it was reduced to c. 40,000 pairs. Glossy Ibises from the colony feeding outside the reserve were frequently killedby poachers. The colony of Lake Aggel was relatively secure in Aggel Nature Reserve. Two other important coloniesin Mahmud-chala and Kura Delta were not formally protected. However, the former colony was voluntarily protectedby the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters.

Colonies of seabirds on islands of the Caspian Sea are largely unprotected. There is a game preserve on GlinanyiIsland formally protecting the largest Yellow-legged Gull colony in Azerbaijan, but egg-collecting on Glinanyi stilltakes place from time to time. Some islands are also important stopover and wintering sites for waterbirds and shore-birds (e.g. Yashma Island, where Slender-billed Curlew was recorded in 1988). Sea birds and marine environments werein serious danger because of severe oil and industrial pollution of the Caspian Sea.

Nature Reserves of Azerbaijan

Name Size (ha) Region Altitude (m) Protected biomes Remarks Aggel c. 9,000 Kura Lowland(Mil Steppe) -10-0 wetlands, semi-desert recommended

as a new

Ramsar site

Alti-Agach 5,500 Shemakha Upland 1,000-2,205 montane forest, upland steppe

Basut-chai 107 Lesser Caucasus 600-800 forest

Geigel 6,739 Lesser CaucasusMountains 1,100-3,065 montane forest, sub-alpine and alpine

meadows

Girkan 2,906 Talish Mountains,Lenkoran Lowland 15-981 montane forest, sub-tropical lowland

forest

Ilisu 9,345 Greater CaucasusMountains 700-2,000 montane forest, sub-alpine meadows

Ismailly 5,778 Greater CaucasusMountains 800-2,250 montane forest, sub-alpine meadows

Karayasi 4,885 Kura Lowland 100-200 tugai forest

Kizil Agach 88,360 Lenkoran Lowland, Caspian Sea -29 to -24 coastal marshes, semi-desert, sea Ramsar site

Pirgulu 1,520 Shemakha Upland 800-2,000 montane forest, meadows

Shirvan 25,761 Caspian Lowland (south-eastern Shirvan) -25 to -20 semi-deser t

Turianchai 12,634 Bosdag 200-650 Juniper forest, semi-desert uplands

Zakatali 23,844 Greater Caucasus Mountains 630-3,648 Montane forests, sub-alpine and recommended

alpine meadows as a Biosphere

Reserve




Outside protected areas birds were protected by several laws (including the Nature Conservation Law, EndangeredSpecies Law, Environmental Protection Law and Forest Law) and hunting regulations. The Nature Conservation Law prohibited harassment of birds in nesting colonies and sites of congregation, destruction of nests, collection of eggsand skins without a proper permit, possession of live birds, and hunting species not included in the hunting regula-tions. The Endangered Species Law protected species included in the Red Data Book of the USSR and Red Data Book of

Azerbaijan . Both laws were rarely enforced. The Environmental Protection and Forest laws benefited birds throughmaintaining quality of the environment and forest habitats.

The hunting regulations existing in the late 1980s allowed hunting of waterfowl (except swans and several rare speciesof ducks and geese, e.g. Red-breasted Goose, Marbled Teal, White-headed Duck), the majority of shorebirds, gallina-ceous birds (except snowcocks, Caucasian Black Grouse, Black Francolin and the Talish subspecies of the Common

Pheasant), coots and other rallids (except Purple Gallinule) and pigeons. The Hooded Crow and Marsh Harrier wereconsidered vermin; shooting of them was encouraged and a small bounty paid. The hunting season officially lastedfrom mid August to late January, but hunting could take place only on weekends. All guns were supposedly registered with the Ministry of the Interior, and hunters with the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters. A hunter was entitled to take 10coots or 5 ducks or 2 geese or 10 chukars a day. A licence was required to hunt the Common Pheasant.

In the late 1980s the ACNC in collaboration with the Ecological Centre of Azerbaijan was working on a new set of hunting regulations. The new regulations would exclude all shorebirds (except Woodcock) and small rallids from the list of gamebirds. Shooting of Marsh Harrier and other raptors would be also forbidden. Unfortunately the political crisis in Azerbaijandelayed or perhaps prevented the new regulations from official approval and implementation. In 1989 all hunters wereordered to surrender their guns due to the existing political unrest. This of course did not apply to unregistered firearms.

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In the early 1990s the situation with bird conservation in Azerbaijan was bleak. Inflation skyrocketed leaving reserveguards and game wardens in a very miserable situation. Earning c. 80 roubles (under US$1) a month some resorted tofishing and hunting in protected areas or accepting bribes from poachers. Poaching was on the increase due to foodshortages in rural areas. In 1989-1993, 600-700 poachers openly hunted in Kizil Agach Reserve fiercely opposing any attempts to remove them. A helicopter hired by ACNC was shot at and almost brought down during one such opera-tion. Slaughter of wintering coots and swans from power-boats was common on the Caspian Sea south of Baku.Pollution of the Caspian Sea with oil and industrial contaminants was severe. The Karabakh war devastated vast areasin the Lesser Caucasus Mountains and left considerable amounts of firearms and ammunition in the hands of the localpopulation. Some government conservation organisations (including some nature reserves) were mired in corruptionand did not function properly.

The mid 1990s-early 2000s are a transition period for Azerbaijan. All laws of the Soviet period (including the NatureConservation, Endangered Species and Environmental laws) became obsolete, but whether new matching laws arebeing passed remains unclear. In 1991 Azerbaijan signed the Alma-Ata Declaration to guarantee international obliga-tions signed by the former USSR, which presumably included the Ramsar and Bonn conventions. In 1992 the country signed, but has not yet ratified, the Biodiversity Convention. The policy of the Azerbaijan government towards natureconservation is not yet known, but is probably not very encouraging considering the political and economic instability and the occupation of many western areas by Armenia.

The return of political stability to Azerbaijan may facilitate resurrection of conservation work and functioning of thenature reserves. The latter may only be possible after increasing wages and improving living and working conditions of the staff. New nature reserves are urgently needed in Barda Tugai Forest, Nakhichevan Region (Negram Mountains,Ordubad and Shahbuz areas), Mount Dalidag, Alazani Valley, Zuvand Upland, Lake Mahmud-chala, Mugan Steppe,Kura Delta, Yashma Island and the islands of Baku Archipelago. The boundaries of some existing reserves (Zakatali,Karayasi, Girkan and Aggel) should be expanded to include significant adjacent sites and improve protection. Many unprotected natural areas will require intensive surveys and monitoring. Rehabilitation of wetlands and perhaps cre-ation of new ones may ease hunting pressure on important wintering and stopover sites. Rehabilitation of the CaspianSea - one of the most polluted environments in the world - is crucial for the nation’s ecological health. Anotherimportant task facing Azerbaijani nationals and the concerned international community is conservation education, which has been neglected in the past. Work with school children, hunters and villagers, and publication of bird posters

and booklets in Azeri, may increase public interest in conservation and raise awareness of environmental issues. Oneshould hope that the people of Azerbaijan will find a way to preserve the biological diversity of their country and opena new chapter in their relationship with nature.









Species Accounts



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Breeding season record(probable nesting)

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Confirmed nesting record(nest, fledglings, adult birdscarrying food/fecal sacs)

Spring passage

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Main wintering grounds

Other wintering grounds

Winter sighting (outside of the main range)

Summer sighting (probably non-breeding records)

LEGEND TO THE MAPS




FAMILY PODICIPEDIDAE - GREBES

3. Little Grebe - Tachybaptus ruficollis Pallas, 1764

STATUS: Common resident and wintering species. SubspeciesT. r. capensis Salvadori, 1884 nests and winters, and T. r. ruficollis

Pallas, 1764 may winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Probably throughout the lowland. Confirmed for Aggel, Bos-Koba and Sarisu

(Mil Steppe), Shilian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe), Lake Had-jikabul, Varvara Reservoir (Mingechaur district), channels and streamsof Karayasi Forest (Akstafa district) and Lake Djandargel (Vinogra-dov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Little Kizil AgachBay, Akusha Marsh, Ivanovskaya Banka (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990), southern Mugan(Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala), Kura delta (Satunin,1912b; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991c; MP), Shorgel Lakes insouth-eastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and Divichi Liman (Tu-

aev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Varvara and Mingechaur reservoirs, lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Little Kizil AgachBay, Lake Karakush and channels) and the rest of Caspian shorein Lenkoran Lowland, Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chalain southern Mugan (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Islands of Baku Archipel-ago and Shah Spit (Tuaev, 1975; MP).

FAMILY GAVIIDAE – DIVERS OR LOONS

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species. Subspecies G. s.

stellata Pontoppidan, 1763.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: In 19th-early 20th centuries largenumbers wintered in south-west sector of Caspian Sea, lakes of Kura-Aras Lowland and Mugan (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin,1912b), but rare from 1930-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). Very few recent records, but may winter offshore where overlooked(Flint, 1982).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: One collected in Little Kizil Agach Bay on 18 January 1940 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: On 7 March 1968, I. Guseinov obtained a specimen on the north shore of Absheron Peninsula(Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968), and Mustafaev (1968) observed

another at sea 100 km off Baku.

REMARKS: Oil pollution caused by offshore drilling is respon-sible for dramatic declines in waterbirds (e.g. diving ducks andcoots) wintering on the Caspian Sea (Verestchagin, 1946, 1950;MP). In 1990-1991 only one Red-throated Diver counted dur-ing waterfowl censuses in Iran (Perennou et al., 1990; Perennou& Mundkhur, 1991).

2. Black-throated Diver – Gavia arctica Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species. Subspecies G. a.

arctica Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: In the 19th-early 20th centuries:southwest shore of Caspian Sea (vicinity of Lenkoran, SaraI. and Kumbashi Bay), lakes of southern Mugan and Kura- Aras Lowland. One collected near Evlakh, central Azerbaijanin March (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907,1912b). Presently winters in the Caspian Sea off AbsheronPeninsula (MP).

MOVEMENT: Fall passage: In November 1981, several ob-

served on fishponds in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Outnumbered Red-throated Div-er in 19th-early 20th centuries (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Sat-unin, 1907), but also decreased by the 1930s (Verestchagin, 1950).Seventeen oiled Black-throated Divers collected after an extensivespill near Baku on 10 February 1990 (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.).

MORTALITY: Vulnerable to oil spills (see above).

1. Red-throated Diver – Gavia stellata Pontoppidan, 1763

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HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds and other stands of emergentaquatic vegetation in lakes, ponds, marshes, oxbows and slow-flowing rivers (Vinogradov, 1967; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Conspicuous migration at Di- vichi Liman 15 March-5 April (Karabanova, 1981).

Fall passage: Migrates along the entire Caspian shore (Ver-

estchagin, 1950). In Mil Steppe, the most conspicuous passagein November-December (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably > 1,500 pairs, e.g.50-150 pairs at Lake Aggel in 1990-1991 (MP).Passage: Up to 1,000 observed on Lake Aggel in November-December (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: In winters 1964-1968 42-55/km of Caspian shore inLenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972). Up to 2,000 in Little Kiz-il Agach Bay (Vinogradov et al., 1990) and 6,890 in Kizil AgachReserve, 430 at Lake Sarisu in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). Only 835 countrywide in 1997 and 678 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000),but few areas surveyed.

BREEDING: Broods (2 chicks/brood) on Lake Aggel on 11,14 and 20 June (Vinogradov, 1967). A bird in juvenile plumageobserved on Karasy River (Karayasi Forest).

DIET: Mostly aquatic invertebrates, e.g. larvae of dragon-flies, water beetles and gnats, also water bugs, shrimp, and introducedMosquito Fish ( Gambusia sp. ) and fry of European Carp ( Cypri-

nus carpio ) (Vasiliev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Cold winters pose a threat to this species withup to 75% mortality in Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. up to 50 dead/km along fish channels (Butiev et al., 1965; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). In December 1946, groups found frozeninto the ice (Verestchagin, 1950). Mortality due to cold temper-atures also recorded in Absheron Peninsula and Mil Steppe (Tu-aev, 1977). Also perishes in oil-contaminated lakes and oil reservoirs of Absheron Peninsula attracted to open surfaces mistak-en for water, e.g. 23 were found dead in such a reservoir (Ver-estchagin, 1946).

4. Black-necked Grebe - Podiceps nigricollis C. L. Brehm, 1831

STATUS: Uncommon nesting and common wintering species.Subspecies P. n. nigricollis C. L. Brehm, 1831.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lake Fahra-kush in Shemakha district (Gambarov, 1954).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shilian and Karasy marshes (Tuaev, 1975),

Lake Hadjikabul; vicinity of Khaldan, Mingechaur district (Gam-barov, 1975), lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Tuaev, 1975; Paynter et al.,1996a). Small lakes in Kutkashen district (e.g. near Nidz) andIsmailly district near Djandakhar (Gambarov, 1954).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly, common resident on lakes of southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur delta (Butiev et al., 1990b).

Winter: Concentrated in the southeast.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula,Mahmud-chala (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Ga-zanchian, 1951; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Aggel, akhmas (oxbows) of Kura,and Mingechaur Reservoir (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: From Absheron penin-sula (including Shah Spit) to the Iranian frontier (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1975; Bannikova et al., 1984; Kuro-chkin, 1982).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lakes and marshes with emergent vege-

tation (Gambarov, 1954; Tuaev, 1975). Up to 3,200 m in Arme-nia (Dahl, 1954), but no records from mountains of Azerbaijan.

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Leave Kizil Agach Reserveby late March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Groupsof 2-10 in the Caspian Sea around Pirsagat Is., Baku Archipela-go in late April 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: From October, but does not arrive to Kizil Agach Reserve until mid December (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: > 30 pairs at Lake Hadjik-abul and 14 pairs at Sarisu in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Winter: > 5,000 (MP). Common at Shah Spit (Absheron Pen-insula) in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984) and27 recorded on 13 December 1989 (MP). In February 1996,3,595 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 662 at Lake Sarisu (Paynteret al., 1996a). Countrywide census yielded 1,449 in 1997 (Gi-lissen et al., 2000), 310 at Hadjikabul alone in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BREEDING: Pairs observed in Shilian Marsh, Shirvan Steppeon April 9th (Kurochkin, 1982), and a big chick collected onLake Aggel on June 10th (Tuaev, 1975).

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DIET: Mostly aquatic insects (larvae of diving beetles Dytis-

cus sp., water bugs and weevils) and shrimp, also small mol-lusks and fish, especially introduced Mosquito Fish Gambu-

sia sp. (Vasiliev, 1975).

STATUS: Uncommon wintering species. Subspecies P. a. auritus

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Common at Shah Spit (AbsheronPeninsula) in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).Recently recorded near Kilazi Spit in mid-October (Shelton,

5. Slavonian Grebe - Podiceps auritus Linnaeus, 1758

2001). Less common on the Caspian Sea than Little and Black-

necked Grebes (Kurochkin, 1982). Also rare in Iran (Perennou& Mundkhur, 1991). Wintered on lakes of southern Mugan inlate 19th-early 20th centuries (Satunin, 1912b).

STATUS: Uncommon wintering species and migrant, possibly nested in the past. Subspecies P. g. griseigena Boddaert, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: No recent summer records.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Collected at Khaladz, Mingechaur dis-trict on 14 May 1906 (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Considered resident on lakes in southernMugan early in 20th century (Satunin, 1912b).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Bay of Kizil Agach Reserve (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Islands of Baku Archipel-ago (MP), vicinity of Baku including Shah Spit (Radde, 1884;Bannikova et al., 1984) and probably elsewhere offshore on the

6. Red-necked Grebe - Podiceps griseigena Boddaert, 1783

Caspian Sea (Mustafaev, 1974a; MP). A few banding recoveriesindicate that Red-necked Grebes wintering in Azerbaijan nestin West Siberia (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Passed through Divichi Limanin early April (Karabanova, 1981).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Relatively common at ShahSpit (Absheron Peninsula) in January-February 1982 (Bannik-ova et al., 1984). Perhaps common elsewhere in south Caspian(Kurochkin, 1982). Only 10 reported from Kizil Agach Re-serve in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a), and 9 in 1997 (Gilissen etal., 2000), but Caspian sea was not covered.

7. Great Crested Grebe - Podiceps cristatus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Boiuk iranja

STATUS: Common nesting species, migrant and wintering spe-cies. Partly resident. Subspecies P. c. cristatus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shilian andKarasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe), lakes Aggel, Sarisu and Bos-

Koba (Mil Steppe), Lake Hadjikabul, small wetlands of Mingechaur district and Varvara Reservoir , and Lake Djandar-gel in Karayasi Steppe (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kura Delta (Vasiliev, 1967), fresh andbrackish wetlands of Kizil Agach Reserve including Little Kizil Agach Bay and Kalinovsky Liman (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a), Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala in south-ern Mugan, and Shorgel Lakes in southeastern Shirvan (Patri-keev, 1991a, c).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and Samur Delta (Tu-aev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b).

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur Reservoir (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972), Aggel (since 1960s), Sarisu, Kura and the akh-

mas (Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Gazanchian, 1951; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP); Sara Peninsula, Len-koran Lowland, Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (Radde,1884; Verestchagin, 1950; Mustafaev, 1972; Kurochkin, 1982; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Around Absheron Penin-sula, e.g. Artem Bay, Shah Spit and islands south of Baku all the way to Lenkoran (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Bannikovaet al., 1984; MP).

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HABITAT: NESTING: Fresh and brackish lakes, marshes and fish-ponds with stands of emergent vegetation. W INTER : Lakes, marshes, bays and Caspian Sea (Tuaev, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March through early April.COASTAL: Conspicuous passes off Cape Bilgah, Absheron Penin-sula in early March (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), and at Di-

vichi Liman 15 March-5 April (Tuaev, 1965; Karabanova, 1981).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Lake Aggel in March (Vino-gradov, 1967).Fall passage: From October, but more conspicuous in No- vember in flocks of 10-15 (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: > 1,000 pairs (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In late 1960s-early 1970s, c. 300 pairs in1,475 ha of fishponds in Kura Delta (Vasiliev, 1968; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 70-300 birds at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975, MP). In 1962, only 1 pair on Var- vara Reservoir, but 12 pairs in 1967 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).Passage: Spring: In May-early June 1989, >100 near Pelika-

nyi Island, and 15-20 off Los Island, Baku Archipelago (Patri-keev, 1991a).Winter: > 10,000 (MP). In late 1960s, 98-102/km along Caspi-an shore south of Lenkoran (Mustafaev, 1972). On 30 January 1965, c. 5,000 on Mingechaur Reservoir (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).Common at Shah Spit in January-February 1982 (Bannikova etal., 1984). In Kizil Agach Reserve, 447 counted in 1996 (Paynteret al. 1996a), 340 in 1997 and 180 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

BREEDING: Egg-laying from mid-April to late May (Tuaev,1975) or perhaps earlier as a large chick was recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve on May 10th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). At Aggel, 5 freshly built nests on 2-9 April, and 3 nests with 2 eggs and 1 nest with 1 egg on April 17th; broods fromMay 16th (Vinogradov, 1967). On Lake Kichik-Shorgel, no signsof nesting activity in mid-May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

DIET: In Kura Delta, feeds primarily on aquatic insects (84%of stomach contents): weevils, diving beetles ( Dytiscus sp) andtheir larvae, larvae of water-scavengers and whirling beetles,backswimmers, larvae of dragonflies and flies of family Stra-

tionidae, and ants. Also Marsh Frog ( Rana ridibunda ), fish (fry of European Carp Cyprinus carpio and Lookups Culter sp), and 2young Diced Snakes ( Natrix tesselata ) (Vasiliev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Significant mortality during cold winters: groupsfrozen into the ice in December 1946 (Verestchagin, 1950), 60dead in Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1964 (Mustafaev, 1964)and some reported dead in Absheron Peninsula in cold winter

1971/72 (Tuaev, 1977).Oil pollution also poses a serious threat: oiled Great CrestedGrebes found along Caspian shore and on polluted lakes of Absheron Peninsula. Encounters with oil films only 2-3 mm wide may prove fatal to this species. Oiled grebes exhibited lossof balance and disorientation (Verestchagin, 1946). Formerly (1870-1914), up to 3,000/year were shot for feather trade nearLenkoran (Radde, 1884; Verestchagin, 1947).

According to Bogdanov (1879) he observed this species on theCaspian Sea (no precise location given). As far as I know that

[FAMILY PROCELLARIIDAE - PETRELS AND SHEARWATERS]

[Manx Shearwater - Puffinus puffinus Brunnich, 1764] Hypothetical

8. Great White Pelican - Pelecanus onocrotalus Linnaeus, 1758

FAMILY PELECANIDAE - PELICANS

was the only record of any species of shearwaters from theCaspian Sea.

Azeri name: Gutan (all pelicans)

STATUS: Endangered migrant and wintering species. Mo-notypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In the late19th-early 20th centuries, flocks occurred in Kizil Agach Bay during summer months (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Satunin(1912b) suspected nesting on lakes of southern Mugan.Winter: Mostly winters offshore.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: Greater Kizil AgachBay, the mouth of Avarinyi and Sbrosnoyi channels, Lesser Kiz-il Agach Bay and Ivanovskaya Banka (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b; Babaev, 1984;Litvinova, 1989a), also in Kura Delta, and occasionally at Shor-

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gel Lakes in southeastern Shirvan (Litvinova, 1989a; MP). Onlakes of southern Mugan in the past (Satunin, 1912b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Caspian Sea between Absheron Peninsula and Lenkoran, e.g. around the islandsof Baku Archipelago (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Litvi-nova, 1989a; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur and Varvara reservoirs (Tu-aev & Vasiliev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: In Azerbaijan this species usually migrates at consid-erable heights and almost exclusively over the sea (Verestchagin, 1950).

Spring passage: From February to May (Verestchagin, 1950).COASTAL: Conspicuous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve from mid-March to mid-April, e.g. concentrates at Ivanovskaya Banka, Great-er Kizil Agach Bay, Akusha Marsh and the mouth of AvarinyiChannel in March (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1937; Grek-ov, 1965b). Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in late April, althoughsmall numbers linger until May (Grekov, 1965b). Observed insoutheastern Shirvan in mid-April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

Fall passage: Mostly from early October (Verestchagin, 1950).COASTAL: But several in the Caspian Sea 3-4 km off Samur Del-ta already in August 1986 (Butiev et al., 1989). In mid-October,small flocks (of 20-30) at Divichi Liman and Absheron Penin-sula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Kizil Agach Reserve:During 1960s-early 1990s, very few individuals observed in spring.F ALL: In October 1990, 200-300 by Cape Sangachal south of Baku (MP).

Winter: Probably only 100-200 in late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: common inthe 1930s-1950s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b), but in dec line since the1960s (Mustafaev, 1974a). Rare in the 1970s (Babaev, 1984).Numbers remained low through the 1980s, but a possibleincrease detected by the early 1990s (Litvinov & Litvino- va, 1991). Approximately 50% of Great White Pel icans winter ing in Kizil Agach Reserve are immature (Li tvino- va, 1989a) .

In, 1981-1991, c. 25 wintered in Kura Delta. (Litvinova, 1989a),and 50-100 pelicans of both species (mostly Dalmatians) at Shor-gel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan (MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: In 1988-1991, 5-10 off Shah Spit, Absheron Peninsula (MP).

FOOD: Piscivorous. According to Grekov (1965b) stomachcontents included Roach ( Rutilus rutilus ), European Carp ( Cyp-

rinus carpio ), Grey Mullets ( Mugil sp.) and Black Sea Roach( Rutilus frisii ).

Month-Year Number Source

April-March 1937 500-600 Tugarinov & Kozlova-

Pushkareva, 1937

March 1956 500-600 Grekov, 1965b

March 1959 2,500-2,600 Grekov, 1965b

Number of Great White Pelicans wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve, 1930s-1996

Year Number Source

1930s flocks of 20-40 Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938; Tugarinov, 1950

January 1959 78 Grekov, 1965b

January-February 1963 15 Oliger, 1967

1976 48 Babaev, 1984

January 1980 40 Babaev, 1984

1981-1988 7-13 Litvinova, 1989aNovember 1989 22 MP

January 1991 1,750 pelicans of both species Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

(Dalmatian Pelicans predominated)

November 1995 1,150 unidentified pelicans Paynter et al., 1996a

January-February 1996 1 + 256 unidentified pelicans Paynter et al., 1996a

9. Dalmatian Pelican - Pelecanus crispus Bruch, 1832

Azeri name: Gutan (all pelicans)

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon migrant and wintering spe-cies; nested in the past. Few pairs may still be nesting. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the past,nested on lakes with extensive reedbeds, e.g. Lake Nametabad-nour (Mingechaur district), lakes of Mil Steppe and possibly insouthern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b). By theearly 1960s, nesting confined to few lakes in Mil Steppe: eastern

portion of Aggel, Bos-Koba, Zahermar-Koba and Shorbet-Koba(Vinogradov, 1967, Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1969). By the early 1980s, a small colony of 5-15 pairs remained on Bos-Koba where several birds were also recorded in June 1990 (MP).May no longer nest in Azerbaijan, although several pairs per-haps remained on Lake Bos-Koba or elsewhere.

Winter: SOUTH-EAST LOWLANDS: Mostly Kura delta, Kizil AgachReserve (Greater Kizil Agach Bay, central section of LesserKizil Agach Bay, and occasionally in fresh marshes) and off Sara peninsula (Grekov, 1965b; Litvinova, 1989a; MP). Also at

Number of Great White Pelicans passing through Kizil

Agach Reserve in 1937-1959




Shorgel Lakes in southeastern Shirvan (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Tuaev, 1975; Litvinova, 1989a; MP). In the past,on lakes of Lenkoran Lowland and Mugan (Radde, 1884; Sa-tunin, 1907, 1912b).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Waters surrounding is-lands of the Baku Archipelago north to Absheron Peninsula(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Litvinova, 1989a; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe),Mingechaur Reservoir and Lake Djandargel in Karayasi Steppe(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Cran-swick et al., 1998).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lakes and old river channels with extensivereedbeds and kobl (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967). W INTER : Aquatory of the Caspian Sea and big lakes.

MOVEMENT: Usually migrates at considerable heights and overthe sea (Verestchagin, 1950).

Spring passage: February to early May.

COASTAL: From February to late April in Kizil Agach Reserve;few records in May (Grekov, 1965b; Verestchagin, 1950; Litvi-nova, 1989a). At Divichi Liman from March 15 th with flocksobserved in early May (Karabanova, 1981). In April and May 1990, single adults and sub-adults at Shorgel Lakes, southeast-ern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a), and groups of 5-8 and looseflocks of up to 50 in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the past, arrived at lakes of MingechaurDistrict in March (Satunin, 1907).

Fall passage: Early October through November.COASTAL: From early October (Verestchagin, 1950), e.g. near Kilazi(Shelton, 2001). In late November, pelicans recorded in AbsheronPeninsula and Sangachal Bay (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe and Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably was never commonin Azerbaijan: 17 adults at the colony on Lake Nametabad-nour(Satunin, 1907). By the early 1980s, 5-15 pairs on Lake Bos-Koba where 3-4 birds flying over the lake seen in June 1990 (MP).

Number of Dalmatian Pelicans wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1953-1996


December 1953 88 Grekov, 1965b

February 1963 84 Dobrokhotov, 1963

December 1979 800 Babaev, 1984

November 1980 54 Babaev, 1984 January 1981 100 Litvinova, 1989a

December 1983 342 Litvinova, 1989a

February 1985 115 Litvinova, 1989a

winter 1986 100-225 Litvinova, 1989a

January 1987 50 Litvinova, 1989a

January 1988 570 Litvinova, 1989a

January 1991 1,750 pelicans of both species Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

(Dalmatian Pelicans predominated)

November 1995 1,150 unidentified pelicans Paynter et al., 1996a

January-February 1996 199 + 256 unidentified pelicans Paynter et al., 1996a

Number of Dalmatian Pelicans wintering in Kura Delta, 1986-1996

Month-Year Number SourceNovember 1986 58 Litvinova, 1989a

December 1986 358 Litvinova, 1989a

January 1988 1,118 Litvinova, 1989a

January 1996 652 unidentified pelicans Paynter et al., 1996a

Number of Dalmatian Pelicans wintering on Lake Aggel in 1961-1991


winters 1961-64 120-200 Vinogradov, 1967

January 1988 137 MP

January 1991 60-80 MP

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Passage: SPRING: 551 in Kizil Agach Reserve in March 1976,and 897 in March 1979 (Litvinova, 1989a). Flocks of 5-50 inSamur Delta in 1990 (Butiev et al., 1990b).F ALL: In the 1960s, 600-700 wintered on Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe(Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: In the late 19th-early 20th centuries, “great numbers oc-curred along the entire Caspian shore and on inland lakes” (Satu-

nin, 1907). Dalmatian Pelicans were apparently so numerous inMugan, that Satunin (1912b) campaigning for enforcement of hunting regulations and protection of waterfowl, gallinaceous andother birds, encouraged shooting of pelicans stating that “[Dal-matian Pelicans] are so abundant, that it will be impossible toeradicate them completely”. However, by 1930s-1950s, their num-ber decreased dramatically due to relentless persecution, declin-ing fish stocks, pollution and habitat destruction. Probably 1,000-2,500 wintered in the early 1990s, but lower numbers recorded inthe late 1990s: 280 in 1996, 10 in 1997 and 71 in 1998 plus 908pelicans observed in 1996 and 303 in 1997 remained unidentified(Paynter et al., 1996; Delany et al., 1999; Gilissen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, this species occurred

in conspicuously lower numbers than Great White Pelican in the1950s (Grekov, 1965b), but showed signs of recovery in the late1960s-early 980s (Babaev, 1984). Over 1,000 were recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1991 (Litvinova, 1989a; Litvinov & Litvi-nova, 1991). In 1986-88 significant numbers were found in KuraDelta (Litvinova, 1989a). Also > 50 wintered at Shorgel Lakes, Shir- van Reserve in 1989-1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 34 counted on the Caspi-an Sea between Kura Delta and Absheron Peninsula in 1988(Litvinova, 1989a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Decreased at Lake Aggel from c. 200 inthe 1960s to fewer than 100 in late 1980s-early 1990s. This de-cline is attributed to diminishing fish stocks caused by destruc-tion of spawning beds and commercial overfishing (MP). In thelate 1980s, 20-30 wintered at Lake Sarisu (MP), but only 12 inFebruary 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). In 1998, 20 were record-ed on Mingechaur Reservoir and 14 on Lake Djandargel (Cran-

swick et al., 1998).

BREEDING: Nested in lakes with extensive reedbeds. On 4May 1894, nests built on a raft of broken reeds cemented withdroppings in central part of Lake Nametabad-nour (MingechaurDistrict). Seventeen adults and 50 large young in this colony (Satunin, 1907). In 1966, Dalmatian Pelicans nested in a mixedcolony of herons, egrets and ibises on Lake Aggel, but aban-doned nests with 1-2 eggs after the colony was disturbed (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1969).

FOOD: Piscivorous. Stomach content of one pelican on 13February 1953: a 55-cm Black Sea Roach ( Rutilus frisii ) and re-

mains of three others. A 1.2 kg Black Sea Roach in crop of another individual. Other prey species include European Carp( Cyprinus carpio ), Roach ( Rutilus rutilus ), Asp ( Aspius sp. ), Sander( Stizostedion sp. ) and probably other fish (Grekov, 1965b; Vasil-iev, 1975). In wintering areas, often hunts in mixed flocks withGreat White Pelicans and Great Cormorants (Grekov, 1965b).

MORTALITY: Occasionally flies into power lines. At least onedead in Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1991, and another one inShirvan Reserve (Sultanov et al., 1991). Very sensitive to distur-bance during nesting period (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1969).

10. Great Cormorant - Phalacrocorax carbo Linnaeus, 1758

FAMILY PHALACROCORACIDAE - CORMORANTS

Azeri name: Garabatdag

STATUS: Uncommon resident, common migrant and winter-ing species. Resident population is threatened.

Subspecies P. c. sinensis Blumenbach, 1796-1810.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Widespreadin the Lenkoran Lowland and southern Mugan in the 19th-early 20th centuries, e.g. in mixed colonies in old-growth broad-leavedforests along the Caspian shore, river valleys and in istyl (man-made swamps), sometimes 5-8 km inland and even in foothillsof Talish Mountains. Disappeared from there by the mid 1930s when the forests were reduced to few small patches, but some

small colonies could have remained in the foothills (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Sudilovskaya, 1951). Between 1948 and1952, Great Cormorants arrived at a mixed colony of herons,egrets and ibises at Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve),then abandoned it in 1964. However, in mid 1960s, they re-turned to the foothills of Talish Mountains, and in 1974 to Kali-novsky Liman. (Gladkov, 1957; Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev &Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Recorded at Mah-mud-chala (southern Mugan) in 1998 (Sultanov & Agaeva, 2003).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Prior to 1935, nested onrocky islands adjacent to Absheron Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Sa-

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tunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1947). Presently occurs in the Absh-eron area year-round (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP),but nesting evidence is lacking. During April-May 1989, groupsof 3-18 observed near Cape Pirsagat, Pirsagat Islands, GlinanyiIsland and abandoned oil-drilling platforms offshore. No nestsfound on the islands, but the platforms remain unsurveyed (Patri-keev, 1991a; MP).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Tuaev & Vasiliev,1969b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Earlier in the 20th century, colonies in tugai

forests at the confluence of Kura, Iori and Alazani (Satunin, 1907)later flooded by Mingechaur Reservoir in 1953 and downstreamby Varvara Reservoir in 1957. The cormorants remained there aslong as nesting trees were standing (last nesting on Varvara Reser- voir in 1962, and on Mingechaur Reservoir in 1965) and latermoved to the remaining tugai of Iori and Alazani (Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972). In the late 1950s-early 1960s, a small colony estab-lished on Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mainly in Kizil Agach Reserve(Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach Bays, e.g. near Kumbashi, in the

mouth of Vilajchai, Ivanovskaya Banka, Avarinyi and Sbrosnoyichannels) , Sara Peninsula and Kura Delta (Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: the Caspian Sea fromKhachmas Lowland to islands of Baku and Absheron archipel-agos. Often feeds at Lake Ganligel, Absheron (Bannikova et al.,1984; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur Reservoir, Kura River andadjacent akhmas , lakes Aggel and Djandargel (Verestchagin, 1950;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Arpa-chai (Verestchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: NESTING: tugai and broad-leaved lowland forests,flooded tamarisk thickets, reedbeds and possibly rocky islandsof the Caspian Sea. FEEDING: coastal waters of the Caspian Sea,rivers, lakes, reservoirs and marshes. During post-breeding move-ments, these cormorants were observed on montane lakes infoothills of Greater Caucasus Mountains up to 1,600 m (Ver-estchagin, 1947; Gambarov, 1954; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February to mid April(Verestchagin, 1950).COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve, Kura Delta andDivichi Liman from mid February to late March, occasionally to mid April. During migration, often concentrates in mouth of

channels flowing into Greater Kizil Agach Bay and in the mouth

of Kura (Grekov, 1965a; Tuaev et al., 1965; Tuaev & Vasiliev,1969b; Karabanova, 1981).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: On Mingechaur Reservoir, numbers de-crease in March. Flocks of 60-80 were seen heading towards themid and lower Kura (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Gambarov, 1975).Post-breeding movements: COASTAL: Leaves colonies in June- July and spreads along the Caspian shore from Samur Delta in

the north to Iranian border in the south. Small numbers remainat fishponds in the mouth of Kura (Grekov, 1965b; MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Some appear in foothills and low moun-tains, e.g. adults and young observed on Lake Nour (800 m),Kutkashen District in mid June 1962 and 1966 (Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1969b). Also recorded in Shemakha Upland, KatekhchaiGorge (Zakatali District) at 1,400 m, and headwaters of Girdi-manchai (Ismailly District) at 1,600 m (Gambarov, 1954).

Fall passage: Early September through early December.COASTAL: Arrives in early September (Verestchagin, 1950). Con-spicuous passage at Divichi Liman in late October-early Novem-ber (Tuaev, 1965). From there, cormorants head to Absheron Pen-insula, Kura Delta and Kizil Agach Reserve where migration peaks

in November, and is over by early December (Verestchagin, 1950;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Large numbers at Mingechaur and Var- vara Reservoirs, Karasy Marsh and lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Tu-aev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Formerly nested in greatnumbers (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Colonies subsequently decreased in number, disappeared or moved by the mid 1930s(Sudilovskaya, 1951). At present, small colonies exist in Kizil Agach Reserve and adjacent areas, Kura-Aras Lowland and pos-sibly islands of the Caspian Sea (c. 300 pairs in total. MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In the mid 1950s, 5,000-13,500 individu-

als nested in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965a), but fewerthan 200 pairs in the late 1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990). 42observed on Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the late 1960s, c. 150 pairs nested inthe mouth of Iori (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969, 1972), but only 15-20 pairs remained there in the late 1980s (MP). On Lake Aggel,numbers have remained low (20-30 pairs) since the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 5-10 pairs in remnant broad-leavedforests of Samur Delta (MP).Passage: SPRING: In 1964-1965, 12,000 gathered in Kizil AgachReserve and even greater numbers in the mouth of Kura (Grek-ov, 1965a). In spring 1965, c. 700 seen daily on fishponds in

Kura Delta (Tuaev et al., 1965; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b).

Number of Great Cormorants wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1952-1996

Year Number Source

1952 10,000-12,000 Gladkov, 1957

1957 16,000-18,000 Grekov, 1965b

1959 10,000-15,000 + Grekov, 1965b

1962 325 Dobrokhotov, 1963

1964-1965 > 1,000 Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969

1980s 1,000-2,000 Vinogradov et al., 1990

1996 c. 1,530 Paynter et al., 1996a




F ALL: In the early 1960s, up to 1,000-1,400 at Lake Aggel. Low-er numbers in following years (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: c. 4,000-5,000 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Increased in Kizil Agach Reserve in the1950s with 10,000-15,000 on Avarinyi Channel alone in 1959(Gladkov, 1957; Grekov, 1965b), but decreased through the 1960-1970s. Only 1,000-2,000 wintered in the 1980s-1990s (Do-

brokhotov, 1963; Oliger, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; Vino-gradov et al., 1990; Paynter et al., 1996a).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: In the late 1980s-early 1990s,up to 1,500 in the Caspian Sea around Absheron Peninsula (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In January-February 1964-1965, flocks of up to 400 on Mingechaur Reservoir off mouth of Iori and Alaza-ni (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b). Few on Kura River, adjacent akhmas

and rivers of Zakataly-Ismailly Lowland (Verestchagin, 1950;Gambarov, 1975). Only 20-40 on Lake Aggel in 1989-1991, (MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Small numbers on small lakes in ShemakhaUpland (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b).

BREEDING: Colonial. In the past, often nested in huge mixedcolonies with Pygmy Cormorants, Night Herons, Squacco Her-ons, Little Egrets and Rooks in broad-leaved forests of LenkoranLowland. In those colonies, Great Cormorants nested in tops of tall oaks, elms and poplars (Satunin, 1907; Sudilovskaya, 1951).Recently, nesting in trees was recorded only in deltas of Iori andSamur (MP). In Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve), thisspecies nests in small groups within a huge mixed colony in floodedtamarisk thickets. Two to six pairs may nest in the same bushusually close to open water (Grekov, 1965a). On Lake Aggel, GreatCormorants nest in a large mixed colony with Pygmy Cormo-rants, egrets, herons and ibises and also in small colonies withGrey Herons. All colonies there were in reedbeds where nests are

built on broken reed clumps (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).Nests in trees and bushes are made of twigs, and those in reed-beds of reed stems. Nest-cup is lined with leaves of reed andBolboschoenus maritimus . Nest diameter is 35-44 cm. In the colony of Kalinovsky Liman, other birds avoid proximity of Great Cor-morants. Tamarisk bushes with cormorant nests in them usually die within few years due to excessive amount of guano depositedon branches (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Arrives at breeding grounds at Kalinovsky Liman in February.In one colony, eggs were laid in late February-early March, andin another colony 2-3 weeks later. However, fresh clutches re-corded until mid July. On 8 March 1958, 2-4 eggs in the major-

ity of examined nests with 1 egg in some nests; 3-5 sometimes6 eggs/clutch (Grekov, 1965a, b; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Adult cormorants feeding young were observed in Kalinovsky Liman in late May. By late May-early June, flocks of fledgedyoung head to Greater Kizil Agach Bay and shores of Sara Pen-insula to feed, returning to colonies in the evening (Grekov,1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). A young collected at the

Divichi Liman on 15 August (Tuaev, 1965) probably originatedfrom Samur Delta (MP).

DIET: Piscivorous. Examined stomachs mostly contained fish(95%): European Carp (57.5%), young sturgeons (16.3%), Roach(10%), Bream (7.5%), Sander (7.5%), Common Kilka (7.5%),Perch (2.5%), Grass Carp (2.5%), Nine-spined Stickleback (2.5%)and Pipefish (2.5%). The other 5% consisted of newts and waterscavenger beetles (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b). On Varvara Reser- voir, Great Cormorants consume large numbers of Lamprey, andBrook Trout and Marsh Frog on mountain lakes (Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b). Capable of swallowing a fish 35 cmlong. Several had their stomachs and esophagus completely filled

with fish. Although known to consume up to 810 g of fish/hour,daily intake usually does not exceed 600 g (Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b). According to Gladkov (1957b) Great Cormo-rants consumed over 600,000 kg of fish (mostly European Carpand Roach) in the southwestern Caspian Sea from February toMay each year. In July-August, they raided fishponds feeding onsturgeon fry. In July 1964, stomachs of 18 cormorants shot atfishponds contained 30-106 young sturgeon 4-10.5 cm long, e.g.Sturgeon, Bastard Sturgeon and Starred Sturgeon (Gladkov, 1957;Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b).

MORTALITY: Considered vermin by the Ministry of Fisheriesand fishermen, and large numbers were shot or trapped and their

nests destroyed (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969b). But by the late 1980s-early 1990s, so few nesting cormorants remained in Azerbaijan thatintroduction of a shooting ban was urgently required. Pollution of the Caspian Sea and overfishing were also responsible for a dra-matic decline in this species during the second half of the 20thcentury. Prior to 1914, these cormorants were also hunted for theirfeathers (Verestchagin, 1947). The Lezgin living in Samur Deltaand natives of Lenkoran Lowland hunted Great Cormorants forfood as late as the 1970s-1980s (MP). Few natural enemies, although Wolves and Golden Jackals occasionally raided colonies in Kizil Agach Reserve and ate the young when water levels were low. Hood-ed Crows sometimes steal eggs (Grekov, 1965a).

11. Pygmy Cormorant - Phalacrocorax pygmaeus Pallas, 1773

Azeri name: Garabatdag, kichik garabatdag

STATUS: Vulnerable. Common to locally very common nest-ing species, uncommon migrant and wintering species. A smallpart of the population is resident. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly nested in huge mixed colonies in broad-leaved forests of Len-

koran Lowland (Satunin, 1907; Sudilovskaya, 1951), but movedto flooded tamarisk thickets of the Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve after the forests were cleared by the 1930s-1940s(Grekov, 1965a). The colony of Kizil Agach Reserve relocatedto Lopatinsky Marsh in the mid 1980s (Litvinova, 1986). Twoother important colonies are in Kura Delta and Mahmud-chala,southern Mugan (Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e). In 1989-1990, a small mixed colony was established on Lake Beuk-Shor-




gel, southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a). Irregular nesting reported at Novogolovka-chala, southern Mugan (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Most important inland colony at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe); small colonies on Lake Sarisu and Varvara

Reservoir (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.; MP). Irregular nesting was observed at Abdulian akh-

mas , Ali-Bairamli District (Vasiliev, 1970). Also recorded at Shil-ian Marsh (Shirvan Steppe), the akhmas in Zardob, Udjari andFisuli Districts, lakes Djandargel and Hadjikabul (Tuaev, 1975;Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP; Cranswick in litt.).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman from late 1990s (Patri-keev & Wilson, 2000).Winter: Mostly within the summer range: Kizil Agach Reserve,Sara Peninsula, Lenkoran Lowland south to the Iranian border,Lake Hadjikabul, Shorgel Lakes, southern Mugan, water bodiesof Shirvan and Mil steppes including Aggel and Sarisu, Varvaraand Mingechaur reservoirs, and Lake Djandargel in Karayasi

Steppe (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gazanchian,1951; Zlotin, 1963; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Grekov, 1965b; Vino-gradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1970; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Gambarov,1975; Cranswick et al., 1998). In December 1989, one seen atShah Spit (MP), also recorded near Kilazi Spit in mid winter(Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds (e.g. Aggel, Mahmud-chala, Sarisu and Beuk-Shorgel) or stands of flooded tamarisk (Kizil Agach Reserve and Kura Delta) at fresh or brackish lakesand marshes (Vinogradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1970; Litvinova, 1986,1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e; MP). In Varvara Reservoir, cormorantsnested in treetops of flooded tugai forest (until the trees col-

lapsed), later moving to reedbeds nearby (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).In the past, nested in old-growth broad-leaved forests of Len-koran Lowland (Satunin, 1907; Sudilovskaya, 1951).In some areas, nesting habitat threatened by pollution. By themid 1980s, many tamarisk stands in Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve) were killed by agricultural runoffs from outsidethe reserve. Because of this, a considerable part of the colony moved to Lopatinsky Marsh, but tamarisk die off was observedthere also (Litvinova, 1986).FEEDING: During nesting season feeds in flooded areas, marsh-es, channels (and formerly rice fields) close to nesting colonies.

In winter and during migration, often occurs along the Caspianshore (Grekov, 1965b; Vasiliev, 1968, 1970; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage is inconspicuous and lasts frommid February through April (Verestchagin, 1950).COASTAL: Passes through Divichi Liman and Samur Delta fromearly March (groups of 2-40) sometimes in mixed flocks with

Great Cormorants or herons. Latest spring record in Samur Delta April 28th (Karabanova, 1981; Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A flock of 58 on Shilian Marsh in early April (Tuaev, 1975).

Post-breeding movements: In late July-early August, thou-sands of young roam around colonies and throughout lowlandsof Azerbaijan. Young ringed at Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil AgachReserve) were recovered in Lenkoran Lowland, on lakes Aggeland Hadjikabul, Padar and Karasy marshes, and in Kura Valley (Grekov, 1965b). Occasionally visits mountain lakes, e.g. 4 atLake Nour (Kutkashen District) on 27 July 1966, and also in the vicinity of Zakatali (Vasiliev, 1970).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Samur Delta from mid August,

but conspicuous passage occurs in late October-late November with latest record on December 9th (Butiev et al., 1989). Passesthrough Divichi Liman (earliest record in October), probably skirts Absheron Peninsula and heads for Kizil Agach Reserve, LenkoranLowland and Iran (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Vasiliev, 1970).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Considerable numbers migrate throughMil Steppe (especially Aggel and Sarisu), Shirvan Steppe (Shil-ian and Karasy), Mingechaur and Varvara Reservoirs. Later dis-perses through the lowland or also moves to Iran. Two birdsfound dead at Aggel were ringed in Dagestan, Russian Federa-tion (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 6,000 birds in the late 1960s

(Vasiliev, 1968, 1970; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972), and 4,800-5,800pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: c. 14,400 pairs in Kizil Agach Reserve inthe late 1950s (Grekov, 1965a, b), 2,450 pairs in 1964 (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965b), > 2,000 pairs in the late 1960s, but only 700-1,000 pairs in the early 1970s (Morozkin, 1975) and 1,400-2,000pairs in the mid 1980s (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). In 1988-1989, 1,300 pairs found in Kura Delta (Litvinova, 1989b). In 1990,500-800 pairs nested on Lake Mahmud-chala, and c. 50 pairs onLake Beuk-Shorgel (Patrikeev, 1991a, e). Sultanov and Agayeva(2003) encountered only 125 in Mahmud-chala in 1998, but prob-ably surveyed only the periphery of the colony.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2,000-3,000 pairs on Aggel in the early

1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but only 900 in the late 1960s plus 45pairs at Varvara Reservoir (Vasiliev, 1968, 1970; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972). In the late 1980s, up to 1,500 birds at Lake Aggel,>100 pairs at Lake Sarisu, and 40-50 pairs at Varvara Reservoir(Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP). Sultanov & Agayeva (2003)recorded 166 at Sarisu and 348 at Varvara Reservoir in 1998.Passage: SPRING: 0 to 190 recorded Samur Delta in 1979-1988(Butiev et al., 1989).F ALL: Up to 10,000-12,000 passed through Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: 3,000-10,000 in late 1980s-early 1990s.

Tbilisi

Gandja

Zakatali

Shemakha

Lenkoran

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SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 1,500-2,000 on Sbrosnoyi Channel, Kizil Agach Reserve in 1956 and c. 2,000 in Akusha Marsh in the late1950s-early 1960s (Grekov, 1965); 200-300 along channels of Kizil Agach Reserve in November-December 1989 and flocks of 50 inSara Peninsula (MP). In January-February 1996, 8,350 in Kizil Agach and c. 1,000 in Shirvan Reserve (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Mil Steppe, small flocks of 10-15 on Lake

Sarisu, and > 100 at Lake Aggel in January 1991 (MP). In February 1996, 120-1,200 at Sarisu (Paynter et al., 1996a) and 80 in Novem-ber 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). 400 on Lake Djandargel and290 on Varvara Reservoir in February 1998 (Cranswick et al., 1998).

BREEDING: Colonial. Nests in mixed colonies with egrets,herons, ibises and sometimes with Great Cormorants, usually occupying upper or middle levels. Arrives at colonies in Kizil Agach Reserve in February-March, and in late March at Lake Aggel. Nest-building mostly in mid April at Aggel or earlier inKizil Agach Reserve (Sudilovskaya, 1951; Grekov, 1965a; Vino-gradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1970; Tuaev, 1975). In Kizil Agach Re-serve, nests built in tops of flooded tamarisks, but on Aggel

and Mahmud-chala on broken clusters of reed 1.0-1.8 m above water. Neighbouring nests 0.2-1 m apart (Grekov, 1965a; Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a; Vasiliev, 1970; Patrikeev, 1991e). Nestsare compact and built of reed stems or tamarisk twigs depend-ing on location, and lined with leaves and soft parts of reed, andsometimes, also Bolboschoenus maritimus . Nest diameter 22-28 cm;nest-cup diameter is 7-12 cm (Grekov, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991e).Egg-laying from early March to early June depending on location, water level and weather. In Kalinovsky Liman, sometimes lays al-ready in early March (1-4 eggs per nest on March 8th ), but usually later. In 1964, eggs in one sub-colony from mid April, and in an-other from May 10th (Grekov, 1965a, b; Mustafaev & Kiazimov,1966b). At Aggel, eggs laid from mid late April, but not until mid

May on Varvara Reservoir (Vinogradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1970). AtMahmud-chala, clutches of 1-4 eggs and freshly built nests during 6-8 June 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991e). 2-7 (usually 4.5) eggs/clutch. Av-erage egg measurements: 47.0 x 29.9 mm. Incubation starts fromthe first egg and lasts for 23-28 days (average 26). Both sexes incu-

bate (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965b, 1966b; Vasiliev, 1970). AtKalinovsky Liman, newly hatched chicks from April 19th (Grekov,1965b), in Aggel from 7-19 June (Vinogradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1970)and at Lake Mahmud-chala in early July (MP). Egg losses were low (< 6%), but chick losses may reach 63.6% in Kizil Agach Reservedue to predation by the Night Heron taking newly-hatched cormo-rant chicks to feed their own young. In 1964, 175 of 350 (i.e., >

50%) observed nests at Kalinovsky Liman were robbed by NightHerons (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, 1966b). Breeding successis higher in colonies with lower number of Night Herons (Lake Aggel, Lake Mahmud-chala, and Kura Delta). The young remain in nests 40-43 days. At Lake Aggel, the ma-jority of young were on the wing by mid July (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). In late July-early August, the young leave colonies,gather in big flocks and roam around often visiting adjacent wetlands. At first, they return to colonies for the night (Grekov,1965a, b; Vasiliev, 1970).

DIET: Diet varies depending on season. Mostly feeds on fish in winter and spring, adding tadpoles and larvae of aquatic insects

to their menu in summer. Nestlings are mostly fed fish fry (Vasil-iev, 1970). Considered mostly piscivorous in Kizil Agach Reserve where 12 species of fish made up c. 70% of contents of 66 ex-amined stomachs: mostly fry of European Carp (49%), but alsoRoach (12.1%), Black Sea Roach, Pike and adult Mosquito Fish. The remaining 30% included invertebrates, e.g. dragonfly larvae(16.6%), water beetles and shrimp Leander adsperus (Grekov, 1965b).Later studies demonstrated that 2/3 of fish consumed by Pygmy Cormorants were non-commercial species, e.g. Mosquito Fish. Inaddition, Pygmy Cormorants consume large numbers of aquaticinsects harmful to fisheries (Vasiliev, 1970).

MORTALITY: Still hunted for food in Azerbaijan, although not

nearly as often as coots and ducks (Verestchagin, 1950; Y.Guseinov, pers. comm.). Also perishes in fish traps and nets(e.g. on Lake Aggel), has collided with power-lines (Kizil AgachReserve) and suffers from oil pollution along the Caspian shore(Verestchagin, 1946; Sultanov et al., 1991; MP).

FAMILY ARDEIDAE - HERONS, EGRETS AND BITTERNS

12. Eurasian Bittern - Botaurus stellaris Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Dangushu, Eri dangushu

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, migrant and wintering species, partly resident in the southeast. Subspecies B. s. stellaris

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: A small nesting population at DivichiLiman (Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu in Mil Steppe,Karasy Marsh in Shirvan Steppe, and formerly on small lakesof Mingechaur District (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tu-aev, 1975; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lakes Kichick-Shorgel and Beuk-Shor-gel (southeastern Shirvan), Kura Delta, Novogolovka-chala

(southern Mugan) and Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986;Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Shilianand Karasy marshes and wetlands of Zardob, Udjari, Kurdamirand Mingechaur districts, and Varvara Reservoir (Satunin, 1907;Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shorgel Lakes, Kura Delta, Kizil AgachReserve and Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Dobrokhotov,1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972;Paynter et al., 1996a).




C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit, Absheron Pen-insula (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds in lakes, marshes and

other water bodies. During migration and in winter: wetlands,but also semi-desert, where they could be approached closely ina car (MP).

MOVEMENT: Nocturnal migrant; information on its migra-tion is scarce.Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded along the Caspian shore,e.g. in Shirvan Reserve and south of Cape Pirsagat in mid April(Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: Regularly seen in Absheron Peninsula in Octo-ber (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Leaves Divichi Liman

in November (Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. Probably 100-200pairs (MP).

Winter: Perhaps > 500. In the early 1960s, up to 96 winteredon Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967); 29 in Kizil AgachReserve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

MORTALITY: Hunted in Azerbaijan for its “tasty meat” (Ver-estchagin, 1947; MP). Natural predators include Red Fox ( Vulpes

vulpes ) (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).Migrants often fly into powerlines on Absheron Peninsula, in Kizil Agach and Shirvan reserves and elsewhere: dead and injured bit-

terns found on streets in Baku suburbs, and regularly brought toBaku Zoo (Sultanov et al., 1991; MP). Perishes in cold winters,e.g. 32 dead in Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1964 (Mustafaev,1964) and 4 at Lake Aggel in February 1972 (Tuaev, 1977).

Azeri name: Kichick dangushu, dangushu

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies I.m. minutus Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Probably in suitable habitatthroughout the lowlands, but few actual records.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Akusha Marsh,Kalinovsky Liman, Lesser Kizil Agach Bay), Lenkoran Low-land, Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and Kura Delta (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986;Patrikeev, 1991c).

13. Little Bittern - Ixobrychus minutus Linnaeus, 1766

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe), Karasy and Shilian marshes (Shirvan Steppe), Lake Hadjikabul, VarvaraReservoir, small lakes and ponds in lowlands of Ismailly andZakatali districts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Tuaev, 1975;).N AKHICHEVAN: Possibly in Aras Valley (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds or flooded bush thickets in lakesand marshes. MIGRATION: Reedbeds and flooded meadows(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Small flocks in Lenkoran Low-land on April 27th (Radde, 1884). Recorded in Aras Valley, south-ern Mugan and along the Caspian shore in May (Satunin, 1912b;Dahl, 1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1975; Patri-keev, 1991a).Fall passage: Uncommon in Absheron Peninsula from mid Sep-tember to early October (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).Common in Kizil Agach Reserve in fall with latest record on

November 5th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably > 500 pairs. Up to10 calling males at Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan in 1990 (MP).

BREEDING: No information. At Divichi Liman, Tuaev (1965)observed a group of 8 (possibly a brood) on August 23rd.

MORTALITY: Flies into powerlines in Absheron Peninsula (e.g.suburbs of Baku) and probably elsewhere (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; MP).

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Azeri name: Garuldag

STATUS: Vulnerable. Common to locally very common nest-ing species concentrated in several large colonies; common mi-grant and irregular wintering species. Subspecies N. n. nycticorax

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Commonin Lenkoran Lowland earlier in the 20th century (Satunin, 1907),but presently confined to 4-5 colonies: Kalinovski Liman-Lop-atinski Marsh (Kizil Agach Reserve), Mahmud-chala and No- vogolovka-chala (southern Mugan), Shorgel Lakes (southeast-ern Shirvan) and Kura Delta (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Patri-keev, 1991a, e; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly throughout Kura Valley from

Tbilisi (Georgia) to Saliani (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). At leastone large colony was lost to Mingechaur Reservoir (Gambarov,1975). Presently nests at Varvara Reservoir, lakes Aggel, Sarisuand Bos-Koba (Vinogradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1968; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Patrikeev, 1991a, e; MP).Small separate or mixed colonies may exist in the remaining tugai

in Kura Lowland, flooded thickets and reedbeds elsewhere (MP).Winter: Irregular wintering species in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Kizil-Agach Reserveand Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Paynter et al., 1996), but not annually.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly at Karasy Marsh, Shirvan Steppe(Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: Flooded bush thickets and reedbeds (Grek-ov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). Former-ly nested in trees (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage:

COASTAL: Arrives at Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve)from mid February in some years, but normally in early to midMarch (Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a),also from March in the vicinity of Saliani (Satunin, 1907). Re-

14. Night Heron - Nycticorax nycticorax Linnaeus, 1758

corded in Absheron Peninsula in mid April (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Sarisu and Aggel (Mil Steppe), Shil-ian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe) from March (Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: September-October, inconspicuous (Verestcha-gin, 1947).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded near Turianchai on September2nd (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Latest records atLake Aggel in November (Vinogradov, 1967).Of 3,127 young Night Herons ringed in Kizil Agach Reserve in1954-1959, several were recovered in Lenkoran Lowland, 4 in Volga Delta (Astrakhan Region, Russia), 1 in the vicinity of Milan(Italy) in August, 1 in Lebanon in December, and 2 in Iraq inOctober (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 7,000-8,000 breeding pairsin late 1980s-early 1990s.

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Re-serve), c. 25,000 pairs in the mid 1950s (Grekov, 1965a), > 29,000pairs by the early 1960s (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a, b), only 3,000-3,500 pairs in 1972-1973 (Morozkin, 1975) and 6,000-7,200pairs in the mid 1980s (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). In 1990,20-30 pairs nested in a mixed colony on Mahmud-chala, south-ern Mugan (Patrikeev, 1991e) and 125 birds (e.g. c. 60 pairs) in1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: c. 400 in flooded tugai forest on VarvaraReservoir in late the 1950s-early 1960s (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972),but slightly over 100 pairs in reedbeds of the reservoir in thelate 1980s (MP). At Aggel, < 50 pairs in the mid 1960s (Vasiliev,1968), but 150-200 pairs at each Aggel and Sarisu in the late

1980s-early 1990s (MP).Winter: 108 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Colonial. Normally in mixed colonies with oth-er herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants. In flooded tamarisk thickets, nests built mostly in upper and middle levels of tam-arisk twigs. Nest diameter 270-300 mm, nest-cup depth 90-100 mm (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a). Inreedbeds, Night Herons use reed stems to build nests (Vino-gradov, 1967; Patrikeev, 1991e). Egg laying in one sub-colony in Kizil Agach Reserve from April 10th, but not until May 5 th inanother sub-colony (Grekov, 1965a), in Varvara Reservoir fromc. April 20th (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972), and at Lake Aggel from

mid April to early May (Vinogradov, 1967). Clutch contains 3-5 eggs, sometimes 2 or 6 (average 4). Eggs weigh 25.1-36.1 g,and measure 48.1 x 33.9 mm on average (Mustafaev & Kiazi-mov, 1965a, b). Incubation 22-28 days (Vinogradov, 1967) andthe young remain in nests 36-38 days (Grekov, 1965a; Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, 1966a). In Kizil Agach Reserve,losses of eggs and nestlings amounted to c. 12.8% each (Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a, b).In Kizil Agach Reserve fledglings from mid May, although nests with young recorded until mid August 1956 (Grekov, 1965; Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Mingechaur District,

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fledglings observed by June 20th (Satunin, 1907). In July-Au-gust, broods roam throughout Kizil-Agach Reserve and Kura Valley (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975).

DIET: Feeds nestlings with tadpoles, frogs, locusts, grasshop-pers, dragonfly larvae, newly hatched chicks of the Pygmy Cor-morant, and sometimes chicks of other herons or egrets. In

Kura Lowland, fish (juvenile European Carps and White Bream)

was found in 47.8% of examined stomachs, Marsh Frog Rana

ridibunda (adults and tadpoles) in 45% and insects in 7.2%. Thelatter included larvae of Mayflies, dragonflies, water scavengerbeetles, diving beetles, flies, and also imago of water scavengerbeetles, water bugs and mole crickets (Vasiliev, 1975; Tuaev, 1975).

REMARKS: Meat considered distasteful, and thus rarely hunt-

ed (Tuaev, 1975).

Azeri name: Sari vah

STATUS: Vulnerable. Common to locally very common nest-ing species confined to several mixed colonies, common mi-grant and irregularly wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: The largestnesting colony is in Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinski Marsh (Kizil Agach Reserve). Other colonies in Kura Delta, lakes Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) and ShorgelLakes in southeastern Shirvan (Grekov, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Skok-ova & Vinogradov, 1986; Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991a, e).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel, Sarisu and Bos-Koba (MilSteppe) and Varvara Reservoir (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev,1975; MP). Formerly, in large heronry near Karadagli and Pa-dar, Mingechaur District (Satunin, 1907).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and Divichi Liman(Butiev et al., 1990b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Flooded tamarisk thickets in Kizil-AgachReserve and Kura Delta (Grekov, 1965a; Litvinova, 1989b), andin reedbeds elsewhere (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Patri-keev, 1991a, e). Formerly, in trees in Mingechaur District (Satu-nin, 1907).FEEDING: Shallow waters and semi-desert (Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil- Agach Reserve and Kura Delta in late March-early April (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a: Tuaev, 1975).

15. Squacco Heron - Ardeola ralloides Scopoli, 1769

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Lake Aggel, Shilian and Kara-sy marshes in early April (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: Observed in Absheron Peninsula in August (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968) and along the Caspianshore and adjacent wetlands in September-October (Tuaev,1975). One observed at Sbrosnoyi Channel, Kizil Agach Re-serve on 29 November 1989 (MP). As late as December 12th inthe 19th century (Radde, 1884).

Of 3,806 young Squacco Herons ringed in Kizil Agach Reservein 1954-1959, only five were recovered: 4 from Lenkoran Low-land, and 1 from Abkhazia, northwestern Georgia (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 15,000-18,000 pairs in late1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, c. 36,000 in themid 1950s (Grekov, 1965a), 84,500 pairs reported in 1964 (Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, b; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969c), but only 4,000-4,800 pairs in the early 1970s (Morozkin, 1975) and 8,000-9,600 pairs in 1982 (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). Over 1,000pairs at Mahmud-chala (Patrikeev, 1991e), and 800-1,000 pairs

in Kura Delta (Litvinova, 1989b, MP) in 1988-1990. Sultanov & Agayeva (2003) reported only 250 at Mahmud-chala in 1998,but likely did not survey the entire colony.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Aggel, 1,400 pairs in the mid 1960s(Vasiliev, 1968) and 4,000-6,000 pairs in 1988-1990 (MP). At Varvara Reservoir: 50-60 pairs in 1967, 98 pairs in early 1970s(Tuaev, Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975) and 100 pairs by the late1980s (MP).

BREEDING: Colonial. Normally nests in mixed colonies withother herons, egrets, ibises and cormorants. In Kizil Agach Re-serve, nest-building from early April, although most build inearly May (Grekov, 1965a). Nests built in flooded tamarisk thick-

ets, reed kobl , reedbeds, and formerly in willows and poplars,usually at middle or low levels (Satunin, 1907; Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967). In reedbeds, often nests in thick impassablereeds in the centre of the colony, and less common in marginalareas (Patrikeev, 1991e). Nest is a very loose construction mea-suring 180-220 mm in diameter, nest-cup depth 20-70 mm (Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b).In Kizil Agach Reserve, egg-laying from April to mid July,although the majority lays eggs in early to mid May (Grek-ov, 1965a; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a). In Varvara Reservoir, only 1 of 50

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In Kizil Agach Reserve and Kura-Aras Lowland, eggs laid frommid April through mid May (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kia-zimov, 1966a; Vasiliev, 1968; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). At Mah-mud-chala (southern Mugan), fresh clutches recorded as late as June 20th (Patrikeev, 1991e). Clutch contains 4-5, rarely 2 or upto 9 eggs (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b). Inthe late 19th-early 20th century, majority of nests examined in

Mingechaur District contained 7-9 eggs. Egg measurements: 50-46 x 35-34 mm (Satunin, 1907). Average egg size from Kizil Agach Reserve: 45.6 x 33.7 mm, weight 18.2-30.6 g (Grekov,1965a, Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b).Incubation 20-23 days. In Kizil Agach Reserve, estimated egg lossc. 21.8% (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b). In Mingechaur District,newly hatched young in early May (Satunin, 1907), whereas on

Mahmud-chala from late June (Patrikeev, 1991e). Chicks remain inthe nest 28-31 days, and then move to adjacent branches or reedstands. About 68-70% of the young survive and fledge (Satunin,1907; Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b). By late June- July, the young are on the wing in Kizil-Agach Reserve. At first,they return to the colony at night, but later gather in flocks androam throughout wetlands and adjacent semi-desert (Grekov, 1965a).

DIET: Mostly amphibians (primarily Marsh Frogs of differentage groups): 67.2%; also insects (22%), fish including Lookup(8%), and spiders (2.8%) (Vasiliev, 1975). Also feed on grass-hoppers (up to 100/stomach), larvae of diving beetle ( Dytiscus

marginalis ), and lizards Eremias arguta (Tuaev, 1975). Nestlingsfed tadpoles and immature frogs (Grekov, 1965a).

Azeri name: Beuk ah vah, Ah vah

STATUS: Rare nesting species, common migrant and winter-ing species. Subspecies E. a. alba Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Formerly common, e.g. at lakesof Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1907, 1912b), but only small nesting population remained by the late 20th century (Skokova & Vino-gradov, 1986; Litvinova, 1989b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinski Marsh(Kizil Agach Reserve), Kura Delta (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Litvinova,

1989b) and possibly at Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeastern Shir- van) and Mahmud-chala in southern Mugan. Non-breeding in-dividuals observed near Cape Pirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a; Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small colonies at lakes Aggel and Bos-Koba, Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP). Nestedat Varvara Reservoir prior to 1962 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agaye- va, 2003).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan, southernMugan, Kizil Agach Reserve and Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin,

17. Great White Egret - Egretta alba Linnaeus, 1758

1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Absheron Peninsula, e.g.Shah Spit and semi-desert between lakes Mirzaladi and Mosazir-gel (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Karayasi Forest to KuraDelta including lakes Aggel, Sarisu and Hadjikabul, Shilian andKarasy marshes (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950; Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP); Aras Valley up to the Armenian border (Verestchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds and flooded bush thickets inlakes and marshes (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov, 1967). FEED-ING: Shallow waters and semi-desert. W INTER : Wetlands and semi-

desert throughout lowlands (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov,1967; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives at nesting sites in Feb-ruary-March (Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov, 1965a).Fall passage: From mid August.COASTAL: In mid August, small flocks at Divichi Liman and theadjacent Caspian shore (Tuaev, 1965), and in late August in SamurDelta (Butiev et al., 1990b). Conspicuous movement from late Sep-tember to mid November (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Mugan Steppe, Shilian andKarasy marshes, Mingechaur and Varvara reservoirs (Tuaev &

Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975). Three Great White Egrets ringed as chicks in Kizil Agach Re-serve were recovered from Lake Mehman (Mil Steppe), Karasy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) and Gasan-Kulu Reserve in Turkmen-istan, respectively (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 100-150 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s.Significant fluctuation from the middle of 19th century to the end of 20th century: common, but hunted heavily for feathers in the 1860s-1870s (Radde, 1884) and declined by the early 20th century, but re-

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covered after the introduction of hunting ban in the 1920s (Ver-estchagin, 1947). However, declined again in the mid 20th century.Factors responsible for the latter decline are poorly understood (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Perhaps 6,800 pairs in Kizil Agach Re-serve in the mid 1950s (Grekov, 1965a), but was gone by 1964(Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Probably recolonised Kizil Agach in the 1970s (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). In the late

1980s-early 1990s, 5-10 pairs in Kura Delta (Litvinova, 1989b;MP) and 5-10 pairs at Beuk-Shorgel in southeastern Shirvan(Patrikeev, 1991a). 80 recorded at Mahmud-chala and 55 at Di- vichi Liman in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 50-60 pairs at Lake Aggel in the late1980s (MP).Passage: F ALL: Flocks of hundreds at Divichi Liman and Karasy Marsh in early 20th century, and up to 100 in October 1935(Verestchagin, 1947, 1950).

Winter: Probably 500-1,500 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 1.8/km in January-February 1963 (Oliger,1967); c. 1,100 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 10 in Shirvan Re-serve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 200-700 in Mil Steppe in the 1960s, witha maximum of 2,124 in November, 1,368 in December and 698in January (Vinogradov, 1967). Only 50-100 by the late 1980s,e.g. 45 in Aggel Reserve in January 1991 (MP). 35 at Lake Had-jikabul in November 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: c. 15 at Shah Spit in Janu-ary-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984) and 5-10 in 1989;15-20 between Mirzaladi and Mosazirgel in 1991(MP).

BREEDING: Colonial. Nests in small monospecific colonies(e.g. at Lake Aggel) or in marginal areas of large mixed coloniesof wading birds and cormorants, e.g. at Kalinovsky Liman. Bulky

nests are built near tops of flooded tamarisks or on broken reedstems, and made of tamarisk twigs or reed stems, respectively (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov,1967). Clutch contains 3-4 or rarely 5 eggs. In Kizil Agach Re-serve, egg laid in early and mid March, many nests contained 1-2 day-old young by April 19th, and the young fledged by May 20th (Grekov, 1965a).

DIET: Mostly fish (88%) including Sander (fry), Roach, Mos-quito Fish, Spiny Loach, Smelt and Gobies; also Marsh Frogs(7%), rodents (4.2%), and insects (0.8%) including larvae of dragonflies, flies, and water boatmen (Vasiliev, 1975). Observedhunting rodents in semi-desert (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965a; MP) and picking up stunned fish at a spillway near apower station (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).

MORTALITY: Sometimes perishes in oil spills and oiled lakesof Absheron Peninsula. (Verestchagin, 1946; MP).

Azeri name: Ah vah, Kichik ah vah

STATUS: Vulnerable. Common to locally very common nest-ing species, common migrant, and uncommon wintering spe-cies. Subspecies E. g. garzetta Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: In the past, nested in forests of Lenkoran Lowland and Mingechaur District (Satunin, 1907;Spangenberg, 1951). Presently, concentrates in 4 large mixedcolonies in the southeast and Kura-Aras Lowland.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinski Marsh(Kizil Agach Reserve), Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and

18. Little Egret - Egretta garzetta Linnaeus, 1766

Kura Delta (Grekov, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Skokova & Vinogra-dov, 1986; Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e; MP). Small num-bers nest on Lake Beuk-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan and pos-sibly at Lake Kichik-Shorgel (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mostly at Lake Aggel, but also at VarvaraReservoir, lakes Sarisu and Bos-Koba (Vinogradov, 1967; Tu-aev, 1975; MP). Summer records from Udjari District (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agaye- va, 2003).Winter: Widely scattered.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula, Len-koran Lowland, southeastern Shirvan, Mugan, e.g. in Djalilabadand Masalli (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; Paynter et al.,1996a; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Evlakh and Agdash to Kura Delta, Aggel, Sarisu, Hadjikabul and Karasy (Verestchagin, 1950; Zlo-

tin, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds and flooded tamarisk thickets in lakes, marshes and other wetlands (Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967). FEEDING: coastal areas in fresh and brackishlakes and marshes, and the Caspian shore (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950). W INTER : channels, marshes,rivers, lakes, bidjar and istyl (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

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T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Lower part of Talish Mountains, e.g. in Gir-kan Reserve (Gasanov, 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District), vicin-ity of Shamkhor and Barda, the mouth of Iori, Varvara Reser-

voir, lakes Aggel, Sarisu and Hadjikabul (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Alti-Agach, Shemakha Upland(Gambarov, 1954; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Non-breeding individualsoccur along the Caspian shore, e.g. between Biandavan and Pir-sagat and also on islands of Baku Archipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agaye- va, 2003).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: southeastern Shirvan, Mugan, Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula and Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin,1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gazanchian,1951; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967;

Mustafaev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Georgian border to thedelta, Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989), lakes Aggel and Sarisu and Shilian Marsh (Vi-nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: From Shah Spit to San-gachal (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: tugai forests, reedbeds in lakes and marsh-es, and flooded bush thickets (Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967;MP). W INTER : channels, lakes, bidjar , istyl , semi-desert, shores,sand shoals and woodlots (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlo- va-Pushkareva, 1938; Gazanchian, 1951; Vinogradov & Tcher-

niavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev, 1972; Tuaev,1975; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: mid February through mid April.COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve, northbound passage from midFebruary, but more conspicuous in mid to late March. Locally nesting Grey Herons arrive at nesting grounds in February-March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Moves through Absheron Peninsula in early through mid April (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Karasy and Aldjiganchai in early April(Gambarov, 1975).GREATER C AUCASUS: Some migrate across Greater CaucasusMountains, e.g. recorded at Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) on24 April 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).Fall passage: COASTAL: Passes through Divichi Liman and SamurDelta from early August through October (Verestchagin, 1950;

Tuaev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b) and in Kizil Agach Reservefrom mid September through late November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In September-early October, migrantsrecorded at Karasy and Shilian marshes, lakes Aggel and Sarisuand Mingechaur Reservoir (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975).One Grey Heron ringed in Kizil Agach Reserve was shot laterin Absheron Peninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 300-400 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Perhaps c. 5,000 in Kizil Agach Reserve in

the 1950s (Grekov, 1965a), but declined dramatically through the1960s-1980s (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). In the late 1980s, 20-25 pairs nested in Kura Delta and 10-15 pairs at Mahmud-chala(MP). 59 at Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Varvara Reservoir, 6 pairs in 1962, 14pairs in 1965 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975), 15-20 pairs inthe late 1980s (MP) and only 3 in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva,2003). In 1989-1991, 10-15 pairs in Karayasi Forest, 40-60 onLake Aggel and 20-25 pairs in the vicinity of Barda (Patrikeev,1991c; MP). 18 at Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 75 at Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: F ALL: At least 1,332 passed through Lake Aggel in the

early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967). Flocks of up to 100 in Kizil AgachReserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and hundreds atDivichi Liman and Karasy Marsh in October (Verestchagin, 1950).Winter: 3,000-4,000 (MP). In Kizil Agach Reserve, 1.9/km in January-February 1963 (Oliger, 1967) and >200 in 1996 (Payn-ter et al., 1996). <10 at Shah Spit, Absheron Peninsula in Janu-ary-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984), 100-200 at Lake Aggel in 1990-1991 (MP), and 40 in Shirvan Reserve in 1996(Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Colonial, but does not form large colonies. Inlarge mixed colonies (e.g. in Kalinovsky Liman), nests individu-ally or in small monospecific groups along edges (Grekov, 1965a;

Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). In reedbeds, often nest in smallcolonies of 5-10 pairs (Vinogradov, 1967). In Kalinovsky Liman,nests made of tamarisk twigs and lined with Bolboschoenus marit-

imus and reed leaves. Nest diameter c. 500-600 mm (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b). In reedbeds, nests made of broken reedstems (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). In tugai forests, heronsbuild nests in treetops (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1947; MP). At Varvara Reservoir, nested in f looded tugai forest until nest-ing trees collapsed (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975). Early nester: at Lake Aggel fresh clutches from early March, and in-cubated clutches from mid March to late April (Vinogradov,

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1967). Clutch contains 3-5, sometimes 6 eggs (Mustafaev &Kiazimov, 1966b). Hatching recorded at Varvara Reservoir on April 27th (Tuaev, 1975); large young at Lake Aggel on May 16 th

(Vinogradov, 1967) and in Kizil Agach Reserve 2 nests withyoung as late as June 25th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Mostly piscivorous: fish c. 72.8% of stomach content (fry

of European Carp, Roach, Bream, Sander, Mosquito Fish, CaspianBarbel, Khramulya and Chub); also amphibians 22.4% (mostly Marsh Frogs), reptiles 4% (Diced Snake Natrix tesselata , and young

European Pond Terrapins Emys orbicularis ) and insects only 0.8%:larvae of dragonflies, diving beetles, water scavenger beetles andflies, imago of water boatmen, water scavenger beetles, diving bee-tles, mole crickets, grasshoppers, locusts and weevils (Vasiliev, 1975).Observed hunting rodents in semi-desert and pecking blackberriesin winter (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

MORTALITY: Occasionally shot for food (Verestchagin, 1947;MP) and perishes in oil spills, e.g. 20 dead in a spill off Absher-on Peninsula in February 1990 (G. Bairamov, pers. comm).

Azeri name: Kuran vah

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies A.

p. purpurea Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil AgachReserve (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990),Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala in southern Mugan (Patri-keev, 1991c; MP), Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) and KuraDelta (Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). In the past, nested in the vicinity of Lenkoran (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karasy and Shilian marshes (ShirvanSteppe), lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe), small lakes of Mingechaur and Agdash districts, Varvara Reservoir and fish-ponds near Lake Hadjikabul (Verestchagin, 1947; Tuaev, 1975;Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP). One collected on Lake Fahra-

kush in the south of Shemakha District (Gambarov, 1954).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965).

Winter Formerly collected near Lenkoran in November andDecember (Radde, 1884), but no recent records.

HABITAT: NESTING: extensive reedbeds in lowland lakes andmarshes (Tuaev, 1975). FEEDING: shallow waters at reed standedges (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives in Azerbaijan in lateMarsh-early April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).

20. Purple Heron - Ardea purpurea Linnaeus, 1766

In Ziria, Absheron Peninsula on May 15th (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958).

Fall passage: Conspicuous passage at Divichi Liman in early August (Tuaev, 1965), and in Samur Delta in late August (Butiev et al., 1990b). One collected near Baku on September 23rd (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958). Latest sighting in Kizil Agach Re-

serve on November 4th


POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 600-700 pairs (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Uncommon in Kizil Agach Reserve inthe late 1950s-early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a), but 440 pairs nested at Kalinovsky Liman in 1983, and52 pairs in 1984 (Vinogradov et al., 1990). In 1990-1991, 15-20pairs at Mahmud-chala, 15-20 pairs in Kura Delta and 13-14pairs at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan (MP). 89 countedat Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 20-25 pairs at Lake Sarisu in 1990-1991(MP) and 18 birds in 1998. Also in 1998, 28 at fishponds nearHadjikabul and 6 at Varvara Reservoir (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 10-15 pairs in Divichi Liman in 1990-1991 (MP) and 95 birds in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: 43 observed at Divichi Liman on August 12th (Tuaev, 1965).

BREEDING: Semi-colonial or nests individually. In Kizil AgachReserve, nest-building from early April. Makes nests of brokenreed stems in reed stands 0.9-1.2 m above water. Nest diameteris about 1 m (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a).Clutch contains 3-5 eggs (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a). On Aggel, egg-laying in late April-early May, and incubation fromearly May to early June (Tuaev, 1975). Incubated eggs in the vicinity of Mingechaur on May 4th (Satunin, 1907), a nest with

four young in Lesser Kizil Agach Bay on June 30th

. Fledglingsseen there in mid July. Do not gather in flock like other young herons and egrets (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Amphibians (mostly Marsh Frogs) and fish including Eu-ropean Carp, Mosquito Fish, Rudd and White-Eye (50.5% and45% of stomach content, respectively). Also reptiles, e.g. DicedSnake and young European Pond Terrapin (3.5%), insects (0.9%,e.g. larvae of dragon-flies, diving beetles, water scavenger beetlesand flies, imago of diving beetles and water scavenger beetles),crayfish (0.1%), and very occasionally rodents (Vasiliev, 1975).

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food items recovered from examined stomachs included mol-luscs ( Helix pomatia and Helicella derbentina ) and a young Caspian Turtle Mauremys caspica (Gambarov, 1954; Khanmammedov &Safarova, 1981).

REMARKS: Colonies of Spanish Sparrows (up to 100 pairs)often nested in active and abandoned White Stork nests (Satu-nin, 1907). Generally enjoys traditional protection from localpeople (Mustafaev, 1969a).

Azeri name: Gara leilak

STATUS: Rare resident and migrant. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lowland for-ests in Kutkashen, Ismailly, Sheki and Kuba districts (Satunin,1907; Gambarov, 1954; MP). Perhaps in Shemakha Upland(Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region

(Aliev, 1965).N AKHICHEVAN AND T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Reported by Aliev (1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Prilutzkaya & Pishvanov,1989a; Butiev et al., 1990b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District), tugai

in Shamkhor and Barda districts, the mouth of Iori and Alazani Valley (Abuladze et al., 1986; MP). Formerly, observed in the vicinity of Mindjevan (Zangelan District) in Aras Valley (Satu-nin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: South of Lenkoran Lowland, althoughclose to Lenkoran in the past (Sudilovskaya, 1951). In the late1980s, observed only in Astara-chai and Vilajchai valleys (I. Ba-baev, pers. comm.; MP).

Winter: Up to 60-80% remain in lowlands of Azerbaijan in warm winter (Aliev, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Old-grown tugai , broad-leaved lowland andmontane forests up to 2,000 m. Sometimes in cliffs near lakes

22. Black Stork - Ciconia nigra Linnaeus, 1758

and rivers (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Aliev, 1965; MP).FEEDING: River valleys, wet meadows, marshes, rice fields (Aliev,1965; Butiev et al., 1990b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed near Mingechaur on March 2nd

and 10th (Gambarov, 1975).COASTAL: Passage recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve, LenkoranLowland and Mugan from March to May (Radde, 1884; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), and in Samur Delta from early April to early May: earliest and latest sightings on April 9th andMay 8th, respectively (Butiev et al., 1990b).

Fall passage: also inconspicuous. In Armenia, migration re-corded in August (Dahl, 1954), in Divichi Liman in September(Shelton, 2001) and in Talish Mountains in mid October(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). Latest record in Len-koran Lowland on December 16th (Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 50-100 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).In 1989-1990, 6-8 pairs in Karayasi Forest (MP), 5-6 pairs in Alazani Valley, 2-3 pairs in Barda Forest, 2 pairs in Samur Delta,2-3 pairs in the Astara-chai Valley, and possibly 1-2 pairs in Vila-jchai Valley (Butiev et al., 1990b; MP).

BREEDING: Formerly nested in large tracts of mature low-land forest (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907), but this habitatalmost disappeared from lowlands of Azerbaijan by the mid20th century. Nests in large oak, beech, elm, poplar, mulberry and ash trees, but also on cliffs near wetlands (Aliev, 1965). Inthe 1980s, nests found in patches of remaining tugai and broad-lived forests sometimes adjacent to fields. In Karayasi Forest,one nest c. 20 m above the ground (Butiev et al., 1990b; MP).Incubation lasts 35-45 days and the young remain in nests up to70 days (Aliev, 1965). In Karayasi Forest, fledglings by July 4 th

(MP). Four (possibly a brood) in Samur Delta during 27 Au-gust-1 September (Butiev et al., 1990b).

DIET: Fish, insects, frogs and snakes, less commonly rodentsand nestlings of songbirds (Aliev, 1965).

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Azeri name: Arsindimdick

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon nesting species and migrant,rare wintering species. Subspecies P. l. leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Widespread in the lowlands in the19th-early 20th centuries (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907), but pres-ently confined to a few mixed colonies.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Only sizable colony on Lake Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan (Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e) where nested prior to the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1947) andreturned probably only in the late 1980s (Litvinova, 1989b). Smallnumbers nest in mixed colonies in Kura Delta, Kalinovsky

Liman-Lopatinski Marsh and in the north of Greater Kizil AgachBay in Kizil Agach Reserve (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Litvi-nova, 1989b; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Abandoned colonies in Karasy and Shilianmarshes (Shirvan Steppe) and Mingechaur District by the 1940s-1950s (Verestchagin, 1947, 1950; Tuaev, 1975), Lake Mehman inthe 1960s (Tuaev & Israfilov, 1977) and western Lake Aggel inthe 1970s (MP). Presently known from one large colony on Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP) and smaller coloniesin Bos-Koba (MP). May nest in Kura Valley in Zardob Districtand at Lake Sarisu. Unconfirmed report of two large colonies in Aras Valley in Fisuli District: in the vicinity of Karakhanbeili andin marshes near Gazakhlar and Ziarkar (R. Aliev, pers. comm.).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: In a mixed colony of Divichi Limanfrom late 1990s (E. Sultanov).

Winter: Irregular at Lake Aggel, where 11 occurred in cold win-ter 1963-1964; 8 survived until the spring (Vinogradov, 1967).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds in fresh and brackishlakes and marshes, and in flooded tamarisk thickets in Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinski Marsh. FEEDING: Shallow waters in inland water bodies and along the Caspian shore where depth rarely exceeds 10-20 cm (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov,1965a; Vinogradov, 1967).

FAMILY THRESKIORNITHIDAE - IBISES AND SPOONBILLS

23. Eurasian Spoonbill - Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February through early May.COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran as early as 19-27 February (Rad-de, 1884), but conspicuous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve from

mid March through mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Butiev et al., 1989). Recorded at nest-ing grounds in southern Mugan in mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975). In Samur Delta, conspicuous in mid Mach to ear-ly April, and then in late April-early May (Butiev et al., 1989).Latest spring record on May 10 th (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Lake Aggel 14-27 March (Vi-nogradov, 1967) and in Mingechaur District in late March–early April (Satunin, 1907). Recorded in Shirvan Steppe in mid April(Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: Early August to mid October.COASTAL: Often migrate over the Caspian Sea 0.5 km offshore(Verestchagin, 1950). Common in Samur Delta, Divichi Liman,

Kilazi Spit, shores of Absheron Peninsula and Lenkoran Low-land in August-mid September (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965;Butiev et al., 1989; Shelton, 2001). Arrives at Kizil Agach Re-serve from late August. Latest records in Kizil-Agach Reserveon November 8th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and inSamur Delta on November 21st (Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrate through lakes Aggel and Sarisu,and Karasy Marsh (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975). Latestrecords on Lake Aggel 1-22 November (Vinogradov, 1967).Spoonbills ringed as chicks in Kizil Agach Reserve have beenrecovered from Mugan and India (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 500-1,200 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: > 2,000 pairs at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe)in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1969) and 2,200 pairs in 1968 (Vasiliev, 1968), but only c. 100 individuals in 1976 (Tuaev & Israfilov, 1977) and 200-700pairs in 1988-1990 (S. Gasimov, pers. comm).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: The colony of Lake Mahmud-chala wasre-established c. 1988 (M. Kasumov, pers. comm.) with 200-360 pairs in 1988-1990 (Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e),but very few observed in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Only 45-300 at Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve) inthe 1950s (Grekov, 1965a), none by 1965 (Mustafaev & Kiaz-

imov, 1966a) and 1-2 pairs in 1982 (Skokova & Vinogradov,1986). In 1985, 35 pairs in a newly established colony in north-ern Greater Kizil Agach Bay, and 46 pairs in 1986 (Vinogra-dov, et al., 1990), and 5-10 pairs in Kura Delta in 1988-1990(Litvinova, 1989b; MP).In addition, Mr. Ramiz Aliev reported 2 large colonies in Aras Valley in Fisuli District with c. 600 and 1,000 pairs respectively. Verification was impossible at the time due to hostilities be-tween Azerbaijan and Armenia.Passage: SPRING: 76 recorded in Samur Delta in 1987 and 176in 1988 (Butiev et al., 1989).

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F ALL: Flocks of 35-40 near Yashma in mid October (Tuaev,1965), 120-170 in Samur Delta in 1977 and 1978, c. 100 in 1984and 170 in 1988 (Butiev et al., 1989).

BREEDING: Colonial. In monospecific colonies or large mixedcolonies with other ibises, herons, egrets and cormorants. Preferto nest in kobl (thick reed clusters) in or around small ponds of

open water in reed thickets. Nests built of broken reed stems andleaves 0.2-1.5 m above water 0.5-10 m apart. Nest measurements:diameter 40-106 cm, height 11-30 cm, nest-cup 20-32.1 cm, depth5-10 cm (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Israfilov, 1977;Patrikeev, 1991e). In Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve)nests in flooded tamarisks and builds with tamarisk twigs, althoughnests lined with reed stems and leaves (Grekov, 1965a).Clutch contains 2-3 eggs, sometimes 4 and rarely 5. Egg mea-surements (n=100): 59.9-77.9 x 42.2-49.0 (average 72.0 x 46.6), weight 67.8-91.2 g (av. 79.1 g) (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Tuaev & Israfilov, 1977). Eggs laid in April and May, but dates vary from site to site and from year to year. On Lake Aggel,fresh and slightly incubated eggs found as early as mid April,

but not until mid May in 1962 (Vinogradov, 1967). In Kizil AgachReserve, clutches from mid April (Grekov, 1965a), but in near-by Mahmud-chala nests with incubated eggs on 7-8 June (Patri-keev, 1991e). Incubation 24-25 days. On Lake Aggel, hatching

from May 15th and fledging by June 20 th, although still eggs insome nests at that date (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Israfilov,1977). On Lake Mahmud-chala, majority of nests contained 2-3 days-old chicks on 23 June 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991e). Fledgesby mid July in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965a). On average2 fledglings per nest on Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967). Broods wander through adjacent lowlands July and August (Vinogra-

dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Varies from season to season. Stomachs of spoonbillscollected at Lake Aggel in April contained only insects (e.g. Macrodytes marginalis ), but mostly fish in June and July (c 98.5%)including fry of the European Carp, with few insects and spi-ders taken (1.5%): larvae of dragonflies, imago of water scav-enger beetles Hydrophilus , diving beetles and water boatmen.Fledglings feed mostly on fish (Tuaev, 1975; Vasiliev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Some perish in oil spills at Absheron Peninsula(Verestchagin, 1946).

REMARKS: Dramatic decline at Lake Aggel in the mid 1970sattributed to excessive collecting of fledglings for zoos (Tuaev & Israfilov, 1977). The population somewhat recovered afterestablishment of Aggel Reserve in 1978 (MP).

Azeri name: Garanas, Garavai

STATUS: Vulnerable. Common to locally very common nest-ing species confined to several large colonies, common migrant, very rare wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Large coloniesat Lake Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan (Litvinova, 1989b; Patri-keev, 1991e) and Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinski Marsh, Kizil AgachReserve, respectively (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a;Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). Possibly also at Novogolovka-chala,southern Mugan (MP). Nested in the “marshes of the lower Kura”in late 19th century (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

24. Glossy Ibis - Plegadis falcinellus Linnaeus, 1766

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Large colony on Lake Aggel and smallones at Sarisu, Bos-Koba and Varvara Reservoir (Vinogradov,1967: Tuaev, 1975; MP). Probably non-breeding birds observedat Lake Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). In thelate 19th century, nested on Lake Nametabad-nour (Mingechaur

District), Shilian and Karasy marshes (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907) abandoning those colonies by the late 1930s-early (Ver-estchagin, 1947).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: In Divichi Liman from late 1990s(Patrikeev & Wilson, 2000).Winter: Irregular wintering species.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly observed in Lenkoran Lowlandin warmer winters (Radde, 1884). Several observed near Salianiin January 1975 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2 at Lake Aggel on 15 January 1991 (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds in lakes and marshes(Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975), flooded tama-

risk thickets in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965a). FEEDING:shallow waters at fresh and brackish lakes, flooded fields, Caspi-an shore, sometimes streams and channels (Verestchagin, 1947;Spangenberg, 1951).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to mid May.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from late March-early April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), to Samur Delta c. April 1st (Butiev et al., 1989) and to lakes of Mugan in mid April(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). Migrants were also observed in Shirvan Reserve, Cape Sangachal and

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Absheron Peninsula (Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Latestrecords in Samur Delta in mid May (Butiev et al., 1989) and inShirvan Reserve on May 21st (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Conspicuous passage and arrival to nest-ing grounds at lakes of Mil Steppe in mid April (Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: Many migrate over the Caspian Sea c. 0.5 km

away from the shore. Mid August to early October or to No- vember-December in some years.COASTAL: Earliest record in Samur Delta on August 18 th, andconspicuous passage there and at Divichi Liman in late August-mid September (Tuaev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1989). Skirts Absh-eron Peninsula and heads to Kura Delta, Lenkoran Lowlandand Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).Passage is mostly over by late September, although migrationpeaks in late September-early October in some years. Latestrecord in Kizil Agach Reserve on November 6th (Vinogradov &

Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), but in warm autumn of 1974, a flock was seen in Samur Delta in early December (Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrants observed at lakes of Mil and

Shirvan steppes, and in Turianchai Reserve (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). Latestrecord at Lake Aggel on October 20th (Vinogradov, 1967).Glossy Ibises ringed in Kizil Agach reserve were recovered fromLenkoran Lowland (Azerbaijan), Astrakhan Region and Dag-estan (Russia), Iran (3 shot near Pekhlevi), southern Iraq, Israeland Sudan (4 at Al Fasher, Al Duein and Blue Nile). Nesting population of Azerbaijan winter in northeast Africa (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Two young ringed in Dagestantaken at Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 12,500-18,000 pairs in theearly 1990s (MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: perhaps >10,000 pairs at Lake Aggel inthe mid 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1969), c. 8,300 pairs in the late 1960s (Vasiliev, 1968) and 6,000-8,000 pairs in 1988-1990 (S. Gasimov, pers. comm.). 75 pairs on Varvara Reservoir in 1963 (Tuaev, 1975), 50-60 pairs in 1988-1989 (MP) and 123 in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). Also>100 pairs on Lake Sarisu, Mil Steppe in 1990 (MP) and 130birds in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Abandoned Lake Mahmud-chala by the1940s (Verestchagin, 1947), but returned in late 1980s: c. 11,000pairs in 1988 (Litvinova, 1989b) and 5,500-6,000 pairs in 1990(Patrikeev, 1991e). Perhaps as many as 50,000 pairs in Kizil AgachReserve in the mid 1950s (Grekov, 1965a). Declined in the re-

serve through the 1960s, then somewhat recovered during the1970s: 450 pairs in 1972, 1,500 pairs in 1973 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Morozkin, 1975), 2,500 pairs in 1975,2,000 pairs in 1976 (Konovalova, 1977) and 900-3,000 pairs in1982 (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). A part of this colony mighthave moved to Mahmud-chala.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 85 in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 4-50 in Samur Delta (Butiev etal., 1989).F ALL: Flocks of 20-70 in autumn (Verestchagin, 1950), e.g. aflock of 58 in Turianchai Valley on 2 September 1961 (Vinogra-

dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). In Samur Delta, 92 in 1968, 133in 1970 and >1,500 in1988 (Butiev et al., 1989). Over 500 passedthrough Cape Sangachal in 1989 (MP).

BREEDING: Colonial. Usually in mixed colonies with spoon-bills, egrets, herons and cormorants. On lakes Aggel and Mah-mud-chala, nests in kobl s or impassable reed thickets (in mid-

dle and lower levels) bending and breaking reed stems (Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991e). At Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh, nests in flooded tamarisks (fromlower to upper levels) making nests of tamarisk twigs and lin-ing with stems of Bolboschoenus maritimus . Nest measurements:diameter 280-350 mm, depth 40-60 mm (Grekov, 1965a; Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a).Clutch usually contains 3-4 eggs, sometimes 5 to 6 (average3.6) and occasionally 1, 2, 8 or even 9 eggs, when two femaleslay in the same nest (Vinogradov, 1967). Average egg mea-surements 52.4 x 35.8 mm (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b).On Aggel, eggs laid mostly from c. April 27th to May 15th (Vi-nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975), at Varvara Reservoir from late

April (Tuaev, 1975), in Kizil Agach Reserve in late April-early May (Grekov, 1965a) and on Lake Mahmud-chala in late May-early June (Patrikeev, 1991e). Incubation lasts 19-23 days, av-erage 21.2 days (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965b, 1966b). In Kizil Agach Reserve, large young in 20% of nests on 25-26 June1958, and 90% of nests on by 23-26 June 1959 (Grekov, 1965a).Nestlings at Lake Aggel from late May, and at Mahmud-chalafrom c. June 20th (Patrikeev, 1991e). Chicks remain in nests30-32 days (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966b). In Kizil AgachReserve, losses of eggs and chicks amounted to 13% and 7.5%,respectively (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). On Aggel, 3 fledg-lings/pair on average (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Amphibians (c. 47% of stomach content: mostly MarshFrog, adults and tadpoles), fish (23.8%: mostly fry of Europe-an Carp), insects (22.8%: larvae of flies, dragonflies, May-flies,larvae and imago of water beetles, other beetles, e.g., Amara,

Carabus, Polyphylla , water bugs and mole crickets), molluscs(2.8%: mostly Xerophila sp.), spiders (2.8%), and small rodents(0.2%) (Vasiliev, 1975). Nestlings mostly fed dragonfly larvae(Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Considerable adult mortality during nesting season: many shot for food (illegally) as they travel betweencolonies and feeding sites, e.g. perhaps as many as 50% of nests failed in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1985 because at least

one partner was shot outside the reserve (Litvinova, 1986).Many eggs (up to 44%) and young in low nests destroyedby Wild Boar visiting colony of Kalinovsky Liman after water level drops (Konovalova, 1977). Thus, combinationof shooting and dry weather may have catastrophic effecton some colonies. Nestlings occasionally killed by MarshHarriers (Grekov, 1965a). Large young often leave nests when disturbed, and some unable to find thei r way back and probably perish (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Early arrivals may be killed by cold weather, e.g. in April(Radde, 1884).




STATUS: Extirpated. Straggler or possibly nesting species in thepast. Last seen in 1944. Subspecies T. a. aethiopicus Latham, 1790.

DISTRIBUTION: Probably nested in Lenkoran Lowland (in-cluding the town of Lenkoran) until 1830s. Called “birds of

Prophet Ali” they were thought to ‘bring luck’ and probably notharassed (Radde, 1884). Baron Tisengauzen observed Sacred

25. Sacred Ibis - Threskiornis aethiopicus Latham, 1790

Ibises near Archivan (south of Lenkoran Lowland) on 25 July 1874 and near Arduna (vicinity of Astara) on 23 July 1875 (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907). The last record on 3 April 1944 whena flock of 7 observed in semi-desert near Cape Sangachal, 40km south of Baku (Burchak-Abramovich, 1946). The nearest

population was in marshes of southern Iraq (Cramp & Sim-mons, 1977-1994).

Azeri name: Gizilgaz, Flamingo

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, irregularnesting species. Subspecies P. r. roseus Pallas, 1811.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nested in the vicinity of Kizil Agach Bay and possibly in Mugan in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. A nesting colony found on Lake Ah-chala(Mugan Steppe) in June 1952, but the lake dried out in the follow-ing year (Tuaev & Danilov, 1955). Nested at Lake Karakush (Kizil Agach Reserve) in 1982-1984, but later abandoned because of pre-dation by Golden Jackals ( Canis aureus ). Perhaps nested in 1985: nocolony found, but adults with young observed in July (Litvinov etal., 1984; Babaev, 1984; Vinogradov et al., 1990).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: Greater

Kizil Agach Bay from Kura spit to Kulagin and the mouth of Sbrosnoyi Channel, and Lake Karakush (Tkachenko & Litvi-nov, 1984; Babaev, 1984; Vinogradov et al., 1990; V. Litvinov,pers. comm.; MP). Also at Shorgel Lakes in southeastern Shir- van and along the Caspian shore south of Kura Delta inNeftechala District (MP). Formerly in Saliani and Mugan steppes,Lenkoran Lowland (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907,1912b; Verestchagin, 1947, 1950) until 1955 on Lesser Kizil Agach Bays (Tuaev, 1960; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Babaev, 1984).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Occasionally in AbsheronPeninsula (MP). In the past (until 1930s-1940s) at brackish lakes

FAMILY PHOENICOPTERIDAE - FLAMINGO

26. Greater Flamingo - Phoenicopterus ruber Linnaeus, 1758

of the peninsula including Lake Krasnoe (= Red Lake) (Ver-estchagin, 1947, 1950).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe) from1970s when these formerly fresh lakes turned brackish (Tuaev,1975; MP). Observed on akhmas and other wetlands in Zardob

District, and on Lake Hadjinour (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Small islets and shallow waters on relatively remote brackish lakes (Tuaev & Danilov, 1955; Vinogradov et al.,1990). FEEDING AND WINTERING: Shallow waters of brackish lakesand shoreline of the Caspian Sea (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Grekov, 1962; Morozkin, 1977; Babaev, 1984).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Some wanderthroughout lowlands as early as January possibly because of food depletion in the traditional wintering areas. Northboundmovement from early February. Majority of wintering flamingoleave Kizil Agach Reserve between late February and mid April

(Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov, 1962; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Morozkin, 1977) and Lake Kichick-Shorgel by April 16th (Patrikeev, 1991a). Passes through Samur Delta in ear-ly April with latest sighting on May 5th (Butiev et al., 1989). Re-corded at Cape Pirsagat as late as May 14 th (Patrikeev, 1991a)and to mid May on Divichi Liman (Karabanova, 1984).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: To mid April at Lake Aggel and ShilianMarsh (Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: Some arrive at Kizil Agach Reserve asearly as 10-15 July and in early August (Verestchagin, 1950; Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). However, passage is moreconspicuous from mid October, e.g. in Samur Delta (Butiev etal., 1989), Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965; Karabanova, 1984) and

near Kilazi (Shelton, 2001). Passes through Absheron Peninsulaand offshore islands (Chilov and Sangi-Mugan) in early Novem-ber, many flying 30-40 km offshore, and head for Kizil AgachBay (Verestchagin, 1950) where some remain while others headfor Iran sometimes migrating over Talish Mountains (Grekov,1962; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 150-500 pairs, butdoes not nest annually.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: c. 500 adult and young on Lake Ah-chala,Mugan Steppe in early September 1952 (Tuaev & Danilov, 1955).

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57, 1968/69 and 1970/71. In Kizil Agach Reserve, mortality oc-curred when Kizil Agach Bay froze, snow depth reached 60-80 cmand temperature dropped to -20oC (Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov,1962; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev et al., 1969;Morozkin, 1977). At least 108 perished in cold winter of 1949/50(Grekov, 1962), >1,000 in 1968/69 (Mustafaev et al., 1969) and

100 in January-February 1971 (Morozkin, 1977). Terrestrial preda-tors also took many weakened birds and some fell to Hooded Crows(Mustafaev et al., 1969). Hunted for food as recently as the 1940s(Verestchagin, 1950), although poaching was still taking place in the1980s-early 1990s (MP). Sometimes perishes in oil spills and at oiledlakes in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Gu gushu (all swans)

STATUS: Common wintering species and migrant (increasing),rare nesting species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nesting confirmed at Karakush Lookout, Kizil Agach Reserve in 1989(MP). Earlier, dozens of sub-adults or non-breeding adults oc-curred in the reserve in early summer (Verestchagin, 1950; Mus-tafaev, 1974). A territorial pair on Lake Kichik-Shorgel (ShirvanReserve) in early May 1990 and sub-adults seen on this and ad-jacent lakes (Patrikeev, 1991a). Formerly considered resident inMugan (Satunin, 1912b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Sub-adults along the Caspi-an shore and islands near Cape Pirsagat in April-May 1989 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Several nests found in Aggel Reserve inthe 1980s (MP). Perhaps also on other lakes of Mil Steppe. Sub-adult and non-breeding adults observed elsewhere in Kura-Aras

Lowland (Verestchagin, 1950).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly in Kizil Agach Reserve(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tkachenko & Litvi-nov, 1984; Babaev, 1984; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP), butalso in southeastern Shirvan, southern Mugan and LenkoranLowland (MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: the Caspian Sea between Absheron and the mouth of Kura with largest concentrationsat islands of Baku Archipelago, e.g. Pirsagat Islands (Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.; G. Bairamov, pers. comm.; MP). A few at ShahSpit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

FAMILY ANATIDAE – SWANS, GEESE AND DUCKS

27. Mute Swan - Cygnus olor Gmelin, 1789

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and Samur Delta (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b; Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Presently only at lakes Aggel and Sarisu(MP). Widespread prior to the 1930s-1940s (Satunin, 1907; Ver-estchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reed thickets in lakes and marshes. W IN-

TER AND MIGRATION: Lakes, marshes, and coastal waters of theCaspian Sea (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: February to mid May.COASTAL: From February. Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve betweenearly March and April (Vinogradov et al., 1990). Recorded inSamur Delta until mid May (Butiev et al., 1990b).Fall passage: September through mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Samur Delta as early as September (Butiev et al., 1990b), but conspicuous passage along the Caspian shorefrom mid November to mid December. Migrants recorded atDivichi Liman, Absheron Peninsula, Sangachal Bay, Kura Del-ta, Lake Mahmud-chala and Kizil Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1912b;

Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1965; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small numbers migrate through the low-land (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 20-50 pairs anddozens of non-breeding adults (MP).Under 10 pairs on Lake Aggel in the late 1980s, a pair in KizilReserve in 1989, and a pair in Shirvan Reserve in 1990 (Patri-keev, 1991a; MP).Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 20-30 in Samur Delta in February (Butiev et al., 1990b), 100-200 in Kizil Agach Reserve in April(Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Winter: Difficult to track because often mixes with WhooperSwans and often counted as swan sp. However, outnumberedthe former species in the late 1980s-early 1990s (Vinogradov etal., 1990; MP). Probably ranges from 2,000-3,000 in mild win-ters to 11,000-12,000 in cold winters (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Low numbers in Kizil Agach Reserve from1950s through early 1980s, but a conspicuous increase from mid1980s (see table). Formerly common in wetlands of southern Muganand Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884, Satunin, 1907), but only smallnumbers there in the late 1980s (MP). Paynter et al. (1996a) record-ed 143 at Mahmud-chala and c. 100 at Shorgel Lakes in 1996.

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S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common in the 1930s-1950s (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965), but rare in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Small numbers on Divichi Liman and SamurDelta in warmer winters (Butiev et al., 1990b; Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 2,000-2,300 in the Caspi-

an Sea between Baku and Kura Delta, and 50-100 at Shah Spitin 1989-1990 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Only 3 at Lake Aggel in 1963 (Vinogra-dov, 1967), but c. 100 in January 1991 (MP). In February 1996,22 at Lake Sarisu (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: A territorial pair on Lake Kichik-Shorgel (Shir- van Reserve) in early May (Patrikeev, 1991a). 2 adults with 2young at Karakush lookout (Kizil Agach Reserve) in summer1989 (MP).

Number of Mute Swans wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1949-1991

Winter Swans (2 species) Mute Swans Source

1949/1950 c. 30,000 Gazanchian, 1951

1952-1959 >1,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1955/56 35-40 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1958/59 >350 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1978/79 5,200 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Babaev, 1984;Krivonosov, 1987

1979/80 210 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Babaev, 1984;Krivonosov, 19871981/82 <300 20 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Babaev, 1984;Krivonosov, 1987

1982/83 <300 220-240 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Babaev, 1984;Krivonosov, 1987

1983/84 <100 10-90 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Babaev, 1984;Krivonosov, 1987

1984/85 9,200 5,600 Vinogradov et al., 1990

1990/91 8,510 8,400 Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

MORTALITY: Considerable numbers perish in cold winters,e.g. >1,000 Mute and Whooper Swans died in Kizil Agach Re-serve in January-March 1969 (Mustafaev, et al., 1969).Oil spills caused by frequent accidents on offshore rigs, platformsand pipelines pose a serious threat to swans wintering on the Caspi-an Sea: 52 died in an oil reservoir north of Baku in February 1945

(Verestchagin, 1946) and 9 in an oil-spill south of Baku on 10 Feb-ruary 1990 (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.). Oiled Mute Swans regular-ly brought to Baku Zoo (MP). In spring 1991, c. 200 Mute Swansdied of unknown cause at Divichi Liman (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).Poaching is also a threat. Poachers in powerboats ravage flocks wintering on the Caspian Sea south of Baku shooting dozensof swans a day (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.). On 14 February 1991, a poacher shot 15 at Divichi Liman (Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.). Sub-adults killed by the Red Fox were found at Lake Aggel and Shah spit (MP).

Azeri name: Gu gushy (all swans)

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: The most important wintering areas are on the Caspian Sea be-tween northern Absheron and Kura Delta, e.g. in Baku Bay and

28. Whooper Swan - Cygnus cygnus Linnaeus, 1758

Pirsagat Islands; also off Shah and Kilazi spits. Single swansand pairs occur on brackish lakes of Absheron Peninsula in-cluding Lake Mirzaladi (Bannikova et al., 1984; Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Once common in Kizil Agach Reserve,but fewer wintered recently (Tuaev, 1960; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Small numbers atMahmud-chala (southern Mugan).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Small numbers on Divichi Liman in warmer winters (Karabanova, 1984).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Presently only on lakes Aggel and Sarisu(Vinogradov, 1967; MP). More widespread in the past (Radde,

1884; Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: W INTER : Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea and wetlands (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: late February to mid May.COASTAL: Recorded in Samur Delta as early as late February (Butiev et al., 1990b). Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in early March (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Observed at Divichi Limanfrom March with latest records in mid May (Karabanova, 1984).Fall passage: Mostly late October through December.

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COASTAL: Small numbers gather in Samur Delta from August toOctober (Butiev et al., 1990b). Some recorded in Kizil AgachReserve in late October (earliest sighting on October 21st ), butthe majority arrive from mid November peaking after mid De-cember (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Still migratesthrough Samur Delta in December (Butiev et al., 1990b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrants observed in Mil Steppe and Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Dahl, 1954).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 20-30 inSamur Delta in late February (Butiev et al., 1990b). 100 on Di- vichi Liman in mid May 1982 (Karabanova, 1984).F ALL: 500-600 at Shah Spit and c. 1,000 in Sangachal Bay inNovember-December (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; MP). Flocks of 20-25 pass through Samur Del-ta in December (Butiev et al., 1990b).Winter: Presently outnumbered by the previous species. Oftenmixes with Mute Swan and hence counted as swan sp. Probably 4,000-7,000 with greater numbers in colder winters (MP).

Number of Whooper Swans wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1949-1991

Winter Swans (2 species) Whooper Swans Source

1935 <100 Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938

1949/1950 c. 30,000 Gazanchian, 1951

1952-1958 >1,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1961/62 6 Dobrokhotov, 1963

1978/79 5,200 <5,000 Krivonosov, 1987

1981-1984 <300 Krivonosov, 19871984/85 9,200 <1,000 Vinogradov et al., 1990

1990/91 8,510 10 Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 4,000-4,700 on the Caspi-an Sea south of Absheron peninsula in the late 1980s-early 1990s,e.g. c. 100 at Shah Spit, 300-500 in Artem Bay, 200-400 in San-gachal Bay and 300-500 by Glinanyi Island in 1989 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: significant fluc-tuations between years (see table). In 1996, 102 recorded atLake Mahmud-chala and 10 off Shirvan Reserve (Paynteret al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 50-154 on Lake Aggel in early 1960s (Vi-

nogradov, 1967) and >900 in January 1991 (MP). In February 1996, 13 were observed at Lake Sarisu (Paynter et al., 1996a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: <150-200 in 1979-1986 (Tkachen-ko, 1984).

MORTALITY: Poachers in powerboats and oil spills present athreat to swans wintering on the Caspian Sea. 5 found deadafter a pipeline accident at Gum Island south of Baku in Febru-ary 1990 (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.). Also perishes in very cold winters (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

STATUS: Accidental visitor in winter and during migration.Monotypic. This species is sometimes treated as a subspecies of Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus Ord, 1815.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Lakes of Mugan and Samur-Divi-chi Lowland in late the 19th-early 20th centuries (Satunin, 1907),

29. Bewick’s Swan - Cygnus bewickii Yarrell, 1830

but not found there in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950).Four observed in Samur Delta in December 1987 (Butiev et al.,1990b) and 2 at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) in Janu-ary-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

Azeri name: Girmizudosh, Kuba gazi

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species (formerly com-mon). Endangered in Azerbaijan. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION (Past): Winter: Until early 1970s almost theentire world population wintered in Azerbaijan, but later relo-cated to Bulgaria and Romania.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly, the most important winter-ing grounds were in southern Mugan (Lake Novogolovka-chala, vicinity of Khilli, Kasumkent and Karabudjakh) and Kizil Agach Reserve: on the western shore of Greater Kizil AgachBay including Babia spit (Radde, 1884; Tugarinov & Kozlova-

30. Red-breasted Goose - Rufibrenta ruficollis Pallas, 1769

Pushkareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a). Some wintered in southeastern Shirvan (Ver-

estchagin, 1950).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel, Sarisu and Mekhman in MilSteppe (Vinogradov, 1967), also in Saliani Steppe and Lake Had-jikabul (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: A recent sighting of onein January 1999 or 2000 near Cape Kilazi (Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: W INTER : Shallow wetlands, Caragana semi-desert, riceand cereal fields, islands (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938; Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).




MOVEMENT (Past): Spring passage: COASTAL: Would leaveKizil Agach Reserve by March 17 th (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a). Observed at Divichi Liman in March-April (Tu-aev, 1965). Last spring records are of 14 in Samur Delta 9 April

1982 and of 1 off Cape Pirsagat on 20 May 1989 (Butiev et al.,1989; Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of 20-30 departed from lakes Aggel and Sarisu in mid March (Vinogradov, 1967).

Fall passage: Arrived in Azerbaijan from November (peak inmid November).COASTAL: Passes non-stop through Samur Delta and DivichiLiman heading for southern Mugan and Kizil Agach Reserve(Verestchagin, 1950). Last known records were from SamurDelta: 80 on 30 November 1967, 17 on 7 November 1972 and1 on 31 October 1989 (Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrated over Mil Steppe in November(Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE (Past): Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS:Common in the southeast Caspian in the late 19th-early 20thcenturies with “huge flocks on lakes of Mugan” and flocks of thousands “shaded the sun” near Astrakhanovka, now Astra-khanbazar (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b). In the 1930s-1940s, flocks ranging from several dozen to several thousandsoccurred in Mugan (Verestchagin, 1950). Mostly confined to

Kizil Agach Reserve from mid 1950s, where declined dramati-cally from the early 1970s and almost completely disappearedby the early 1980s (see the Kizil Agach table). Only single birdsreported from Kizil Agach Reserve in the late 1980s, but notannually (Vinogradov et al., 1990). Allegedly still winters in southern Mugan in some winters, e.g.300-500 on Lake Mahmud-chala (Masalli District) in 1988 or1989 (A. Fatullaev, pers. comm).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 1,050-4,800 wintered on Lake Aggel (MilSteppe) in the early 1960s (see the Aggel table) and 50-250 werecaught there annually for zoo trade. Fewer than 100 on Lake Sa-risu in the late 1960s (Tuaev, 1975). No records from the 1970s.Factors behind this catastrophic decline and virtual extirpation of

Red-breasted Geese from Azerbaijan are not fully understood. Dis-appearance of this species usually attributed to the following fac-tors: shift from cereals to cotton in agriculture in the early 1970s,conversion of semi-desert into fields and vineyards, intensive sheepgrazing, poaching, disturbance in wintering grounds, salinisationof some lakes and reed encroachment in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vi-nogradov & Morozkin, 1979; Babaev, 1984, 1990). However, allthese factors did not have a similar effect on other wintering geese.

MORTALITY: Formerly heavily hunted for feathers with netsand firearms. Hunts were especially successful during or aftersnowstorms when 60-200 were netted at once. Large numbers(>200/hunter) were caught near Astrakhanovka in winter 1879/

80 (Radde, 1884).

Number of Red-breasted Geese formerly wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve (1958-late 1980s)

Winter Number Source

1958 2,000-2,400 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1959/60 11,000

1961/62 7,500-8,000 Dobrokhotov, 1963

1966/67 23,800 Vinogradov & Morozkin, 1979Vorobieva, 1982Babaev, 1984

1973 4

1975/76 500

1978/1979 18

1979/80 23

1980/81 31

1981/82 31982/83 45

Late 1980s Single birds Vinogradov et al., 1990

Number of Red-breasted Geese formerly wintering on Lake Aggel (early 1960s)


1960/61 (Jan) 4,200 Vinogradov, 1967

1961/62 (Nov) 1,050

1962/63 (Dec) 4,800

1963/64 (Dec to Feb) 4,500 to 210

1964/65 (Nov) 3,300

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31. Greylag Goose - Anser anser Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Boz gaz, gaz

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and wintering species. Declining. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe: mostly Aggel, but also Bos-koba, Shorbet-koba andSarisu (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). Probably nested in Aras Valley in the 19th century (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Regularly nested on islands of Kizil Agach Bay prior to 1940 when water level dropped allowing terrestrial predators to reach the islands. Nesting attempts re-ported in 1949 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and1964 (Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967). Few pairs in Kizil AgachReserve in the 1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990) and single birds

at lakes of Shirvan Reserve in late April 1990 (MP). Probably nested on lakes of Mugan and Saliani Steppe in the past (Sat-unin, 1907, 1912b).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Primarily in Kizil Agach Reserve:Greater Kizil Agach Bay, Babia spit, Akusha and Lopatinsky Marsh. Smaller numbers occur on lakes of southern Mugan andsoutheastern Shirvan (Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (formerly alsoon Lake Mekhman), Hadjinour Steppe, Aldjiganchai Valley north of Evlakh and the vicinity of Mingechaur (Verestcha-gin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975, MP). Also win-tered in semi-desert between Padar and Sagirly, south of Karasy Marsh and on Lake Hadjikabul in the past (Ver-

estchagin, 1950).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Wintered in flooded areas west of Divichi Liman in the early 20th century (Verestchagin, 1950). Inthe 1970s-1980s, some occurred there in January (MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Sheki Upland (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reed stands and kobl s around small pondsin lakes and marshes (Vinogradov, 1967). W INTER : Open water,shallows, marshes, wet meadows with sedges and Juncus , spits,semi-desert and arable lands (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Breeding population arrivesin Azerbaijan in February (Vinogradov, 1967).COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve, Absheron peninsula and Div-ichi Liman, conspicuous passage occurs from late February tomid March. Only small flocks in Kizil Agach in April (Gam-

barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Karabanova, 1981). Latest record at Cape Pir-sagat on May 25th (Patrikeev, 1991a).INTERIOR : In late February-April, Greylag Geese pass over Kura- Aras Lowland, Turianchai Bosdag, Zakatali-Ismailly Lowlandand Greater Caucasus Mountains (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), e.g. conspicuous migration atLake Sarisu and Karasy Marsh during 10-15 March (Tuaev, 1975)and over Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) 24 February-24 March(Gambarov, 1954). The majority of migrants pass over Kura- Aras Lowland non-stop.Fall passage: September to mid December.COASTAL: Arrives as early as September-October (Verestchagin,

1950), but peaks in mid November when large f locks pass overthe base of Absheron Peninsula and Gobustan Upland and headon to Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan. Migration lastsuntil mid December (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nesting population leaves lakes of MilSteppe in October (Vinogradov, 1967). In October-early Novem-ber, some migrants following the Caspian shore turn westwardsin the vicinity of Mount Beshbarmak, pass through Kilazi Gorgeand continue on to Kura-Aras Lowland. Other flocks cross overGreater Caucasus Mountains and arrive in Hadjinour Steppe and vicinity of Mingechaur. In the lowland, fall migration peaks inlate November-early December (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov,

1967). Migrants were also seen in Aras Valley (Dahl, 1954).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 250 pairs in the early 1980s(Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984) and <200 pairs in the late 1980s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In early 1960s, 76-500 pairs nested at Lake Aggel alone (see table) with average density of 1 nest/100 haof reedbeds (Vinogradov, 1967), but only 500-600 pairs throughthe entire lowland in the late 1960s (Vinogradov, 1974). In the1970s, the nesting population of Aggel declined from 450 to100 pairs (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984). At least 2-3 pairs nestedon Lake Sarisu (Tuaev, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 2-3 pairs in Kizil Agach Reserve in the1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 20-200 over Mount Alibek (ZakataliDistrict) in the 1930s, a total of 733 recorded (Gambarov, 1954).F ALL: >100,000 Greylag and Greater White-fronted Geese mi-grated between Lesser Kizil Agach Bay and Kura Spit 7-9 No- vember 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Tens of thousands recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1976-1981(Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984).

Winter: 8,000 to 20,000 depending on weather condition (few-er in winters with less precipitation).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In the 1930s-1940s, flocks of thousandsstill occurred in Mugan, e.g. c. 5,000 near Padar (Verestchagin,

Tbilisi

Gandja

Zakatali

Shemakha

Nakhichevan

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

S a m u r

R i v e r

A r a s R

i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

Baku




1950). Population wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve went throughsignificant fluctuations with highest numbers recorded during the 1980s (see Kizil Agach table).In 1986, c. 1,600 wintered at Lake Mahmud-chala, southernMugan (Litvinov, 1986), and 200-800 at Mahmud-chala and No- vogolovka-chala in 1989-1991 (MP). In 1996, 50 recorded atShorgel Lakes, but only 2 at Mahmud-chala (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of <5,000 between Mingechaur andSamukh and south of Karasy Marsh and thousands in HadjinourSteppe in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). Declined fourfold

at Lake Aggel from early 1960s to mid 1990s (see Aggel table). Inthe early 1970s, <1,000 wintered on Lake Sarisu (Tuaev, 1975) whereonly 700 recorded in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). Also 65in the vicinity of Mingechaur in 1998 (Cranswick et al., 1998).GREATER C AUCASUS: Thousands in Sheki Upland in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950), but only few hundred in the late1980s (MP).

BREEDING: Pairs on Lake Aggel from late February-early March. Nests in reed stands near water or in kobls . Nest is a pileof reed stems (c. 70 cm in diameter) with a nest-cup lined with

down. Completed clutches (4-5 eggs) from early March. Laterin the season, 3 hatchlings in one of the nests (Vinogradov, 1967).In Kizil Agach Bay, a fresh clutch on April 17 th (Radde, 1884).Broods of 3-6 downy goslings recorded on Aggel 10 April-14May, and broods with flying young (average 2 young/brood) on June 24th. Broods gather in flocks by late July (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Tubers of Aeluropetum sp. and Bolboschoenus maritimus ,shoots and roots of reed, Juncus acutus , grasses, sedges and Scir-

pus holochoenus in Kizil Agach Reserve. In search of tubers often

visits diggings of Wild Boars ( Sus scrofa ). From the late 1970s,barley sown for geese wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Litvinov, 1986). In Mil steppe, wintering geesefeed on leaves of Aegilops cylindrica, Poa bulbosa, Carex, Setaria

viridis, Rumex, Medicago minima, Amaranthus retroflexus and Salsola

as well as tubers of Bolboschoenus maritimus . Visits harvested cere-al fields in summer (Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Migrants sometimes fly into power lines, e.g.in Kizil Agach and Shirvan reserves (Sultanov et al., 1991).

Number of Greylag Geese nesting on Lake Aggel in 1961-1980

Year Number of pairs Source

1961 c. 500 Vinogradov, 1967

1962 200 Vinogradov, 1967



1971 450 Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984

1972 350 Tuaev & Kurbanov, 19841973 250 Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984






Number of Greylag Geese wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1961-1996


1961/62 1,500-2,000 Dobrokhotov, 1963

1976-81 1,000-3,000 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1981/82 29,700 Litvinov, 1986

1982/83 17,000-38,000 Litvinov, 19861983/84 c. 1,500 Litvinov, 1986

1984/85 16,400-23,200 Litvinov, 1986

1990/91 6,040 Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

1995/96 9,500 Paynter et al., 1996a

Number of Greylag Geese wintering in Mil Steppe in early 1961-1996

Winter Lake Number Source

1961/62 Aggel 2,840 Vinogradov, 1967

1962/63 Aggel 1,650

1963/64 Aggel 579

1964/65 Aggel 726

Early 1970s Sarisu <1,000 Tuaev, 1975

1990/91 Aggel c. 800 MP1995/96 Sarisu 700 Paynter et al., 1996a




Some perished in oil in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin,1946). Hunted for food (MP).

REMARKS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, Greylag Geese forageat spits and shallows at night, but return to marshes and semi-desert during the day in early winter. In January and Febru-ary, they feed in the morning and evening, and spend the rest

of the day on Greater Kizil Agach Bay (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). In Mil Steppe, Greylag Geese leave lakes Aggel and Sarisu early in the morning and head for theirfeeding grounds (semi-desert and arable lands) where they spend all day. Small numbers return to the lakes at noon, butthe majority remain in semi-desert until c. 2000 hrs. (Vino-gradov, 1967).

Azeri name: Ahalun gaz, gashga gaz

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. Subspecies A. a. albifrons Scopoli, 1769.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Important wintering grounds lie in

Kizil Agach Reserve, Mugan, Shirvan, Mil and Hadjinour steppes(Verestchagin, 1950; Litvinov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly concentrated in southernMugan: in Pushkin (Astrakhanbazar), Masalli and Saliani dis-tricts (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950), butmostly moved from Mugan to Kizil Agach Reserve in the 1960s-1970s attracted to barley fields sown for wintering geese. Re-main in the reserve during the day, but some move to Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) at night. Smallnumbers still winter at the two latter wetlands (Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Litvinov, 1986).Others winter at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) and inthe north of Lenkoran Lowland (Tuaev, 1975, MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil, Shirvan, Mugan, Hadjinour and Kara-yasi steppes including lakes Aggel, Sarisu, Mekhman (former-ly), Hadjikabul and Djandargel, Shilian Marsh, Aldjiganchai Valley, and also in Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Dahl, 1954; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Litvinov, 1986; Vinogradov etal., 1990; Cranswick et al., 1998; MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Small numbers winter in Sheki Upland (Ver-estchagin, 1950, MP).

HABITAT: W INTER : Semi-desert ( Salsola , Artemisia , Caragana ),barley and wheat fields, fallow, wetlands, shores, open water

32. Greater White-fronted Goose - Anser albifrons Scopoli, 1769

(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov,1967; Litvinov, 1986).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to April.COASTAL: Early to late March in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Small flocks and singles geese observedalong the Caspian shore as late as April (Verestchagin, 1950).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: mid March in Mil Steppe. Latest recordat Lake Aggel on March 27th (Vinogradov, 1967).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Divichi Liman and Kizil AgachReserve in mid October (earliest record in the reserve on Octo-ber 13th ) and passes in numbers in early November. On the way south, White-fronted Geese migrate over the base of AbsheronPeninsula and through Gobustan Upland. In Kizil Agach Reserve,large numbers pass between Lesser Kizil Agach Bay and KuraSpit (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND AND GREATER C AUCASUS: Some cross to Azerbaijan over Greater Caucasus Mountains and heads to lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Shilian and Karasy marshes, Mingechaur Res-ervoir and adjacent semi-desert (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: c. 100,000 Greylag and

Greater White-fronted Geese passed through Kizil Agach Re-serve 7-9 November 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Up to 400,000 Greater White-fronted Geese migratedthrough Azerbaijan in some years (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).Winter: Probably from 3,000-5,000 to 20,000-30,000 (MP).Greater numbers recorded in wetter winters. In years with lessprecipitation, these geese may move to Iran. Often mixes withLesser White-fronted Geese making counts extremely difficult(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In the early 1940s, 15,000-20,000 observedfeeding between Novogolovka and Masalli, southern Mugan(Verestchagin, 1950). In November 1989, c. 400 observed atMahmud-chala, southern Mugan (MP), and 1,000-3,000 win-

tered in southeastern Shirvan in 1990-1991 (MP). Numbers fluc-tuate widely in Kizil Agach Reserve (see table) where this spe-cies often mixes with Lesser White-fronted Geese making spe-cific counts less accurate. According to some authors (Voro-bieva, 1982, Tkachenko, 1997) this species was outnumbered by Lesser White-fronted Geese from the early 1970s, but Litvinov (1986) insisted that Greater White-footed Goose was more com-mon in Kizil Agach Reserve than the latter species in the 1980s.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Several hundred in Hadjinour Steppe inthe early 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). 2,000-11,400 of both Great-er and Lesser White-fronted Geese wintered at Aggel in 1961-

Tbilisi

Gandja

Zakatali

Shemakha

Nakhichevan

A r a s R i v e r

K u

r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

S a m u r

R i v e r

A r a s R

i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

Baku




64 (Vinogradov, 1967), only 300 (both species) in 1972/73 (Zi-noviev & Orlov, 1977) and 700 Greater White-fronted Geese in January 1991 (MP). 40 at Lake Sarisu in February 1996 (Paynter

et al., 1996a) and 441 between Lake Djandargel and Mingechaurin 1998 (Cranswick et al., 1998).

DIET: Sprouts of wild and domesticated cereals including Bro-

mus japonicus , B. patulus and barley (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1937; Verestchagin, 1950).

REMARKS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, wintering Greater White-fronted Geese occur in semi-desert and marshes throughout theday and spend nights on Greater Kizil Agach Bay or marshes of

southern Mugan. Rests only in open areas providing good visibil-ity (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). In Mil Steppe, thesegeese forage in semi-desert from dawn to 1000-1100 hrs beforereturning to lakes to rest and drink, and then again from 1400-1500 hrs to dusk. On cloudy days, Greater White-fronted Geesemay feed in semi-desert throughout the day (Vinogradov, 1967).

Number of Greater and Lesser White-fronted Geese wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1935-1996


Combined number of Number of

White-fronted and Lesser White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

1935 1,000s Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938

1967/68 7,600 Tkachenko, 1997

1971-76 900-5,800 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 19841979-82 6,000-12,000 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1982/83 8,000-15,000 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1983/84 Up to 25,000 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1983-1986 3,000-6,000 Litvinov, 1986

1987-1988 6,000-6,300 Tkachenko, 1997

1989/90 >1,000 MP


1995/96 1,850 >750 Paynter et al., 1996b

Azeri name: Ahgash gaz


DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve (Akusha Marsh, Karakush, Babia Spit), southern Mugan(Mahmud-chala, Novogolovka-chala, vicinity of Khilli and Ka-sumkent); small numbers occur in southeastern Shirvan, e.g. nearShorgel Lakes (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (including lakes Aggel, Sa-risu, and, formerly, Mekhman), Shirvan Steppe (e.g. Lake Had-

33. Lesser White-fronted Goose - Anser erythropus Linnaeus, 1758

jikabul) and Hadjinour Steppe (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov,1967; MP).

HABITAT: W INTER : Semi-desert, barley and wheat fields, fal-low, wetlands, shores, open water. Prefers large open spaces withshallow water nearby (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Tkachenko, 1997).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Passes through Di- vichi Liman and Samur Delta in late February-early March (Kara-banova, 1981; Butiev et al., 1989). Conspicuous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve mostly in March, although occurs until early Aprilin some years (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Mil Steppe in March. Latestrecord at Lake Aggel on March 27th (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: Arrives at Azerbaijan from early October with con-

spicuous passage late October-early November. Often migrates inmixed flocks with Greater White-fronted or Greylag Geese, althoughmonospecific flocks were also reported. Sometimes flies at consid-erable heights and could be easily overlooked (Verestchagin, 1950;Butiev et al., 1989). Passes non-stop through Samur-Divichi Low-land, crosses the base of Absheron Peninsula and arrive at Kizil Agach Reserve and Mil Steppe (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, usu-ally migrate in mixed flocks with White-fronted Goose. Only two monospecific flocks of 7 and 80 were recorded (Butiev et

Tbilisi

Gandja

Zakatali

Shemakha

Nakhichevan

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

S a m u r

R i v e r

A r a s R

i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

Baku




al., 1989). Up to 250 on Lake Sarisu in mid March (Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975).F ALL: Flocks of 20-50 observed in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1989).

Winter: 1,500 to 7,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Num-bers greater in years with less precipitation, when it outnumbersthe previous species. Often mixes with Greater White-frontedGeese making counts difficult (Verestchagin, 1950; Vorobieva,

1982, Tkachenko, 1997).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Dramatic decline in Kizil Agach Reservefrom 20,000-30,000 in the late 1960s-1970s to a few thousandsin the 1990s (see table). 27 observed in Shirvan Reserve in 1996(Paynter et al., 1996b).

Number of Lesser and Greater White-fronted Geese wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1952-1996


Combined number of Number of Lesser

Lesser White-fronted and White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

1952/53 >13,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1953/54 c. 1,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1959/60 7,000*

Tkachenko, 19971966/67 1,296 Mikheev & Orlov, 1972

1967/68 21,800** Tkachenko, 1997

1971-76 900-5,400 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1977/78 c. 25,000 Morozov & Poyarkov, 1997

1979-82 6,000-12,000 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1979/1980 c. 30,000 Morozov & Poyarkov, 1997

1981/82 9,600 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Litvinov, 1986;

1982/83 8,000-25,000 Morozov & Poyarkov, 1997; Tkachenko, 1997

1983/84 3,800 c. 500

1984/85 3,000 few

1985/86 1,000 >100

1986/87 6,300 Tkachenko, 1997

1987/88 6,100 >501988/89 2,010


1995/96 1,800 1,058 Paynter et al., 1996b

*- includes Greylag and Red-breasted Geese, ** - countrywide

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2,000-11,400 Greater and Lesser White-fronted Geese (mostly the former) at Lake Aggel in 1961-1963(Vinogradov, 1967); 40 Lesser White-fronted Geese at Aggel in January-February 1978, >200 in 1985, and 20 in 1986 (Moro-zov & Poyarkov, 1997). Flocks of up to 80 observed at LakeSarisu (Tuaev, 1975) where 40 unidentified white-fronted geese were seen in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996b).

REMARKS: Rise of the Caspian Sea halved goose habitat inKizil Agach Reserve. Many remaining areas are overgrowing with reeds and other aquatic plants further reducing wintering habitat of this species (Tkachenko, 1997).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Possibly wintering species in thepast. Subspecies A. f. fabalis Latham, 1787.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Mugan Steppe and Kura Valley be-

tween Gandja and Mingechaur in the second half of 19th-early

34. Bean Goose - Anser fabalis Latham, 1787

20th century (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). No recent sight-ings, but several allegedly shot in the 1980s (Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.). Recently recorded in Stavropol Region (the North Cau-casian Plain) during migration and in Turkmenistan in winter

(Khokhlov, 1989; Perennou & Mundkhur, 1991).

STATUS: Accidental visitor in the past (prior to the 1930s).Subspecies C. c. hyperboreus Pallas, 1769.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Irregular in Mugan, Kizil AgachBay and Mingechaur District in the late 19 th-early 20th centu-ries. 9 observed on Burunki Island (Kizil Agach Bay) 11-17

35. Snow Goose - Chen caerulescens Linnaeus, 1758

March 1880 (Radde, 1884), 1 in Mugan in February 1895, and9 in Mingechaur District on 29 January 1895 (Satunin, 1907).No specimens were collected. Not recorded in Azerbaijan sincethe 1930s (Verestchagin, 1950).




REMARKS: In 1979-1983, several Snow Geese were observedin Stavropol Region (the North Caucasian Plain, Russia) northof Azerbaijan. Those were probably escapees from the Aska-

nia-Nova (Ukraine) where various species of geese are kept incaptivity (Khokhlov, 1989).

Azeri name: Ala ordak, It gaz

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe(e.g. vicinity of Aggel and Sarisu), Lake Hadjikabul, Karayasiand Mugan steppes and possibly elsewhere in Kura Valley (Vi-nogradov, 1967; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan and southern

Mugan (MP). Nests in Kizil Agach Reserve in some years (Vi-nogradov et al., 1990).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Baku Archipelago: islandsGlinanyi and Los’, and Pirsagat Islands (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).Nested in small harbours and coves around Absheron peninsu-la (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), but remained only in few locations along the northern shore by the late 1980s (MP).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu),Lake Hadjikabul, Kura Valley west to Karayasi and Aras Valley (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Akusha Marsh,Ivanovskaya Banka), southern Mugan (Mahmud-chala and No- vogolovka-chala) and southeastern Shirvan (Vinogradov & Tch-

erniavskaya, 1965a, Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: North shore of AbsheronPeninsula (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Vicinity of lakes, marshes, irrigation chan-nels and the Caspian shore. Usually does not occur in steppeand semi-desert. W INTER : Shallow waters of lakes and marshes(Tuaev, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: From late February to April.Small numbers recorded at Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965; Kara-

36. Common Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna Linnaeus, 1758

banova, 1981). Breeding population arrives in Azerbaijan inMarch (Verestchagin, 1950).Fall passage: August to December.COASTAL: Recorded in Divichi Liman and Samur Delta from August, and conspicuous passage occurs from September toNovember, e.g. mostly in late October at Divichi Liman. Mostly migrates over the sea skirting Absheron Peninsula on the way toKura Delta and Kizil Agach Reserve (Verestchagin, 1950; Tu-aev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Breeding population leaves Mil Steppe in August-September and migrants from the north arrive at Aggelin November-December (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 200-300 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 15-20 pairs at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), 15 broods at Aggel and 5 broods atSarisu in 1971-1978 (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: c. 20 broods in Shirvan Reserve (south-eastern Shirvan) in the 1970s (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984) and>30 pairs in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 12 pairs in Baku Archipel-ago in 1989: 10 pairs on Baburyi Island, 1 pair on Pelikanyi and1 pair on Los’. Also several pairs on the mainland near CapePirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a).Passage: F ALL: Flocks of 20-100 observed September to No-

vember (Verestchagin, 1950). 6,000-7,000 migrated through Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: 2,000-2,500 in the early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 1,120-1,880 at Aggel in the early 1960s(only 120 in cold winter 1963/64), and c. 500 in January 1991.<150 wintered at Sarisu in the late 1980s (Vinogradov, 1967;MP). 205 at Lake Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Flocks of 3-15 in Kizil Agach Reserve inthe 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), c. 200 in Jan-uary 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and 360 in 1996. Also in1996, 400 at Mahmud-chala and 748 in Shirvan Reserve (Payn-ter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Nests in abandoned fox and rabbit burrows or nich-es between rocks (Vinogradov, 1967; Patrikeev, 1991a). In MilSteppe, pairs from early March (Vinogradov, 1967), but in flocksin southeastern Shirvan until late April (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Kizil Agach Reserve, clutches found in May (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a). At Aggel, downy young from May 24th (Vinogra-dov, 1967; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984). A brood of 9 ducklingsobserved on Baburyi Island (Baku Archipelago) on 4 June 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a) and in Kizil Agach Reserve brood on June 16th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 6-11 young/brood (av-erage 8-9). On the wing by early July (Vinogradov, 1967).

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DIET: Examined stomachs contained fragments of saltwort andcereal stems. Water bugs (family Notonectidae) found in duck-ling stomachs (Tuaev, 1975).

REMARKS: A Common Shelduck ringed in Kizil Agach Re-serve in 1930 was shot there on 12 February 1935 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Azeri name: Angut, Girmizi ordak

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, uncommon wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe(e.g. at Aggel and Sarisu), north shore of Mingechaur Reser- voir, Korchai Game Preserve, tugai forests in Zardob and Sabi-rabad districts, low mountains at Lake Hadjikabul, Mugan Steppe,Karayasi Steppe (Lake Djandargel) and Aras Valley in Djabrail

District (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (e.g. vicinity of Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala), southeastern Shirvan (near CapePirsagat and Shorgel Lakes), Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Baku Archipelago (e.g.Pirsagat Islands and Glinanyi Island) and Absheron Archipela-go including Zhiloyi (Chilov) Island (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Vicinity of Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965).GOBUSTAN: Gobustan Upland, e.g. at Kargabazar and Saridash(Satunin, 1907; Burchak-Abramovich, 1962; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in Nakhichevan Region (Satunin,

1907; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; MP).Winter: Mostly winters south of Azerbaijan (Verestchagin, 1950).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu), MingechaurReservoir, Mugan Steppe, Aras valley (Vinogradov, 1967; Tu-aev, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, southeastern Shirvanand occasionally Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: clayey and rocky semi-desert, uplandsteppe, islands of the Caspian Sea and rarely tugai forests. W IN-

37. Ruddy Shelduck - Tadorna ferruginea Pallas, 1764

TER AND PASSAGE: Semi-desert. steppe, islands, flooded plainsand saltpans (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Kur-banov, 1984; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February to late April(Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Karabanova, 1981).COASTAL: Migrants observed at Divichi Liman, Shorgel Lakesand Lenkoran Lowland (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Patri-keev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrived to Iori Valley on March 5 th (Satu-nin, 1907). Passage recorded in Mugan, Aggel and Hadjinour and Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Dahl, 1954; Vinogradov, 1967).Fall passage: August through October.

COASTAL: Recorded at Divichi Liman, Absheron Peninsula andKizil-Agach Reserve (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev,1965; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Conspicuous passage at Aggel in August-September (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >1,000 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Declined at Aggel (from 114 pairs in 1971to 10 pairs in 1977) and in tugai forests of mid Kura: 50 broods/10 km2 in 1971, but only 7/10 km2 in 1976 and none in 1978-1979 (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984). 12 at Lake Sarisu in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BOSDAG: 10-15 pairs at Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains in 1989 (MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 105-107 pairs in Baku Ar-chipelago in the late 1980s-early 1990s, e.g. c. 50 pairs on GlinanyiIsland, 27-28 pairs on Pirsagat Islands (Baburyi, Pelikanyi and Tashkent), 1 pair on Los’ Island and 9-10 pairs at Cape Pirsagat.>10 pairs in Absheron Archipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).GOBUSTAN: >5 pairs in the vicinity of Mount Kargabazar (north-ern Gobustan) in 1989-1990 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 15 pairs near Mahmud-chala and No- vogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) and 7-8 pairs in Shirvan Re-serve in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a, c).Passage: F ALL: 300-500 at Lake Aggel in August-September(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

Winter: Probably <1,000. Small numbers on Aggel and Sarisuin the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but >300 in Aggel in January 1991 (MP). 30 in Kizil Agach Reserve, 70 in ShirvanReserve and 15-55 at Lake Sarisu in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).327 reported countrywide in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

BREEDING: Nests in abandoned burrows of foxes, badgers(Mil, Mugan and Shirvan steppes) and feral rabbits (islands Gli-nanyi and Los’), rock crevices and rock piles (Mingechaur Res-ervoir and Pirsagat Islands), hollow trees in tugai (Kura Valley)and in cliffs (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Kur-

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banov, 1984; Patrikeev, 1991a). Compete with Common Shel-duck for nesting sites (Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a). On Pirsa-gat Islands, courtship and egg laying in late April, but no territo-rial behaviour in Shirvan Reserve by mid May (Patrikeev, 1991a). At Aggel, broods from May 4th (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984) andon Pirsagat Islands from May 21st (Patrikeev, 1991a). 6-11 young/brood, usually 8-9 (Tuaev, 1975). Only c. 50% of the young

survive to late June. Red Fox and Marsh Harrier main predatorsof the young at Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967) and Yellow-leggedGulls in Pirsagat Islands (MP).

DIET: Seed of Bolboschoenus maritimus, Polygonum aviuculare , Lepi-

dium , Plantago, Medicago, Cuscuta and Compositae; also insects. Ants (Formicidae) and Dermaptera were found in duckling stom-achs (Tuaev, 1975).

REMARKS: Often kept as pets in villages of Azerbaijan: hatchedfrom eggs collected in the wild or caught as ducklings (Satunin,

1907; MP). Decline at Aggel sometimes attributed to draining of brood staging areas in western part of the lake (Tuaev &Kurbanov, 1984).

Azeri name: Kogal, gaz-ordak

STATUS: Common nesting species, very common migrant and

wintering species. Subspecies A. p. platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In suitablehabitat throughout the lowland, e.g. at lakes Aggel and Sarisu,Karasy Marsh, Turianchai Valley and Karayasi Forest (Tuaev,1975; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Lesser Kizil Agach Bay and adjacent marshes), Shorgel Lakes (southeasternShirvan) and Lenkoran Lowland (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Pirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965, 1975).

N AKHICHEVAN: May nest in Nakhichevan Region (Verestchagin,1950; MP).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, southernMugan (Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala), Shorgel Lakes(southeastern Shirvan) and Lenkoran Lowland (Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov et al., 1991; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe (Aggel, Bos-Kobaand Sarisu), Shirvan Steppe (Karasy Marsh, Shilian Marsh andsmaller wetlands and Lake Hadjikabul), Mugan, Karayasi For-est, Lake Djandargel, streams and channels throughout Kura Valley; also Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, Aras Valley west to Ak-

38. Mallard - Anas platyrhynchos Linnaeus, 1758

era and Ohchu-chai in Zangelan District (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (warmer winters).During storms, Mallards may move to fields and foothills westof Divichi (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shores of Absheron Pen-insula including Artem Bay, Shah Spit and vicinity of Baku; Pir-sagat Islands (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley and the mouth of Arpa-chai in early winter (Verestchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islands, spits, reed kobl s at lakes and marsh-es, wet meadows, rocky islands in the Caspian Sea (Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a). W INTER : Marshes, floodedarable lands, rice fields (in the past), open water, channels,streams, rivers (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Ver-estchagin, 1950; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early February to mid April.COASTAL: From early February in Kura Delta (Verestchagin,1950), from late February-early March in Absheron Peninsulaand Divichi Liman (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Karaban-ova, 1981). In Kizil Agach Reserve, passage peaks in mid March(usually 15-17 March). Mallards wintering south of LenkoranLowland usually pass through Kizil Agach Reserve non-stop(Verestchagin, 1950). Latest migrants recorded in Kizil AgachReserve and Divichi Liman in mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND AND GREATER C AUCASUS: Conspicuouspassage recorded at Lake Aggel and Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967). Crosses over Greater

Caucasus Mountains in March-April, e.g. observed over Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) April 24th (Gambarov, 1954).

Fall passage: Mid August to mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Samur Delta and at Divichi Liman in mid August (Verestchagin, 1950) and to Absheron Peninsula, Kizil Agach Reserve and Mugan Steppe in early September (Verestcha-gin, 1950). Conspicuous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve in early to mid September and then from early November to early De-cember. The majority heads non-stop for Kizil Agach Reserveand Iran, but some rest at Divichi Liman, Shah Spit, Artem Bay,lakes Mirzaladi and Mosazirgel (Absheron Peninsula), Shorgel

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Lakes and Kura Delta (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; MP). Passage is over by midDecember (Verestchagin, 1950).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Reaches lakes of Mil Steppe in mid Au-gust-late September, but conspicuous passage occurs from No- vember to mid December (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov,1967).

Winter Movements: Many Mallards wintering in Kizil AgachReserve feed at Novogolovka-chala and Mahmud-chala (south-ern Mugan) and Lenkoran Lowland at night returning to thereserve c. ½ hour before dawn. May remain on feeding areas

throughout the day if not disturbed (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950). In some years, Mallards win-tering at lakes of Mil and Mugan steppes almost completely consume available food by mid December-January and move toKizil Agach Reserve and flooded cotton fields (Vinogradov,1967). In cold winters, when lakes, marshes and other wetlandsfreeze over, Mallards move to channels, streams and rivers withstrong current or flee south, e.g. c. 80% of wintering Mallardsleft Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 5,000-10,000 pairs.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Average of 2 nests/ha in Lake Aggel in

1963 (Vinogradov, 1967). During 1971-1976, increased from540 to 965 pairs (9.8 pairs/km2 ) at Aggel, but decreased from130 to 35 pairs (2.7 pair/km2 ) at Sarisu (Tuaev & Kurbanov,1984).COASTAL: Decreased from 92 to 30 pairs (3.3 pairs/km2 ) at Div-ichi Liman in the early 1970s. >20 pairs nested in Kizil AgachReserve (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984). 5-10 pairs at Shorgel Lakesand Pirsagat Islands in 1989-1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Passage: SPRING: 3,000-4,000 passed through Lake Aggel inthe early, 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).F ALL: 1,188 recorded at Lake Aggel in August 1963 and 6,492 inDecember 1962 (Vinogradov, 1967). In the 1940s flocks of 20-60 off Absheron Peninsula in early September, and in the 1950s

flocks of several hundred at Divichi Liman in November-early December (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

Winter: 55,000-100,000 in early winter in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: c. 30,000 in 1953-1955 (Tuaev, 1957a), c. 80,000 in mid January 1982, 57,400 inDecember 1982, 28,350 in January 1983 (Tkachenko & Litvi-nov, 1984), 36,730 in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991)and 12,147 in January-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). Only 347 at Lake Mahmud-chala and 95 at Shorgel Lakes in 1996(Paynter et al., 1996a). In Kizil Agach Reserve, male/female ra-

tio is close to 1:1 in early winter, but females predominate inlate winter. Immature make up to 38% (Tuaev, 1957d).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the early 1960s, 15,000-18,000 at Lake Aggel in December, but 5,000-6,000 in January-February (Vi-nogradov, 1967). 2,000 at Aggel in mid January 1991 (MP), 600-950 at Lake Sarisu in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a) and430 at Lake Hadjikabul in November 1998 (Sultanov & Agaye- va, 2003).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 300-500 along shores of Absheron Peninsula, e.g. Shah Spit in 1982-1990 (Bannikova etal., 1984; MP).

BREEDING: Nests built of reed stems and lined with down.Nest measurements: average diameter 30 cm, height 18-25cm.Clutches contain 10-11 eggs, replacement clutches 6-8 eggs. Egg measurements (n=8): 54.3-57.0 x 39.0-40.0 mm (av. 55.68 x 39.4mm), weight 44.4-47.8 g (av. 46.4 g) (Vinogradov, 1967). At Lake Aggel, first clutches from early April, although majority lay inearly May and some fresh clutches (probably replacements) foundin late May-early June (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Kurbanov,1984). At Shorgel Lakes, pairs in mid April and clutches fromlate April-early May (MP). In Kizil-Agach Reserve, a brood of 8recorded on May 8th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a),and downy young at Aggel in late May-June (Vinogradov, 1967).

Large flying young in Karayasi Forest on July 6th

(MP).

DIET: W INTER : Stomachs from Kizil Agach Reserve mostly contained seeds, fruits and stems of Bolboschoenus maritimus (foundin 47.5% of all stomachs), Carex (in 32.5%), Compositae (in31.1%), Myosotis (in 26%), Salsola soda and Salsola sp. (in 14.5%),Rumex (in 11.5%); also Echinochloa crus-galli, Chenopodium , Medica-

go, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus retroflexus and some invertebrates(Tuaev, 1957d). Rice was important staple in southern Muganand Lenkoran Lowland in the past (Tuaev, 1957a). In Mil Steppe,feeds on aquatic plants (e.g. Myriophyllum and Potamogeton ), smallinvertebrates, and later in the season, on seed of saltworts, reedsand grasses and occasionally on fish fry (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev,

1975). Stomachs of migrants collected in M ARCH contained seedsof Convolvulus arvensis, Amaranthus retroflexus, Cuscuta, Myriophyl-

lum and domesticated cereals, and also plant stems (Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Hunted heavily for food (both legally and illegal-ly). >10,000/year harvested in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).Occasionally perishes in oil in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. 182 founddead at one site (Verestchagin, 1946). Natural predators include Jungle Cat ( Felis chaus ), Marsh Harrier (takes ducklings), PeregrineFalcon and other terrestrial and avian predators (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Mallards wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve and Lake Aggel in 1953-1996

Winter Kizil Agach Reserve Lake Aggel

1953-55 30,000

Early 1960s 5,420-15,000

1981/82 80,000

1982/83 28,350-57,400

1991 36,730 2,000

1996 12,147




Azeri name: Gerap, sirgi ordak, fitchi tzura

STATUS: Very common migrant and wintering species, irregu-lar nesting species. Subspecies A. c. crecca Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967). Possibly nested in Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland in the past (Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley including Lake Aggel (Satu-nin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967).N AKHICHEVAN R EGION: A pair in a small marsh near Bichenek at1,600 m (Radde, 1884).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly in Kizil Agach Reserveand adjacent part of southern Mugan (Mahmud-chala and No-

vogolovka-chala). Also in southeastern Shirvan (Shorgel Lakes),Lenkoran Lowland and Kura Delta (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev,1975; Vinogradov et al., 1991).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: wetlands of Mil Steppe (e.g. Aggel andSarisu), Shirvan Steppe (Karasy and Shilian marshes, Lake Had-jikabul and smaller wetlands), Barda and Mingechaur Districts,Karayasi Steppe, Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland and Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975;Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and Divichi Liman inearly winter (Verestchagin, 1950).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit (Bannikova etal., 1984; MP).

N AKHICHEVAN R EGION: Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: W INTER : Shallow waters, mudflats, saltpans, spits,small bays, ponds, flooded shrub thickets and meadows (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1957c; Vinogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February through April.COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve, migration from late February with peak in early March and some migrants recorded untilMarch 15th; latest records in mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

39. Common Teal - Anas crecca Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND AND GREATER C AUCASUS: Some move from wetlands of Mil Steppe to Kizil Agach Reserve in late February-early March. Conspicuous passage in Mil Steppe in March-early April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967). Reported fromMingechaur Reservoir in April (Tuaev, 1975). Some cross over

Greater Caucasus Mountains near Zakatali (Verestchagin, 1950).Fall passage: August to mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Divichi Liman and Absheron Peninsula in August, and to Kizil Agach Reserve in early September withconspicuous passage 6-19 November. Migration is over by midDecember (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From August at Aggel and Sarisu, con-spicuous passage in mid November; passage lasts until midDecember (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 2,000-5,000 at lakes Aggel and Sarisu in mid March and several hundred in April inthe early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).

F ALL: 2,000-4,000 daily at Aggel and Sarisu in mid Novemberduring the 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: >100,000 in wet winters during the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 65,606 in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: 59,000 in 1953-1955 (Tuaev, 1957a), tens of thousands in the late 1950s (Do-brokhotov, 1963), 36,400 in mid January 1982, 115,000 inDecember 1982, 57,000 in January 1983 (Tkachenko & Litvi-nov, 1984), 66,200 in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991),and c. 68,300 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). Male to femaleratio in the reserve 1:2 in early winter; 37% were immature(Tuaev, 1957c). In 1996, 1,780 at Shorgel Lakes (southeasternShirvan) and 550 at Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan (Paynter

et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Only 0.3/km in marshes of ShirvanSteppe in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963). At Lake Aggel, 5,500-60,000 in December during 1961-1964 and 11,425 in January 1961 (Vinogradov, 1967). In January 1991, >11,000 at Aggeland 4,000-6,000 at Sarisu (MP). In February 1996, Paynter et al.(1996a) counted 2,500 and estimated 27,700 at Sarisu. 100 atLake Hadjikabul in November 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BREEDING: A female with 5 ducklings seen in Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve) in mid July 1964 (Mustafaev &Gazanchian, 1967).

DIET: Kizil Agach Reserve (111 stomachs): seed, fruit and alsostems and leaves of Bolboschoenus maritimus (found in 51.3% of stomachs), Carex (in 14.7%), Schoenonlectus lacustris (in 12.2%), Scir-

pus (in 10.9%), Plantago indica (in 8.1%), Schoenoplectus (=Scirpus)

tabernaemontani (in 6.3%), Lepidium draba (in 6.3%), Setaria viridis

(in 5.6%), Medicago (in 4.6%), Amaranthus albus (in 4.6%), Schoeno-

plectus triqueter (in 3.6%), Chenopodium (in 3.6%), Polygonum aviculare

(in 3.6%), Plantago (in 3.6%); also Juncus acutus, Echinochloa crus-galli,

Amaranthus retroflexus, Solanum nigrum ; rice Oriza sativa in the past(Tuaev, 1957c). In Mil Steppe, oesophagi of several individuals were full of mosquito larvae. Examined stomachs contained seed

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of Medicago minima, Carex , Rubus, Aegilops cylindrica, Chenopodius,

Medicago sativa, Lepidium, fruits of Rhaphanus rhaphanistrum, leavesof Poa bulbosa , and occasional ants (Tuaev, 1975).

Common Teal wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve, Aggel and Sarisu during 1953-1996

Winter Kizil Agach Reserve Aggel and Sarisu

1953-1955 59,000

late 1950s tens of thousands

early 1960s 5,500-60,000

1981/82 36,400

1982/83 57,000-115,000

1990/91 15,000-17,0001995/96 68,300 2,500-27,700

MORTALITY: Heavily hunted for food. Up to 200-300 may perish annually in oil reservoirs and oiled lakes in AbsheronPeninsula (Verestchagin, 1946; MP).

Azeri name: Boz ordak

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and wintering species ( declining ). Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve and probably at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan(Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a). Common on lakesof southern and eastern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland priorto the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Baku Archipelago (Pirsa-gat Islands including Baburyi and Pelikanyi) and probably smallrocky islands around Absheron Peninsula (MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Vi-nogradov, 1967).OTHER : Mountains of Armenia (Lesser Caucasus) close to bor-der with Azerbaijan (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Dahl, 1954).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: western Kizil Agach Reserve andadjacent lakes of southern Mugan (Novogolovka-chala and Mah-mud-chala), Shorgel Lakes in southeastern Shirvan (Verestcha-gin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Coastal lakesand wetlands of Lenkoran Lowland, e.g. Lake Mortzo in thepast (Radde, 1884; Verestchagin, 1950).

40. Gadwall - Anas strepera Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: lakes of Mil Steppe (Sarisu, Aggel andformerly Mekhman), Kura Valley up to Karayasi Forest, andformerly at Karasy Marsh (Vinogradov, 1967; Sultanov & Mu-

saev, 1989).

HABITAT: NESTING: small rocky and mud islands, often closeto colonies of gulls or terns (e.g. Sandwich Terns on Baburyiand Yellow-legged Gulls on Pelikanyi islands). W INTER : Shal-lows of lakes and marshes, flooded semi-desert depressions,open water (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1957d).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early February to late March.COASTAL: From early February with peak between mid February and mid March, e.g. at islands of the Caspian Sea and DivichiLiman (Verestchagin, 1950; Karabanova, 1981).K URA -ARAS LOWLAND: Passage observed at Varvara and

Mingechaur Reservoirs and Shilian Marsh, Shirvan Steppe (Tu-aev & Kurbanov, 1984).Fall passage: Late August through early December.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve and Absheron Pen-insula from mid September. Conspicuous passage at DivichiLiman in early to mid November, and in Kizil Agach Re-serve from mid November to early December. Spell of cold weather in December and January may push Gadwall intoIran, but some may return to Azerbaijan when temperaturesrevert to normal (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Lake Aggel from late August. Largenumbers arrive at Sarisu (and formerly Mekhman) from early

November, while only small numbers recorded at Aggel. Many move from Sarisu and other wetlands of Mil Steppe to south-ern Mugan and Kizil Agach Reserve in early December (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 200-300 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP). Declined at Lake Aggel from 1.2 pairs/km2 in 1971 to 0.2 pairs/km2 in 1976 (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984).c. 30 pairs nested at the lake in 1991 (MP), and 5-8 pairs inPirsagat Islands in 1991 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

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Passage: F ALL: Flocks of 12-180 observed in the 1940s (Ver-estchagin, 1950).Winter: Probably from 5,000-6,000 in normal winters to 10,000in wetter winters (MP). 2,223 recorded countrywide in 1996(Delany et al., 1999), 3,160 in 1997 and only 238 in 1998 (Gilis-sen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In the late 19th century, Mallards winter-

ing in Lenkoran Lowland outnumbered Gadwall 50 to 1 (Rad-de, 1884). In Kizil Agach Reserve: 14,000-15,000 in 1953-1955(Tuaev, 1957a), number remained stable through the 1960s and1970s, but declined in early 1980s (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984), 3,460 in January 1991(Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and only 1,334 in 1996 (Paynter etal., 1996a). In the reserve, male to female ratio was 1.2:1; imma-tures accounted for 45% (Tuaev, 1957d). In February 1996, 844at Mahmud-chala and 27 at Shorgel Lakes (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 1,000-4,500 at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but only 300-400 in January 1991. At

Lake Sarisu: c. 1,000 in the late 1980s (MP) and c. 1,100 in Feb-ruary 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: At Lake Aggel, eggs laid from April 4th. Up to 6eggs in completed clutches (n=3). Two nests were on tiny isletsand another on a hummock amongst reeds (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Stomachs from southern Mugan and Kizil Agach Reservecontained seed and fruit of Bolboschoenus maritimus (found in 53.5%of examined stomachs), Carex (in 30.2%), Scirpus (in 14%), Polygon-

um aviculare (in 9.3%), Schoenoplectus lacustris (in 9.3%), Schoenoplectus

triqueter (in 7.0%), Echinochloa crus-galli (in 7.0%) and Salsola soda (in7.0%); also invertebrates and sand (Tuaev, 1957d). In Mil Steppe,mostly feeds on shoots of Myriophyllum (Verestchagin, 1950).

MORTALITY: Praised for its tasty meat, but surprisingly few are taken (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.). Occasionally perishes inoil in Absheron peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Marek

STATUS: Very common migrant and wintering species, irregu-lar summer visitor. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: 2 males and 4 females (perhapsearly migrants) observed in the vicinity of Lenkoran on July 5th

(Verestchagin, 1950).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly Kizil Agach Reserve, Mah-mud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) and ShorgelLakes (southeastern Shirvan). Some move from Kizil Agach Reserveto Iran in cold winters (Satunin, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1950; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Sarisu (until mid winter), Aggel (irregu-lar), Karasy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe); formerly on lakes of Mingechaur District and Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907; Verestcha-gin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Rare at Shah Spit (Banni-kova et al., 1984).

41. Eurasian Wigeon - Anas penelope Linnaeus, 1758

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Occurred in the past (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1950). No recent records.

HABITAT: W INTER : Marshes, lakes, flooded depressions, semi-desert; formerly in rice fields (Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February to early May.COASTAL: Small flocks from Iran arrive at Kizil Agach Reserve inlate February. The majority leaves the reserve 7-17 March; latestrecords in April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). From ear-ly March at Divichi Liman (Karabanova, 1981). A pair on the Cas-

pian shore south of Cape Pirsagat on 14 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Turns up at Divichi Liman in mid August,and in Kizil Agach Reserve from mid September. Conspicuouspassage through the reserve in late September-early November (es-pecially in mid November); the majority passes through the reservenon-stop heading for Iran. Migration is over by early December(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Sarisu and other lakes of MilSteppe in late September. Conspicuous passage at Sarisu in ear-ly November (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Flocks of 20-30 ob-served at Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967).

Winter: 60,000-70,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP), but135,224 recorded in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999) and only 141 in1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common in Kizil Agach Reserve:44,300 in 1953-1955 (Tuaev, 1957a), outnumbered other dab-bling ducks in 1953/54 and 1956/57 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a), 61,900 in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova,1991) and astonishing 115,765 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).Males outnumber females in Kizil Agach Reserve in Decemberand January, but number of females increases in late winter;

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immatures outnumber adults (Tuaev, 1957c). In February 1996,19,350 at Lake Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and only 110at Shorgel Lakes (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 1,000 on Lake Aggel in January 1961, but very few in 1962 and 1963 (Vinogradov, 1967) and none in Jan-uary 1991. >1,000 on Lake Sarisu in the late 1980s (MP) and3,100 in February 1996 (Paynter, 1996a).

DIET: Seed and fruit of Bolboschoenus maritimus (found in 77%of examined stomachs), Carex (in 23%), Salsola soda (in 26.9%),

Polygonum persicaria (in 16.1%), Myosotis (in 8.6%) and Lepidium

draba (in 5.4%); also Capsella bursa-pastoris, Melilotus polonicus,

Orobanche, Plantago indica and Setaria (Tuaev, 1957c).

REMARKS: The majority of Eurasian Wigeon wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve remain on Greater Kizil Agach Bay during theday and visit marshes between Akusha and Vilajchai at night.

Movements occur regularly because of intensive hunting, butthe birds remain in feeding areas throughout the day if undis-turbed (Verestchagin, 1950).

Azeri name: Bizgyiryg

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. Subspecies

A. a. acuta Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve and adjacent lakes of southern Mugan (Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala); also Lenkoran Lowland. In January-February, small numbers occur in flooded depres-sions and cotton fields throughout Mugan (Verestchagin,1950; Tuaev, 1958, 1975). Rare in southeastern Shirvan (Payn-ter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe),Shilian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe). Absent from Ag-gel in the 1930s-1960s (Verestchagin, 1950; Zlotin, 1963; Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Rare at Shah Spit (Banni-kova et al., 1984).

42. Northern Pintail - Anas acuta Linnaeus, 1758

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Irregularly at Divichi Liman (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in the west of the region (Verestcha-gin, 1950).

HABITAT: W INTER : Shallows, small lakes, flooded depressions

and flooded cotton fields (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1958).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early February through April.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and southernMugan from early February, and through Divichi Liman fromlate February. Conspicuous passage 5-15 March. Latest recordsin Kizil Agach Reserve: 14 March-20 April (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Karabanova, 1981).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND AND GREATER C AUCASUS: Conspicuouspassage at Aggel: mid February to late March (Vinogradov, 1967).In March and April, migrates through Zakatali-Ismailly Low-land and across Greater Caucasus Mountains in Zakatali andKutkashen districts (Verestchagin, 1950).

Fall passage: Mid August through early December.COASTAL: Arrives at Divichi Liman and Absheron Peninsula frommid August (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965), and to Kizil AgachReserve from late August-early September (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). Conspicuous passage from mid Octoberto early December peaking 31 October-28 November in Kizil Agach Reserve (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Late November-early December in MilSteppe (Vinogradov, 1967). The majority of migrants pass through Azerbaijan non-stopheading for Iran (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 250 flocks of 10-300each passed through Kulagin lookout, Kizil Agach Reserve on 8

Number of Northern Pintails wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve during 1953-1996


1953-1955 14,700 Tuaev, 1957a

1958/59 very common Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1981/82 31,500 Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984

1989/90 >2,000 MP

1990/91 350 Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991

1995/96 6,538 Paynter et al., 1996b

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March 1955 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 3,000-4,000migrated through Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).F ALL: 18,000 at Lake Aggel in early December 1963 (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: 3,000-15,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s depending on weather conditions (MP). 6,994 recorded in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in Kizil Agach Reserve throughout1950s-early 1980s, but somewhat declined by the early 1990s (see the

table). c. 40% of wintering population were immature (Tuaev, 1958).In February 1996, 447 at Lake Mahmud-chala (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >1,000 at Lake Aggel in January 1991 (MP).

DIET: Stomachs from Kizil Agach Reserve contained seedand fruit of Amaranthus retroflexus (found in 42.2% of stom-achs), Bolboschoenus maritimus (in 35.5%), Salsola crassa (in 28.9%),Rumex acetosa (in 15.5%), Salsola soda (in 13.3%), Polygonum avic-

ulare (in 8.8%) and Solanum nigrum (in 8.8%); also insects (Tu-aev, 1958).

MORTALITY: 63 dead ducks (mostly Pintails) were found along a 27 km transect in Kizil Agach Reserve in the cold winter of 1964 (Mustafaev, 1964).

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, possiblenesting species (nested in the past). Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: SouthernMugan (e.g. at Lake Mahmud-chala) and Shorgel Lakes in south-eastern Shirvan (Satunin, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Nested in the vicinity of Lenkoran (Radde, 1884), but no recent summer records(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Vi-nogradov, 1967).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: From southern Mugan (Mah-mud-chala and Novogolovka-chala) and Lenkoran Lowland tonorthwestern corner of Kizil Agach Reserve; also Shorgel Lakesand Kura Delta (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1958, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Sarisu and Aggel (Mil Steppe),Shilian and Karasy marshes and Lake Hadjikabul (Shirvan

Steppe), and wetlands of Mingechaur District (Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Verestchagin, 1950).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in the west of Nakhichevan Region(Verestchagin, 1950).

HABITAT: W INTER : Shallow coastal areas, marshes and flooded de-pressions; avoids reedbeds (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1958, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: February to early May.

43. Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Some leave Mil Steppe and moves elsewherein January. Conspicuous passage at Lake Aggel in March-April, few remain until early May (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).COASTAL: Large numbers arrive at lakes of southern Mugan inFebruary. Conspicuous passage through Kizil Agach Reserve 5-15 March, and latest sightings in mid April. Passes through Di-

vichi Liman in March-April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Karabanova, 1981).Fall passage: August to mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Divichi Liman in August, at Absheron Pen-insula and Kura Delta in mid September, and at Kizil AgachReserve 16-27 September. Conspicuous passage through thereserve in November-early December (Verestchagin, 1950; Tu-aev, 1958, 1965, 1975; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From August to mid December at lakesof Mil Steppe (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 2,000-3,000 at Lake Aggel in April (Vinogradov, 1967).

F ALL: Several hundred at Divichi Liman in September. 37 flocks passedthrough Lesser Kizil Agach Bay at 1000-1030 hrs on 7 December1951 (Tuaev, 1958, 1965; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: 6,000-10,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP), but42,317 in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999), 10,790 in 1997 and 4,932 in1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: 17,800 in 1953-1955(Tuaev, 1957a); very common in winters of 1954/55, 1956/57and 1958/59 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a); 3,060 in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and 35,300 in 1996(Paynter et al., 1996a). c. 30% of wintering population wereimmature (Tuaev, 1958). In February 1996, c. 7,000 at LakeMahmud-chala, but only 39 at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shir-

van (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 710-3,552 at Aggel in early 1960s (Vino-gradov, 1967), up to 10,500 in late 1960s-early 1970s (Tuaev, 1975)and 400 in January 1991 (MP). 2,000-3,000 at Sarisu in late 1980s(MP), but only 550 in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: In December-January 1989-1990, 200-300 occurred at Shah Spit (MP).

BREEDING: A nest with fresh eggs in the vicinity of Lenko-ran on April 30th (Radde, 1884). Pairs (possibly migrants) onLake Sarisu in mid March (Tuaev, 1975).

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DIET: Kizil Agach Reserve: stems, leaves, seed and fruit of Bolboschoenus maritimus, Carex, Schoenoplectus lacustris, Scirpus,

Polygonum aviculare, Echinochloa crus-galli, Potamogeton lucens andSchoenoplectus tabernaemontani ; also beetles ( Helophorus., Harpalus

and weevils), crustaceans and molluscs Theodoxus pallasi and

Hydrobia acuta (Tuaev, 1958). Often feeds on mosquito larvaeat Lake Sarisu (Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Several found dead in oil reservoirs and oiledlakes in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Common migrant and uncommon wintering species,likely uncommon nesting species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Ag-gel in Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Lenkoran Lowland,Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) and Lake Mahmud-chala(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and Divichi Liman(Butiev et al., 1990b; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: Nested close to KarabakhUpland and Arpa-chai (Dahl, 1954).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Kizil AgachReserve (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).K URA -ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland, e.g. inMingechaur District (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).

44. Garganey - Anas querquedula Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: W INTER : Wetlands, flooded cotton fields, etc. (Ver-estchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous: mid March tolate April.COASTAL: Mid March to late April in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Lake Aggel and in Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland in late March (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives in August. Conspicuous pas-sage at Divichi Liman from mid August to mid September. From

there, some head for Lake Sarisu and on to Iran while othersfollow the Caspian shore passing through Absheron Peninsula,Kura Delta, Kizil Agach Reserve and Lenkoran Lowland alsoheading for Iran (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Sarisu and Aras Valley in Septem-ber (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE:Breeding: Unknown. 10 pairs at Shorgel Lakesand single males at Mahmud-chala in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a, c). 480 atDivichi Liman in June-July 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Passage: SPRING: Tens at Aggel and Zakatali-Ismailly Lowlandin late March (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).F ALL: Flocks of 80-100 on the Caspian shore in the 1940s (Ver-

estchagin, 1950). 1,300 passed through Divichi Liman in Au-gust 1961 (Tuaev, 1965).Winter: From several hundred to 2,000-3,000 depending on weather conditions (MP).

MORTALITY: Sometimes perishes in oiled lakes and oil reservoirs at Absheron Peninsula, e.g. 11 dead in an oil reservoir northof Baku (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Ah ordak

STATUS: Rare nesting species and migrant, irregular wintering species. Endangered. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Formerly common throughoutKura Valley (from Gandja to the delta) and Lenkoran Lowland(Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907), but the range dwindled as many wetlands were drained to meet agricultural needs (Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe: Aggel, Sarisu andpossibly Bos-Koba and Shorbet-koba (Vinogradov, 1967; Tu-aev, 1975; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984). Probably disappeared

45. Marbled Teal - Marmaronetta angustirostris Menetries, 1832

from marshes of Shirvan Steppe, but observed on Lake Had-

jikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). Possibly over-looked elsewhere.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala(southern Mugan) and Kizil Agach Reserve. Formerly in Len-koran Lowland (Verestchagin, 1950; Ivanov, 1952; Tuaev, 1975;Babaev, 1984; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).Winter: Possibly occurs only in cold winters.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Aggel (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan),Kizil Agach Reserve and Lake Mahmud-chala in southern Mugan(Ivanov, 1952; Paynter et al., 1996b).

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HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds in lakes and marshes (Tuaev,1975). W INTER : Marshes, flooded semi-desert (Paynter et al., 1996a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives

at Mil Steppe in April (Vinogradov, 1967).COASTAL: Common on lakes of Mugan in the 19th century (Sat-unin, 1912b). Few recent records, e.g. in Samur Delta on 11March 1968, and in Kizil Agach Reserve on 29 March 1980 and2 May (Ivanov, 1952; Butiev et al., 1989; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Observed in flocks of Common Tealand Garganey in Divichi Liman and along the Caspian shore in August. Probably proceeds non-stop to Iran from there (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Leaves lakes of Mil Steppe in early Sep-tember (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: <100 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 50-60 at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967), c. 50 pairs at Aggel and 20 pairs at LakeSarisu in late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 18 observed at Lake Had-jikabul and 7 at Sarisu in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 2-3 pairs in Kizil Agach Reserve in the

1970s-1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990). Several at Mahmud-cha-la and Novogolovka-chala in 1990 (MP), and 10 at Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: A pair at a fishpond in Samur Delta on 11March 1968 (Butiev et al., 1989), 1 at Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve) on 29 March 1980 (Vinogradov et al., 1990).Winter: Unknown.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Several hundred on Lake Aggel in thecold winter of 1971/72 (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: One collected in Kizil Agach Reserve on 25December 1943 (Khirmandalli) and another on 19 January 1950(Ivanov, 1952). 285 wintered in southeast lowlands in February 1996:240 in southeastern Shirvan (Shorgel Lakes), 44 in Kizil Agach

Reserve and 1 near Mahmud-chala (Paynter et al., 1996b).

BREEDING: Three broods recorded on Lake Aggel (Tuaev &Kurbanov, 1984).

MORTALITY: Migrants occasionally perish in oiled lakes in Ab-sheron Peninsula, at least one found dead (1946). Mortality dueto extreme temperatures recorded at Lake Aggel (Tuaev, 1977).

REMARKS: Considered unpalatable and rarely shot (Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.).

Azeri name: Girmiziburun, dalgach

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and wintering species. Declining. Monotypic.

46. Red-crested Pochard - Netta rufina Pallas, 1773

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Long regarded as resident (Satu-nin, 1912b), but nesting confirmed only in the early 1960s (Vi-nogradov, 1967).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe: Aggel, Sarisu andBos-Koba (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984); also LakeHadjikabul and Varvara Reservoir (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Lake Mahmud-chala andNovogolovka-chala), Kizil Agach Reserve and Shorgel Lakes insoutheastern Shirvan (Vinogradov et al., 1991; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Akusha

Marsh, Kalinovsky Liman and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay), southernMugan (Mahmud-chala, Ah-chala and smaller wetlands), south-eastern Shirvan and Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Kurban-ov, 1984; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu), ShirvanSteppe (Karasy and Shilian marshes) and Kura Valley up toKarayasi Steppe (Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984; Sul-tanov & Musaev, 1989: MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Sangachal Bay, PirsagatIslands, north shore of Absheron Peninsula and Shah Spit (Ban-nikova et al., 1984; MP).

Tbilisi

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Lenkoran

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Gandja

Zakatali

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S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reed kobl s, hummocks and reed standedges of lakes and marshes (Vinogradov, 1967). W INTER : Open waters, small lakes, ponds and the akhmas (Tuaev, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Passes through Divichi

Liman from mid February (Karabanova, 1981). Non-breed-ing population leaves by late March-April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).Fall passage: Nesting population leaves in September-Novem-ber (Vinogradov, 1967). Conspicuous passage through DivichiLiman and Absheron Peninsula in early December. Arrives atMil and Shirvan steppes and southeast lowlands in mid Decem-ber (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >500 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Gradually decreased at Lake Aggel fromearly 1960s through mid 1970s (see table). 108 at Varvara Res-

ervoir, but only 3 at Lake Hadjikabul and 3 at Lake Sarisu in1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: >10 pairs at Lake Mahmud-chala in 1990(Patrikeev, 1991c) and 25 birds in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva,2003). Several pairs nested along the shores of Greater Kizil Agach Bay (Vinogradov et al., 1990).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 210 in Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Passage: F ALL: Up to 5,000 migrated through Sangachal Bay in1990-1991 (MP).Winter: Winter status has changed several times in the last 150years: common in the 19th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884;

Satunin, 1907), wintered only in cold winters by 1930s-1940s (Ver-estchagin, 1950) and became common wintering species oncemore in the 1970s-early 1990s (Tuaev, 1975; MP). Probably 5,000-6,000 in the 1980s-early 1990s (MP), but a dramatic increase with179,000 recorded at four sites in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). I

prefer to treat the latter number cautiously suspecting that winterof 1995/1996 was extraordinary in some way. Indeed, only 431recorded in 1997 and 236 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 2,600 in Kizil Agach Reserve in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and 35,900 in 1996; also 1,750at Lake Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and 26 at ShorgelLakes, southeastern Shirvan (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2,000-3,000 on Lake Sarisu and Karasy Marsh in cold winters during 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950).

At Lake Aggel, 560 in January 1990 (cold winter), and only 40-50 in January 1991 (warm winter) (MP). An extraordinary countof 151,250 from Sarisu in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 300 at Shah Spit in Jan-uary-February 1982 (Bannikova et al. 1984), c. 1,000 in San-gachal Bay and 300-400 in Artem Bay and at Shah Spit in win-ter 1989/90 (MP).

BREEDING: Mating from mid April (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1965c).Nests in kobl s, on hummocks and along reedbed edges. Nests madeof reed leaves and well camouflaged. At Aggel, clutches found 14 April-16 May (Vinogradov, 1967), and at Sarisu from late April (MP).First ducklings reported from Aggel on May 16th, and flying young

on July 22nd

. 6-9 ducklings/brood (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Stomachs contained larvae of dragon-flies (Odonata)and beetles (Hydrophilidae), seed and leaves of Bolboschoenus

maritimus, Euphorbia and Cruciferae (Tuaev, 1975).

Azeri name: Girmizibash, kara ordak (also other diving ducks).

STATUS: Very common migrant and wintering species. Increas-ing. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve (e.g. Greater Kizil Agach Bay and Kumbashi), Mah-mud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan), Lenko-ran Lowland and Shorgel Lakes (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND : Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe),Mingechaur Reservoir; smaller numbers winter in Kura Val-ley, Aras Valley and Mugan Steppe. Formerly in marshes of Shirvan Steppe (Verestchagin, 1950; Dahl, 1954; Vinogra-dov, 1967; MP).

47. Common Pochard - Aythya ferina Linnaeus, 1758

Tbilisi

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Zakatali

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Number of Red-crested Pochard nesting on Lake Aggel

in 1962-1976

Year Number Source

1962-1964 1,200-1,600 Vinogradov, 1967

1971 550 pairs

1972 450 pairs

1973 370 pairs Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984

1974 250 pairs1975 340 pairs

1976 185 pairs




C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Zorat to Mardakian, Ar-tem Bay, Shah Spit, Sangachal Bay, Baku Archipelago (Duvanni,Glinanyi, Pirsagat Islands) and Kurinski Kamen Island (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

HABITAT: Large expanses of open water, lakes, marshes, akh-

mas (oxbow lakes) and irrigation channels (Verestchagin, 1950;Dahl, 1954; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February to April.COASTAL: Passes through Divichi Liman from mid February (Karabanova, 1981). Sometimes leaves Kizil Agach Reserve by March, but normally present in small numbers until April (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Fall passage: Mid September through mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve as early as September19th (usually not until early November) and peaks in mid Novem-ber. In warmer winters, migrates until mid December (Verestcha-gin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1965).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Aggel, Sarisu, Shilian andKarasy in mid November-early December (Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: 100,000-180,000 in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP). 172,550 recorded in 1996, but only 7,750 in 1997 and 1,871 in 1998 (Paynter et al., 1996a; Gilissenet al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common along the Caspian shoreand in Mugan in the late 19th-early 20th century (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907, 1912b). Kizil Agach Reserve: “many thou-

sands” in the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950), very common in winter of 1958/59 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) ,but only 1,140 on 16 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963).Outnumbered other diving ducks in January 1982 (Tkachen-ko & Litvinov, 1984). 93,300 recorded in January 1991 (Litvi-nov & Litvinova, 1991) and 65,850 in 1996 (Paynter et al.,1996a). Also in 1996, 9,400 at Lake Mahmud-chala and 50 atShorgel Lakes (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of 2,500-3,000 at Shilian and Kara-sy marshes in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). 2,000-4,872on Lake Aggel in 1961-1964 (Vinogradov, 1967), c. 3,000 in January 1991 (MP) and astonishing 97,250 at Lake Sarisu inFebruary 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 300 in Shah Spit in Janu-ary-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon nesting species, commonmigrant and wintering species. A part of the population is prob-ably resident. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Considered nesting in Azerbaijanin the early 20th century (Satunin, 1912b), but nesting was notconfirmed until the late 1960s (Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe),Shilian and Karasy marshes and fishponds at Lake Hadjikabul(Shirvan Steppe), and Varvara Reservoir (Tuaev & Vasiliev,1965c; Tuaev, 1975; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984; Sultanov & Agaye- va, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lake Mahmud-chala and possibly else-

where in Mugan (Patrikeev, 1991c; MP).

48. Ferruginous Duck - Aythya nyroca Güldenstadt, 1770

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and possibly smaller wetlands (Tuaev, 1965, 1975; Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984).

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Sarisu (Mil Steppe) is themost important wintering site; also at Aggel, Varvara Reservoirand other wetlands of Mingechaur District, Hadjikabul and prob-ably elsewhere in Kura and Aras valleys, and Mugan Steppe (Ver-

estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975; Cranswick et al.,1998; MP). Common at Karasy, Shilian and Kurchala marshes(Shirvan Steppe) in the 1940s-1960s (Verestchagin, 1950; Tu-aev, 1975), but no recent records.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala;rarely in Kura Delta, Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve (Tuaev, 1975; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Edge of reed stands in lakes and marshes(Tuaev, 1975). W INTER : Open water, shallows, marshes, akhmas

and irrigation channels (Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: In early March in Mugan and

Divichi Liman, in April at Lake Aggel (Verestchagin, 1950; Vi-nogradov, 1967; Karabanova, 1981).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Samur-Divichi Lowland inearly August (Tuaev, 1965). Passes through Absheron Peninsulain August-early September (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migration observed at Aggel and Sarisuin September (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Declining. 150-200 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP) and 61-76 pairs at five sites in1998 (Sultanov & Agaeva, 2003).

Tbilisi

Gandja

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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 70-230 individuals at Lake Aggel in theearly 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), 60-70 pairs at Aggel and 20-30pairs at Sarisu in early 1990s (MP). 11 pairs observed at LakeHadjikabul, 11 pairs at Varvara Reservoir and 9 pairs at Sarisuin 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 24 pairs at Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -D IVICHI LOWLAND: 10-40 pairs at Divichi Limanthrough the 1970s (see table below), >5 pairs in the late 1980s

(Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984; MP) and 6 pairs in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: In early 1960s, 400-840 passed through Lake Aggel in April (Vinogradov, 1967).F ALL: 40-60 daily at Divichi Liman in early and mid August (Tu-aev, 1965). In 1961-1964, up to 600 on Lake Aggel in Septem-ber (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: <3,000-5,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s, perhaps<1,000-2,000 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of 2,500-3,000 on Karasy Marsh in the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). About 25% of allducks wintering on Lake Sarisu (Mil Steppe) in January-Feb-ruary 1962 belonged to this species (Tuaev, 1975); 250-500

at Sarisu in the late 1980s (MP) and 186 in November 1998(Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). 100-200 at Lake Aggel in 1961-1964 (Vinogradov, 1967) and c. 50 in January 1991 (MP).In 1998, 12 at Lake Hadjikabul (Shirvan Steppe) in Febru-ary and 47 in November (Cranswick et al., 1998; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BREEDING: Pairs from early April. Nests built of dry reedleaves. At Aggel, nests with 6-9 eggs on April 17th. Egg mea-surements (n=9): 50-58 x 36-38mm, weight 32.2-41.5g. In-cubation is c. 28 days (Tuaev, 1967, 1975). A female with 11ducklings at Lake Mahmud-chala on 6 June 1990 (Patrikeev,1991c) and a brood of 7 at Divichi Liman on August 9th (Tu-aev, 1965, 1967).

DIET: Summer: green algae, seed of Bolboschoenus maritimus ,Cladium mariscus , Carex , Compositae, Euphorbia , Lepidium , Med-

icago sativa , Melilotus officinalis and Sophora alopecuroides , also larvae of Tendipedidae and mosquitos Anopheles , water bugs, bee-tles and molluscs. Usually feeds at 20-30 cm depth (Verestcha-

gin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Hunting poses a major threat, and Lake Sa-risu (the most important wintering area in Azerbaijan) is un-der intensive hunting pressure (MP). 10-15% of ducks soldnear Hadjikabul in 1998 were Ferruginous Ducks (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

REMARKS: An estimate of 1,400-3,000 breeding pairs by Sul-tanov and Agayeva (2003) was incorrect due to mathematicalerrors and miscalculation of suitable habitat, and their call tosubject this protected species to sustainable harvest (based onthe above numbers) is irrelevant.

Number of Ferruginous Ducks present at Divichi Liman

in summers 1971-1979 (Tuaev & Kurbanov, 1984)

Year Number (pairs)

1971 15

1972 20

1973 40

1974 20

1975 201976 15

1978-1979 10

Azeri name: Kara ordak (also other diving ducks)

STATUS: Very common migrant and wintering species. De-

clining. Summer status is unclear (may nest). Monotypic.

49. Tufted Duck - Aythya fuligula Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Nested in Arpa-chai basin in Ar-menia close to Nakhichevan Region (Laister & Sosnin, 1942;Dahl, 1954) and considered resident on lakes of southern Muganin the past (Satunin, 1912b). Vinogradov and Tcherniavskaya(1965a) suspected that hundreds of Tufted Ducks arriving atKizil Agach Reserve in July and August nested elsewhere insouthern Azerbaijan. No credible nesting evidence is available.Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern corner of GreaterKizil Agach Bay is the most important winter site in Azerbaijan;

also coastal waters between Lenkoran and Astara and off Shir- van Reserve, Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southernMugan) and Kura Delta (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al.,1990; Paynter et al., 1996a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Kurinski Kamen Islandoff Kura Delta, Baku Archipelago (Pirsagat Islands, Bulla Is-land), Sangachal, Karadag and Artem bays of the Caspian Sea,Shah Spit, coastal waters between Mardakian and Buzovna, is-lands Zhiloyi (Chilov) and Artem (Sviatoyi), underwater spitsoff Zorat, Kilazi, Yashma and Samur Delta c .1.5-3.5 km off-

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shore (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958;Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur Reservoir, lakes Aggel andSarisu (Mil Steppe) and Hadjikabul (Shirvan Steppe), small wet-lands and irrigation channels in Kura and Aras valleys. Com-mon at Sor-Sor and Kurchala marshes, Shirvan steppe in 1930s-1950s (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Paynter et al., 1996a).

HABITAT: W INTER : Bays, vicinity of underwater sandspits and ridg-es, reservoirs, marshes, akhmas and channels (Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February to early May.COASTAL: From mid February. Conspicuous passage in March, but

some migrants reported until mid April (Verestchagin, 1950) orearly May at Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: Occasionally arrives at Kizil Agach Reservein July and August, but usually from mid October to mid December.Conspicuous migration recorded off Samur-Divichi Lowland, Ab-sheron Peninsula, Kura Delta and at Greater and Lesser Kizil AgachBays (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Occurs in Kura Valley from mid winter(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Flocks of 200-500 inKizil Agach Reserve in July-August (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a). c. 10,000 passed through Shah Spit (Absheron

Peninsula) in 1990 (MP).Winter: Most common diving duck in Azerbaijan until recently.Up to 1,600,000-1,700,000 wintered in the early 1940s (Ver-estchagin, 1950), but only 65,000-85,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP) and 63,211 recorded in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).Counts of 10,219 in 1997 and 1,044 in 1998 (Gilissen et al.,2000) probably omitted marine areas.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Up to 300,000 on Kizil Agach Bays inDecember 1940 and 1,230,000-1,260,000 in December 1942(Verestchagin, 1950). Still outnumbered other diving ducks inKizil Agach Reserve in the early 1960s with thousands on GreaterKizil Agach Bay and hundreds on Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). c. 37,000 recorded in the

reserve in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and 61,100in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). c.100 at Lake Mahmud-chala inFebruary 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a)

C ASPIAN SEA AND ABSHERON: 300,000-350,000 on the CaspianSea off Kilazi and Zorat in the 1940s, e.g. c. 2,000-2,500 off Mardakian, 1,500-2,000 east of Artem Island, tens of thousandsbetween Absheron Peninsula and Kura Delta, and 4,000-5,000between Lenkoran and Astara (Verestchagin, 1950). 5,000-10,000 wintered at Kilazi Spit, 2,000-3,000 in Artem Bay, 2,000-3,000off Shah Spit and 15,000-30,000 between Absheron Peninsulaand Kura Delta including Sangachal Bay in 1989-1991 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Up to 500 at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967) and 9,000 in January 1991 (MP). Only 80 atLake Sarisu in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

DIET: Distribution of Tufted Ducks on the Caspian Sea re-

flects range of Mytilaster molluscs. Also feeds on other molluscs( Neritina, Dreissena polymorpha, Theodoxus pallasi and Cardium ed-

ule ) and crustaceans Pontogammarus robustoides . In search of mol-luscs, Tufted Ducks usually dive to 3-4 m, although some werefound in gill-nets set as deep as 12-14 m (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950). On lakes of Kura-ArasLowland, feeds on water plants, e.g. Polygonum, Sparganium, Bol-

boschoenus maritimus, Glyceria , Potamogeton and water insects (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Heavy pollution of the Caspian Sea affected Tuft-ed Ducks directly and indirectly by killing the birds and their foodsupply - the molluscs. Many mollusc colonies disappeared from

the vicinity of oil storage facilities, rigs and offshore platforms asearly as the 1930s-1940s. Accidents at rigs and on pipe-lines arenot uncommon around Absheron Peninsula. A pipeline accidentoff Absheron in mid February 1945 released thousands of tonsof crude oil into the sea killing thousands of Tufted Ducks (Ver-estchagin, 1946). A more recent pipeline accident (10 February 1990) south of Baku killed at least 1,000 (Zakiev, 1990; MP). Many accidents at offshore rigs and platforms were never reported andnumbers of waterfowl killed by oil spills are unknown.In the 1940s, 12,000-16,000 annually gill-netted off Zorat andKilazi (Verestchagin, 1950). Gill-netting of diving ducks is stillpractised at villages along the Caspian shore. Dead Tufted Ducks were found in fish-traps at Lake Aggel (MP).

White-tailed Sea Eagle and Marsh Harrier take sick, woundedor exhausted individuals (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Changes in numbers of wintering Tufted Ducks from the early 1940s to early 1990s

Regions Early 1940s Late 1980s-early 1990s Mid late 1990s

Kizil Agach Reserve 300,000-1,260,000 c. 30,000

Caspian Sea and islands c. 400,000 25,000-45,000

Other 9,000

Total in Azerbaijan 1,600,000-1,700,000 65,000-85,000 10,000-63,000


DISTRIBUTION: Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND IS-LANDS: Caspian Sea off Kilazi Spit, Yashma Island, Shah Spit,

50. Greater Scaup - Aythya marila Linnaeus, 1766

Artem Bay, Sangachal Bay and Pirsagat Islands (Verestcha-gin, 1950; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve and coastal watersoff Lenkoran Lowland (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tch-




erniavskaya, 1965a). Formerly common on lakes of southernMugan (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Irregular at Aggel and possibly elsewherein Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967).

HABITAT: Bays, vicinity of underwater sandspits and ridges;occasionally on lakes and marshes (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

MOVEMENT: Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives in early Decem-ber, e.g. recorded at Shah Spit (MP). Probably migrates well off-shore and so overlooked (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Up to 3,000 off ShahSpit in December1990 (MP).

Winter: 5,000-7,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: >500 along Shah Spit(Absheron Peninsula) and 2,000 off Yashma Island in Janu-ary 1991 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: irregular in thelate 1950s-early 1960s, e.g. 1/3 of the number of Tufted ducksin winter 1958/59 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a),obvious minority in mixed rafts with Tufted Ducks in Janu-ary 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991) and 1,965 in 1996(Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Single birds and flocks of 3-5 at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).

MORTALITY: Like the former species, affected by heavy pol-

lution of the Caspian Sea and following die-off of benthos inmany feeding areas. Gill-netted off Zorat, Kilazi and Yashma inthe 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950) and the practice still continues.

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Monotypic.

51. Common Scoter - Melanitta nigra Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Recorded from lakes of southernMugan in the early 20th century (Satunin, 1912b). No later records.

Azeri name: Gilguirug

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS:in rafts with other diving ducks off Zorat, Kilazi and Yashma;occasionally at the north shore and inland lakes of AbsheronPeninsula (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

52. Velvet Scoter - Melanitta fusca Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular in Kizil Agach Reserve (Do-brokhotov, 1963). Wintered at lakes of southern Mugan in thepast (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Probably leaves Azerbaijanby late March. One netted in the Caspian Sea off Zorat on 20March 1946 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Unknown. 3 at Greater Kizil Agach Bay on 16 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963). Singlebirds or flocks of 3-5 observed at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967).

MORTALITY: 3 dead in an oil reservoir north of Baku in theearly 1940s. Sometimes caught in gill-nets (Verestchagin, 1946;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

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Lenkoran

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Tbilisi

Gandja

Zakatali

Shemakha

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STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Declin-ing? Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS:Shores and occasionally lakes of Absheron Peninsula (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Bannikova, 1984).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur and Varvara reservoirs, LakeDjandargel (Karayasi Steppe); rare at Lake Hadjikabul and Kara-sy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe), Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe), Kura Valley from Kurdamir to Mingechaur, and Aras Valley (Ver-estchagin, 1950; Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975, Cranswick et al., 1998).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve, coastal wa-ters off Astara, the mouth of Kura and lakes of southern Mugan(Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vi-

nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

55. Smew - Mergus albellus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: Caspian Sea, reservoirs, large lakes; also marshes,akhmas , rivers and streams (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous. Latest

records off Absheron Peninsula in late March, and in Kura Valley in mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958).Fall passage: Mid August through December.COASTAL: As early as mid August on Kura River (Satunin, 1907),but conspicuous passage from November through December.Some were recorded on the sea off Samur-Divichi Lowlandand in Divichi Liman (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Declined through the 20th cen-tury. Probably >1,000 in the late 1990s-early 1990s (MP), 10 in1997, but 516 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Common around Absher-

on Peninsula in the 1950s (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Large numbers in Mugan in the late 19th

century (Satunin, 1907). Uncommon in Kizil Agach Reserve inthe 1950s, e.g. 51 on 18 February 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a), and 60 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common at Lake Hadjikabul in March1889 (Satunin, 1907). Flocks of 2-5 irregularly at Aggel andSarisu in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967). Fairly commonat Varvara Reservoir in the late 1960s (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).400 at Lake Djandargel (Karayasi Steppe) in 1998 (Cranswick et al., 1998).

DIET: Juvenile fish (European Carp, Lookup, Roach) and a div-

ing beetle found in examined stomachs (Vasiliev, 1975).

Azeri name: Pazdimdik (all mergansers)

STATUS: Rare wintering species and migrant. Monotypic.

56. Red-breasted Merganser - Mergus serrator Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve (mostly Lesser Kizil Agach Bay), the mouth of Kuraand lakes of southern Mugan (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shores of Absheron Pen-insula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: eastern Mingechaur Reservoir, Lake Ag-gel (extremely rare), Kura Valley up to Lake Djandargel, and Aras Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev &

Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: mid November to December(Verestchagin, 1950).Fall passage: Observed on Kura and Aras and their tributariesin February-March (Verestchagin, 1950).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Possibly under 200-300 in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).Regularly seen at the east end of Mingechaur Reservoir (Tu-aev & Vasiliev, 1972). Only 1 recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve

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in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a), 2 in 1997 and 4 in 1998 (Gilis-sen et al., 2000).

DIET: Stomachs contained fish: juvenile Bream, European Carpand adult Gobies (Vasiliev, 1975).

Azeri name: Pazdimdik (all mergansers)

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Subspe-cies M. m. merganser Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: east part of Mingechaur Reservoir and Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland; irregularon lakes Sarisu and Aggel (Mil Steppe), Kura and Aras rivers

57. Goosander (Common Merganser) - Mergus merganser Linnaeus, 1758

and their tributaries (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967;

Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers in the mouth of Kura,Kizil Agach bays and lakes of southern Mugan (Verestchagin,1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Vino-gradov et al., 1990).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Around Absheron Penin-sula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: Reservoirs, coastal areas, lakes, rivers and streams(Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: More conspicuous on Kura, Aras and the tributaries from February-March. Observed at Lake

Sarisu (Mil steppe), Mingechaur Reservoir and Divichi Limanin March-April (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965, 1975; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).Fall passage: COASTAL: Early November to early December.Majority of migrants passes over the Caspian Sea well off-shore, but a few occur at Divichi Liman (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: 1,000-2,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). More common in Kura-Aras Lowland.

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon, but irregular migrant and wintering species, possibly nested in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Possibly nested in Azerbaijan inthe late 19th-early 20th century: recorded on lakes of southernMugan and Kura Valley (Satunin, 1907, 1912b).Winter: Perhaps does not occur in Azerbaijan every winter.

58. White-headed Duck - Oxyura leucocephala Scopoli, 1769

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Bays; occasionally in Mah-mud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) and southof Lenkoran (Verestchagin, 1950; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Tuaev,1975, Babaev, 1991c).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Sarisu, Aggel (Y. Guseinov, pers.comm.; MP) and Hadjikabul (Cranswick et al., 1998).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Lake Krasnoe southwestof Baku (Cranswick et al., 1998).

HABITAT: Expanses of open water on inland lakes and baysof the Caspian Sea (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves in late Feb-ruary-early March (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in midOctober, small groups at Divichi Liman in November, but ma-jority migrated over the Caspian Sea staying offshore. Someobserved in Kura Delta (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrants were seen in Aras Valley (Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Large numbers passedthrough Absheron Peninsula in the 19th century: many sold inmarkets of Baku (Radde, 1884).

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Winter: Varies between years reaching 4,000-5,000 in some winters.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: A few collected in the vicinity of Lenko-ran in the 1930s and a flock of 12 observed near Kulagin Is-land, Kizil Agach Reserve in 1935 (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938). Uncommon, but regular in Kizil Agach Reserve(e.g. Ivanovskaya Banka) in the early 1950s (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a), 5,000 recorded on Greater Kizil Agach Bay on 16 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), uncommon in thereserve in the 1970s-1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990), and finally 520 recorded in January 1991 (Litvinov & Litvinova, 1991). Twoobserved at Lake Mahmud-chala in winter 1989 (Babaev, 1991c).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 3,100 in central part of Lake Aggel on 13 January 1991 (MP). Several dozen wintered at Lake Sarisu throughthe 1980s (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.), a lone male in February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996b) and 39 in February 2000. 620 on LakeHadjikabul in February 1998, 280 in November 1998, 320 inNovember 1999 and 257 in winter 1999/2000 (Cranswick et al.,1998; Sultanov, 2001; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: 135 on Lake Krasnoe in January 1996, 200 in February 1997, 140 in March 1998 and>38 in January 2000; also 10 at Baburyi Island, Baku Archipel-ago in February 1997 (Sultanov, 2001).

Some record counts of White-headed Ducks wintering in Azerbaijan

Area/Year 1962 1991 1998

Kizil Agach bays 5,000 520

Lake Aggel 3,100

Lake Hadjikabul 620

Lake Krasnoe 140

Total 5,000 3,620 760

Azeri name: Chai-garagushu

STATUS: Endangered in Azerbaijan. Rare migrant; formerly a common nesting species and rare wintering species in the south-east. Subspecies P. h. haliaetus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (Former distribution): SOUTHEASTLOWLANDS: Nested in Lenkoran Lowland (Lenkoran and AstaraDistricts) including the mouth of Lenkoranchai and vicinity of Lenkoran and possibly in southern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b). Several nests found in foothills of TalishMountains, e.g. near Vel (Dementiev, 1951; Spangenberg, 1987). The last known nest in Sara Peninsula in 1952 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Irregularly observed in Kura and Aras valleys (Satunin, 1907).

FAMILY PANDIONIDAE - OSPREYS

59. Osprey - Pandion haliaetus Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Headwaters of Bargushad in Kubatli District(Satunin, 1907).Winter: Occurred in lowlands in milder winters (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Dementiev, 1951). No records since the 1950s.

HABITAT: NESTING ( PAST ): Mature forests beside rivers andsmall lakes, flooded woodlots ( istil ), single trees in agriculturalareas, e.g. rice fields (Satunin, 1907; Spangenberg, 1987). FEED-

ING: Rivers, lakes, fishponds, irrigation channels and coastal ar-eas of the Caspian Sea. In treeless areas, perches on powerlinepylons and poles (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Butiev et al., 1989; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to early May.COASTAL: Passes though Kizil Agach Reserve and LenkoranLowland 30 March-16 April (Radde, 1884; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; E. Sultanov, pers. comm.). Recorded at Shor-gel Lakes in mid to late April (Patrikeev, 1991a) and in SamurDelta 28 March-2 May (Butiev et al., 1989).Fall passage: Late September to mid November.COASTAL: Observed in Samur Delta 16 October-15 November

(Butiev et al., 1989), and in Kizil Agach Reserve from late Sep-tember to late October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Kura Valley (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding (past): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS:Common in southeastern Azerbaijan in the late 19th century,e.g. 20 collected in March- April 1866 (Radde, 1884). Tens of active nests in Lenkoran and Astara Districts in the 1930s (Span-genberg, 1987), but almost complete deforestation of Lenko-ran Lowland along with specimen and egg-collection (primarily

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by naturalists) and perhaps other factors resulted in extirpationby the late 1940s-early 1950s. The last nesting record in 1952(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Passage: SPRING: 2-4 almost daily in Samur Delta (Butiev etal., 1989).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers occurred in warm-er winters (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Dementiev, 1951). No

records since the 1950s.

BREEDING: Although Ospreys were common and nested in a well known and accessible area, there are almost no records onnesting biology of this species. Nests often built on tops of large elms and oaks (Satunin, 1907; Spangenberg, 1987). Threeeggs taken from a nest near Vel (Spangenberg, 1987). The last

known nest in Sara Peninsula contained 2 eggs in May (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Piscivorous. Recorded prey includes European Carp andBlack Sea Roach. In the past, hunting Ospreys were often seenin the mouth of Lenkoranchai during the run of the latter spe-cies (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

REMARKS: The role of insecticides and herbicides in the ex-tirpation of the breeding Osprey population has never beeninvestigated. Meanwhile, it is quite likely that a massive spraying of wetlands with DDT and crude oil during an anti-malaria cam-paign in the 1950s is directly linked to the disappearance of nesting Ospreys from Lenkoran Lowland.

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Summer range is insufficiently known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), vicinity of Shekiand Pirgulu (Gasanov, 1990; MP).

FAMILY ACCIPITRIDAE - HAWKS, EAGLES and VULTURES

60. Honey Buzzard - Pernis apivorus Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, but undoubtedly present (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest in Akstafa District (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (MP).

HABITAT: Broad-leaved forests in foothills and lowlands (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: BOSDAG: One over TurianchaiReserve on 20 May 1963 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Recorded in Armenia in April and May (Dahl, 1954).

Fall passage: Late September to mid October.COASTAL: Two collected in Kizil Agach Reserve on 21 Septem-ber 1958 and 10 October 1957, respectively (Vinogradov &

Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).BOSDAG: In Turianchai Reserve on 17 October 1961 (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. In the late 1980s,several pairs in Ilisu Reserve and at least 2 pairs in KarayasiForest (MP). Probably overlooked.

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Summer status in Azerbaijan is

unclear. Might nest and winter in the southwest and Talish Moun-tains. Subspecies M. m. milvus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: LESSER C AUCASUS : East toShusha (Nagorno-Karabakh Region) and Lachin (Demen-tiev, 1951). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Observed in the vicinity of Lerik on 4March 1968 (Agaeva, 1969). Several unconfirmed sightingsfrom the vicinity of Girkan Reserve, Vilajchai and Astara-chai valleys (MP). Nests (or nested) in the adjacent areas of Iran(Dementiev, 1951).

61. Red Kite - Milvus milvus Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Collected in the mouth of Lenkoranchai

on 9 April 1866 (Radde, 1884).Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Observed in northern ZuvandUpland on 22 January 1969 (Agaeva, 1969). SOUTHEAST LOW -LANDS: Probably at Lake Karakush (Kizil Agach Reserve) on 28November 1989 (MP).

DIET: Corncrake and Common Quail taken by migrants (De-mentiev, 1951).

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Azeri name: Chalagan

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Subspecies M. m. migrans Boddaert, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Forested foot-hills in Zakatali, Ilisu and Sheki Districts, Ismailly Reserve, MountBabadag and Shemakha Upland, e.g. vicinity of Shemakha and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Gasanov, 1990; MP).BOSDAG: Tree-covered slopes in Bosdag Mountains (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Akera Valley in Lachin District and Nagorno-Karabakh Region (Satunin, 1907; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in Ordubad District; probably elsewhere in the region (MP).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve, Vilajchai Valley and ZuvandUpland (Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura Valley, e.g. Barda, Kur-damir, Mingechaur, Saliani, Udjari and Zardob Districts, vi-cinity of Gandja, Shamkhor Game Reserve, Karayasi Forestand Akstafa-chai valley. Also in Iori, Alazani, Agrichai and Turi-anchai valleys and possibly elsewhere (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Mustafaev, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; MP). Nested in tree-tops of flooded tugai forest in Mingechaur Reservoir in thelate 1960s (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). More sporadic in Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and possibly south-ern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; Sudilovskaya, 1951). Last nesting

in Sara Peninsula in 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas District, e.g. Samur Delta,Samur and Kusarchai valleys (Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).

62. Black Kite - Milvus migrans Boddaert, 1783

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: South of Kura, e.g. near Saliani, Aggel (irregularly) and in Aras Valley (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Vinogradov, 1967).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Do-brokhotov, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972) and Kizil Agach Reserve

(Shubin, 1983). A large roost in a woodlot in Sara Peninsulaprior to 1960, but disappeared after the woodlot was cleared(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai , broad-leaved forests, woodlots, road-side woodbelts, orchards and agricultural habitats in lowlands, foot-hills and mountains up to 2,000-2,400 m. Usually close to water(Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b). Occasionally in flooded tugai (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). FEEDING, MIGRATION AND WINTER : Freshwater marshes, agricultural areas, the Caspianshore, vicinity of fish-processing plants and semi-desert (Satu-nin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March to late April.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Penin-sula in March to late April. In the late 1950s, wintering popula-tion would leave Sara Peninsula 7-8 April (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). Earliest sighting in Absheron Peninsula onMarch 12th (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrants observed in Kura Valley nearSaliani in late March (Satunin, 1907).

Fall passage: Mid September through November.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from 17-25 Septem-ber, but the majority during 22 September-6 October. Leavesthe reserve in October and November (Vinogradov & Tcherni-

avskaya, 1965a). Recorded in Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Latest record in the vicinity of Mingechauron November 18th (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >300 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Twelve nests found in tugai forests in Kura and Alazani valleys west of Mingechaur Reservoir (Gambarov, 1975). >50 activenests in Kurdamir, Zardob and Udjari Districts, 5 pairs in tugai

near Barda, 2 pairs at Varvara Reservoir, 2 pairs in Ilisu Reserve,4-5 pairs in Sheki District, 2-3 pairs in foothills of Babadag and>2 pairs near Alti-Agach in 1989-1991 (MP).

Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 15-20 in Kizil Agach Reserve inMarch (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Winter: Large numbers wintered in the only woodlot of SaraPeninsula in the 1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938)

Number of Black Kites wintering in the only woodlot of Sara Peninsula in 1955-1959


1955 130 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1956/57 c. 300

1957/58 c. 300

1958/59 340-380

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and 130-380 in 1955-1959. The woodlot was almost completely clear-cut in 1960 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 1.5/km in Sara Peninsula in January-February 1963 (Oliger, 1967).

BREEDING: Carrying nesting material in Sara Peninsula 7-19March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 65% of nestsfound in mid Kura valley were in orchards and roadside tree-

belts, e.g. in poplars and elms, 7-9 m above the ground. Irregu-larly, nests on telegraph and hydro poles (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954, 1975; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b; MP). Formerly inmarginal areas of large mixed colonies of cormorants and wad-ing birds in broad-leaved forests of Lenkoran Lowland (Sud-ilovskaya, 1951). 2 nests only 60 m apart in a riverine woodlot in

Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954). Of 16 pairs studied inKura Valley, 8 built their own nests and other 8 used abandonednests of corvids: 5 pairs used nests of Hooded Crows, 2 pairsthose of Rooks and 1 pair used old Magpie nest (Mustafaev,1969a). In Iori and Alazani valleys, none of 12 nests containedeggs 13-15 May; a nest with 2 fresh eggs and another with 2 wellincubated eggs in Shemakha Upland on May 28 th (Gambarov,

1954, 1975).

DIET: Mostly dead fish, fisheries refuse and other carrion, butHouse Mouse ( Mus musculus ), voles ( Microtus ), large beetles andoccasionally chickens were also taken (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

63. White-tailed Sea Eagle - Haliaeetus albicilla Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Karagush, daniz gartali.

STATUS: Endangered in Azerbaijan. Very rare resident andnesting species (disappeared from the majority of known nest-ing sites) and rare wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Occurredin mid Kura Valley in the 19th century (Radde, 1884), but only one known nesting site (a tract of tugai forest north of Lake Aggel) by the 1950s which was abandoned in the late 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev, 1974a). Nested in flooded tugai

at the west end of Mingechaur Reservoir 1953-late 1960s, butabandoned after the trees collapsed (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972)

and possibly moved to Iori and Alazani valleys (Gambarov, 1975),although none found there in 1977-1980 and 1983-1985 (Abu-ladze, 1986a). Still occurred in Alazani Valley and the vicinity of Karayasi Forest in the 1980s (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Gasanov, 1990; MP), e.g. a nest at the confluence of Agrichaiand Alazani until the late 1980s (S. Ibragimov, pers. comm.).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Possibly nested in Lower Kura, Lenko-ran Lowland and southern Mugan in the 19 th century, but nobreeding evidence (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). Nested in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula in the 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Non-breeding individualsoccurred along the shores of Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta is the last known nest-ing site in Azerbaijan (Butiev et al., 1989, 1990b).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe, upper Kura Valley and Mingechaur Reservoir (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Shubin, 1983; Vinogradov et al., 1990;MP) and Shirvan Reserve (Paynter et al., 1996a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Frequently seen around Absheron Peninsula in the 1940s-1950s (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958), but no recent sightings.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and adjacent Samur-

Divichi Lowland including Divichi Liman (Butiev et al., 1989;Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: NESTING: Remnants of mature broad-leaved forest oftensurrounded with pastures and fields, small woodlots, single largedead trees, but also in low tamarisk bushes (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Butiev et al., 1990b; S. Ibragimov, pers. comm.).Formerly, in flooded tugai forest (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). MIGRA-TION AND WINTER : Large lakes, marshes and coastal areas of theCaspian Sea, vicinity of fish-processing plants and semi-desert (Do-brokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach

Reserve between March 13th

and April 9th

(Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). Regularly passed through Absheron Penin-sula in the past (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: First records in Kizil Agach Reservebetween September 10th and October 31st , although usually doesnot arrive until mid October-early November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Samur Delta, migrants observed inmid November and early December (Butiev et al., 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 2-3 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

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Lenkoran1954

1955




SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 2-3 pairs nested on islands of Kizil AgachBay and Sara Peninsula prior to 1955-1959 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 1 pair in tugai north of Lake Aggel in the1950s, but disappeared in the late 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967;Mustafaev, 1974a). Several pairs nested in flooded tugai at the west end of Mingechaur Reservoir from mid 1950s to late 1960s

(Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). 1 pair at the confluence of Alazaniand Agrichai until late 1980s (S. Ibragimov, pers. comm.).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 2 pairs in Samur Delta in Azerbaijanand adjacent Dagestan in the late 1980s (Butiev et al., 1989, 1990b).

Winter: 30-40 or fewer in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Up to 5-7/km along the shores of Kizil Agach Bay in the 1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938). 20-25 wintered in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsu-la (e.g. 15-20 roosted in the only woodlot of the peninsula) inthe late 1950s-early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a); 0.04/km in 1963 (Oliger, 1967), only 3-4 in 1981-1982(Shubin, 1983), <10 in the late 1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990;MP) and 6 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). Also 3 at Shorgel

Lakes (Shirvan Reserve) in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a) and 3 atDjandargel in February 2001 (Shelton, 2001).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 8-10 at lakes of Mil Steppe in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but only 1 semi-adult at Lake Aggelin January 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: In Samur Delta, two pairs nested 5-6 km fromeach other. Each pair had 4 to 6 nests used in different years(Butiev et al., 1989).In Kizil Agach Reserve, a nest containing 2 eggs was found in theKulagin area on 25 February 1953. The nest was built in a tamarisk bush at only 70 cm above the ground! In February 1955, the nest wasoccupied again and 2 eggs were laid, however the clutch disappeared

later. In Sara Peninsula, local children regularly took eggs from a nestin the only woodlot (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In 1987,one pair raised one young in Samur Delta, but only adult birds weresighted in the following year (Butiev et al., 1989, 1990b).

DIET: Waterfowl (often sick or wounded), other birds (gulls, bus-tards), fish and fish refuse, carrion including carcasses of CaspianSeal ( Phoca caspica ), Great Sturgeon ( Huso huso ) and other species of sturgeon, etc. In Kizil Agach Reserve, 15 examined food items in-cluded: European Carp (3), other fish (2), Mallard (2), White-head-ed Duck (1), diving duck (1), Coot (2), Water Rail (2), Little Bustard(1), tern (1) and 1 egg of Hooded Crow. Formerly frequently ob-served attacking rafts of Common Coots (Tugarinov & Kozlova-

Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MORTALITY: Two found dead after feeding on birds killed inan oil spill (Verestchagin, 1946). Another caught in a leg-trap setfor Golden Jackal (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

STATUS: Accidental visitor in the 19thcentury. No recent records.

DISTRIBUTION: 19TH CENTURY : An adult female collectednear Kumbashi (presently within Kizil Agach Reserve) on 2

64. Pallas’ Sea Eagle - Haliaeetus leucoryphus Pallas, 1771

May 1866 (Radde, 1884). Also might have been seen nearSaliani and elsewhere in the south Caspian (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912a).

Azeri name: Girghi (all accipiter hawks)

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Some individuals roam in win-ter. Subspecies A. g. caucasicus Kleinschmidt, 1923.

65. Goshawk - Accipiter gentilis Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Insufficiently known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (from foothills to the up-per forest limit), Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), Pirgulu Reserve(Shemakha District), Kuba and Kusari Districts (Gambarov,1954; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1965; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, but probably present (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve (MP)BOSDAG: Observed in juniper woodlands at the east of Turian-

chai Reserve in April-May 1991 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Remnant broad-leaved forests of Lenko-ran Lowland, e.g. the lowland portion of Girkan Reserve, Vila-jchai and Astara-chai valleys (Gasanov, 1990; MP). Once recordedin Kizil Agach Reserve in winter (Oliger, 1967).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and elsewhere in Kh-achmas District (Butiev et al., 1983).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane and lowland broad-leaved for-est, juniper woodlands (Gambarov, 1954; Butiev et al., 1983; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

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MOVEMENT: Several observed in Baku in January-April 1990and 1991 (MP). One collected in Sara Peninsula on 13 October1950 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown (probably <100pairs; MP). Two pairs known from the lowland forests of Sam-ur Delta (Butiev et al., 1983).

BREEDING: In Zakatali Reserve, builds and repairs nests inFebruary-March and lays eggs from late April to mid May. In

one nest, young hatched in late June (Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985). A fledgling collected in the vicinity of Zakatali on July 10th (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: No information. Seen attacking a flock of feral Rock Doves over a bazaar in Baku (MP).

REMARKS: Formerly used in falconry, e.g. to hunt Black Fran-colins near Gandja, in Kura Valley and Lenkoran Lowland (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912a).

66. Sparrowhawk - Accipiter nisus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Girghi, hirda garghi

STATUS: Common nesting species (partly resident), uncom-

mon migrant and wintering species. Subspecies A. n. nisus Lin-naeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Dis-trict (e.g. Zakatali Reserve), vicinity of Ilisu (Kah District), She-ki, Kutkashen and Kuba districts, Ismailly Reserve and Shema-kha Upland, e.g. at Pirgulu, Chagan-1 and Alti-Agach (Satunin,1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov,1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Geigel Reserve (Murovdag Ridge), Shahdag Ridge,the northern part of Nagorno-Karabakh Region and the vicinity of Agdam (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gasanov, 1990; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Mountains of Girkan Reserve (Gasanov, 1990).

BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest, Akstafa-chai, Alazani andIori valleys, vicinity of Shamkhor and Samukh, and Barda For-est (Gambarov, 1975; Abuladze, 1986a; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, e.g. the lowland sec-tion of Girkan Reserve and between Lenkoran and Astara (Mus-tafaev, 1969a; Gasanov, 1990). Observed in a tamarisk grovenear Khaladz (southeastern Shirvan) in mid April 1990, but couldhave been a late migrant (Patrikeev, 1991a). Probably nested inSara Peninsula in the past (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Fragmented lowland forest north of Khudat (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One (possibly a late migrant) onMount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) in late April 1990 (Patri-keev, 1990b).Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Talish Mountains (Mustafaev,

1968a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan and Mil steppes (e.g. around Lake Aggel), tugai of mid Kura, vicinity of Mingechaur, and Aras Valley (Dahl, 1954; Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Sara Peninsula(Vinogradov & & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula, e.g. Baku (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING AND YEAR ROUND: Broad-leaved sub-mon-tane and lowland forests and tugai (e.g. fragmented forest), juni-per woodlands, roadside woodbelts (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev,1969a; MP). W INTER AND MIGRATION: Tugai , orchards, parks, tam-

arisk groves, towns and villages (Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov & & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972; MP). FEEDING:Sometimes hunts in atypical habitats, e.g. alpine zone of ZakataliReserve in summer (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985) and reed-beds of Lake Aggel in winter (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous. Not seen inBaku after April 1st . Several in Gobustan Upland and southeast-ern Shirvan in April (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Patri-keev, 1991a, b; MP).Fall passage: Early October through mid November.COASTAL: Arrives at Sara Peninsula in early October and con-spicuous passage in late October-early November (Vinogradov

& Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded near Mingechaur in mid No- vember (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. Perhaps >300-400 pairs (MP). 0.2 pairs/km2 in Turianchai Reserve (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

Passage: Outnumbered Kestrel in the lower valley of Kuraduring fall migration in the late 19th century (Satunin, 1907).Winter: Up to 50/day in Sara Peninsula in the early 1930s(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). In Kizil Agach Re-

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serve, 0.1/km2 or 0.3/km in 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983), alsouncommon in the late 1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990).

BREEDING: In Zakatali Reserve (Greater Caucasus Moun-tains), nesting season starts in April-May (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). A nest found in Lenkoran Lowland was in anoak standing in the open next to a highway (Mustafaev, 1969a).

DIET: Stomachs from Kizil Agach Reserve contained re-mains of bats (2), Common Quail (2), lark (1), Blackbird (1),Common Starling (1), Chaffinch (2) and unidentified passe-rine birds (4). Observed hunting Crested Larks, Skylarks andyoung wagtails (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), Tur-tle Dove (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and HouseSparrows (MP).

STATUS: Rare nesting species and migrant. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Re-serve, Sheki and Kutkashen districts (e.g. near Nidz) and foot-hills of Mount Babadag in Ismailly District (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in adjacent parts of Armenia (Laister& Sosnin, 1942; Dahl, 1954) and probably occurs in suitablehabitats in Azerbaijan.N AKHICHEVAN: Present (V. Loskot, pers. comm.).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Barda Forest and possibly elsewhere intugai of Kura Valley (MP).

67. Levant Sparrowhawk - Accipiter brevipes Severtzov, 1850

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: May occur in Lenkoran Lowland, butthe presence of a closely related species (Shikra - A. badius )hinders identification. Radde (1884) collected two femalessimilar to “specimens from Beirut”, Lebanon (i.e., probably Accip iter brevipes ) in the vicinity of Lenkoran on April 27th

and 30th, but those could have been migrants (MP). Either A. brevipes or A. badius nested near large mixed colonies of wading birds and cormorants in forests of Lenkoran Low-land in the past (Sudilovskaya, 1951). One of the two spe-

cies was also observed in Astara-chai Valley (MP). Possibly occurred in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b), but no re-cent sightings.

HABITAT: Tugai forests, broad-leaved forests in lowlandsand foothills up to 1,200-1,500 m (Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives at Zakatali in Apriland early May (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. >5 pairs in Bar-da Forest in 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: No information.

DIET: A female [of this species?] was seen chasing wagtails,sandpipers ( Calidris ) and Common Starlings (Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Insufficiently known (probably a very rare nesting species). Subspecies A. b. cenchroides Severtzov, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is not clear due to apossible range overlap with Accipiter brevipes . T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Collected near Vel in the foothills of TalishMountains (Dementiev, 1951).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: South of Lenkoran Lowland (e.g. near Avrora). One collected at Little Kizil Agach Bay on 13 May 1953 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

68. Shikra - Accipiter badius Gmelin, 1788

HABITAT: Not well understood. Probably broad-leaved sub-montane and lowland forest, trees (and parks?) in villages.

MOVEMENT and POPULATION SIZE: No information.

BREEDING: “Three collected near the village of Vel, e.g. onefrom a nest” in June (Dementiev, 1951). A nest [of this spe-cies?] with eggs in an oak on a central street in Avrora on 19May 1964 (Mustafaev, 1969a).

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Lenkoran 67. Levant Sparrowhawk -

Accipiter brevipes 68. Shikra -

Accipiter badius




69. Rough-legged Buzzard - Buteo lagopus Pontoppidan, 1763

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Subspe-cies B. l. lagopus Pontoppidian, 1763.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Range poorly known (probably wide-spread).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan and Mil steppes, e.g. vicinity of Lake Aggel (Satunin, 1912a, b; MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1912a,b; MP).

HABITAT: Semi-desert and arable lands in lowlands (MP).

MOVEMENT: Insufficiently known. Common in Samur Deltain spring and fall (Butiev et al., 1983).

STATUS: Uncommon resident undertaking some local move-ments in winter. Subspecies B. r. rufinus Cretzschmar, 1827.

DISTRIBUTION: insufficiently known.

Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Langabiz Range (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains and Mount Ilandag (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai, Gekchai and Mingechaur Bosdag Moun-tains and Djeiranchel Hills; may occur in low mountains northof Mingechaur Reservoir (Radde, 1884; Khanmammedov &Mustafaev, 1965; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Hunting Long-legged Buzzards occasion-ally wander from Gobustan Upland into southeastern Shirvan(Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: In Gobustan Upland: nests onMounts Beuk-Dush, Djingirdag, Gush-gaya, a nameless moun-tain close to Mount Kargabazar, cliffs along the dry bed of Djei-

rankechmes and probably north of Sumgait-chai (Burchak-Abra-movich & Gambarov, 1961; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

Winter: Many resident Long-legged Buzzards move to lowlandsin winter.GREATER C AUCASUS: near Agsu (Langabiz Range) in November(Radde, 1884).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan, Saliani and Hadjinour steppes(Satunin, 1912b; MP).

70. Long-legged Buzzard - Buteo rufinus Cretzschmar, 1827

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Shubin, 1983).

HABITAT: NESTING: Low semi-arid mountains (300-600 m) withcliffs or rock outcrops; perhaps up to 1,800-2,000 m. FEEDING AND WINTER : Lowlands, e.g. semi-desert and marshes (Burchak- Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a, b).

MOVEMENT: Many descend to lowlands in winter, althoughmigration from higher elevations elsewhere in the Caucasus to Azerbaijan should not be ruled out (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >50 pairs (many partsof the range were never surveyed properly). In 1990-1991: 4-5pairs in Gobustan Upland (1 on Mount Beuk-Dush, 1 on MountDjingirdag, 1 on Mount Gush-gaya and 1-2 in the vicinity of Mount Kargabazar), 2-3 pairs in Gekchai Bosdag Mountains, and3 pairs in Korchai Game Reserve (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

Winter: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve (Shubin, 1983). 5 record-ed in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Two nests on the northeastern slope of Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) on 20 April 1990 and 1 May 1991, re-spectively. One in a cliff niche 8-9 m above the ground and anotherin a sheltered cavity of a huge rock fragment (6-7 m above theground). Both nests built of dry twigs and dry stems of herba-ceous plants. Wool, pieces of fabric and gauze found in the nest-cups. Nest diameter: c. 90-100 cm (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP). On MountGush-gaya, a nest built in an inaccessible vertical crevice in a cliff (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961). Two downy chicks onBeuk-Dush on 6 May 1990, and observed standing in the nest on

May 19th

. The nest was blown off the cliff by June 22nd

. In 1991,the same pair nested in an easily accessible rock fragment below thefirst nest. Nothing in that nest on 1 May 1991: eggs (or young)probably taken by local children (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

DIET: On Mount Beuk-Dush, recorded food items includedseveral Caucasian Agama ( Stellio caucasius ), a snake and a Rock Dove (Patrikeev, 1991b).

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Azeri name: Sar

STATUS: Common nesting species (uncommon resident), mi-grant and wintering species. SubspeciesB. b. menetriesi Bogdanov,1879 nests, and B. b. vulpinus Gloger, 1833 migrates through Azerbaijan and probably winters there.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Through-out the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains up tothe tree limit (Gambarov, 1954), e.g. Zakatali and Ilisu re-serves, Sheki, Kutkashen and Ismailly districts, ShemakhaUpland (including Mount Pirgulu and Alti-Agach Reserve),foothills in Kusari and Kuba districts (Dementiev, 1951; Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990;Patrikeev, 1991d; Shelton, 2001).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Kedabek District, Geigel Reserve (Murovdag Ridge) and the northern part of Nagorno-Karabakh Region(Radde, 1884; Dementiev, 1951; Gasanov, 1990). Probably wide-ly distributed throughout montane forests of Lesser Caucasus. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve and other parts of UlasiRidge (Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest, Akstafa-chai Valley andperhaps elsewhere (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Possibly in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas and Khudat districts

(Drozdov, 1965; MP).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Resident in Zakatali Reserve (Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Common throughout the mountains (Mus-tafaev, 1968b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan Steppe, Mil Steppe (e.g. aroundLake Aggel) and vicinity of Mingechaur (Zlotin, 1963; Vino-gradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; Shubin, 1983).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane and lowland broad-leaved for-ests, and tugai (including small stands), juniper woodlands insemi-arid Bosdag Mountains (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov,1965; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP). SUMMER FEEDING: Up to alpine zone in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov

& Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Semi-desert, fields, marshes,forests and settlements in lowlands and mountains (Do-brokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Very common in Absheron Peninsula in early May 1952-1954. Latest records 6-12 May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). One B. b. menetriesi

collected near Binagadi (close to Baku) on 10 May 1959 (Gam-barov, 1960).Fall passage: Mostly passes through Azerbaijan to winter elsewhere (Dementiev, 1951).COASTAL: Observed near Buzovna, Absheron Peninsula on Sep-

tember 29th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). A juvenile fe-male B. b. vulpinus collected in Kizil Agach reserve on 15 Octo-ber 1957 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passage observed in Mingechaur Dis-trict (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >200-300 pairs. 4pairs in the east of Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District) in sum-mer 1989, 3 pairs in Turianchai Valley within the limits of Turi-anchai Reserve in 1991 (MP).

Winter: Common in Lenkoran Lowland and Talish Mountainsin December-January (Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972). Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983).

BREEDING: In Turianchai Reserve, courtship flights in ear-ly April (MP). Nests with eggs in Zakatali Reserve already in March and April, e.g. a nest with 2 eggs at 1,200 m, andtwo nests with 3 eggs each at 700 m. One nest was in ahornbeam tree (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). A low nestin a young hornbeam tree (3 m above the ground) in a re-generating forest near Pirgulu, Shemakha Upland (Patrikeev,1991d). In Zakatali Reserve, young in late April-early May,although recently fledged young observed as late as July 5th

(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In Karayasi Forest, theyoung still in nests in June, but a pair with two fledglingsobserved on 2 July 1989 (MP).

DIET: Stomachs and crops of two Common Buzzards col-lected in Absheron Peninsula during spring migration con-tained 18 Collared Dwarf Snakes ( Eirenis collaris ). Remainsof lizards, scarab beetles (Scarabaeidae) and their larvaefound in other stomachs (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Rodents including Social Voles ( Microtus socia lis ), and largebeetles recorded in stomachs collected in Greater CaucasusMountains (Gambarov, 1954).

71. Common Buzzard - Buteo buteo Linnaeus, 1758

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STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species; possibly nested in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly nested in the “South Caspian”, e.g. in “pristine forests of Len-

koran Lowland” (Radde, 1884) and perhaps southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b). No summer records in the 20th century.Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Low-land and Kizil Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Oliger, 1967; Shubin, 1983).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Occasionally at Shah Spit(Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: W INTER : Wetlands and adjacent semi-desert (Satu-nin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Migrate throughSamur Delta in April-early May with peak in late April (Butiev

et al., 1989). Observed in Kizil Agach Reserve on May 21st

(Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Fall passage: more conspicuous.COASTAL: Recorded in Samur Delta from late August to early November, but mostly after mid October (Butiev et al., 1989),and in Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve and foothills of

75. Greater Spotted Eagle - Aquila clanga Pallas, 1811

Talish Mountains in November. Latest record on November25th (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a).INTERIOR : Conspicuous migration in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains 6-25 October with peak 9-10 October (Vinogradov & Tch-

erniavskaya, 1965b). One shot in the vicinity of Mingechaur onNovember 24th (Gambarov, 1975). Also in November, in Kara-yasi and Mil steppes (e.g. at Lake Aggel) and in Zakatali District(Radde, 1884; Vinogradov, 1967; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: 49 passed through Turi-anchai Bosdag Mountains on 9-10 October (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b).

Winter: Kizil Agach Reserve: groups of 4-6 roosted near Kum-bashi in the late 19th century (Satunin, 1907), 0.02/km in 1963(Oliger, 1967), rare in 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983) and only 1 ob-served in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). 2 at Shah Spit (AbsheronPeninsula) in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984)

DIET and MORTALITY: In Kizil Agach Reserve, wintering Greater Spotted Eagles feed mostly on wounded and weakenedbirds (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). One found deadafter feeding on carcasses of birds killed in an oil spill (Ver-estchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Gartal (all eagles)

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant; rare win-tering species in the southeast. Subspecies A. p. pomarina C. L.Brehm, 1831.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Riverine and low montaneforests.GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills in Sheki and Kusari districts (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, although nests in Lesser Cauca-sus in Armenia, e.g. Megri Ridge (Dahl, 1954).

76. Lesser Spotted Eagle - Aquila pomarina C. L. Brehm, 1831

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Astara-chai and Vilajchai valleys, and UlasiRidge (MP).BOSDAG: Bosdag Mountains on the both sides of Turianchai

River (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest, Shamkhor Game Pre-serve, Akstafa-chai and Alazani valleys, and the mouth of Iori(Gambarov, 1975; Abuladze, 1986a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (MP).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Sometimes winters in Kizil AgachReserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Paynter et al., 1996a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai forest with tall trees, lowland and low montane broad-leaved forests, and juniper woodlands in semi-arid mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous.

COASTAL: A few recorded in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1989)and one in Kizil Agach Reserve on May 21st (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Rare in Samur Delta in October (Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains, Mil Steppe and Aras Valley in October (Dahl, 1954; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 50-80 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s, e.g. 12-15 pairs occurred in Alazani Valley (some on

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the Georgian side), 2-3 pairs in Karayasi Forest, 2-3 pairs inShamkhor Game Preserve, 1 pair in Akstafa-chai Valley, 2 pairsin Samur Delta, and >3 pairs in Astara-chai valley (MP).Winter: 1 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: A nest with a hatching chick and an egg in a juniperin Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 26 April 1962. The nest wasempty on June 12th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Adultscarrying food observed in Karayasi Forest in mid June 1989 (MP).

77. Imperial Eagle - Aquila heliaca Savigny, 1809

Azeri name: Gartal, karagush (all eagles)

STATUS: Rare nesting species, migrant and rare wintering spe-cies. Subspecies A. h. heliaca Savigny, 1809.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Sheki GamePreserve, Ismailly Reserve, lower slopes of Babadag and Shah-dag, Shemakha Upland (vicinity of Pirgulu and Alti-Agach) andKusari Game Preserve (Radde, 1884; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Distribution is poorly known. Observed atMount Giamish (Murovdag Ridge) and north of Lachin (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Recorded from the mountains north of Ordu-bad (MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Tugai forest in Kura Valley (Karayasi For-est, Shamkhor Game Preserve and Barda Forest), Alazani Val-ley and the mouth of Iori (Gambarov, 1975; Abuladze, 1986a;Patrikeev, 1990a; MP).

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Observations from Gobustan Upland,e.g. near Mount Agdashdag south of Tcheildag (Burchak-Abra-movich, 1962) were probably of non-breeding individuals (MP).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach and Shirvanreserves (Shubin, 1983; Paynter et al., 1996a). Formerly win-tered in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One recorded near Cape Kilazi inDecember (Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai forests, juniper woodlands in low semi-arid mountains, and broad-leaved forests in foothills. FEED-ING: Riverine habitats, fields, pasture and semi-desert (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded in SamurDelta in mid and late April (Butiev et al., 1989).Fall passage: inconspicuous.COASTAL: One recorded in Samur Delta on 11 November 1972(Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed north of Mingechaur on No- vember 25th (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 40-50 pairs in 1989-1991,e.g. 8-10 pairs in Alazani Valley (some on the Georgian side), 3-4 pairs in Karayasi Forest, 1-2 in Shamkhor Game Preserve, 2-4 pairs in Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains, 2 pairs on

Mount Babadag and 2 pairs in Ismailly Reserve (MP).Winter: 2-4 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983).

BREEDING: A pair defending a territory in Turianchai Reserve8-11 April (MP). A nest found in Karayasi Forest on 10 June1989 was on a side branch of a large polar tree c. 20 m above theground. The nest contained 2 young c. 1.5 months of age on 1 July 1989. No aggression observed between the siblings. Decid-uous twigs were delivered to the nest (Patrikeev, 1990a).

78. Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Bargud, karagush, gartal.

STATUS: Rare resident undertaking some movements in win-ter, and rare migrant. Subspecies A. c. homeyeri Severtzov, 1888.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Belokani andZakatali districts (including Zakatali Reserve), Ilisu Reserve(Kah District), Mount Babadag, Ismailly Reserve, Mounts Ba-zar-Duzu and Shahdag, and vicinity of Alti-Agach (Demen-tiev, 1951; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Shelton, 2001; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Mount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland), MountGiamish (Murovdag Ridge) and Karabakh Ridge (MP). Com-mon at the headwaters of Akstafa-chai in Shahdag Ridge inthe past (Radde, 1884). A semi-adult observed over KarayasiForest on 28 June 1989 might have descended from Shahdag Ridge (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Zangezur Range (Mounts Kapudjik and Soukh),Mount Kukudag in Shahbuz District, and Mount Ilandag (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (MP) and possibly forestedparts of Talish Mountains (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973).Winter: Some descend to the lowlands in winter.

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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1981-1982(Shubin, 1983). One near Kulagin lookout (Kizil Agach Reserve)in November 1989 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b; MP) and

vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975).

HABITAT: NESTING: Cliffs and rock outcrops in high moun-tains; possibly montane forests (Dementiev, 1951; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: One observed inSamur Delta on 9 April 1980 and several sub-adults 2-5 May 1988 (Butiev et al, 1989). Two over Baku on 20 April 1989 (MP).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Samur Delta on October31st , and November 1st and 24th (Butiev et al, 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: Probably >25-30 pairs in 1989-1991,e.g. >1 pair in each of Ilisu and Ismailly reserves, and on MountBabadag (MP).


DIET: European Hare, Caucasian Snowcock, Chukar and carrion inZakatali District (Dementiev, 1951), waterfowl in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1989) and Little Bustards in Kizil Agach Reserve (MP).

MORTALITY: Formerly caught in leg traps set for Red Fox(Radde, 1884).

Azeri name: Gartal, leshueyan, karkas.

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, migrant and wintering species. A small part of the population remains on the nesting

grounds, while the rest wander through the lowlands and foot-hills, and possibly even leave Azerbaijan. Subspecies N. p. perc-

nopterus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Laza (Kutkashen District), Mounts Shahdag and Babadag, KusariGame Preserve, Shemakha Upland (e.g. Pirgulu and Alti-Agachreserves) and Langabiz Range (Gambarov, 1954; Patrikeev,1991d; MP). Occurs in sub-alpine and alpine zones of ZakataliReserve, but probably does not nest there (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985).

79. Egyptian Vulture - Neophron percnopterus Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Distribution poorly known. Known fromMount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland), Mounts Kapaz and Giamish(both in Murovdag Ridge), and mountains of Lachin District(Gasanov, 1990; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains, Mount Ilandag (and perhapsother low mountains in Julfa District), Zangezur Ridge in Or-dubad and Shahbuz District, e.g. Mount Kukudag (Satunin, 1907;

Laister & Sosnin, 1942; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (MP).BOSDAG: Gekchai, Turianchai and Mingechaur Bosdag Moun-tains, Korchai Game Preserve and Djeiranchel Hills (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Gobustan Upland: cliffs along Djei-rankechmes, on the left bank of Pirsagat-chai, Mount Kargaba-zar, Mount Agdashdag south of Tcheildag, etc. (Burchak-Abra-movich & Gambarov, 1961; Patrikeev, 1991b).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Absent from Zakatali Reserve in winter (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).N AKHICHEVAN: Winters in Nakhichevan Region (Radde, 1884;Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

BOSDAG: Recorded in Turianchai Reserve in winters of 1961/1962 and 1962/1963 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi and Mugan steppes (Radde,1884; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Low semi-arid mountains with cliffsand ledges, also treeless slopes and rock faces in high moun-tains (Satunin, 1907; Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov,1961; MP). W INTER : Low mountains, semi-desert, pasture,e.g. close to sheep flocks and livestock-slaughtering facili-ties (Satunin, 1907).

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MOVEMENT: Observed far away from nesting grounds insummer, e.g. Mugan Steppe, Kizil Agach Reserve, AbsheronPeninsula and Samur Delta (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Butiev et al., 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >80-100 pairs in the late

1980s-early 1990s (MP). c. 0.05/km2

in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains in 1961-1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), but2 pairs in the eastern part of Turianchai Reserve, and >5 pairsin Gekchai Bosdag Mountains in 1991. Also, 4-5 pairs on MountBabadag and 10-15 pairs in Zuvand Upland in 1989-1990 (MP).

BREEDING: Courtship observed in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains 7-8 April. Two birds perched on the top of a low moun-tain were facing each other, touching beaks from time to time.Sometimes one of the birds was soaring, while the other re-mained on the mountain. Mating observed on the same spot on April 10th (MP). In 1947, a pair nested in a cave on Mount Kar-gabazar (Gobustan Upland), but in a cliff niche only 6-7 m above

the ground in 1948 (Burchak-Abramovich, 1962). Nested in thesame niche in 1991, incubation observed in May (A. Mustafaev,pers. comm.).

DIET: Primarily carrion (Satunin, 1907; Dementiev, 1951).

80. Lammergeier - Gypaetus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Rare resident. Subspecies G. b. aureus Hablizl, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve (Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985), Mounts Bazar-Duzu, Babadag andShahdag (MP). Observed in Ilisu and Ismailly reserves, andLangabiz ridge (Gasanov, 1990; E. Sultanov, pers. comm.), butit may not nest there.LESSER C AUCASUS: Mounts Giamish, Kapaz (Murovdag Ridge),Dalidag (Karabakh Upland) and mountains of Lachin District(Gasanov, 1990; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains and Zangezur Ridge includ-ing Mount Kukudag (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Probably still occurs in Zuvand Upland,e.g. near Lerik where a nest was found 20-25 years ago (I. Ba-

baev, pers. comm.).BOSDAG: Possibly nests in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (500-600 m) where observed on 7 April and 25 May 1991 (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Cliffs or rock faces at 700-2,500 m andhigher (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1912a). Observed at low clayey cliffs with caves and crevices at 500-600 m (MP).

MOVEMENT: Descend to Mugan Steppe and (perhapsother lowland areas) in search of carrion or live prey (Sat-unin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 30-40 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP). “Very common” in Zakatali Reservein the past, but rare from the 1970s-1980s (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: A nest found in Zuvand Upland was in a cliff (I. Babaev, pers. comm.). Abuladze (1989) reported finding several nests in unspecified locations in Greater CaucasusMountains of Azerbaijan. Eggs probably laid in January, be-cause incubation was already under way in February, andchicks were seen in late March somewhere in the “Cauca-sus” (Radde, 1884).

DIET: Formerly thought to feed primarily on animal carcass-es, e.g. bones broken by dropping from a considerable height(Radde, 1884), but also newly born Goitred Gazelle and lamb(Satunin, 1912b). A recent study by Abuladze (1989) demon-

strated that some pairs or individuals in Georgia and Azer-baijan specialize in hunting live prey, e.g. he observed captureof Caucasian Snowcock and Caucasian Black Grouse. Bothbirds were knocked down from the air after the Lammergeiersurprised them by suddenly appearing from behind a ridge(Abuladze, 1989). Similar behaviour (a Lammergeier patrol-ling slopes at a low height and suddenly sweeping over theridge, probably in attempt to surprise potential prey) was ob-served in Turianchai Reserve (MP). This behaviour may bepeculiar to areas with low density of wild ungulates and do-mestic livestock. Abuladze (1989) identified 37 food items (5 species of birdsand 8 species of mammals) delivered to or found beneath sev-

eral nests: 10 Caucasian Black Grouse, 4 Caucasian Snowcocks(including 2 chicks), 1 Chukar, 1 Ring Ouzel, 5 Alpine Chough,2 new-born Chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ), 1 young East Cau-casian Tur ( Capra cylindricornis ), 2 lambs, 9 voles ( Prometheomys

schaposchnikovi and Microtus gud ), 2 young European Hare ( Lepus

europaeus ), 1 hedgehog ( Erinaceus sp.), and a pup of CaucasianShepherd Dog. Some of these animals were probably caught while still alive (Abuladze, 1989).

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Azeri name: Karkas, kara karkas

STATUS: Uncommon resident undertaking some local move-ments. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali, Be-lokani, Vartashen and Kuba districts, Ilisu Reserve (Kah Dis-trict), Mounts Bazar-Duzu, Shahdag, and Babadag, ShemakhaUpland including the Girkhbulak area of Pirgulu Reserve, Alti- Agach Reserve and the headwaters of Sumgait-chai (Gambarov,1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Mounts Kapaz and Giamish (Murovdag Ridge), Karabakh Ridge (including Lachin District and Nagor-no-Karabakh Autonomous Region) and Karabakh Upland, e.g.Mount Dalidag (Radde, 1884; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

N AKHICHEVAN: Zangezur Ridge including Mount Kukudag (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains, and low mountains surrounding Mingechaur Reservoir (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Radde (1884) reported nesting in Kara-yasi Forest (Kura Valley), but vultures must have disappearedfrom there decades ago. Foraging birds observed in MuganSteppe (Satunin, 1912b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: A pair was seen in northern Gobust-an in early April 1990 (MP). Wanderers occur in Absheron Pen-insula year-round (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Winter: Probably descends to lower altitudes and lowlands in

winter.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In autumn and winter, this species wasrecorded in semi-desert near Mingechaur and in Mugan Steppe(Satunin, 1912b; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observed in Kizil Agach Reserve on 16 January 1955 and 30 December 1958 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a), in Lenkoran Lowland during the very cold win-ter of 1969 (Mustafaev et al, 1969) and in Shirvan Reserve in January-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 2 in Samur Delta on 30 November1980, (Butiev et al., 1989).

81. Black Vulture - Aegypius monachus Linnaeus, 1766

HABITAT: NESTING: Juniper woodlands in low semi-arid moun-tains, montane broad-leaved forests, and possibly cliffs (Vino-gradov, 1963a; MP). FEEDING: Open habitats (Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov, 1963a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 60-80 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s, e.g. 5 pairs in Lachin District (Karabakh Ridge)in 1988, 2-3 pairs in Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), 3-4 pairs onMount Babadag and the vicinity, and 6-8 pairs in Turianchai andGekchai Bosdag Mountains in 1989-1991 (MP).Winter: Increase in Bosdag Mountains in fall and winter due tobirds descending from Greater Caucasus Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Rare in Kizil Agach and Shirvanreserves (Shubin, 1983; Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: All nesting information is from Turianchai Re-serve, Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov, 1963a; MP).Nest building and repair from February. Every pair probably

has several nests 100-500 m apart (Vinogradov, 1963a). 2 activeand 4 old nests in a 2-3 km2 area of the reserve in April 1991. The nests were in low juniper 1.2-6 m above the ground onsouth-facing ledges and slopes. Nests (1.2-2 m in diameter, and0.7-1 m in height) made of dry juniper twigs up to 1 m long and1-3 cm thick, and lined with short twigs, grass, wool and smallfeathers of the vulture. Nests were heavy and sometimes bend-ing down the nest-tree. Grass often grows in unused nests (MP).Usually 1 egg/clutch (Dementiev, 1951). One nest contained anegg as early as March 14th (Vinogradov, 1963a) and 2 other nestson April 10th. One egg measured 98 x 68 mm (MP). A smallchick on April 26th (Vinogradov, 1963a) and another 2-2.5 weeksold on May 24th. A parent was present on the nest most of the

time shielding the chick from the sun, and once attacked a pairof approaching Common Raven (MP). According to Vinogra-dov (1963a), one adult stayed with a large chick until at least June 12th, the chick remained in the nest until at least August 7th

and fledged by September 1st . Another pair with fledgling ob-served on August 31st . Thus, nesting cycle lasts >6 months (Vi-nogradov, 1963a).

DIET: Black Vultures nesting in Turianchai Reserve probably depend on sheep and cow carcasses from outside the reserve.Examined nests contained hair of sheep, cattle and hare, a hoof of the Wild Boar (young) and a tortoise’s leg (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).

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Azeri name: Karkas, agbash karkasi

STATUS: Uncommon to locally common resident undertaking some movements in winter. Subspecies G. f. fulvus Hablizl, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Re-serve, mountains of Kutkashen and Vartashen districts, MountsBazar-Duzu, Shahdag and Babadag, and Shemakha Upland, e.g.north of Pirgulu and near Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS : Geigel Reserve and Mount Giamish(Murovdag Range), Mount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland) andKarabakh Ridge including Lachin Game Preserve (Drozdov,1965; Gasanov, 1990; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: High mountains of Zangezur Ridge including

Mounts Kapudjik and Kukudag, low semi-arid mountains of Aras Valley, e.g. Negram Mountains and Mount Ilandag (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965; MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Foraging Griffon Vultures (probably from Talish Mountains) seen in Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Cliffs along Djeirankechmes inGobustan Upland (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov,

82. Griffon Vulture - Gyps fulvus Hablizl, 1783

1961). Strays into Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; MP).Winter: Some descend to the plains, although the majority re-main in mountains during warm winters (Satunin, 1907; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Sometimes wanders into Kizil AgachReserve in November-January (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Occurred in Lenkoran Lowland during the very cold winter of 1969 (Mustafaev et al., 1969).

HABITAT: NESTING: Gorges, rock faces and cliffs in high andlow mountains up to 2,800-3,000 m. FEEDING: May be seen overlowlands. In Zakatali District, regularly descends to Alazani Valley in the morning, and returns to the mountains before dark (Gam-barov, 1954; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 100-120 pairs in the late

1980s-early 1990s (MP).In the 19th century, 20-30 sometimes gathered at a carcass of large animal (Radde, 1884). 20 near Laza (Kutkashen District)on 15 July 1938 (Gambarov, 1954). Two colonies of 5-8 pairseach in Gekchai Bosdag Mountains, and one colony of 2 pairsin Turianchai Reserve in 1961-1962 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b), 4 pairs in Turianchai Reserve (2 colonies of 2pairs each) and 12-15 pairs in Gekchai Bosdag Mountains in1991. 8-10 pairs on Mount Babadag and the vicinity in 1990(MP). Most common vulture in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).Winter: Increases in Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Moun-tains in winter, e.g. 45 soaring over the village of Turianchai on

12 January 1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Nests in caves and crevices in cliffs, and on ledg-es. A large nestling in a small cave in a cliff in Turianchai Bos-dag Mountains on 24 May 1991. Two adult vultures seen flying into a neighbouring cave. The two caves were 5-8 m below thetop and c. 30 m above the bottom of the cliff (MP).

DIET: Carrion and refuse (Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Rare nesting species and migrant. Subspecies C. g. gallicus Gmelin, 1788.

DISTRIBUTION: is poorly known.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Sheki and Kusari Game Preserves,Ismailly Reserve and Alti-Agach Reserve in Shemakha Upland(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Mount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland) and LachinGame Preserve (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains, Ordubad Game Preserveand low mountains near Ordubad (MP).

83. Short-toed Eagle - Circaetus gallicus Gmelin, 1788

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (I. Babaev, pers. comm.).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Alazani Valley and the mouth of Iori(Gambarov, 1975; Abuladze, 1986a). One shot in Aras Valley inMugan on 11 June 1897 (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly in Lenkoran Lowland (Radde,1884). No recent records.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Observed near Nizovaya railway sta-tion (Khachmas District) on May 30th (Satunin, 1907).

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arid mountains (Gambarov, 1954; MP). FEEDING AND MIGRA-TION: Forest clearings and semi-desert (Butiev et al., 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Passes through Sam-ur Delta 5 April-5 May (Butiev et al., 1989).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Samur Delta 24 August-7September (Butiev et al., 1989).

INTERIOR : Observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 13 Sep-tember 1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: c. 30-40 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s, e.g. 2 pairs in Turianchai Reserve (TurianchaiBosdag Mountains) and 2-3 pairs in Gekchai Bosdag Moun-tains in April-May 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: A pair calling and circling over a wooded ravinein Turianchai Reserve on 8 April 1991. A third Short-toed Ea-gle was attacked and driven away (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forest in foothills and low-lands, tugai forests in river valleys, and juniper woodlands in semi-

Azeri name: Belibahli (all harriers)

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species; nested inthe past. Subspecies C. c. cyaneus Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: No recent summer records.GREATER C AUCASUS: Formerly sighted near Ismailly, Shemakhaand in lowlands of Sheki District. A semi-adult collected in the vicinity of Shemakha on 1 May 1896 (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several sets of eggs collected from Len-koran Lowland in the 19th century (Radde, 1884). Considered

resident in southern Mugan in the past (Satunin, 1912b).Winter: BOSDAG: Turianchai Reserve and the vicinity of Mingechaur (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Gam-barov, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe, e.g. Lake Aggel (Vinogradov,1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach and Shir- van reserves (Shubin, 1983; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including ShahSpit and Cape Sangachal (Gambarov, 1960; Bannikova et al.,1984; MP).

HABITAT: W INTER : Wetlands, fields, semi-desert (MP).

84. Hen Harrier - Circus cyaneus Linnaeus, 1766

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: One collected southof Baku on 12 March 1936 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Latest spring record in Kizil Agach Reserve on April 2nd (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Migrants recorded in Karayasi Steppe (Radde, 1884)and Turianchai Reserve, e.g. on 14 and 30 March 1962 (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Females and young arrive at Kizil AgachReserve 18-26 August, but adult males not until 11-12 October.Conspicuous passage 12 October-25 November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

INTERIOR : Observed in the vicinity of Mingechaur (e.g. at Ag-richai) in October (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE:Passage: F ALL: Common migrant in the early 1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938), uncommon in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).Winter: “Numerous” in Lenkoran Lowland in the late 19th cen-tury (Radde, 1884). <7 at Shah Spit in January-February 1982(Bannikova et al., 1984). Only 0.2/km2 in Kizil Agach Reservein 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983) and 0.1/km in late November 1989(MP). 146 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 7 in Shirvan Reserve in1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

85. Pallid Harrier - Circus macrourus Gmelin, 1771

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species; nested in thepast. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: One male inSheki Game Preserve in late May 1991 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan Steppe in the past (Satunin,1912b).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Clutches collected in Lenkoran Lowlandin the 19th century (Radde, 1884).Winter: BOSDAG: Observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountainson 26 January 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Probably wintered in Mugan Steppe inthe past (Satunin, 1912b). A male recorded near Evlakh on 26February 1998 (P. Cranswick, pers. comm.).

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MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: A semi-adult malecollected in Lenkoran Lowland in April (Radde, 1884). Severalobserved in southeastern Shirvan and near Cape Pirsagat in April-early May 1989-1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

INTERIOR : A male and a female (not a pair) observed in low mountains of Turianchai Reserve in April 1991, and anotherfemale in northern Gobustan on 7 April 1990 (MP).Fall passage: No information.

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant, rare winter-ing species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills inIsmailly, Sheki and Kusari districts, and in Shemakha Upland(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A hunting male regularly seen in fieldsnorth of Karayasi Forest in late June-early July 1989 (MP). Re-corded near Djandargel (E. Sultanov).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Occurred in southern Mugan (Satunin,1912b) and may still do so.Winter: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve (Shubin, 1983).

HABITAT: NESTING: Wet meadows along small rivers in foot-hills of Greater Caucasus Mountains (Gambarov, 1954). FEED-ING: Fields and semi-desert (MP).

86. Montagu’s Harrier - Circus pygargus Linnaeus, 1771

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Arrives in Azerbaijanin March (Satunin, 1907). A male and a female observed overalfalfa fields and semi-desert at Khaladz (southeastern Shirvan)25-26 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: INTERIOR : Recorded in Karayasi Steppe and atLake Aggel in October (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Vinogra-dov, 1967).


DIET: Grasshoppers found in one stomach (Gambarov, 1954).

87. Marsh Harrier - Circus aeruginosus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Belibahli (all harriers)

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies C. a. aeruginosus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of MilSteppe (e.g. Aggel, Bos-Koba, Shorbet-Koba and Sarisu), wetlandsof Shirvan Steppe (e.g. Shilian and Karasy marshes and small wet-lands in Kurdamir and Zardob District), Varvara Reservoir, themouth of Iori and fishponds at Lake Hadjikabul (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Mahmud-chala andNovogolovka-chala), Kizil Agach Reserve (including Kalinovsky

Liman, Lopatinsky and Akusha marshes), Lenkoran Lowland,Kura Delta and southeastern Shirvan, e.g. at Shorgel Lakes andoccasionally at Cape Pirsagat; (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Rare in Absheron Penin-

sula, e.g. Shah Spit, Artem Bay and Cape Sangachal (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu),Shirvan Steppe (Shilian and Karasy marshes and adjacent semi-desert), Mugan and Karayasi steppes and vicinity of Mingechaur(Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov &Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula, Len-koran Lowland and lakes of southeastern Shirvan (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Shubin, 1983; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Rare in Absheron Penin-sula, e.g. Shah Spit, Artem Bay and Lake Mirzaladi near Baku

(Bannikova et al., 1984; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING, FEEDING AND WINTER : Extensive reedbedsat lakes, marshes, limans, channels, akhmas , reservoirs; also reedstands in relatively small water bodies. Feeding harriers may beseen in semi-desert adjacent to wetlands (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1965; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserveand Mil Steppe in late March-early April (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967).

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Fall passage: COASTAL: Conspicuous passage through Kizil Agach Reserve in early to mid November (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Lake Aggel in November(Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 150-200 pairs in 1989-1991,e.g. 50-100 pairs on the lakes of Aggel-Sarisu system (Mil Steppe),15-20 pairs at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan), >5 pairs inKura Delta, 2-3 pairs at Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan), and1 pair at Shah Spit, Absheron Peninsula (Patrikeev, 1991a, c;MP). 26 birds at Hadjikabul, 15 at Divichi Liman and 4 at Mah-mud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: Probably 500-1,000 (MP). Common in Kizil Agach Re-serve: 1.3/km2 in 1981 and 0.4/km2 in 1982 (Shubin, 1983), 16south of Sbrosnoyi Channel (Kizil Agach Reserve) and 6-7 at

Mahmud-chala in late November 1989. >50 at Lake Aggel In January 1991, and 10-15 in Absheron Peninsula in 1989-1991(MP). 517 estimated for Kizil Agach Reserve, but only 4 record-ed in Shirvan Reserve and 2 at Lake Sarisu in 1996 (Paynter etal., 1996a).

BREEDING: Adults with nest material (reed stems) record-ed at Lake Aggel 26 March-6 April (Vinogradov, 1967) andat Lake Kichik-Shorgel on April 14th (Patrikeev, 1991a). InKizil Agach Reserve, incubation in late April, and a brood asearly as June 11 th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). At

Diet of Marsh Harrier in Kizil Agach Reserve based on stomach analysis and observations (Vinogradov & Tchernia-

vskaya, 1965a)

Class Species Number

Mammals: n=19 (24.7%) House Mouse ( Mus musculus ) 3

Water Vole ( Arvicola terrestris ) 3

Social Vole (Microtus socialis ) 2

Nutria (a carcass) 1

unidentified rodents 10Birds and bird eggs: n=33 (44.0%) Little Bittern 1

Squacco Heron 1

Little Egret 1

Northern Shoveler 1

Eurasian Wigeon 1

domestic chicken 2

Water Rail 3

Common Moorhen 1

Common Coot 7

Coot eggs 3

unidentified shorebird 1

Skylark 1

Reed Warbler 1unidentified songbirds 7

unidentified birds 4

egg of a passerine bird 1

Amphibians: n=5 (6.7%) Marsh Frog ( Rana ridibunda ) 5

Fish: n=12 (16%) Roach 5

unidentified fish 7

Insects: n=2 (2.7%) Locust 2

Total: n=74 (100%) 74

Aggel, the young were on the wing after June 20th, and many broods have moved to the nearby akhmas in Kura Valley (Vi-nogradov, 1967).

DIET: Birds, rodents and frogs, but will also eat dying fish orcarrion. Many birds (especially wildfowl) caught by this speciesare weakened or injured (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938; Tuaev, 1965; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Dur-ing nesting season Marsh Harrier also raids nests, pecking eggsand stealing chicks of many waterbirds, e.g. Glossy Ibis in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967).

MORTALITY: Considered a game pest as recently as the ear-ly 1990s and year-round shooting was encouraged outside na-ture reserves, but especially at lakes popular with waterfowlhunters (MP).




Azeri name: Muimul

STATUS: Common nesting species, migrant and wintering spe-cies. A part of the population is resident. Subspecies F. t. tinnun-

culus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali, Kut-kashen, Ismailly, Kuba and Kusari districts and Shemakha Up-land including Alti-Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov,1954; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1965; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Probably throughout Lesser Caucasus (MP);nests in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).

N AKHICHEVAN: from Aras Valley up to 1,700-1,800 m through-out the region (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1965; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Mostly in Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains (Satunin,1907; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Karayasi, Shirvan, Mil andMugan steppes (including Aras Valley) and vicinity of Hadjik-abul. Especially common between the confluence of Kura and Aras and Saliani (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1963; MP). Gam-barov (1975) did not find this species in the vicinity of Mingechaur.

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1912b; MP). Uncommon in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Lowlands of Kusari, Khachmas andDivichi districts (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev,1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Common in Absheron Peninsula in-cluding Baku and its suburbs (Primorsk, Binagadi, etc.), capes Alat and Pirsagat (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Un-common in Gobustan Upland, e.g. Mounts Beuk-Dush, Sari-Dush and Bayan-Ata (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

FAMILY FALCONIDAE - FALCONS

88. Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: Probably descends from higher elevations to foothillsand lowlands.BOSDAG: Uncommon in Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Moun-

tains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), rare in MingechaurBosdag Mountains (Gambarov, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan, Mil and Shirvan steppes (Zlotin,1963; Gambarov, 1975; MP). Probably throughout Kura and Aras valleys.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Lenkoran Lowland,southern Mugan (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Shubin, 1983; MP). Avoided Lenkoran Lowlandin the past, because frequent floods kept rodent populationslow (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907), but hydrology was alteredand floods suppressed early in the 20th century (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Uncommon in Baku and through-

out Absheron Peninsula including Shah Spit (Bannikova etal., 1984; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Villages, towns, parks, orchards, wood-lots, river valleys and cliffs in lowlands and mountains up toalpine zone. FEEDING AND WINTER : Open natural and man-madehabitats at various altitudes (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Returns to breeding groundsas early as February in mild winters (Satunin, 1907).COASTAL: Passes through Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve in early March (Radde, 1884; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965a). Conspicuous passage in Absheron Peninsula in mid March(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), e.g. one breeding pair arrivedat its nesting site in a suburb of Baku 11-16 March (MP).INTERIOR : Conspicuous passage at Mount Alibek (Zakatali Dis-trict, Greater Caucasus Mountains) on March 11 th (Gambarov,1954), and in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on April 4th (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Very common at Lake Aggelin spring (Vinogradov, 1967).Fall passage: COASTAL: Very common in Absheron Peninsulaincluding Baku in late September-early October (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Conspicuous passage in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-

tains in mid September (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Observed in Mugan and Mil steppes (e.g. at Lake Aggel), andnear Mingechaur. Communal roosts recorded in the past (Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; Vinogradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >1,000 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

Passage: SPRING: Up to 50 at Mount Alibek (Zakatali District)on 11 March 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).F ALL: Combined counts of Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel in Turi-anchai Bosdag Mountains in September 1961 were as follow-

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ing: 7/km on September 16th, 15.1/km on 1September 18th

and 11.8/km on September 22nd (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).Winter: In Kizil Agach Reserve, common only in winters whenrodents were abundant. A few occurred in the reserve in win-ters 1958/1959, 1981/82 and 1989/1990 (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Shubin, 1983; MP).

BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities, corvids’ nests (in treesand on hydro poles), burrows in stream banks, ledges andnatural cavities in cliffs, man-made structures (e.g. house at-tics, wall crevices, under cornices, in metal pipes, chimneys,smokestacks, water towers) and piles of firewood (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1971b; MP). In Shir- van Steppe, 63 nests were in abandoned corvid nests (41 of Magpie, 10 of Rook and 2 of Hooded Crow), 7 nests were inlow cliffs, 8 in burrows, 2 in tree cavities and 7 in man-madestructures (Mustafaev, 1969a). In the vicinity of Saliani andZuvand Upland, Kestrels nested in cavities and abandonedHooded Crow nests in poplars (Satunin, 1907; Agaeva &

Mustafaev, 1973). In Samur-Divichi Lowland and around LakeHadjikabul, nests were in burrows probably excavated by Eurasian Rollers (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968). One nest was used two years in a row (Agaeva &Mustafaev, 1973).

In Baku, one pair arrived at its nesting site in mid March (MP).Copulation seen in Sheki District 5-7 April (Satunin, 1907) and in Turianchai Reserve on April 9th (MP). In Zuvand Upland, oneincubating female was under observation from 0600 to 1900 hrsin the last 2-3 days before the eggs hatched. Each day, the femalespent 8.8 hours incubating and was away for 4.2 hrs (2 to 60 minat a time). Incubation was most intensive between 0900 and 1300

hrs, and the female was often absent from the nest between 1300and 1500 hrs (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973). Chicks near Saliani onMay 24th (Satunin, 1907) and in Zuvand Upland hatched 29 May-10 June (4 chicks in one nest in 2 consecutive years) and fledgedprobably on the 30th day. Both male and female feed the young,but male brings food more often, while female spends more timedistributing food among the chicks (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973).

DIET: Feeds on locusts, grasshoppers, beetles and small ro-dents in the northeast (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968),insects, rodents, small lizards, Caucasian Agama ( Stellio caucasius )and snakes Eirenis in Zuvand Upland (Agaeva & Mustafaev,1973), young Libyan Jirds ( Meriones erythrourus ) and lizards Ere-

mias in southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a). One shot nearSaliani was carrying earthworms (Satunin, 1907). Pellets (n=30)collected in Shah Spit in winter (Bannikova et al., 1984) con-tained remains of rodents (83.3%) and insects including molecrickets, grasshoppers and praying mantis.

Azeri name: Muimul (all kestrels)

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common infoothills and adjacent lowlands from Sheki to Ismailly, but rarein Zakatali District (Dementiev, 1951; Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Also in Alti-Agach Reserve, She-makha Upland (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shusha (Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Re-gion) and Lachin districts (Radde, 1884; Dementiev, 1951; MP).

89. Lesser Kestrel - Falco naumanni Fleischer, 1818

N AKHICHEVAN: Low mountains in Ordubad, Babek and Norashendistricts, Negram Mountains and Mount Ilandag in Julfa Dis-trict (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai Reserve (Gasanov, 1990).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Colonies in villages and towns in Kur-damir, Zardob, Udjari, Barda and Evlakh districts (Satunin, 1907;Mustafaev, 1963; 1969; A. Mustafaev, pers. comm.; MP), also inKorchai Game Preserve, tugai forests in Shamkhor District(Gambarov, 1975) and Alazani Valley (MP). Very common in Aras Valley, e.g. near Djabrail in the past (Satunin, 1907).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Lowlands of Khachmas District(Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Uncommon in Absheron Peninsula,but more common in northern Gobustan, e.g. cliffs of Sum-gait-chai and Mount Kargabazar (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Burchak-Abramovich, 1962; MP). Occasional at MountBeuk-Dush (Patrikeev, 1991b).

Winter: Small numbers winter in:K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a) ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Baku (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989).

HABITAT: NESTING: Villages, towns, ancient fortifications,stream banks, cliffs, gorges in low mountains and tugai forests(Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1963, 1971b; Gambarov, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to mid May.

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




COASTAL: Common in Kizil Agach Reserve in late March-midMay (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Recorded near Agsu from March 24th (Mustafaev,1991), in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on April 4 th (MP), andin the vicinity of Kurdamir from mid April (Mustafaev, 1991).Common migrant at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967).

Fall passage: Early August through mid September.COASTAL: Observed in Khachmas District and Shorabad (north-ern Absheron Peninsula) on September 28th (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968). Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve 30 Au-gust-14 September (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Leaves Kurdamir District from early August (Mus-tafaev, 1991). Conspicuous passage in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains c. September 13th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Common migrant at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 500-800 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s, e.g. 2 colonies (c. 30 pairs) in the

vicinity of Barda (MP). 63 nests in Kurdamir District in 1990,e.g. 57 nests in 3 colonies (Mustafaev, 1991).Passage: F ALL: 30 in Kizil Agach Reserve on 2 October 1958(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Combined counts of Kestrel and Lesser Kestrel in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains inSeptember 1961 were as following: 7/km on September 16th,15.1/km on 1September 18th and 11.8/km on September 22nd

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Usually nest in colonies of 5-15 pairs, but some-times up to 35 pairs, often in or near villages (Satunin, 1907;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1991). Nestsin abandoned nests of corvids (Magpie, Rook and HoodedCrow), burrows in steep banks of rivers and channels, tree cav-ities, ledges and crevices in cliffs, abandoned and habitable houses(e.g. attics, wall crevices, roof rafters, under cornices, in hollow

lumber, metal pipes and chimneys) and piles of firewood (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1963; 1969; Mustafaev, 1991). In ShamkhorDistrict, nested in hollow old poplars in tugai forest (Gambarov,1975). In Kurdamir District, 96.8% of recorded nests were inattics, and eggs (2-5, average 3.6) laid from late May. Egg mea-surements: 32-36x27-30 mm (average 34.6x28.3 mm). Incuba-tion lasts 28-29 days and both birds incubate (Mustafaev, 1991). A nest with 3 slightly incubated eggs in a clayey cliff near Pirk-ishkul, western Absheron Peninsula on 9 May 1959 (Gambarov,1960). The young leave nests when 33-34 days old. In Gadjali(Kutkashen District), where 8 pairs nested between planks andbeams in a school’s attic, 50 large nestlings (i.e., c. 6 young pernest) recorded on 2 July 1938 (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: Collared Dwarf Snakes ( Eirenis collaris ) found in stom-achs collected in the northeast (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1965), locusts and mole-crickets in the foothills of Greater Cau-casus Mountains (Gambarov, 1954).

MORTALITY: Electrocution at hydro poles reported by Sul-tanov et al. (1991).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Subspe-

cies F. c. aesalon Tunstall, 1771.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Poorly known. Probably occursthroughout the lowlands (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan and Mil steppes, e.g. at Lake Ag-gel (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland,Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Shubin, 1983; MP).

HABITAT: W INTER : Marshes, flooded areas, shorelines and semi-desert (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).

90. Merlin - Falco columbarius Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Latest sightings in Kizil

Agach Reserve 11-21 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a);a male in southeastern Shirvan on April 23 rd (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: Observed near Kilazi in September (Shelton, 2001).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Unknown. Probably over-looked. 12 collected in Lenkoran Lowland in December-Febru-ary (Radde, 1884), 0.06/km in Kizil Agach Reserve and SaraPeninsula in 1959 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), rare in the reserve 1981-1982 (Shubin, 1983). Two at Lake Aggel in January 1991 (MP).

DIET: Small passerines, but reportedly chased Common Snipeand diving ducks (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a).

STATUS: Rare migrant. Monotypic.

MOVEMENT: Rare migrant in Mugan in the past(Satunin, 1912b).

91. Red-footed Falcon - Falco vespertinus Linnaeus, 1766

Fall passage: 7 in Kizil Agach Reserve in October in the late1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).




Azeri name: Karagoz

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant; rare wintering species. Subspecies F. s. subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Zakatali, Belokani, Sheki, Kutkashen, Ismailly and Kuba districts,also in Shemakha Upland especially in the vicinity of Shemakha(Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS : Poorly known. Observed at 1,800 m(Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Throughout Talish Mountains (Agaeva &Mustafaev, 1973).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Remnant tugai of Kura Valley including

Karayasi Forest, Shamkhor Game Preserve and Barda Forest;also the vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975; MP), roadsidetreebelts and settlements in Shirvan Steppe, e.g. Kurdamir(Mustafaev, 1963, 1969).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nested in Sara Peninsula in 1955, but absentin 1958-1959. One recorded at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agachreserve on 6 June 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and woodlots of Khachmas District (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).

92. Hobby - Falco subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Occasional in southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b) and Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved and tugai forests, woodlots,

orchards, roadside treebelts, planted trees in villages and townsin lowlands and foothills up to 1,800 m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov,1954, 1975; Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1968, 1973).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through mid May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve 21 April-7 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). One observed west of Cape Pirsagat on 11 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).INTERIOR : Arrives at Karayasi Steppe 22 March-3 April (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907). Migrants recorded at Lake Aggel(Vinogradov, 1967).Fall passage: COASTAL: Conspicuous passage in northeastlowlands in late September-early October (Mustafaev &

Khanmammedov, 1965), although observed in Kizil AgachReserve from 4-6 September with peak 10-17 Septemberand latest sighting on November 5 th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 17-19October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Also in MilSteppe, e.g. at Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >150-200 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

BREEDING: Nests in abandoned corvids’ nests, e.g. of HoodedCrow and Magpie. Some nests close to houses and roads

(Mustafaev, 1963, 1969). In Talish Mountains, nesting from early May, e.g. incubating female at Kelakhan on May 23 rd and a nest with 5 chicks on June 12th (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973). In GreaterCaucasus Mountains, nests with eggs recorded as late as July 27th (3 eggs) and August 2nd (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: Small passerines (e.g. wagtails) and dragonflies, but alsolocusts, lizards and sometimes cicadas Cicada plebeica

(Gambarov, 1954).

Azeri name: Utalki, lachin, kizilgush (all large falcons).

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species. Subspecies F. c.

cherrug Gray, 1834 (probably).

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan Steppe(Satunin, 1912b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, Vilajchai Valley andmarshes of Kizil Agach Reserve (Radde, 1884; Dobrokhotov, 1963). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including Baku(Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989).

93. Saker - Falco cherrug Gray, 1834

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Shore, forest edges, bushy areas androcky pastures (Butiev et al., 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded at Kula-gin (Kizil Agach Reserve) 6-9 March 1959 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Passes through Samur Delta from mid August to early December (Butiev et al., 1989). One observedin Sara Peninsula on 11 November 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran






HABITAT: NESTING: Cliffs and forested slopes with rocky out-crops in mountains (Dementiev, 1951; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985). MIGRATION: Coastal areas, semi-desert and fields

(Butiev et al., 1989). W INTER : Marshes and flooded areas where waterfowl are abundant (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves LenkoranLowland in early March (Radde, 1884). Latest records in Kizil Agach Reserve 18 March-1 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a) and in Samur Delta on April 18 th (Butiev et al., 1989).Fall passage: COASTAL: Observed in Samur Delta from Octo-ber 10th (Butiev et al., 1989), in Absheron Peninsula in lateOctober, e.g. one collected near Sumgait on 23 October 1960(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968) and another observedat Shah Spit (Shelton, 2001). Occurs in Kizil Agach Reserve

from 14-23 September, but conspicuous passage 1 Novem-ber-8 December with peak in mid November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Recorded near Mingechaur 20-22 November (Gam-barov, 1975). Those might have been F. p. brookei from GreaterCaucasus Mountains. Passed through Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but no recent records.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 20-30 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s, e.g. a pair in Ilisu Reserve (MP).Passage: 0.3-1/km in Samur Delta in October (Butiev et al., 1989).

Winter: Unknown. Radde (1884) collected 40 at Kumbashi (pres-ently in Kizil Agach Reserve) where 0.02-0.03/km in January-February 1963 (Oliger, 1967), 4 in 1981 and 8 in 1982 (Shubin,1983). One observed in Shirvan Reserve in January-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Observed at nest sites in Zakatali District as ear-ly as late February. Eggs probably laid in late March and hatchin late April. Usually 2 chicks/nest, but a nest with 3 found nearZakatali. The young fledge by late May, although broods ac-companied by adults seen as late as August (Dementiev, 1951; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

DIET: Primarily medium-sized birds, e.g. gulls, pigeons, Rooksand even Little Bustards in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1989), Rock Dove in Sumgait (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968) and smallpasserines in the vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975). InKizil Agach Reserve, one was observed catching a Mallard and aCommon Teal 10 minutes apart: the falcon was flushed from thefirst kill by a Golden Jackal (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Diet of Peregrine in Kizil Agach Reserve based on collected prey remains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a)

Group Species Number

Ducks: n=12 (60%) Mallard 3

Common Teal 2

Gadwall 1

Eurasian Wigeon 1

Garganey 1

unidentified teal 2unidentified duck 2

Rails: n=1 (5%) Spotted Crake 1

Shorebirds: n=1 (5%) unidentified shorebird 1

Passerines: n= 6 (30%) Calandra Lark 1

inidentified lark 1

Rook 1

Common Starling 3

Total: n=20 (100%) 20

STATUS: Vulnerable. Uncommon resident. Confined to Great-er and Lesser Caucasus Mountains and the neighbouring partsof Turkey and Iran. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS : The range is patchy.Common in Belokani District and western part of ZakataliDistrict, e.g. Mounts Dingilov, Rochigel and Tundur-avagi.Rare in Tal and Katekh ridges (Zakatali District) and KahDistrict including Ilisu Reserve. Absent from Sheki, Kutkash-en and most of Ismailly districts. Further east, from Bazar-Duzu and Shahdag, through the headwaters of Girdiman-

FAMILY TETRAONIDAE - GROUSE AND ALLIES

96. Caucasian Black Grouse – Tetrao mlokosiewiczi Taczanovsky, 1875

chai, northern portion of Ismailly Reserve and Mount Ba-badag to the headwaters of Velvelchai and Kusarchai andShemakha Upland including subalpine meadows above Ava-khil (Girkhbulak section of Pirgulu Reserve) and MountDubrar near Alti-Agach (Verestchagin, 1947; Gambarov, 1954;Popkova & Popkov, 1965; Khanmammedov, 1965a; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Potapov, 1987; Gasanov, 1990; Patri-keev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Poorly known. Alpine zone of Murovdag Ridge(e.g. Mount Giamish), Shahdag Ridge (Shahdag and Ginaldag)and Lachin Game Preserve on the western slope of Karabakh




Ridge (Radde, 1884; Gasanov, 1990; MP). Reported for Kara-bakh Upland (Potapov, 1987).N AKHICHEVAN: Mount Kapudjik, Zangezur Ridge (Laister &Sosnin, 1942; Khajakian, 1986; MP).

HABITAT: Upper parts of coniferous and birch montane for-ests, rhododendron thickets, subalpine meadows and adjacentparts of alpine meadows (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Potapov,1987) at 800-3,300 m (mostly 2,000-2,400 m) in Greater Cauca-sus Mountains (Khanmammedov, 1965a; Popkova & Popkov,1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985), 1,500-3,000 m in LesserCaucasus Mountains (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907) and at 1,500-2,700 m in Zangezur Ridge (Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

SEASONAL MOVEMENTS (altitudinal): Leks are in subalpinemeadows along the upper forest limits and nests in adjacent rhodo-dendron thickets and forests. After chicks leave nests, broods as-

cend to subalpine and alpine meadows, but return to the treelinein autumn. May descend to 800-1,000 m in winter (Potapov, 1987).

POPULATION SIZE: 1,500-2,000 individuals at the beginning of breeding season in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Inten-sive use of sub-alpine and alpine meadows for summer pas-tures negatively affects this species through disturbance, habitatdegradation and losses of the young to shepherd dogs (Potapov,1987). 0.7/km in June and 1.5/km in September 1961 near Anik,northeastern Azerbaijan (Khanmammedov, 1965a). 4-6.6/km

in Zakatali Reserve and 1-2/km on the neighbouring Tal Ridgein the late 1950s (Popkova & Popkov, 1965), 136-474 individu-als recorded (see the table) and 300-500 extrapolated in Zakata-li Reserve early in the breeding season in 1982-1990 (Mustafae- va, 1990a). In Lesser Caucasus this species was rare on Shahdag Ridge in 1989 (MP). 20-25 on the Armenian side of MountKapudjik, Zangezur Ridge (Khajakian, 1986).

BREEDING: In Greater Caucasus Mountains males gather onleks in a narrow strip of subalpine meadows along the treelineat c. 2,200-2,400 m. Leks (2-3 ha in size) are usually on southernslopes. 5-10 males and up to 6 females seen at a lek at a time.Males arrive at c. 1700-1800 hrs, and display from 1800-1900hrs until sunset, and from dawn to 0700-0800 hrs. No activity recorded on windy days. The display is very peculiar: male takesoff, turns in the air and lands facing uphill. Displaying malesperform in silence except for flapping of the wings (Potapov,1987). In northeastern Azerbaijan, display and mating observedfrom late March-early April, but usually in late April-early May (Khanmammedov, 1965a). In Zakatali Reserve, courtship most

intensive in late May-early June (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).Female starts nest-building 2-3 days before laying. Nests are un-der shrubs, in dense grass, in rock crevices, under rocks in forest(especially birch forest) and clearings. Nests are low depressionsfilled with dry leaves of oak ( Quercus longipes ), blackthorn ( Prunus

spinosa ) and birch ( Betula pendula ), stems of Tournefortia and Vibur-

num and pine needles, and lined with fine grass and feathers. Nestsmeasurements (n=9): outer diameter 21-24 cm, interior diameter17-21 cm, nest-cup depth 8-11 cm. In the northeast, eggs laidfrom early May to early June (Khanmammedov & Aslanbekova,1965). Earliest nests in Zakatali Reserve in late April-early May (Pop-kova & Popkov, 1965). Clutch contains 6-12 eggs, fewer in replace-ment clutches. Incubation 23-25 days. Incubating female sits very

tight, but may abandon nest if disturbed (Khanmammedov & Aslan-bekova, 1965; Potapov 1987). In northeastern Azerbaijan chickshatch from early June, but mostly in mid June (Khanmammedov,1965a). First broods in Zakatali Reserve in mid June (Popkova &Popkov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Newly hatchedchicks covered with straw-yellow down with black and rusty spotson the cheeks, sides and the back (Potapov, 1987). In June, broodscontained 5-9 chicks (n=6), 6-8 in July (n=10) and 5-7 in August(n=10). Some young die in their first weeks due of exposure andpredation (Khanmammedov, 1965a). Each of three broods encoun-

Year 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990Number 252 474 359 279 426 269 257 136 221

Census of Caucasian Black Grouse in Zakatali Reserve (Greater Caucasus Mountains) early in the breeding season in

1982-1990 (Mustafaeva 1990a)

Number of Caucasian Black Grouse in selected sites in the Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the late 1980s-

early 1990s

Site Number Source

Greater Caucasus Zakatali Reserve 300-500 Mustafaeva, 1990a

Ilisu Reserve c. 50 MP

Ismailly Reserve 30-40 MP

Mt. Babadag >100 MP

Lesser Caucasus Mt. Giamish c. 150 MP

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




tered in Zakatali Reserve during cold rainy summer of 1959 con-tained only one chick (Popkova & Popkov, 1965). Broods break upby late August (Khanmammedov & Aslanbekova, 1965).

DIET: Buds, green parts, flowers, berries and fruit of a variety of plants; less commonly insects (Potapov, 1987).

MORTALITY: The young are lost to shepherd dogs and natu-ral predators. Golden Eagles and Lammergeier known to take

Content of stomachs and crops of Caucasian Black Grouse collected in northeastern Azerbaijan

Month Content Source

March Buds and shoots of Salix caprea , buds of Betula pendula , shoots of Pyrola and Gambarov, 1954

leaves of Thalictrum minus

June Parts of the following plants: Silene , Ornithogalum , Hieracium , Pimpinella , Prunus , Poa ; Khanmammedov, 1965a

also beetles: Coccinella , Broscus and Amara.

September Parts and seeds of: Inula , Veronica , Potamogeton , Umbelliferae, Ranunculus , Fagus orientalis and Quercus. Khanmammedov, 1965a

adult grouse (Dementiev, 1951; Potapov, 1987; Abuladze 1989).Hunting pressure on this species was minimal due to the re-mote range, but some hunting occurred in the lower parts of Lesser Caucasus Mountains (MP).

REMARKS: Caucasian Black Grouse often seeks shelter in thesnow during snowstorms and on cold nights. In warmer weath-er they sleep under a rock or in the open. Often seen sitting motionless on a rock for a prolonged periods (Potapov, 1987).

Azeri name: Ular, fer kaklik

STATUS: Vulnerable. Uncommon resident. Endemic of Great-er Caucasus Mountains. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Mountains of Zakataliand Belokani districts including Zakatali Reserve where com-mon on Mounts Kopo, Ruchug, Guton, Goridag, Kichik-Gu-dor, Kulunsu, Khalakhi and Djigikh (Gambarov, 1954; Popko- va & Popkov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In thenortheast: Mounts Bazar-Duzu, Shahdag and Kizildag (KusariDistrict), Babadag, Shahnishan, Malamaradz, Muk and Karadag

FAMILY PHASIANIDAE - PHEASANTS, PARTRIDGES,

QUAILS AND ALLIES

97. Caucasian Snowcock - Tetraogallus caucasicus Pallas, 1811

(Kuba District) and east to Mount Gimushlu (Radde, 1884; Sa-tunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1947; Khanmammedov, 1965a; Ba-ziev, 1978; Potapov, 1987). Rarely occurs below 2,500-2,600 mand neighbouring populations often completely isolated fromeach other (Baziev, 1978; Potapov, 1987).

HABITAT: Rocky outcrops, scree, talus and alpine meadows at2,500-4,000 m; avoids tallgrass meadows (Baziev, 1978).

MOVEMENT (altitudinal): Ascends to 3,500-4,000 m in midsummer, but descends to 2,500-2,600 m or even lower to thetreeline after the first snowstorms (Baziev, 1978). One recordedin oak woodland at only 1,700 m in April 1959 (Popkova &Popkov, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Probably 800-1,000 individuals in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).In the early 1960s, 7-10/day in western parts of Kuba and Kusaridistricts (Khanmammedov, 1965a) and 20-50/day in ZakataliReserve, e.g. Mounts Guton and Ruchug (Popkova & Popkov,1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). However, annual cen-

suses in Zakatali Reserve in 1983-1990 (see table below) yieldedonly 81-129 birds (Mustafaeva, 1990b). 87 on the southern slopesof Mount Babadag in October 1990 (MP).

BREEDING: Downy chicks observed in Zakatali District inearly June to early July at 2,500-3,200 m, 3-7 young/brood (Gam-barov, 1954; Popkova & Popkov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafae-

Census of Caucasian Snowcock in Zakatali Reserve in 1983-1990 (Mustafaeva, 1990b)

Year 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

Number 86 129 103 120 96 98 81 115

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




va, 1985). A brood of 7 large young in northeastern Azerbaijanin late July (Khanmammedov, 1965a).

DIET: Leaves, buds, stems, flowers and seed of a variety of plants (Baziev, 1978).

REMARKS: Summer use of alpine meadows for pasture leadsto increasing disturbance and habitat loss in some areas, e.g.Zakatali District (Gasanov, 1990).

Azeri name: Ular, fer kaklik

STATUS: Threatened. Rare resident of Lesser CaucasusMountains and Nakhichevan Region. Subspecies T. c. tauricus

Dresser, 1876.

DISTRIBUTION: The range is patchy with several isolatedpopulations.

LESSER C AUCASUS: Karabakh Upland: Mount Dalidag (perhapsthe largest population in Azerbaijan), a few may survive onMount Iskhankhasar near Lake Karagel or elsewhere in the up-land (Baziev, 1978; MP). Murovdag Ridge: Mounts Giamish andKapaz (Baziev, 1978; Gasanov, 1990). Presence in KarabakhRidge is doubtful.N AKHICHEVAN: Southeastern part of Zangezur Ridge: MountsKukudag, Batabat, Darabogaz, Arindz (Shahbuz District), Duba-

98. Caspian Snowcock - Tetraogallus caspius S.G. Gmelin, 1784

khli, Susdara and Khoshli (Julfa District) and Soukh and Kapud-jik (Ordubad District); possibly also west of Kukudag and southof Kapudjik (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960,1966; Baziev, 1978). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Extirpated, if indeed ever present. Radde(1884) claimed seeing Caspian Snowcock in Talish Mountains,but Satunin (1907) did not find it there.

HABITAT: Steep slopes with shortgrass meadows, rocky out-crops and scree in sub-alpine and alpine zones at 1,800-3,900m. Seasonal altitudinal migrations were not recorded (Khan-

mammedov, 1965b; Baziev, 1978).

POPULATION SIZE: Probably <400-600 birds in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).Baziev (1978) reported male to female ratio 7:1 to 8:1 in Azer-baijan (normal sex ratio is 1:1), although his data were doubtedby some (Potapov, 1987).

BREEDING: Adults in flocks in November-March, and inpairs in March-October. Courtship and mating usually occurin morning and evening hours and last until late May (Baziev,1978). In Lesser Caucasus, nests built from mid April. Nest isa shallow depression lined with dry plant material and feath-

ers, diameter 270-300 mm, nest-cup diameter c. 255 mm, depth70-90 mm. Egg-laying c. 17-18 April in Murovdag Ridge, andfrom 10-15 May in Zangezur Ridge, although laying delayedby 2-3 weeks in 1963 due to inclement weather. 5-12 eggs/clutch (usually 6-8). Eggs are blue-greyish with brown-reddishmottles; measurements 63.6-68.3 x 46.2-49.0 mm, weight 85.2-87.9 g. Incubation lasts 28-29 days. Only female incubates, butmale remains in the vicinity. At lower altitudes, hatching from

Number of Caspian Snowcocks recorded in Karabakh Upland and Murovdag Ridge (Lesser Caucasus) from mid 1960s to 1990

mid 1960s(Baziev, 1978) late 1980s-1990 (MP)

Karabakh Upland Mt. Dalidag ? 100-150

Mt. Iskhankhasar 4 (1964) ?

Karabakh Upland (total) 100 100-150Murovdag ridge Mt. Giamish 50-80

Mt. Kapaz (Geigel Reserve) 30-84

Murovdag Ridge (total) 196 150-200

Number of Caspian Snowcocks recorded in Zangezur Ridge from mid 1960s to 1990

Mid 1960s (Baziev, 1978) Early 1980s (Khajakian, 1986) Late 1980s (MP)

Mt. Kapudjik 30-35 >50

Mt. Soukh >50

Mt. Kukudag 40

Zangezur Range (total) 256 ? 150-200

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




25-27 May, but at higher elevations downy chicks observed aslate as July. 9-10 chicks/brood in June, 7-9 in July and only 5-6 in August. A day-old chick is covered with steel-blue down with black spots. The young reach the adult size by early Oc-tober (Khanmammedov, 1965b, 1966; Baziev, 1978).

DIET: Buds, leaves, flowers and seed of a variety of plants es-

pecially Astragalus and Oxytropus , but also grasses ( Festuca, Alope- curus and Poa ), bellflowers ( Campanula ) and buttercups ( Ranuncu-

lus ). In winter, forages in snowfree areas or digs through thesnow searching for plants (Baziev, 1978).

MORTALITY: According to Baziev (1978) Red Fox andRock Marten ( Mart es fo ina ) often destroy c lutches and prob-

Azeri name: Kaklik, Gozal kaklik.

STATUS: Very common resident. Declining. Subspecies A. c.

kurdestanica Meinertzagen, 1923.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS : From Zakatali Dis-trict to Langabiz Ridge. Rare in Zakatali District (uncom-mon in the 1930s, but a few records in the 1950s-1960s).Common in foothills and mountains of Sheki, Kutkashen,Kuba and Kusari districts, Girdimanchai Basin (Ismailly Dis-trict) and Shemakha Upland (Shemakha and Khizi districts),e.g. Pirsagat-chai Gorge and Alti-Agach Reserve (Gambarov,

1954; Khanmammedov, 1955, 1965a; Popkova & Popkov,1965; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shahdag Ridge (e.g. Kazakh and Tauz dis-tricts), Murovdag Ridge (Khanlar and Gulistan districts includ-ing Geigel Reserve, Mount Giamish, and northern Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region including Terter Gorge), Kara-bakh Upland (e.g. Mount Dalidag), and Karabakh Ridge (LachinDistrict, the vicinity of Shusha and southern Nagorno-Karaba-kh Autonomous Region), Akera and Bargushad valleys in Ku-batli and Zangelan districts (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov,1955; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

99. Chukar - Alectoris chukar Gray, 1830

N AKHICHEVAN: Throughout the region from Norashen to Or-dubad, e.g. Negram Mountains, Mount Ilandag and Ordubad

Game Preserve (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1955,1960; Tarasov, 1974; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Mostly in Zuvand Upland in Lerik and Yardimli districts (Khanmammedov, 1955; Agaeva, 1972; I. Ba-baev, pers. comm.).BOSDAG: Djeiranchel Hills, Mingechaur, Turianchai and GekchaiBosdag Mountains (Khanmammedov, 1955; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nested in lowlands near Gandja and inKura Valley in the past (Satunin, 1907). Recorded in the vicinity of Saliani in the 1950s (Khanmammedov, 1955).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Uncommon in low hills and low-lands in Divichi, Khachmas and Khudat districts, e.g. near Yala-

ma, Shirvan and Yukhari-Zeikhur (Satunin, 1907; Khan-mammedov, 1965aa). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Uncommon in Gobustan Upland,e.g. Mounts Kizil-Kum, Keklikdag, Beuk-Dush, Kichik-Dush,Kargabazar and Sumgait-chai Gorge near Pirkishkul (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961;Patrikeev, 1991b; MP). Found on the isolated Khamamdag mud- volcano (Cape Pirsagat) in 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

HABITAT: Rocky slopes and gorges with scattered shrubs usu-ally not far from springs or small streams, but also scree, barrenhills, cereal fields, scrub, scattered juniper woodlands, sometimesorchards and villages in high and low mountains at 100-3,500

m, rarely lower (Khanmammedov, 1955; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1969a; MP).

MOVEMENT (altitudinal): Ascends to 2,000-3,000 m or high-er in the spring, but descends to foothills in the fall (Khan-mammedov, 1955).

POPULATION SIZE: Estimate of 800,000 in the 1940s-early 1950s with average density of 0.53-15/ha, e.g. in Zangelan,Kubatli, Agdam and Sheki districts (Khanmammedov, 1955).Perhaps 100,000-150,000 by the early 1990s (MP).

ably catch incubating females. The young are lost to naturalpredators and shepherd dogs. Also illegally hunted for itstasty meat. Hunting might have intensified during and afterthe Karabakh War (1990-1994) when fighting raged through-out the entire range of Caspian Snowcock in Azerbaijanand many firearms probably ended in the hands of local villagers (MP). Does not survive well in captivity (Khan-

mammedov, 1966).

REMARKS: Flocks of sheep accompanied by shepherds withguns and dogs ascend into the range of this species in summerforcing the snowcocks to withdraw to higher altitudes (Khan-mammedov, 1966; Baziev, 1978; MP).

A r a s R

i v e r

Shemakha

Zakatali

Baku

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N

S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




GREATER C AUCASUS: 13 broods with 6-12 chicks each per 2 kmnear Lagich (Ismailly District) in the late 1930s (Gambarov, 1954).Flocks of 5-10 uncommon in foothills of Kuba and Kusari dis-tricts in the 1980s (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: 400-600 daily in 1955, e.g. near Ailis, Eladja,Nusnus, and on Mounts Surmalik and Asabnasar (Khanmamme-dov, 1960; Mustafaev, 1969a).

BOSDAG: 1-6.3/km in Turianchai Reserve in the early 1960s (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and 6,000-8,000 in the ear-ly 1990s, also c. 300 in Korchai Game Preserve (MP).GOBUSTAN AND ABSHERON: Rare in Gobustan Upland in the late1980s, e.g. only 2 calling males on Mount Beuk-Dush in April1990, and 22 birds in August 1990. Up to 10 on Khamamdag Mud-Volcano, Cape Pirsagat in 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a, b: MP).

BREEDING: Usually monogamous reaching maturity at 1 yearof age. Pairs form in late February-early March with malesfighting in mornings and evenings. Calling Chukars heard fromdawn to 1000 hr, and from 1800-1900 hrs to sunset (Khan-mammedov, 1955). Nest is a small depression lined with grass,

usually in a rock crevice, under a rock or a bush. One nest wasunder a fence on a cattle farm and another in an orchard (Mus-tafaev, 1969a). Nest measurements (n=10) from ZangelanDistrict: diameter 19-24 cm, nest-cup 10-15 cm, depth 3.5-5.2cm (Khanmammedov, 1955). Eggs usually laid from mid Aprilto mid May. New data from Central Asia (Grachev, 1987) sug-gests that female lays two clutches incubated by the male and

the female respectively. Clutch contains 10-18 eggs. Egg mea-surements (n=50): 39-42 x 30-31 mm, weight 19.0-20.79 g (Khanmammedov, 1955). Incubation lasts 20-21 days. Hatch-ing from mid May (Khanmammedov, 1955). Flapping chicksobserved in Turianchai Reserve on June 11th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), broods of 6-10 in Gobustan and Na-khichevan in June-early July, and of 4-12 in Great Caucasus

Mountains and adjacent lowland in August (Gambarov, 1954;Khanmammedov, 1960, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991b). Joint broods with as many as 90 young were seen. Broods scatter in late August (Khanmammedov, 1955).

DIET: Content of 64 stomachs collected in Kubatli, Zangelanand Sheki included 15 species of insects (Orthoptera, Coleoptera,Hymenoptera and occasional Lepidoptera), and 30 species of plants from 16 families. Small stones found in stomachs andcrops. Mostly feeds on insects in spring and summer, and onplants throughout the rest of the year (Khanmammedov, 1955).

MORTALITY: Many died in cold winters, e.g. of 1948/1949

and 1949/1950 when snow depth reached 50 cm in Mingechaur,Sheki, Gekchai, Agdash and Shamkhor districts (Khanmamme-dov, 1955). Hunting from hides at water holes and from porta-ble hides wipes out entire broods. Natural predators includeGolden Eagle, Imperial Eagles, Black Kite, Goshawk, Eagle Owl,Golden Jackal and Red Fox. Magpies sometimes destroy clutches(Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1955; Mustafaev et al., 1969).

STATUS: Rare resident restricted to the southwest. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: N AKHICHEVAN: Found in the vicinity of Mount Ilandag on 6 June 1999, and again in the following win-ter. One male collected (Talybov, 2001).

100. See-see Partridge – Ammoperdix griseogularis Brandt, 1843

HABITAT: Low semi-desert mountains.

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. Six observed in the vicin-ity of Ilandag in June 1999 (Talybov, 2001).

Azeri name: Turadz.

101. Black Francolin - Francolinus francolinus Linnaeus, 1766

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon to locally common resi-dent. Subspecies F. f. francolinus Linnaeus, 1756.

DISTRIBUTION: Generally restricted to lowlands with fewerthan 30 days of snow/year and average snow depth not exceed-ing 20 cm (Khanmammedov, 1956; Rustamov, 1987).

GREATER C AUCASUS: Low parts of Sheki and Kutkashen District where locally common near Gadjali and Nidz. One recordednear Kutkashen in 1935 (Gambarov, 1954). A handful survivedin Sheki Game Preserve in the late 1980s (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: In foothills up to 700-800 m in the mid 19 th centu-ry (Radde, 1884), but disappeared by the 1880s (Satunin, 1907). Re-ported in lower parts of Gulistan and Kasum-Ismail districts (MP).BOSDAG: Vicinity of Mingechaur and possibly along the south-ern slope of the Bosdag in Evlakh and Agdash districts (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Disappeared from Karayasi Forest, the vicinity of Akstafa and Alazani Valley by the late 1940s-early




1950s (Verestchagin, 1947; Khanmammedov, 1956) and did notoccur west of Tauz District in the 1980s. Present in lower val-leys of Tauz-chai, Dzegam, Shamkhor-chai and Gandja-chai (upto Khanlar), Shamkhor Game Preserve, the mouth of Iori,Korchai Game Preserve, Barda District (including Barda For-est), Terter, Khachinchai, Karkarachai, Turianchai, Gekchai,Girdimanchai and Agsu-chai valleys, in Sabirabad, Ali-Bairamli,

Saatli, Imishli and Saliani districts including the vicinity of Sa-risu and Bos-Koba. Very few survive at Lake Aggel. In Aras Valley: in Imishli, Fisuli, Djabrail, Kubatli and Zangelan dis-tricts including the lower Akera-chai and Okhchu-chai valleys. Also in Mugan Steppe south of Saliani, e.g. along irrigation chan-nels (Bheme, 1937; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Khanmammedov,1956; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kura Delta, southern Mugan (a handfulsurvive around Lake Mahmud-chala), Lenkoran Lowland, SaraPeninsula and Kizil Agach Reserve north to Lake Karakush (Sa-tunin, 1907; Gazanchian, 1951; Khanmammedov, 1956; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Musaev & Babaev, 1989; Vi-nogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991c; MP). Reached south-

eastern Shirvan probably in the 1970s, e.g. occurs at Khaladz,Shorgel Lakes, Shirvan Reserve and north to Kursangi (Patri-keev, 1991a; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Probably absent from Gobustan Up-land, but occurred near Maraza in the 19th century (Bogdanov,1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907), and at Khanagi, Pirsagat Val-ley in the 1940-1950s (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961).

HABITAT: Tamarisk, blackberry, Juncus and reed thickets along rivers, channels and lakes, understorey of the remaining tugai ,fields (clover, alfalfa, cotton and cereal), orchards and vineyards,e.g. close to populated areas. Often feeds along edges, e.g. roads.Does not occur far from fresh or brackish water (Radde, 1884;

Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1956; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1974;Gambarov, 1975; Musaev & Babaev, 1989; Musaev, 1991; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Estimated 663,000 in 1947-1950 (Khan-mammedov, 1956), c. 100,000 in 1958-1966 (Rustamov, 1987),but only 23,300 in October 1990 (the Azerbaijan State Commit-tee for Nature Conservation) or perhaps as few as 3,000-4,000

(Babaev, 1991b). More realistic estimate: 15,000-18,000 in spring and 20,000-25,000 in autumn in normal years; fewer after cold winters (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Up to 20-25/ha in the 1930s (Verestcha-gin, 1947), but 0.06-6.6/ha (average of 0.25/ha) in the late 1940s(Khanmammedov, 1956). Only 3-5 broods at Lake Aggel in theearly 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967) and <20 individuals in January

1991 (MP). In the late 1980s, 100-150 birds in Barda GamePreserve, 250 in Korchai Game Preserve and 150-200 inShamkhor Game Preserve (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve contains the largestremaining population in Azerbaijan (see table below), althoughmany perish there in cold snowy winters (see Mortality). Highestdensities (83.7/km2 ) recorded in tamarisk thickets providing goodcover, but little food; 33.4/km2 in Juncus meadows, 20/km2 mixed-grass cereal steppe and 8.8/km2 in mixed Artemisia steppe (Litvi-nov & Konovalova, 1977). In 1990, 20-30 birds occurred at thenorthwestern boundary of Shirvan Reserve and <10 at LakeMahmud-chala, southern Mugan (Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

BREEDING: Monogamous (Rustamov, 1987) with sex ratio c.1:1 (Litvinov, 1977). Pairs form in late February and early March,although pair bond may persist throughout the year. Courtshipfrom late February through June (Khanmammedov, 1956). Twopeaks of vocal activity in Shirvan Reserve: March-early April andearly to late May (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Kizil Agach Reserve, malescall from 30-40 min before sunrise. On sunny days, vocal activity diminishes by 0700 hrs, but calls until 1300-1600 hrs on cloudy days. Picks up after 1700-1900 hrs (Musaev, 1991; Patrikeev, 1991a).Males often call from an elevated point (hummock, embankment,a bush top, pole, tree or haystack), but also from roadside (Khan-mammedov, 1956; Patrikeev, 1991a). Where common, calling males are 100-120 m apart or closer. During courtship, male walks

behind female displaying his bright chest, fanning tail, dragging wings on the ground and calling. Finally, the male begins tossing his head backward and blocking the female’s way forcing her tosquat, and then mates with her (Khanmammedov, 1956).Nest is a low depression with or without grass lining well-hiddenin fields, orchards, grassy areas, under bushes, in tugai and reeds,sometimes close to houses, farms and roads. Nest measurements:

Population of Black Francolin in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1949-1987

Years Density Total Source

January 1949 0.06-2/ha* Khanmammedov, 1956

1958 0.01-0.03/ha Dobrokhotov, 1963

late 1950s-early 1960s 5-8/km, increasing Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

Winter 1963 0.08/km Oliger, 1967 Winter 1964/65 150-500 Gazanchian, 1965

1972 350**

Spring 1973 350-400

Spring 1974 700 Litvinov, 1977;Vinogradov et al., 1990

Spring 1975 1,210

Spring 1976 2,000

1984 1,790

1972-1984 up to 10 males/ha 2,083 Musaev & Babaev, 1989

1985-1987 c. 2,200

* - Sara Peninsula only, ** - after cold winter




13.5-24 cm in diameter and 3-6.5 cm deep. Where common, nestsfound 25-70 m apart (Khanmammedov, 1956; Mustafaev, 1974). Two clutches a year: late March-early April, and June-July. Somelate nests found in August (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1956; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Rustamov, 1987). Usually 5-12 eggs/clutch (usually 7-10). Eggs are olive-brown with whit-ish mottles. Measurements: 33-45 x 31-34 mm (av. 40.1 x 32.5

mm), weight: 19-26 g (av. 23 g). Only female incubates (c. 21 days),but male usually remains nearby (Khanmammedov, 1956). Chickshatch from May through August (Khanmammedov, 1956; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Newly hatched chicks are dark-grey with 3-4 stripes on the back, a wide black stripe on the headand yellowish belly. Female leads chicks away from the nest 30-55min after hatching. Broods forage in the mornings and eveningsspending hot hours in the shade. In 4-10 days, the young are ableto find and catch food (ants and other small insects) on their own.Male usually remains with the first brood after the female startsthe second clutch. The young are able to fly on the 30th day, andbecome fully independent on the 55-60th day. Broods encoun-tered in July-August contains 3-10 chicks (Khanmammedov, 1956;

Rustamov, 1987). Young males acquire black and white featherson the belly and chestnut collar when 5-6 months old (Khan-mammedov, 1956).

DIET: Examined stomachs (n=366) and crops (n=110) con-tained 210 species of insects: beetles (144 sp.), grasshoppers (22sp.), bugs (22 sp.), ants and wasps (7 sp.), flies (7 sp.), butterflies(3 sp.), dragon-flies (2 sp.), earwigs (1 sp.), caddis-flies (1 sp.),and termites (1 sp.). Terrestrial molluscs were also found. Plants were represented by families Gramineae (18 sp.), Leguminosae(15 sp.), Cruciferae (8 sp.), Boraginaceae (8 sp.), Rosaceae (8sp.), Polygonaceae (6 sp.), Malvaceae (4 sp.), Chenopodiaceae (4sp.), Rubiaceae (3 sp.), Compositae (3 sp.), Cyperaceae (2 sp.),

Solanaceae (2 sp.), Iridaceae (2 sp.), Euphorbiaceae (2 sp.), Amarantaceae (2 sp.), Ranunculaceae (2 sp.), Marsileaceae (1 sp.), Vitaceae (1 sp.), Cannabaceae (1 sp.), Convolvulaceae (1 sp.),Caryophyllaceae (1 sp.), Labiatae (1 sp.), Equisetaceae (1 sp.),Elaeagnaceae (1 sp.) and Cucurbitaceae (1 sp.). Especially favoursseed, berries and leaves of Echinochloa, Hordeum, Oryza, Phrag-

mites, Sorghum, Setaria, Tricticum , Medicago, Onobrychis, Trifolium, Vicia

and Colestegia sp. Mostly feeds on plants October through March,and switches to invertebrates in April. In August-September,consumes plants and invertebrates in almost equal proportions(Khanmammedov, 1956). In captivity, eats 16-70 g/day. Chickspreferred boiled eggs, wheat, millet, grasshoppers, praying mantisand horse-flies, but also ate dragonflies, locusts, bird meat, beef,

mutton, blackberry fruits and wheat sprouts (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).

MORTALITY: Cold winters with deep snow severely affect thisspecies. Considerable mortality reported in winters 1882/1883,1924/1925, 1934/1935, 1939/1940, 1948/1949, 1949/1950,1968/1969, 1971/1972 and 1976/1977 (Radde, 1884; Verestcha-gin, 1947; Khanmammedov, 1956; Mustafaev et al., 1969; Vino-gradov et al., 1990). Very few survived in Kizil Agach Reservethrough the winter of 1924/1925 and had not yet recovered in

the early 1930s (Bheme, 1937; Verestchagin, 1947). 75% of thepopulation lost in Kurdamir District in winter 1949/1950. Largenumbers also perished in Imishli and Beilagan districts (Khan-mammedov, 1956). A few remained in Kizil Agach Reserve af-ter winter 1968/1969, 1971/1972 and 1976/1977 when the pop-ulation was reduced to c. 10% (Mustafaev et al., 1969; Vinogra-dov et al., 1990). Feeding stations were set up in Kizil AgachReserve in the 1980s to prevent further losses and enhance re-covery (Musaev & Babaev, 1989).Ruthless poaching is another factor responsible for a dramaticdecline of Black Francolin in Azerbaijan. Poaching is especially harmful in cold winters and decimate the remaining birds. Per-haps up to 50,000 bagged annually in the 1930s-1940s (Ver-

estchagin, 1947). Black Francolins are not afraid of vehicles andmany were shot on the roadside, e.g. in protected areas such asKizil Agach Reserve the 1980s (Khanmammedov, 1956; MP).Natural predators include Golden Jackal, Red Fox, Jungle Cat( Felis chaus ), Steppe Cat ( Felis libyca ), Marsh Harrier, Black Kite,Goshawk, Sparrowhawk and Peregrine. Golden Jackal, Red Fox,Hooded Crow, Magpie and Eurasian Jay destroy clutches andchicks (Verestchagin, 1947; Khanmammedov, 1956).Before embankment of Kura and Aras in the 1930s, floodscaused significant losses of clutches and young (Khanmamme-dov, 1956). Mowing, burning and clearing of scrub and grassthickets also destroy nests. Villagers collected 123 eggs andchicks in fields in Zangelan and Kubatli districts in July and

August 1948 (Khanmammedov, 1956). A large proportion of habitat in Kizil Agach Reserve was flooded by the rising levelof the Caspian Sea in the mid 1980s-early 1990s (Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).

REMARKS: Well adapted to agricultural habitats and could easily recover to the 1930s levels if strong conservation measures (in-cluding supplemental feeding in winter) are implemented (Litvi-nov. 1977). Formally there is protection, although unabatedpoaching continued throughout Azerbaijan (MP). Babaev (1991b) suggested preserves in the vicinity of Muradbeily (Sa-birabad District), Lake Ali (Saatli District), Arshali and Djardi(Kurdamir District) and Randjibar near Hadjikabul. Survives

well in captivity, but apparently does not breed (Khanmamme-dov, 1956; A. Musaev, pers. comm.).

Azeri name: Chil, Bos kaklik.

STATUS: Common resident. Two subspecies: P. p. fulvescens

Zarudny 1911 occurs in Zuvand Upland (Talish Mountains) andP. p. canescens Buturlin, 1906 elsewhere.

102. Grey Partridge - Perdix perdix Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: P. p. canescens

Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: From Sheki Upland to GekchaiDistrict, Shemakha Upland (e.g. Pirgulu Reserve) and Kusariand Kuba districts (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1962, 1969;Patrikeev, 1991d).




LESSER C AUCASUS: Foothills along Shamkhor-chai (Tauz andKedabek districts), Dzegam-chai (Shamkhor and Dashkesandistricts) and Okhchu-chai (Zangelan District), Kubatli, Agdamand Kasum-Ismail Districts and Terter Valley in Nagorno-Kara-

bakh Autonomous Region (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Laister& Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1969).N AKHICHEVAN: Common at 900-1,000 m, but reaches 1,950 mnear Nekedakh, and 2,000 m near Lake Ganligel, Shahbuz Dis-trict (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960, 1969).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Possibly nested in lowland (e.g. MuganSteppe) in the past (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Gam-barov, 1975). No confirmed records.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: South to Divichi (Khanmamme-dov, 1969).

Winter: Descends from foothills and mountains to lower areas(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).BOSDAG: Vicinity of Mingechaur (Satunin, 1907).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1975).P. p. fulvescens

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Uncommon in Zuvand Upland (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Mustafaev, 1968a).

HABITAT: Fields, forest edge, bush thickets, hedgerows, or-chards, clearings and grassy areas in mountains, foothills andlowlands. Usually near water. Up to 2,000 m on Zangezur Ridge(Nakhichevan) and 2,200 m in Greater Caucasus Mountains,

but most common at 900-1,000 m (Satunin, 1907; Khanmamme-dov, 1960, 1962, 1969; Mustafaev, 1968b).

POPULATION SIZE: Khanmammedov (1962, 1969) estimat-ed 250,000 with average density 21/km2, e.g. 15-30/km2 on thesouthern slope of Greater Caucasus and northeast, and 20/km2

in Lesser Caucasus. 30,000-35,000 estimated in the late 1980s-

early 1990s (Azerbaijan Committee for Nature Conservation).

BREEDING: Monogamous. In the foothills and lowlands of Kuba and Kusari districts, pairs from early March (Khanmamme-dov, 1962). Nest built of twigs and dry grass, and hidden undera bush, in grass or crops. Nest diameter: 19-26.6 cm, depth 4.5cm (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1962, 1969). One clutch ayear (14-24 eggs). Nests with eggs from late April through early July. Egg size ( P. p. canescens ; n=30): 31.4-34.0 x 25.0-27.5 (av.31.6 x 26.3 mm), weight 11.3-13.9 g (av. 12.6 g). Incubation 20-22 days. Chicks in the northeast from mid June (Khanmamme-dov, 1962) and in Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region(Lesser Caucasus Mountains) on June 25th (Laister & Sosnin,

1942). Broods recorded in June (n=6) contained 16-22 chicks,and in September (n=10): 10-14. The young reach adult size by late August (Khanmammedov, 1962, 1969).

DIET: In the northeast, stomachs and crops (n=30) contained47 species of insects and 19 species of plants. The insects in-cluded Coleoptera (Meloe, Chrysomela, Anisoplia, Dascillus, Clytra,

Platysoma, Cicindela, Zabrus, Amara ), Lepidoptera , Orthoptera ,Hymenoptera (Formica, Cataglyphis), Heteroptera and Diptera. The plants (12 families) included: Scrophularia, Cistanche, Rubus,

Triticum, Lithospermum, Heliotropium, Cygnoglossum, Lappula, Lycop-

sis, Vicia, Fumaria, Bupleurum, Helianthemum, Onopordon, Tragopo-

gon, Rhamnus and Chrozophora . Feeds mostly on insects in spring,

both invertebrates and plants in summer and switches almostexclusively to plant matter (leaves, seed) in September-October(Khanmammedov, 1962).

MORTALITY: Does not cope with cold and snow very well andlarge numbers perish in harsh winters, e.g. winter of 1968/1969(Mustafaev et al., 1969). Nest failure more often caused by agri-cultural activities (45%) than predation (27%); the remaining 28%failed due to unknown causes. Up to 48.3% of broods lost toelements, fire and predation by October (Khanmammedov, 1969).

Azeri name: Bildirchin

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Subspecies C. c. coturnix Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common infoothills and mountains of Kusari and Kuba districts, ShemakhaUpland (Alti-Agach to Shemakha and Kirovka), Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District), e.g. near Lagich and Djandakhar. Un-common west of Kutkashen, e.g. Zakatali Reserve and the low-

103. Common Quail - Coturnix coturnix Linnaeus, 1758

land adjacent to the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Moun-tains (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Khanmammedov, 1965a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shahdag and Murovdag ridges (e.g. Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region) and Karabakh Upland (Radde,1884; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Drozdov, 1965).N AKHICHEVAN: Foothills and mountains in Shahbuz (MountKukudag and the vicinity of Lake Ganligel) and Ordubad dis-tricts (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).

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BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Steppe, Shamkhor District andthe vicinity of Mingechaur (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

Probably nested in Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Present (Satunin, 1907; Khanmamme-dov, 1965a).

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Rare wintering species. Record-ed in Karayasi (Radde, 1884) and Shirvan steppes, e.g. in Kur-damir and Udjari districts (Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and southern Muganin warm winters (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Baku, e.g. in winter 1965/1966 (Ale-kperov, 1972).

HABITAT: NESTING: Wheat, barley and alfalfa fields, montanesteppes, subalpine and alpine meadows, clearing in montane forest,orchards and gardens up to 2,400-3000 m in Greater Caucasus Moun-tains and at 700-1,600 m in Lesser Caucasus Mountains (Laister &Sosnin, 1942; Gambarov, 1954; Khanmammedov, 1965a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Parks, hedgerows (Alekperov, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April through early May.

COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve,Sara Peninsula and southern Mugan in early April (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Recordedin southeastern Shirvan 25 April-10 May (Patrikeev, 1991a; Sul-tanov et al., 1991), Baku and Absheron Peninsula in mid to late April (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 24 April-9 May in Karayasi Steppe

(Radde, 1884).Fall passage: Mid August through late November.COASTAL: Passes through Absheron Peninsula from mid Augustto mid October (peaks in late September), latest record on No- vember 23rd (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Conspicu-ous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve in September (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), but may remain past late Novemberin milder winters (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 20,000-30,000 in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP). Average 5-10/ha in mountains and foothills in the northeast(Khanmammedov, 1965a). Up to 10 calling males/station in

Nakhichevan region in the late 1950s (Khanmammedov, 1960).Rare in lowlands (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975; MP). 3-4 call-ing males in Kizil Agach Reserve in April-July 1958 (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Winter: 0.03/ km in Kurdamir and Udjari districts, ShirvanSteppe (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Clutch contains 12-20 eggs. Egg measurements(n=20): 23-30 x 20-24 mm, weight 6.5-8.3 g. In the northeast,nests with eggs from early May to mid July, and chicks fromearly June (Khanmammedov, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1969a). Broodsin Zakatali Reserve in June (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985),and in Nakhichevan region 16-18 July, e.g. broods of 10-12

(Khanmammedov, 1960).

DIET: Stomachs and crops (n=20) contained remains of 13species of insects (8 sp. of beetles, 2 sp. of ants, 1 sp. of flies, 1sp. of bugs), and 9 species of plants (Leguminosae, cereals, etc.)(Khanmammedov, 1965a).

MORTALITY: Flies into powerlines on migration (Sultanov et al., 1991).

104. Common Pheasant - Phasianus colchicus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Girgovul

STATUS: Two subspecies: P. c. colchicus Linnaeus, 1758 is com-mon resident throughout the lowlands ( Declining ), and P. c.

talischensis Lorenz, 1888 is a rare resident in the foothills of Tal-ish Mountains ( Endangered ). In addition, escaped hybrid“game” pheasants established in some areas.

DISTRIBUTION: P. c. colchicus: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Kusari and Kuba districts up to 1,000 m, Shemakha Upland (up to

700-850 m) including Alti-Agach and the vicinity of Shemakha, Lan-gabiz Ridge near Agsu, and the lowland adjacent to the southernslope of Greater Caucasus Mountains and lower foothills in Ismailly,Kutkashen, Vartashen, Sheki, Kah and Zakatali districts (Satunin,1907; Gambarov, 1954; Khanmammedov, 1965a; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Terter Valley in Nagorno-Karabakh Autono-mous Region (up to 1,200 m), and foothills in Agdam District(Satunin, 1907; Laister & Sosnin, 1942).BOSDAG: Turianchai Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b; MP).

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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Iori, Alazani, Akstafa-chai and Kura val-ley, e.g. Karayasi Forest, tugai forests in Shamkhor, Mingechaurand Barda District including Barda Game Preserve. Probably occurs in the Lower Kura, e.g. in the vicinity of Ali-Bairamli.

Also lower parts of Agdam District. In Aras Valley: absent orextremely rare in Zangelan District, but occurs in some parts of Fisuli District and possibly elsewhere (MP). Formerly occurredin Mugan Steppe, but no recent sightings (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1947; Gambarov, 1975; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common in Samur Delta, but increas-ingly rare further south, e.g. in the vicinity of Khudat and Kh-achmas; extirpated between Khachmas and Divichi (Satunin,1907; Verestchagin, 1947; Bannikov, 1955; MP).

P. c. talischensis (Talish Pheasant)

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Widely distributed through the foothills andlow mountains until the 1970-early 1980s. By the late 1980s, thissubspecies survived in a handful of sites, e.g. near villages of

Vistan, Vorgeduz, Khrama and Noda at altitudes 600-1,300 m,and also in scattered locations in Vilajchai and Astara-chai val-leys (Musaev & Babaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly, throughout Lenkoran Lowlandand perhaps north to the Lower Kura where Radde (1884) col-lected “a specimen similar to the Talish Pheasant”. Extirpated inthe vicinity of Lenkoran in the late 19th century, although severalindividuals still occurred near Kumbashi (presently in Kizil AgachReserve) into early 20th century. Completely disappeared fromthe lowlands in the 1950s (Satunin, 1907; Musaev & Babaev, 1989).

About 1850, birds of unclear origin (either P. c. colchicus or P. c.

talischensis ) were released on Sara Island (Radde, 1884; Satunin,

1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). That popula-tion was eliminated by terrestrial predators and poachers whenSara Island became a peninsula, joining the mainland after theCaspian Sea receded (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: Dense thickets of hawthorn, cornelian cherry, black-berry, sea-buckthorn and Juncus in tugai or agricultural habitatsin river valleys, lowlands, foothills and low mountains (up to1,200-1,300 m). Sometimes in dry reed stands and orchards. Visits cereal and corn fields in autumn. No altitudinal move-ments detected (Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkare-

va, 1938; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Mu-saev & Babaev, 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: P. c. colchicus: 20,000-25,000 estimat-ed in the late 1980s (Azerbaijan Committee of Nature Conserva-tion and the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters), but this numberincluded hybrid ‘game’ pheasants (MP). Very common in the past,

e.g. c. 40,000 (mostly this subspecies) taken annually in the 1940-1950s (Verestchagin, 1947). 0.2-0.3/ha in Kusari and Kuba dis-tricts in the early 1960s (Khanmammedov, 1965a), 4/km in the vicinity of Mingechaur in January (Gambarov, 1975), 3-4 /day inthe vicinity of Khudat and Khachmas (Samur-Divichi Lowland)in the mid 1980s, >200 in Barda Game Preserve and 50-80 in Turianchai Reserve in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).P. c. talischensis: <200-300 in the late 1980s-early 1990s, e.g.100-150 in Astara-chai Valley along the Iranian border (MP).Only c. 13 pairs in the vicinity of Vistan and Vorgeduz in 1979-1987 (Musaev & Babaev, 1989).

BREEDING: In the northeast, pairs from early March (Bannikov,

1955), and in April in Turianchai Reserve (MP). Calling males heardthroughout the spring and early summer. Fighting between males isnot uncommon (Gambarov, 1954; Bannikov, 1955). In the north-east, mating recorded from late March to May. Nest is a depressionin the ground lined with dry grass, feathers and twigs, and hidden ingrass or under a bush in dense thickets, sometimes in roadside hedg-erows. Nest size: diameter 24-25 cm, depth 6.8-10 cm (Khan-mammedov, 1956). One clutch a year: 10-16, rarely 18 eggs. Egg measurements (n=24): 40-43 x 31.8-34 mm, weight 21.5-25.5 g (Radde, 1884; Khanmammedov, 1965a). In the vicinity of Mingechaur, first eggs laid in late April (Satunin, 1907). In the north-east, nests with eggs after mid April, but mostly in late May, and lateor replacement clutches in early June (Bannikov, 1955; Khan-

mammedov, 1965a). In Terter Valley (Nagorno-Karabakh Auton-omous Region), a nest with 4 eggs on May 27 th (Laister & Sosnin,1942). Incubation 21-24 days. In Samur-Divichi Lowland, young recorded in May and June. Chick mortality is high and observedbroods contained 3-6 young (Bannikov, 1955; Khanmammedov,1965a), but only 1-2/brood (n=5) in Karayasi forest in early June1989 (MP). Broods often feed in clearings, abandoned fields andorchards (Gambarov, 1954). In the northeast, young (n=7) weighed325-422 g in early July, and young males already featured red feath-ers on the breast and the belly. In early August, young males (n=3) weighed 490-500 g (Khanmammedov, 1965a).

DIET: In the northeast, examined stomachs contained seed,

berries and green parts of 52 species of plants (12 families), 10species of insects (beetles, bugs, ants, grasshoppers) and 10 spe-cies of “terrestrial” molluscs. Small stones found in 50% of thestomachs (Khanmammedov, 1965a). In Lenkoran Lowland,stomachs contained blackberry fruit, parts of cereals and bee-tles (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

MORTALITY: Poorly controlled hunting, but especially poach-ing contributed to the decline of this species in Azerbaijan. Inthe past, villagers hunted pheasants using traditional methods(nets, falconry, etc.), but hunting intensified when guns became

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widely available (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Verestcha-gin, 1947). Natural predators include Jungle Cat, Red Fox, Gold-en Jackal, Eagle Owl and Goshawk (Verestchagin, 1947). In 1985-1986, 6 nests (54 eggs) of Talish Pheasants lost to people andpredators (Musaev & Babaev, 1989).

REMARKS: Common Pheasants spend the night in trees, usu-ally 5-6 m above the ground. Two to three pheasants may sharea roost. In November, calls of Common Pheasants could beheard at dawn and sunset, but they fall silent by mid December(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

Azeri name: Durna, Bos durna

STATUS: Subspecies G. g. grus Linnaeus, 1758 is uncommonmigrant ( Declining ), formerly wintering species. Subspecies G.

g. lilfordi Sharpe, 1894 occurs in Lesser Caucasus Mountains in Armenia and may nest in adjacent parts of Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (hypothetical): SOUTHEAST LOW -LANDS: Might have nested in Lenkoran Lowland in the 19th cen-tury (Mustafaev, 1974a), although neither Radde (1884) nor Sa-tunin (1907, 1912b) reported any evidence of breeding or in-deed summer occurrence.LESSER C AUCASUS: Small numbers of G. g. lilfordi nested in wetmeadows, small bogs and montane steppes in Lesser CaucasusMountains in Armenia at 1,490-2,210 m (Verestchagin, 1947;Dahl, 1954). Considering poor ornithological coverage of Less-er Caucasus in Azerbaijan, occasional nesting should not be ruledout, especially in Karabakh Upland (MP).Winter (former): K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Semi-desert adjacent

to lakes Aggel and Mekhman (Mil Steppe), Shilian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe) until mid or late 1950s (Verestchagin,1947; Mustafaev, 1974a).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and southern Mugan(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b) through the 1930s-1940s (Ver-estchagin, 1947; Mustafaev, 1974a).

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Lakeshores, marshes, muddy spits, semi-desert and cereal fields (Verestchagin, 1947).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February through April.

FAMILY GRUIDAE - CRANES105. Common Crane - Grus grus Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: Conspicuous passage through Lenkoran Lowland 24-25 March (Radde, 1884), but not recorded in Kizil Agach Re-serve until 2-17 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Large flocks cross Greater Caucasus Mountains atZakatali, Belokani and Lagodekhi in mid February (Verestcha-gin, 1950). Observed in the vicinity of Mingechaur and adja-cent Bosdag Mountains 3 March-22 April (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b). Flocks recorded in western and central dis-tricts of Nakhichevan Region in April. Also occurs in Mugan

and Karayasi steppes (MP).Fall passage: August through December.COASTAL: Passes through Samur Delta from September (Butiev et al., 1990b) and through Kizil Agach Reserve in late Septem-ber-October (mostly during 2-24 October) with latest sighting on October 27th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Con-spicuous passage over Talish Mountains in mid October(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). Recorded over Bakuand Absheron Peninsula as late as December (J. Keskpaik, pers.comm.).INTERIOR : Cross Great Caucasus Mountains in Zakatali Districtin August (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov, 1954) and arrive inMingechaur and Kasum-Ismail districts and Nagorno-Karaba-

kh Autonomous Region 17-21 August (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b; MP). Migrants also reported from Lake Aggel(Mil Steppe), Karasy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) and Mugan Steppe(Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: Common in the past (Mus-tafaev, 1968a, 1974a), but presently uncommon with exceptionof Nakhichevan Region. Possibly under recorded.SPRING: A flock of 120 at Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) on17 March 1937 (Gambarov, 1954), 26 over Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on March 28th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b). c. 1,350 in aggregation in Nakhichevan region in April1990: 400 near Negram, 450 near Beuk-Duz in Babek District,

350 near Pusian and 150 near Sadarak in Norashen District (MP).F ALL: Flocks of hundreds migrated over Great Caucasus Moun-tains in Zakatali District in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950),e.g. a flock of 100 at Khalakhi Pass on 23 August 1935 (Gam-barov, 1954). In Kizil Agach Reserve: c. 500 at Ivanovskaya Banka9-19 October 1958 and flocks of 200-300 until 27 October 1958(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 30-40 at Lake Aggel inthe early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter (past): Flocks of 20-100 in the past (Verestchagin, 1947).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Several hundreds wintered in the vicin-ity of Aggel and Mekhman (Mil Steppe), hundreds at Shilian

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Marsh, and a few at Karasy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) in the1930s (Verestchagin, 1947).

DIET: Stomachs examined in December contained only tubersof Bolboschoenus maritimus (Verestchagin, 1947).

MORTALITY: Hunted for meat in the 1930s (Verestchagin,1947). Perhaps still targeted by poachers during migration.

REMARKS: Causes behind disappearance from wintering grounds are not well understood, but conversion of cereal fieldsto cotton and vegetables might have contributed to it.

STATUS: Endangered. Very rare migrant; wintered in the past.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter (former): K URA-ARAS LOWLAND:Mugan Steppe, e.g. near the confluence of Kura and Aras (Sat-unin, 1907, 1912b) until the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1950).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several unconfirmed sightings in Kizil Agach Reserve (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).

MOVEMENT: A few collected at the Caspian shore south of

Absheron Peninsula (Satunin, 1907) and one found dead in LakeBinagadi near Baku (Verestchagin, 1946). Already rare by the1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). Long thought extirpated, but re-corded in 1996 (see below).

Spring passage: Several observed at Astara on 16 March 1880(Radde, 1884). A satellite-tagged male passed through the coastal

106. Siberian Crane - Grus leucogeranus Pallas, 1773

lowland in March 1996 with a possible stopover on March 10th

(Kanai et al., 2002). Also an unconfirmed sighting of 4 at Lake Aggel in spring 2000 (Shelton, 2001).Fall passage: 5 at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) in fall 1966. Possi-ble records: 23-28 August 1974 (Vinogradov, 1977a) and au-tumn 2000 (Shelton, 2001).

REMARKS: Siberian Cranes recorded in Azerbaijan belong tothe population nesting in Western Siberia and wintering in Iran.By the early 1990s, that population dwindled to a handful of

individuals, e.g. only 8 recorded in Iran 1990, 9 in 1991, and 11in 1992 (Perennou et al., 1990; Perennou et Mundkhur, 1991,1992). The latest experiment with satellite tracking (Kanai et al.,2002) has proved that at least some of the few remaining cranesof the western population pass through the Caspian Lowlandof Azerbaijan.

According to Radde (1884) Baron Tizengauzen collected 2 cranes with “reddish head, white neck, dark body and green-greyishbeak” in Lenkoran Lowland: one near Astara on 6 March 1876,

and another near Nikolaevka (presently in Kizil Agach Reserve)

[Sarus Crane - Grus antigonae] (Hypothetical)

on 5 March 1882. Radde himself did not examine those speci-mens (probably lost), but he observed a Sarus Crane near Der-bent (currently in Dagestan, Russian Federation) to the north

of Azerbaijan.

STATUS: Rare migrant; wintered in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter (former): Mugan Steppe in the past(Satunin, 1912b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: A few observed inSamur Delta 3-23 April (Butiev et al., 1989) and at Lake Djan-dargel in April (Shelton, 2001).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Absheron Peninsula,e.g. close to Baku, in the past (Bogdanov, 1879). Passedthrough Sara Peninsula in early October (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967).

107. Demoiselle Crane - Anthropoides virgo Linnaeus, 1758

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: Three flocks (177 birds) passedover Sara Peninsula 3-13 October 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b). 30-40 at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vi-nogradov, 1967). Possibly under recorded.




Azeri name: Sihirchi, Su farala

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies R. a. aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley inc luding lakes Aggel, Bos-Koba and Sar isu (Mi lSteppe), Shilian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe), Var- vara Reservoir and smal l wetlands of Karayas i Forest (Sat-unin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Kurochkin &Koshelev, 1987; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Lesser Kizil

Agach Bay and Kalinovsky Liman), Shorgel Lakes (southeast-

ern Shirvan), Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southernMugan), etc. (Grekov, 1965c; Butiev et al., 1990b; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b). Sur-prisingly, not found at Divichi Liman in summer (Tuaev, 1965).N AKHICHEVAN: Recorded in the region (Khanmammedov, 1960).

Winter: Winter range is somewhat wider, e.g. more widespreadin Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan, occurs in SaraPeninsula, Lenkoran Lowland, Kura Delta (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gazanchian, 1951; Grekov, 1965c; Tu-

FAMILY RALLIDAE - RAILS, CRAKES, COOTS AND ALLIES

108. Water Rail - Rallus aquaticus Linnaeus, 1758

aev, 1975; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP) and Divichi Liman (Tu-aev, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds, kobl and stands of otheremergent vegetation at lakes, marshes and coastal lagoons with fresh and brackish water (Vinogradov, 1967; Kurochkin& Koshelev, 1987; Vinogradov et al., 1990). W INTER : Marsh-es, ponds, channels, flooded thickets, reedbeds and wet de-pressions (Grekov, 1965c; MP).

MOVEMENT: Migrates at night.

Spring passage: March through May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from March to May (Grekov, 1965c) and through Divichi Liman from late Marchthrough April (Tuaev, 1965). Common in the vicinity of Baku, e.g. Yasamal Valley in early May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).

Fall passage: mid September to early November.COASTAL: Often seen and caught in Baku and the suburbs in lateSeptember (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Passage alsorecorded in Kizil Agach Reserve and Kura Delta (Grekov, 1965c; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Lake Sarisu (Tuaev, 1975)and probably elsewhere.

POPULATION SIZE: No information.

Winter: 2,000 estimated in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Payn-ter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Broods observed, but no dates given (Grekov,

1965c; Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987).

MORTALITY: Sometimes perishes at oiled lakes of AbsheronPeninsula and in oil spills (Verestchagin, 1946). Although rarely sought by hunters, some are shot opportunistically (MP).

REMARKS: Pair bond apparently persists throughout the win-ter with both partners maintaining vocal contacts. Conflicts be-tween males observed in late November and December(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Grekov, 1965c).

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: poorly known.Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (MilSteppe), recorded at small wetlands of Karayasi Forest (Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Lesser Kizil

Agach Bay, Kalinovsky Liman and Akusha Marsh), LenkoranLowland, Kura Delta, Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan) and

109. Spotted Crake - Porzana porzana Linnaeus, 1766

Shirvan Reserve (Radde, 1884; Spangenberg, 1951; Grekov,1965c; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and Divichi Liman (Tu-aev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b).N AKHICHEVAN: Recorded in Nakhichevan Region (Khanmamme-dov, 1960).

Winter: Remains in Azerbaijan in milder winters (Grekov,1965c).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura Valley including Kara-yasi Steppe (Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989).

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SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, the Caspian shorebetween Sara Peninsula and Port-Ilich, and southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b; Gazanchian, 1951; Spangenberg, 1951; Grek-ov, 1965c; Tuaev, 1975; MP).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Absheron Peninsula in-cluding Shah Spit (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Dense stands of emergent vegetation atmarshes, lakes, ponds and lagoons. W INTER : Similar to nesting habitat, but also flooded blackberry and Juncus thickets (Gazan-chian, 1951; Spangenberg, 1951; Grekov, 1965c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March through late April(Grekov, 1965c; MP).

COASTAL: Recorded in the vicinity of Baku and Divichi Limanin early March (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965),and in the vicinity of Lenkoran on March 17 th (Radde, 1884).Fall passage: Little information.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from October toDecember (Grekov, 1965c).

POPULATION SIZE and BREEDING: No information.

MORTALITY: Occasionally collides with powerlines (Sultanov et al., 1991) or perishes in oiled lakes (Verestchagin, 1946) dur-ing migration.


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Poorly known. Probably occurred

throughout lowlands of Azerbaijan in the early 20th century (Satunin, 1912a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggel and Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Kislenko,1996; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wetlands of southern Mugan (Satunin,1912a, b). A calling male in coastal reeds of Lake Kichik-Shor-gel (southeastern Shirvan) from mid April to mid May 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a).

110. Little Crake - Porzana parva Scopoli, 1769

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: One collected at a smallpond near Baku on 20 May 1960 (Gambarov, 1960).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965) and Sam-ur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b).

Winter: Winters or wintered in southern Mugan (Satunin,1912b). Unidentified small Porzana recorded elsewhere (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reed and cattail stands in shallow areas(Tuaev, 1965; Kislenko, 1996).

MOVEMENT: Little information.Spring passage: Mid March through mid April.COASTAL: Recorded at Divichi Liman on and after April 2nd (Tu-aev, 1965) and in vicinity of Lenkoran on April 16th (Radde,1884).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Collected at Mingechaur on March 20th

(Satunin, 1912a).Fall passage: COASTAL: One collected on the north shore of Absheron Peninsula on 18 November 1955 (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958).

POPULATION SIZE: Common at Lake Aggel in 1981 (Kislen-ko, 1996). No other information.

BREEDING: A nest with 6 eggs found in a small reed patch atLake Aggel on 28 April 1981, the last (7th ) egg laid on April 29th.Egg size: 30.0-31.9 x 22.3-22.7 mm, average weight 8.37g. Nest-cup: diameter 8 cm, depth 3.5 cm (Kislenko, 1996).

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STATUS: Insufficiently known. Rarely recorded in Azerbaijanduring migration and in winter. No recent records, but possibly overlooked. Subspecies P. p. pusilla Pallas, 1776.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (hypothetical): Considered nesting

in East Transcaucasia, e.g. southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912a, b).

111. Baillon’s Crake - Porzana pusilla Pallas, 1776

Winter: Recorded in southern Azerbaijan in warmer winters(Satunin, 1912b; Spangenberg, 1951).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Collected in Lenko-ran Lowland on April 19th (Radde, 1884), and in the mouth of

Vilajchai (Kizil Agach Reserve) on 24 April 1937 (Ivanov, 1952).

112. Corncrake - Crex crex Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Chivdimdick

STATUS: Uncommon migrant; nested in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (former): No 20th century sum-mer records.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nested in grasslands near Gandja andMingechaur (Radde, 1884) and possibly in Aras Valley (Satu-

nin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Possibly in Sara Island (Satunin, 1907).GREAT C AUCASUS: Shemakha Upland (e.g. near Khaltava andMaraza) and foothills in Kuba District (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: Grasslands and cereal fields (Satunin, 1907; Span-genberg, 1951).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: April through late May, peaksin late April (Spangenberg, 1951).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mostly migrates through interior regions, e.g.Mugan Steppe (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Spangenberg, 1951).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve from

early September to November (Grekov, 1965c). Passes throughKura Delta (Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Mil and Shirvan steppes(Tuaev, 1975).

113. Common Moorhen - Gallinula chloropus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Su farasi

STATUS: Common resident, nesting species, migrant and win-tering species. Subspecies G. c. chloropus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggel andSarisu (Mil Steppe), Shilian and Karasy marshes (ShirvanSteppe), Varvara Reservoir, small wetlands of Karayasi For-est, the mouth of Iori, Alazani Valley and Lake Hadjikabul(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Lenkoran Lowland,Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan), Shor-

gel Lakes and small wetlands in southeastern Shirvan (Grekov,1965c; Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman to Samur Delta (Tu-aev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b; MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Small lakes near Vandom (Kutkashen Dis-

trict) and headwaters of Girdimanchai (Gambarov, 1954).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura Valley, e.g. Aggel, Sarisu, Shilian, Karasy, and Varvara Reservoir (Tuaev,1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula,Mahmud-chala, Kura Delta and Shorgel Lakes (Grekov, 1965c; Tuaev, 1975; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Absheron Peninsula, e.g.Shah Spit (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds and cattail stands at lakes, marshes,ponds and flooded roadside ditches in lowlands and mountainsup to 1,600 m (Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov, 1967; Kurochkin &

Koshelev, 1987; MP). W INTER : Marshes, channels, flooded bushthickets and woodland ponds (Grekov, 1965c; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to mid April.COASTAL: Moves through Kizil Agach Reserve, southern Mugan, Absheron Peninsula and Divichi Liman (Satunin, 1912b; Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Grekov, 1965c; MP).

Fall passage: October-November.COASTAL: Passes through Absheron Peninsula, Kizil Agach Re-serve and southern Mugan in October and November (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Grekov, 1965c; MP).

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POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Common atLake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967). 78 recorded at Mahmud-chala,58 at Hadjikabul and 37 at Varvara Reservoir in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: No estimate. 4,220 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 100 atShorgel Lakes (Shirvan Reserve) in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Nests in reedbeds and kobl . Clutch contains 7-10eggs (size 39.7-43.7 x 29.8-30.2 mm). Possibly two clutches a year(Grekov, 1965c; Vinogradov, 1967: Tuaev, 1975; Kurochkin & Ko-shelev, 1987). Fresh and incubated clutches found at Aggel in early

May, and downy chicks from early May through early June (Vino-gradov, 1967). A brood with large young (about the adult size) seennear Yalama (Samur-Divichi Lowland) on 13 August 1986 (MP).

DIET: Shoots of reed, and shoots and seed of Bolboschoenus

maritimus in examined stomachs (Tuaev, 1965).

MORTALITY: Many perish in cold winters, e.g. 95% at Lake Aggel in the harsh winter of 1963/1964 (Vinogradov, 1967).Downy chicks sometimes caught and swallowed by large MarshFrogs Rana ridibunda (Grekov, 1965c).

Azeri name: Sultan toyughu

STATUS: Common resident ( increasing ) and uncommon mi-grant. Subspecies P. p. seistanicus Zarudny et Harms, 1911.

DISTRIBUTION: Probably confined to wetlands between Salianiand Lenkoran, and flooded parts of Mugan Steppe in the 19th-early 20th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907), but expandedinto other lowlands of Azerbaijan from c. 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986: MP).Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (lakes Aggel, Bos-Koba, Shorbet-Koba, Sarisu and possibly Mekhman), ShirvanSteppe (Lake Hadjikabul, Karasy and Shilian marshes, pondsand small wetlands in Zardob, Udjari and Kurdamir districts),Karayasi Steppe (Lake Djandargel) and Varvara Reservoir (Vi-

nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987;Guseinov, pers. comm.).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. Lesser Kizil Agach Bay, Kalinovsky Liman, Arakelovskaya Banka, and fromthe early 1980s also in reed thickets adjacent to Greater Kizil Agach Bay (Grekov, 1965c; Tkachenko, 1987; Vinogradov etal., 1990), Lakes Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (south-ern Mugan), small coastal wetlands between Lenkoran and As-tara (Lenkoran Lowland), Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan)and Kura Delta (Babaev, 1984; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986;Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).

114. Purple Gallinule - Porphyrio porphyrio Linnaeus, 1758

ABSHERON PENINSULA: Shah Spit and possibly at Lake Mirzaladi (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Nests at Divichi Liman from the ear-ly 1970s (Tuaev, 1965; A. Akhundov, pers. comm.). Probably nested at fishponds in Samur Delta in the late 1970s-early 1980s,but disappeared in 1984 following the removal of emergent

vegetation (Butiev et al, 1989).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Wetlands throughout Mil, Shir- van and Karayasi steppes (Tuaev, 1975; Kurochkin & Koshelev,1987; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Throughout wetlands of southeastern Azerbaijan, Kura Delta and southeastern Shirvan (Tuaev, 1975;Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987; Paynter et al., 1996a). ABSHERON PENINSULA: Shah Spit and the south shore betweenZikh and Turkan (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman, although may com-pletely disappear from there in cold winters (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds and kobl at lakes andmarshes (Grekov, 1965c; Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1982; Patrikeev, 1991a). W INTER : Dense stands of emergent vegetation at lakes and marshes. Sometimes feeds inthe open, e.g. near the shore and even in adjacent semi-desert(Vinogradov, 1967; Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987).

MOVEMENT: inconspicuous.Spring passage: COASTAL: Small numbers pass through lakesof Absheron Peninsula (MP). Earliest spring record in SamurDelta on April 19th and up to 5 recorded daily 23-27 April (Butiev et al., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Decreases at Aggel in March, probably due

to some movement to lowlands of northeastern Azerbaijan andDagestan (Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982).

Fall passage: COASTAL: 5-8/year in Samur Delta in mid Octo-ber-early November, latest record on November 11th (Butiev etal., 1989).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Increases at Aggel in autumn, probably in response to the influx from northeastern Azerbaijan andDagestan (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Fluctuates significantly between yearsdue to significant mortality during cold winters, however the

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population usually recovers in 2-3 years (Vinogradov, 1967,1977b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982). Probably 12,000-17,000 breeding pairs, and from several hundred in cold wintersto 25,000-30,000 in normal winters. The positive trend will prob-ably continue as this species colonizes reed stands in newly-created reservoirs and other water bodies and as the level of theCaspian Sea continues to rise (MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 8,000-10,000 pairs on lakes of Mil Steppe: Aggel, Bos-Koba and Sarisu (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975;MP), e.g. 6,000 pairs or up to 2.5 birds/ha at Aggel alone (Vino-gradov, 1967; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986) and 800-1,000 pairsat Sarisu (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.). Only 19 at Hadjikabul and9 at Varvara Reservoir in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). This population of Mil Steppe is less prone to excessive wintermortality because the majority tend to flee southwards when acold front approaches (Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1982). However, 60-70% were lost at Aggel and up to90% at Mekhman during extremely cold weather in January-February 1964 (Vinogradov, 1967). In normal winters, 6.8-7.0/

ha at Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967). Several thousand at Sarisu in January 1985 (Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, severe winter weather conditions take catastrophic toll on the local popula-tion. After some cold and snowy winters Purple Gallinules may completely disappear from the reserve for 1-2 years (see the

table). In southeastern Shirvan, c. 4,000 pairs at Lakes Beuk-Shorgel and Kichik-Shorgel (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).Uncommon to rare at Mahmud-chala where only 30 recordedin 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 5-10 pairs at Divichi Liman, but may completely disappear for several years following a cold winter (Tu-aev, 1965; MP), 12 recorded in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). ABSHERON: 8-10 pairs at Shah Spit in 1989-1991 (MP).

BREEDING: Probably mates for life. A pair sometimes ac-companied by 1-2 last-year offspring helping with brooding and

Number of Purple Gallinules wintering at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) in 1961-1991Winter Number Source

1961 960 (Nov) Vinogradov, 1967

1962 340 (Dec)

1963/64* 1440 Vinogradov, 1977b

1964/65 c. 3,400 Vinogradov, 1977b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982

1965/66 c. 3,400

1966/67 c. 3,400

1971/72* 1,200

1972/73* 1,200

1973/74 2,700 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982

1974/75 2,700

1985 Very rare Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987

1991 >8,000 (Jan) MP* - cold snowy winters

Number of Purple Gallinules in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1924-1996

Period Winter number Summer number Source

1924/1925* none Verestchagin, 1950

1936/1937* a few

1949/1950* none Tuaev, 1960; Grekov, 1965c

1952 first sighting since 1950

(27 July 1952)

1953 several birds

1957 groups of 20-30 recovered

1963/1964* a few survived Mustafaev, 1964

1964/1965* none none Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Babaev, 1984; Tkachenko, 19871968/1969* a few survived Mustafaev et al., 1969

1971/1972* a few survived Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Babaev, 1984, 1990b; Skokova &

1973 low low Vinogradov, 1986; Tkachenko, 1987; Vinogradov et al., 1990

1975/1967* a few survived

1976/1977* >35

Early 1978 110

1982 500-600 >3,000 (1,500 pairs)

1984 7,000-11,000 5,100 birds

1996 1,270 Paynter et al., 1996a

* - cold snowy winters




rearing the young. Nesting season from mid March. Pairs may nest 50-100 m apart or closer (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1982; Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987). 0.8-7 nests/ha in Kizil Agach Reserve (Babaev, 1984; Tkachenko, 1987). Two types of nests: 1) at the base of standing reeds or within a kobl in deeperareas; 2) on broken reeds 60-70 cm above the water in shallowercoastal areas. Nest made of panicles and leaves of reed, cattail,

sedge and grass, and lined with reed panicles. Nest diameter:280-340 mm (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Kurochkin& Koshelev, 1987).Clutch contains 4-5, sometimes 3 eggs. Egg measurements:50.2-52.5 x 35.1-38.0 mm. Incubation lasts 22-25 days, mostly by female although male may incubate c. 1.5 hours/day (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Kurochkin & Koshelev,1987). First completed clutches at Aggel in mid April (Vino-gradov, 1967), at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve on April 19th (Grekov, 1965c), at Shorgel Lakes from 12-13 April(Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.). Nests with eggs found in Kizil Agach Reserve as late as June 30th (Grekov, 1965c; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982).

First young recorded 27 April-26 May. First days after hatch-ing, chicks return to the nest to rest and sleep (Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975). Both parents feed the young, but 5-day-old chicks already search for food, and after 10 days they arecapable of feeding on their own. Adults abandon the young and flee if surprised by a predator, and the young dive orswim away (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1982; Kurochkin& Koshelev, 1987). 3 or less young/brood in mid June-July. The young are on the wing in late June-July. Adults abandonbroods in August (Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1982).

DIET: Mostly roots and shoots of reed ( Typha angustifolia and

T. laxmanni ) and Bolboschoenus maritimus , also seed of Potamo- geton sp., shoots and seed of wild cereals. The young up to1.5 month old feed on invertebrates (68-70% of their diet)including water bugs and their larvae, larvae of dragonfliesand mayflies, also grasshoppers and locusts. Foraging Purple

Gallinule breaks reed shoots from the root with its powerfulbeak, then eats the inner parts of the root holding it in onefoot. Also pulls out and eats clumps of green grass (Grekov,1965c; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). In cold winters, when wetlands are frozen, sometimes feeds on carcasses of deadmammals and birds, and barley laid out at francolin feeding stations in Kizil Agach Reserve. Feeding on carcasses also

reported after oil spills (Vinogradov, 1967; Tkachenko, 1987;Zakiev, 1990; G. Bairamov, pers. comm.). In captivity, eatsgrain, fruits, vegetables, bread, fresh and boiled meat, kitch-en refuse, eggs and mice (Grekov, 1965c; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1982).

MORTALITY: Many perish during inclement winters (see Pop-

ulation Size and Appendix 5). After snowstorms, many weak-ened Purple Gallinules observed close to the shore, and some walked into houses (Grekov, 1965c; Mustafaev et al., 1969). 109found dead at Lake Aggel after a long cold spell in January-February 1964 (Vinogradov, 1967). The main natural predator is the Jungle Cat ( Felis chaus ). Nests

and roosting platforms built well above the water in coastalareas probably in attempt to escape predation by Jungle Cats(Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987). Purple Gallinules feeding along the shore and adjacent semi-desert often fall prey to Red Fox( Vulpes vulpes ) and Golden Jackal ( Canis aureus ). Marsh Harrier( Circus aeruginosus ) and Hooded Crow ( Corvus cornix ) destroy clutches and chicks (Grekov, 1965c; Vinogradov, 1967; Kuro-chkin & Koshelev, 1987). Meat is considered tasty, but inferiorto Coot’s, and this protected species is not specifically target-ed, although aggregations foraging along the shoreline, closeto causeways, etc. are shot at (Verestchagin, 1947; Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.; MP).Perishes in oiled lakes of Absheron Peninsula and during spills

at the coastline (Verestchagin, 1946), e.g. 27 oiled but still alivePurple Gallinules picked up in coastal reeds of Absheron Pen-insula after a spill in February 1990 (Zakiev, 1990; G. Bairamov,pers. comm.). Also threatened by fires lit in dry reeds (MP).

Azeri name: Gashgaldag

STATUS: Common resident and nesting species; very commonmigrant and wintering species ( declining ). Subspecies F. a. atra

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe(including lakes Aggel and Sarisu), Shirvan Steppe (Shilian andKarasy marshes, small lakes, ponds, and other wetlands in Zardob,Udjari, Kurdamir, Saatli and other districts, and Lake Hadjikabul), Varvara Reservoir and adjacent wetlands, and Karayasi Steppe (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, southern Mugan(Mahmud-chala, Ah-chala and Novogolovka-chala), LenkoranLowland, southeastern Shirvan (Shorgel Lakes) and Kura Delta

115. Common Coot - Fulica atra Linnaeus, 1758

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Summer Distribution:




(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit. Observed incoastal lagoons south of Cape Pirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman, Samur Delta and elsewhere (Tuaev, 1965; MP).GREATER C AUCASUS: Small numbers nest in the lowland adjacent

to the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains, e.g. at smalllakes and ponds near Vandam, Kutkashen District (Gambarov,1954). Reported from small lakes of Shemakha Upland (MP).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu),Shirvan Steppe (Shilian, Karasy, Sor-Sor, Kurchala and Hadjik-abul), Karayasi Steppe (including Lake Djandargel) and elsewhere in Kura Valley (Verestchagin, 1950; Zlotin, 1963; Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay andthe adjacent aquatory (Verestchagin, 1947, 1950; Grekov, 1965c; Tuaev, 1975; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al.,1990), Lenkoran Lowland, southern Mugan (Mahmud-chala andNovogolovka-chala), southeastern Shirvan (Shorgel Lakes) and

Kura Delta (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Artem Bay, Shah Spit, thesouth shore of Absheron Peninsula, Baku Bay, Absheron Ar-chipelago (e.g. near islands Zhiloyi and Urunos), Karadag andSangachal Bays, Baku Archipelago (e.g. at Duvannyi, Glinanyi,and Pirsagat Islands) and at Kurinski Kamen Island (Verestcha-gin, 1947, 1950; Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Verestchagin, 1950;

Tuaev, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lakes, marshes, ponds, oxbows, lagoons andsmall reservoirs with stands of reeds and other emergent vegeta-tion. Highest densities recorded in reed stands and kobl interchang-

ing with ponds of open water W INTER AND MIGRATION: Coastalareas of the Caspian Sea, e.g. around islands and along underwa-ter ridges with thickets of Zostera marina and other aquatic plants,lakes, marshes and other wetlands (Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Wintering popula-tion leaves Kizil Agach Reserve from early February to early April (Grekov, 1965c). Moves through Absheron Peninsula frommid and late February (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Mostconspicuous passage at Divichi Liman in mid February-early April (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Karabanova, 1981). AtKichik-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan), sizable flocks of migrantsstill present 13-14 April (Patrikeev, 1991a).

INTERIOR : Wintering population leaves by late February, althoughsome passage recorded at Shilian and Karasy marshes in midMarch, and elsewhere until mid April (Verestchagin, 1950; Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975). Small numbers possibly migrate overGreater Caucasus Mountains. One recorded in juniper woodlandsof Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 8 April 1991 (MP).Fall passage: The nesting population mostly leaves Azerbaijanin late July-August to winter elsewhere. Arrival of migrants fromthe north from early September, but conspicuous passage fromlate October. The passage is most intensive during quiet moon-less night with light drizzle (Verestchagin, 1950).

COASTAL: Flocks of 20-50 at Divichi Liman from early Octoberand large flocks arrive in late October. Some remain at the liman,but the majority move on (Verestchagin, 1947, 1950; Tuaev,1965), following the coastline and reaching Yashma Island, Ab-sheron Peninsula, Karadag and Sangachal bays and the islandsof Absheron and Baku archipelagos (peak from early throughmid November). Some flocks lost in fog observed in Gobustan

Upland west of Baku (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; MP). Main stream of migrants proceeds fur-ther south and arrives at Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays,coastal waters between Lenkoran and Astara, wetlands of south-ern Mugan, and, to the less extent, Lenkoran Lowland, whileothers head inland to the wetlands of Kura-Aras Lowland. Pas-sage continues to mid December (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov, 1965c; Mustafaev,1972; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Mil Steppe, conspicuous passage inNovember-December, although in some years, it was already over by late November (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 15,000-20,000 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Population of Kizil Agach Reserve fluctu-ates in response to weather and water levels, e.g. did not nest inthe very dry 1955. In the late 1950s, highest nesting densities (8nests/ha) at freshwater marshes, e.g. Kalinovsky Liman, Lopatin-ski and Akusha marshes (Grekov, 1965c), however, only 0.1 nest/ha in 1966 and 0.1-0.6/ha in 1984 due to habitat degradationcaused by decreased water flow and contaminants. Overall 12,000-15,000 coots in the late 1970s-early 1980s, >1,900 in 1984, 13,410in 1986 (Kurochkin & Koshelev, 1987; Tkachenko, 1989) and10,700-11,200 pairs in the late 1980s (Vinogradov et al., 1990).50-100 pairs at Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) in 1990 (Patri-

keev, 1991c) and 91 coots in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).>500 pairs at Shorgel Lakes in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: High densities (28 nests/ha in 1963, 20nests/ha in 1964, and 14 nests/ha in 1965) at western end of Lake Aggel, but only 0.5/ha elsewhere. Overall number 1,390-6,210 in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), 2,000-3,000 pairs in1989-1990 (S. Gasimov, pers. comm.). 73 at Varvara Reservoir, 72at Sarisu and 18 at Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Uncommon at Divichi Liman: only 0.08 birds/ha in the early 1960s (Tuaev, 1965) and 35 birds in1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 200-250 observed at Shilian andKarasy marshes in early and mid March in the 1940s (Verestcha-

gin, 1950). c. 1,500 at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shir- van 13-14 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).F ALL: Up to 150,000/year migrated through Divichi Liman inthe early 1960s (Tuaev, 1965). >10,000 at Yashma Island, 40,000at Shah Spit, >3,000 in Artem Bay, and up to 30,000 in San-gachal Bay in the late 1980s (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.; MP).Several hundred at Mahmud-chala on 25 November 1989, but>2,000 arrived on November 26th (MP).Winter: No numerical estimates available prior to the 1930s.Censuses are somewhat complicated because a significant pro-portion of the marine population moves to inland lakes and








SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Pairs seen in hills in Lenkoran Lowlandin the 19th century (Radde, 1884). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Probably occurred throughout Go-bustan Upland, but disappeared by the 1950s (Burchak-Abram-

ovich & Gambarov, 1961).Winter: Common wintering species in the past, but a dramaticdecline in numbers and a contraction of wintering range fromthe 1930-1940s (Mustafaev, 1974a).GREATER C AUCASUS: Sheki Upland in the past (Verestchagin,1940); several unconfirmed reports in the 1980s (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Small numbers in the 1930s (Verestchagin, 1940).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the middle of the 19th century, com-mon in Hadjinour, Mugan, Saliani and Shirvan Steppe, IoriUpland and the vicinity of Mingechaur (Bogdanov, 1979; Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b), rare in Mil Steppe in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967). In the 1980s, reported from Karaya-si, Mugan and Shirvan steppes, Djeiranchel Hills and Korchai

Game Preserve (Abuladze, 1986; Gasanov, 1990; MP). May still winter in Hadjinour Steppe (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wintered on islands (Kulagin and Bu-runki), coastal and semi-desert areas of Kizil Agach Reserve inthe 1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938), but almostdisappeared from the reserve by the early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Formerly in southeastern Shirvan(Bogdanov, 1979; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Occurred along the Caspian shorebetween Baku and Divichi in warm winters (Verestchagin, 1940;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). No recent records. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Wintered in northern Absheron (Ver-estchagin, 1940; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958) and Gobust-

an Upland, but disappeared during the 1950s (Burchak-Abram-ovich & Gambarov, 1961; Mustafaev, 1974a).

HABITAT: Steppe and semi-desert with wild cereals, Artemisia ,Salsola , etc.; also arable lands (Verestchagin, 1940).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: occurred in February-March.COASTAL: Observed along the Caspian shore north of Absher-on in the 1930s (Verestchagin, 1940). Latest (and last) spring sightings in Samur Delta: 7 March 1968 and 31 March 1969(Butiev et al., 1989).

INTERIOR : Crossed Greater Caucasus Mountains near Zakatali,e.g. flocks recorded at 1,900-2,000 m 14 February-21 March1937 (Gambarov, 1954).Fall passage: Mostly October.COASTAL: Conspicuous passage in the past: through Samur-Div-ichi Lowland, Kilazi, Mount Beshbarmak, Gobustan Upland andCape Sangachal, arriving at southeastern Shirvan and Kizil Agach

Reserve in October (Verestchagin, 1940; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Through Shemakha Upland, Mugan Steppe and Na-khichevan Region (Verestchagin, 1940). Small numbers arrivedafter crossing Greater Caucasus Mountains in Zakatali District(Gambarov, 1954). Very few reports after 1950s (MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: Few recent records (MP).SPRING: In Samur Delta: several flocks on 7 March 1968, and 11birds on 31 March 1969 (Butiev et al., 1989). 60 recorded inZakatali District 14 February-21 March 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).F ALL: 207 in Kizil Agach Reserve on 26 November 1958 (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Winter: Declined dramatically. Very common in the middleof the 19th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907), still com-mon in the 1930s (Verestchagin, 1940), but almost completely disappeared by the 1960s. Probably <100 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2-5 in Korchai Game Preserve and un-specified numbers in Mugan Steppe in 1989-1990 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Flocks of 150-200 on Kulagin Island, Kizil Agach Reserve in 1935 (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938). Twenty flocks of 20-70 between Kulagin and Burunki inthe late 1940s (Gazanchian, 1951), c. 500 between Akusha andSbrosnoyi Channel and 13 between Akusha Marsh and LakeKarakush in January 1959 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), several dozen

wintered in 1957-1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Probably completely disappeared from the reserve by the 1980s(Vinogradov et al., 1990).

BREEDING: A nest near Alpaut lookout, Mugan Steppe inMay 1912 (Verestchagin, 1940).

DIET: Greenery on arable lands, locusts (Verestchagin, 1940).

MORTALITY: Several hundred/year bagged in the 1920s-1930s(Verestchagin, 1940).

REMARKS: Factors behind the dramatic decline of Great Bus-

tard are not fully understood. Apparently adapted well to agri-cultural lands (Verestchagin, 1940).

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Lenkoran

wintering range to

the 1930s




Azeri name: Bozgak

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, nested inthe past. Decreasing. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Summer (former distribution): Small num-bers nested in the 19th and early 20th centuries (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1940). No recent summer records,but parts of the former summer range remain poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Hills south of Shemakha (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1940).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shusha District of Nagorno-Karabakh Re-gion (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan, Mil, Karabakh (e.g. in Fisuli Dis-trict) and Hadjinour steppes, and semi-desert near Gandja in the

19th

century (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b). Still commonin hills north of Mingechaur and occurred in Shirvan Steppe andKarabakh Steppe (Fisuli District) in the 1930s, and probably stillnested in Hadjinour Steppe in the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1940, 1947). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Might have nested in Gobustan Uplandin the 1940s-1950s (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961).

Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Probably winters in Sheki Up-land (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Lower parts of Nagorno-Karabakh Region(Krivosheev & Stepanyan, 1959; S. Gasimov, pers. comm.).N AKHICHEVAN: Norashen District and vicinity of Mount Ilan-dag (MP).BOSDAG: Common along the foot of Bosdag Mountains in the

past (Satunin, 1907).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the late 1980s-early 1990s, the mostimportant wintering grounds were in Mugan Steppe (Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.; MP). Also in Mil, Shirvan, Hadjinour, Saliani andKarayasi steppes, Korchai Game Preserve, Alazani Valley, themouth of Iori and Djeiranchel Hills (Verestchagin, 1940; Zlo-tin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev, 1974a; Gambarov, 1975; Abuladze, 1986b; S. Gasimov, pers. comm MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Concentrates in semi-desert parts of Kizil Agach Reserve (Vorobieva, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Only small numbers wintered in the reserve in the 1930s, e.g. on Bu-

117. Little Bustard - Tetrax tetrax Linnaeus, 1758

runki and Kulagin islands (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938), but as lowlands of Azerbaijan were falling under theplough, ever more Little Bustards were spending winter in Kizil Agach Reserve. When poaching increased in the reserve in thelate 1980s, the majority probably moved to Mugan Steppe. Also

winters in Shirvan Reserve and adjacent parts of southeasternShirvan (MP) and southern Mugan (Ivanov & Priklonsky, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Wintered in central and southern partsof Samur-Divichi Lowland in warm winters in the 19th-early 20th centuries (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Formerly wintered in GobustanUpland and sometimes in northern Absheron Peninsula (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1940).

HABITAT: W INTER : Unploughed semi-desert with wormwood Artemisi , Salsola or Andropogon , but also in barley fields (Verestcha-gin, 1940; Vorobieva, 1977, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Ba-baev, 1991a) and abandoned cotton fields (Y. Guseinov, pers.

comm.; MP). Observed in other agricultural habitats in drierautumns (Verestchagin, 1940). Found in tallgrass areas aftersnowfalls (Vorobieva, 1977).

MOVEMENT:Spring passage: from early February to mid April.COASTAL: The majority follows the Caspian shore (Verestchagin,1940). Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in early February-early March(Vorobieva, 1977). First records in Samur Delta 16-18 March,conspicuous passage in late March-early April and latest sight-ing on April 7th (Butiev et al., 1989).INTERIOR : Observed in Sheki Upland in early March (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Also in March crosses GreaterCaucasus Mountains, e.g. at Mount Alibek in Zakatali District

(Verestchagin, 1940; Gambarov, 1954).Fall passage: In normal and colder winters arrives in early October-November (Verestchagin, 1940; Isakov & Flint, 1987),but not until December to mid January in warmer winters (Ver-estchagin & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Gathers in large flocks soonafter arrival at the wintering grounds (Verestchagin, 1940).COASTAL: The majority follows the Caspian shore. After reaching Kilazi, some move west to Shemakha, but the majority cross Absh-eron Peninsula and Gobustan Upland and head to Kizil AgachReserve, Mugan Steppe and Iran (Verestchagin, 1940). Arrives atKizil Agach Reserve late October-early November, but mostly inNovember-early December (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Latest records in Samur Delta: 6-7 November (Butiev et al., 1989).

In warmer winters, many remain on the Northern Caucasus Plain while the rest arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from December throughmid January (Verestchagin & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Passes through Kura-Aras Lowland, Aras Valley (e.g.in Nakhichevan Region) on to Iran (Verestchagin, 1940). Small-er numbers cross over Greater Caucasus Mountains in October(Gambarov, 1954).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding (former): 30 (e.g. 2-3 malesin breeding plumage) along a 20-km route in Fisuli District on22 April 1936. Several pairs and single individuals in Shirvan

Shemakha

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Lenkoran




Steppe and south of Shemakha in April-May 1940 (Verestcha-gin, 1940, 1947).Passage: SPRING: 1,200-2,000 passed over Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) in March 1936 and 400-450 on 24 March 1937(Gambarov, 1954). A flock of 1,400 in Kizil Agach Reserve on6 March 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). 360 passedthrough Samur Delta 27-31 March 1969 and 1,500 on 31 March

1985 (Butiev et al., 1989).F ALL: Tens of thousands in the past (Satunin, 1907). 200-400 northof Baku on 7 November 1936, seven flocks of 50-150 passedthrough Divichi on 3 December 1936 (Verestchagin, 1940). Flocksof 4-250 arrived at Kizil Agach Reserve in late October-early November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Only smallflocks of 2-8 in Samur Delta in the 1980s (Butiev et al., 1989).Winter: Numbers fluctuate in response to winter temperatures:greater numbers recorded in colder winters (Verestchagin, 1940; Vorobieva, 1986). From 8,000-12,000 in warmer winters to35,000-40,000 in colder winters in the late 1980s-early 1990s(MP). Immature birds make c. 40% of the wintering popula-tion, and adult males and females c. 30% each (Vorobieva, 1986).

In the early 19th century Menetries reported “masses of LittleBustards west of Baku” (Bogdanov, 1879). Radde (1884) observed“incredible numbers” in Mugan Steppe in 1878 and 1879. A flock of 20,000 in the vicinity of Mingechaur in 1916, flocks of similarsize (c. 20,000) between Mingechaur and Evlakh in January 1937and at Karasy Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) in February 1938. Perhaps,200,000-300,000 wintered in Azerbaijan prior to the 1930s (Ver-estchagin, 1940). The last record of “thousands” in Mingechaur-Evlakh area was in the mid 1940s (Verestchagin, 1947).

From the 1940s, large numbers wintered in Kizil Agach Re-serve (see Table), e.g. in the Kulagin area and Ivanovskaya Ban-ka (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Ivanov & Priklonsky,1965; Vorobieva, 1979, 1986). 5,000-10,000 wintered in MilSteppe in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967). c. 30,000 record-ed in central part of Mugan Steppe in January 1990 and 10,000in winter 1990/1991 (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP). In 1989,

150 in Saliani Steppe, 200 in Shirvan Reserve, 200 near Shilianin Shirvan Steppe (Babaev, 1991a), 200-300 west of Beuk-Da-khna (Hadjinour Steppe) and 300-600 in Korchai Game Pre-serve (MP). >900 in Shirvan Reserve and 40-590 in the vicinity of Lake Sarisu in January-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a). A flock of 7000 between Evlakh and Kazi-Magomed in Febru-ary 1998 (P. Cranswick, pers. comm.).Perhaps Little Bustards wintering in Azerbaijan are not very con-servative about their wintering grounds. Probably moved fromShirvan Steppe and the Mingechaur-Evlakh area to the more orless protected Kizil Agach Reserve (and possibly to HadjinourSteppe) in the 1930s-1940s. When illegal hunting and disturbanceincreased in Kizil Agach Reserve in the mid 1980s, the majority

probably moved to the scarcely populated Mugan Steppe (MP).

BREEDING: Males in breeding plumage and pairs observed inlate April-May (Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1940). A female with two chicks at the Alpaut lookout, Mugan Steppe on May 12th (Satunin, 1907).

DIET: Shoots of herbaceous plants (up to 1,000 shoots/birddaily). Stomachs examined in the vicinity of Mingechaur (n=20)

Little Bustards wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1935-1989

Year Number Source

1935 rare Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938

late 1940s c. 25,000 Gazanchian, 19511956/1957 >2,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1957/1958 up to 12,000-13,000

February 1959 7,978

1959/1960 13,000 Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Ivanov & Priklonsky, 1965; Oliger, 1967

1960/1961 15,000-29,000

1963 >17,500

December 1971 62,300 Vorobieva, 1977; Morozkin & Vorobieva, 1977

1972/1973 18,000

1974 9,800

1975 13,500

January 1976 4,200

1977/1978 7,500 Vorobieva, 1979, 1986

1978/1979 8,0001979/1980 6,000

1980/1981 9,000

February 1982 30,000

February 1984 15,300

1984/1985* none

1985/1986* none

December 1989 >1,600 MP

* -Warm winter

Remark: Gazanchian (1965) reported 75,000 in November 1964 and 600,000 in January 1965. These numbers are not generally accepted by the

ornithological community and are therefore excluded from the table.








STATUS: Uncommon migrant and rare wintering species.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula. Observed on Lesser Kizil

Agach Bay on 5 December 1955 and at Akusha Marsh, Kizil AgachReserve in December 1958-February 1959 (Grekov, 1965b). Re-corded on the Caspian shore near Lenkoran after snowstorms(Mustafaev, 1972). Wintered in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: One found dead near Bakuon 13 February 1990 (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.).

HABITAT: Sandbanks, beaches and other coastal areas (Grek-ov, 1965b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through late April.COASTAL: 12 recorded at Sara Peninsula on March 14th (Grekov,1965b). Passed through Lenkoran Lowland 14-20 April (Radde,

121. Golden Plover - Pluvialis apricaria Linnaeus, 1758

1884). Several flocks of 3-10 at Cape Pirsagat and Shorgel Lakes(southeastern Shirvan) in mid to late April 1989-1990 (Patri-keev, 1991a).Fall passage: inconspicuous.COASTAL: 2-3 in a flock of Grey Plovers near Novogolovka,

southern Mugan on 26 November 1989 (MP). Collected inLenkoran Lowland 11-12 December (Bogdanov, 1879; Rad-de, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Large numbers in LenkoranLowland in the 19th century (Radde, 1884). Two males onSara Peninsula on 2 November 1950 (Grekov, 1965b). 1,000in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a) and1,014 in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).

MORTALITY: Sometimes perishes in oil (Verestchagin, 1946;G. Bairamov, pers. comm.).

STATUS: Accidental winter visitor. Possibly wintered in the past.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter (former): Two males collected nearLenkoran on December 4th and January 12th in 18..? (Radde,

122. Pacific Golden Plover - Pluvialis fulva Gmelin, 1789

1884). Considered wintering species in Mugan (Satunin, 1912a,b). No other records.

Azeri name: Bozdja, Kichik Bosdja

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. SubspeciesC. h. tundrae Lowe, 1915.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly in Kizil Agach Reserve (shores of Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays)and Sara Peninsula (Resanov, 1983). Observed on the Caspianshore south of Lenkoran after snowstorms (Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: W INTER : Sandbanks, mudflats and small ponds(Rezanov, 1983). MIGRATION: Coastal areas, semi-desert, salt-pans (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through May.COASTAL: Conspicuous movement through Sara Peninsula in late April, few remained by May 6th (Grekov, 1965b). Passed throughCape Pirsagat and saltpan near Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeast-ern Shirvan) 11-18 May (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Karayasi Steppe in April(Satunin, 1907).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in late July-early August, and conspicuous passage occurs in Septem-ber-October (Grekov, 1965b).

123. Ringed Plover - Charadrius hiaticula Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small flocks in Karayasi Steppe in early September. Passes via Kura and Aras valleys (Satunin, 1907;Mustafaev, 1974a).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 150-170 at Sara Pen-insula on 20 April 1958 (Grekov, 1965b). Flocks of 2-7 southof Cape Pirsagat, and c. 50 at Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeasternShirvan) 11-18 May 1989-1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Winter: In Kizil Agach Reserve: flocks of 5-10 or rarely 20 in1975 (Resanov, 1983), 374 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996). 374recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).

MORTALITY: Occasionally perishes in oil (Verestchagin, 1946).




Azeri name: Bosdja, Kichik Bosdja

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies C.d. curonicus Gmelin, 1789.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Banks andislands of Kura River up to Karayasi Steppe, shores of Mingechaur Reservoir, Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu), Turian-chai Valley and lowlands of Shemakha District (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shores of Greater Kizil Agach Bay, SaraPeninsula, the vicinity of Lenkoran and Shorgel Lakes in south-eastern Shirvan (Radde, 1884; Grekov, 1965b; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Caspian shore and brack-ish lakes of Absheron Peninsula, e.g. near Zabrat (Gambarov &

Gazanchian, 1958).GREATER C AUCASUS: Shemakha Upland (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954).

124. Little Ringed Plover - Charadrius dubius Scopoli, 1769

N AKHICHEVAN: Throughout the region, e.g. Aldziganchai Valley and the vicinity of Ordubad (Satunin, 1907; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Sandbanks, silt and pebble spits and islands,shores of fresh and brackish lakes, and the Caspian shore (Radde,

1884; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov, 1967; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: From March through mid May.COASTAL: Migrates through Kizil Agach Reserve from the firsthalf of March until May (Grekov, 1965b). Flocks of 3-5 atShorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) from mid April throughmid May (Patrikeev, 1991a). Passage recorded in Kura Delta(Tuaev, 1975)

Fall passage: Leaves Azerbaijan by late September.COASTAL: Small flocks in Kizil Agach Reserve in early Augustand larger flocks in September (Grekov, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passage recorded at Lake Aggel (Vino-gradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Common, no estimate (MP).Passage: Flocks of 7-10 recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve andof 30-40 at Lake Aggel (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov, 1967).

BREEDING: Possibly two clutches a year, 3-4 eggs per clutch(MP). Display observed as early as March (Satunin, 1907). Eggslaid in Kizil Agach Reserve in early May (Grekov, 1965b). Anest with 4 eggs found on a pebble spit of Kura River nearKarayasi on 10 June 1989, flooded the following day. Two nests with 3 eggs each in the same area on June 30th (MP). Two downy young collected near Zorat, Absheron Peninsula on May 7 th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). In Kizil Agach Reserve, hatch-

ing recorded in late May-early June (Grekov, 1965b). Large chick at Aggel on July 24th (Vinogradov, 1967). Broods reported untilSeptember (Satunin, 1907; Grekov, 1965b).

125. Greater Sand Plover - Charadrius leschenaultii Lesson, 1826

STATUS: Rare nesting species and migrant. Subspecies C. l. cras-

sirostris Severtzov, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution of this species is vir-tually unknown; probably overlooked. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Early in the 20th century many spec-

imens collected south of Baku by Bankovski and a nest foundnear Alat (Laister & Sosnin, 1942). One collected in GobustanUpland on 21 May 1937 and another in the south of AbsheronPeninsula on 13 June 1947 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: One collected on the Caspian shore nearShah-Agach, Lenkoran District on 29 May 1897 (Satunin, 1907).One observed in a mixed colony of Collared Pratincoles andKentish Plovers in Shirvan Reserve, southeastern Shirvan in late April 1990 (MP).

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Lenkoran




HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky and clayey semi-desert, saltpans(Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to mid May.COASTAL: Two records in Samur Delta: 22 March 1977 and 7

April 1978 (Butiev et al., 1989). Passed through Lenkoran Low-

land 12-26 April (Radde, 1884). Five at Kilazi in April (Shelton,2001). A male south of Cape Pirsagat on 14 May 1989 (Patri-keev, 1991a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded at Lake Karakush, Kizil AgachReserve in August 1984 and 1985 (Shubin, 1991b). One in Sam-ur Delta on October 19th (Butiev et al., 1989).


MOVEMENT: Observed on the Caspian shore near Lenkoranand in Mugan in the late 19th-early 20th centuries (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907, 1912b). A few records in the 20th century. Possi-bly overlooked.

126. Caspian Plover - Charadrius asiaticus Pallas, 1773

Spring passage: COASTAL: Flocks of 15-20 at Lenkoran 15-19 April, >100 collected (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Onecollected on the seashore in Divichi District on 4 April 1948(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Recorded at Lake Kara-kush, Kizil Agach Reserve in August 1984 and 1985 (Shu-bin, 1991b).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant, rare winter-ing species. Subspecies C. a. alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeast-ern Shirvan, e.g. vicinity of Shorgel Lakes; also in northernpart of Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan including Mahmud-chala (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patri-keev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Cape Pirsagat and islandsof Baku Archipelago including Glinanyi, Pervaya Grada, Baburyi

and Pelikanyi (Patrikeev, 1991a), the vicinity of Sangachal andnorthern Absheron (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Former-ly common near Baku (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Collected on the seashore in Kh-achmas and Divichi districts (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggel, Mil Steppe (MP) and Yekhana, Shirvan Steppe (Shelton, 2001) .SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Resanov, 1983).Observed on the Caspian shore near Lenkoran after snowstorms(Mustafaev, 1972).

127. Kentish Plover - Charadrius alexandrinus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Seashore, sandspits, rocky and clayey is-lands of the Caspian Sea, semi-desert, dried saltpans and coast-line of drying lakes (Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March to May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from March toMay (Grekov, 1965b). Migrants observed near Zorat, AbsheronPeninsula on March 24th (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: In August-November, migration record-ed at Divichi Liman, southern Mugan and Kizil Agach Reserve(Satunin, 1912b; Tuaev, 1965; Grekov, 1965b; Shubin, 1991b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 200-300 pairs in

the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 5-6 pairs near Cape Pirsagat in 1989, and30-35 pairs in Shirvan Reserve in 1990. Also in 1990, 7-10 pairsat the south end of Lake Mahmud-chala (Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA ( ISLANDS ): 4-6 pairs in Pirsagat Islands in 1989: 2pairs on Pervaya Grada, 1-3 pairs on Baburyi, and 1 pair onPelikanyi (Patrikeev, 1991a).Passage: F ALL: Up to 1,500 in Kizil Agach Reserve in August1984-1985 (Shubin, 1991b).Winter: Rare.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several in Kizil Agach Reserve in Janu-ary 1975 (Resanov, 1983), 100 in 1997 and 12 in 1998 (Gilis-sen et al., 2000).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Several at Lake Aggel in January 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: Often nests in mixed colonies with Collared Prat-incole, Common and Little Terns. Nests frequently destroyed by elements (rain, surf) and nesting period is extended (late Aprilthrough July). Eggs laid in a low depression scraped in the ground. All nests found contained 3 eggs. Two nests at Mahmud-chalaonly 7-8 m apart (Patrikeev, 1991a, c). In Kizil Agach Reserve,nesting from mid April in 1937, but later in the season in 1950(Grekov, 1965b). In Shirvan Reserve, mating and territorial de-fence observed from April 26th. A pair seen “incubating” empty

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nest several days prior to egg laying. Complete clutches in Shir- van Reserve on May 11th, but all known nests lost during contin-uous rains 12-16 May. Mating and newly scraped nests recordedin the colony as early as May 19th. Nests ready for a clutch at CapePirsagat and Lake Mahmud-chala 22 May-7 June, and nests withcomplete clutches at Mahmud-chala on June 22nd. A chick onPervaya Grada Island on May 22nd (Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Flightless

young recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in mid and late June 1956and 1957, and on July 11th in dry summer of 1955 (Grekov, 1965b).

DIET: During migration, feeds along the surfline taking vari-ous invertebrates including Dikerogammarus haemabaphes , Pontoga-

mmarus robustoides and Theodoxus pallasi (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).


MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: One observed onthe seashore of Sara Peninsula on 5 April 1958 (Grekov, 1965b).Radde (1884) observed small flocks in southern Mugan andcollected some near Lenkoran on April 16th.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in mid Kura Valley andMugan in March, collected in the vicinity of Mingechaur (Sa-tunin, 1907, 1912b).

128. Dotterel - Eudromias morinellus Linnaeus, 1758

Fall passage: COASTAL: One collected from a flock of 12-17near Puta southwest of Baku on 23 October 1949 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), another from a flock of 3 in Sara Penin-sula on 25 November 1958 (Grekov, 1965b). Late passage re-corded near Lenkoran 4-17 January (Radde, 1884).


HABITAT: MIGRATION: Coastal areas and semi-desert (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Butiev et al., 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to mid April.COASTAL: Arrived in the vicinity of Lenkoran on March 30th andrecorded until April 15th (Radde, 1884). A large f lock at Pirkish-kul (Gobustan Upland) west of Baku on 31 March 1957 (Gam-

barov & Gazanchian, 1958). Conspicuous passage in Samur Deltain mid March-early April 1977, 1978 and 1985, but not record-ed in the delta in 1987 (Butiev et al., 1989).

129. Sociable Plover - Chettusia gregaria Pallas, 1771

Fall passage: Recorded near Lenkoran in late December 1879(Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, flocksof 10-30 in mid March-early April 1977 and 1978, 50 on March31st and 27 in early April 1985 (Butiev et al., 1989).

DIET: Examined stomachs contained caterpillars and beetlesincluding weevils and ground beetles (Gambarov & Gazan-

chian, 1958).

Azeri name: Chokukburun

130. White-tailed Plover - Chettusia leucura Lichtenstein, 1823

STATUS: Rare nesting species, migrant and wintering species(possibly rare resident). Nesting first recorded in the early 1950s.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Probably slowly expands its sum-mer range in Azerbaijan.

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mostly in Mil Steppe: shores and islets of Aggel,Sarisu, Bos-Koba and probably Mekhman (Gambarov, 1956; Vino-gradov, 1963, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.). Firstsummer record on 31 May 1954 at Lake Mekhman (Gambarov, 1956),first nesting record at Aggel in 1962 (Vinogradov, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and vi-cinity of Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan in 1990 (Patri-keev, 1991a, c).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small numbers winter in MilSteppe (Vinogradov, 1967; MP). Recorded at Lake Hadjikabulin 1998 (Cranswick et al., 1998).

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SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: One specimen collected near Lenkoranon January 1st (Radde, 1884). Wintered in southern Mugan inthe past (Satunin, 1912b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islets and spits in lakes and marshes (Vi-nogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Fall passage: is inconspicuous.COASTAL: Passage recorded along the Caspian shore in Kura Deltaand Kizil Agach Reserve, and in southern Mugan. Two flocksof 2-3 each recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve on 21 October1957 (Satunin, 1912b; Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: <100 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 8 in a mixed colony at Lake Mekhman on31 May 1954 (Gambarov, 1956). At Aggel: 7 pairs in April 1961,34 individuals on 30 May 1961, and 9 pairs and 3 nests in 1962and 26 nests in 1963 (Vinogradov, 1963, 1967). 12 at Sarisu in1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 5 on a tiny islet in Lake Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan) and 2 pairs in the vicinity of thelake on 8 June 1990. 3 pairs and several single birds around

Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan in April-May 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a, c). 8 at Mahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of 3-5 at Lake Aggelin January 1961 (Vinogradov, 1967) and >50 birds in Janu-ary 1991 (MP). 3 at Sarisu in February 1996 (Paynter et al.,1996a) and 3 at Lake Hadjikabul in February 1998 (Cran-

swick et al., 1998).

BREEDING: Colonial species (up to 7 pairs per colony). Of-ten nests in mixed colonies with Black-winged Stilt, Little Tern,Collared and Black-winged Pratincoles. Nest is a scrape in theground (often under small saltwort bushes) lined with dry stemsof saltwort. At Aggel, eggs laid throughout May and in early June. Clutch contains 3-4 eggs. Average egg size: 43.1 x 31.7mm (Vinogradov, 1967). On 8 June 1990, eggshells found on atiny islet (c. 20 m2 ) in Lake Mahmud-chala with 5 adults alarm-ing nearby. The nests were probably trampled by domestic Wa-ter Buffaloes (Patrikeev, 1991c).

DIET: Examined stomachs contained moth caterpillars(Noctuidae), other insect larvae, dragonflies and ants (Tu-aev, 1975).

Azeri name: Buizunli dzullut

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and

wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small num-bers nested at lakes Aggel, Sarisu and possibly at Hadjikabul(Vinogradov, 1967; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. near Burunkiand “Sara 2” lookout (Grekov, 1965b). 4 at Mahmud-chala on 7 June 1990 and several others elsewhere in southern Mugan (Patri-keev, 1991c). A pair at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan inMay 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

131. Lapwing - Vanellus vanellus Linnaeus, 1758

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas and Divichi districts (e.g.Divichi Liman), although might be absent from there in dry years (Satunin, 1907; Tuaev, 1965).GREATER C AUCASUS: Lowland adjacent to the southern slope of the mountains, e.g. in Turianchai Valley in Kutkashen District(Gambarov, 1954).

N AKHICHEVAN: Breeds in the region from the late 1960s (Mus-tafaev, 1974a).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sarisu), wet-lands of Shirvan Steppe, Mingechaur District and the vicinity of Karayasi Forest in Akstafa District (Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967;Gambarov, 1975; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula, Lenko-ran Lowland, southern Mugan (e.g. Mahmud-chala and Novogolov-ka-chala) and Shirvan Reserve (Grekov, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Wet meadows in river valleys and along lake shores (Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov, 1967). W INTER : Lake

shore and semi-desert (Resanov, 1983; MP)

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February through April.COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve from late February-early March through April, but sometimes delayed by cold weather(Grekov, 1965b). In mid April, migrants observed at ShorgelLakes, southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Mil and Shirvan steppesin early March. Departed from the vicinity of Lake Sarisu by March 13th (Satunin, 1907; Tuaev, 1975), although migrants ob-served at Aggel in March-April (Vinogradov, 1967).

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Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded at Divichi Liman from Au-gust (Tuaev, 1965) and seashore of northern Absheron Penin-sula from mid September (Gambarov, 1960). Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from late August, but conspicuous passage inlate October-early November (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov etal., 1990). Latest sighting in Absheron Peninsula on November25th (Gambarov, 1960).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common at Aggel in September(Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Perhaps 100-150 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 42 at Divichi Liman, 16 at Mah-mud-chala, 2 at Sarisu and 8 at Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: Hundreds in Mil and Shirvan steppes in early March (Satunin, 1907; Tuaev, 1975), 250-500/year passedthrough Aggel in March-April (Vinogradov, 1967).F ALL: Flocks of 12-25 daily at Divichi Liman in August (Tuaev,1965). In Kizil Agach Reserve: 200-300 in the mouth of Vila-

jchai on 12 September 1958, flocks of 200-300 at Lesser Kizil Agach Bay on 18 October 1957, flocks of 20-50 throughout thereserve and 3,000-4,000 gathered at the mouth of Vilajchai inlate October-early November (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov etal., 1990). Common at Aggel in September: up to 345 recordedin the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).

Winter: Probably c. 5,000-6,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Flocks of 20-30 occur in Kizil Agach Re-serve in warm winters. c. 3,000 wintered at Ivanovskaya Bankaand flocks of 5-20 occurred elsewhere in the reserve in January 1975 (Resanov, 1983). In 1996, 3,117 recorded in Kizil AgachReserve, but only 9 in Shirvan Reserve (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: Pairs in Kizil Agach Reserve in April and May (Grekov, 1965b).

MORTALITY: Roadkills recorded (Alekperov & Mustafaev,1971). Some perished in oil at lakes and oil storage facilities in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).


MOVEMENT: One recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve on 24May 1956 (Mustafaev et al., 1977). No other records, but ru-mours of a sighting or sightings in the early 1970s.

132. Red-wattled Lapwing - Vanellus indicus Boddaert, 1783

Azeri name: Chaidag dzullut

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, uncommon wintering species. Subspecies H. h. himantopus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe(lakes Aggel, Mekhman and Sarisu), Shilian Marsh (Shirvan Steppe),

FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDAE - STILTS and AVOCETS

133. Black-winged Stilt - Himantopus himantopus Linnaeus, 1758

Varvara Reservoir, lakes Djandargel (Karayasi Steppe) and Hadjik-abul (Gambarov, 1956; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Greater and LesserKizil Agach Bays, Kalinovsky Liman, Lopatinsky and Akushamarshes, Lake Karakush), Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan)and Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan (Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Nested in the vicin-ity of Lenkoran in the past (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Nested at salt lakes near Baku inthe 19th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884). Small numbers may still nest in the peninsula, e.g. a pair near Karadag on 1 May 1991 (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965; Sultanov

& Agayeva, 2003).N AKHICHEVAN: The mouth of Arpa-chai (MP).

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Possibly Lake Mahmud-chala (southernMugan) where several observed on 26 November 1989 (MP). Absent from Kizil Agach Reserve in winter (Grekov, 1965b;Resanov, 1983; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

HABITAT: NESTING: Hummocks, islets and silty spits in shal-lows of lakes and marshes (Gambarov, 1956; Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

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MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to early May.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from March 6 th, andconspicuous passage from mid March to early April (Grekov,1965b). Migrants recorded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b),southeastern Shirvan (mid and late April), Cape Pirsagat (sec-ond half of April) and between Alat and Sangachal in mid April(Patrikeev, 1991a). Passes through Samur Delta from early April,

peaks 15-20 April, and latest sighting on May 8th

(Butiev et al.,1989, 1990b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe)c. April 9th and to Varvara Reservoir on April 23rd (Vinogradov,1967; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: Early August through October.COASTAL: Nesting population leaves Kizil Agach Reserve fromearly August, but passage lasts until mid October (Grekov,1965b). Passes through Samur Delta from August through lateSeptember: earliest record on August 3rd, latest flock on Sep-tember 12th and single birds occur until October (Butiev et al.,1989). From early August, recorded at Divichi Liman (Tuaev,1965), Yashma Island (MP) and Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Aggel and Sarisu (Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 500-600 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve, nests in colonies of up to 20 pairs, but 182 nests in a colony at Lake Karakush in 1982(Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov et al., 1990). >40 pairs at Lake Kichik-Shorgel and territorial pairs at Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeasternShirvan) in May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). 20-30 pairs at the southend of Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan in June 1990 (Patrikeev,1991c), but only 14 birds in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At least 230 young already flying well at

Lake Aggel on 24 June 1962 (Vinogradov, 1967). c. 50 pairsnested at Lake Sarisu (Mil Steppe) and 20-30 pairs at Lake Djan-dargel (Karayasi Steppe) in 1989-1990 (MP). Only 10 at Sarisuin 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 250 in late June-early July 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Passage: SPRING: c. 200 at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeasternShirvan on 13 April 1990, but c. 100 remained by April 23rd. On

13 April 1990, A flock of 13 between Alat and Sangachal on 13 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). Up to 150 passed through SamurDelta in springs of 1969, 1970 and 1988 (Butiev et al., 1989, 1990b).F ALL: 400 near Agjabedi in early August 1962 (Vinogradov, 1967).From early August flocks of 14-18 almost daily at Divichi Liman(Tuaev, 1965). Flocks of up to 40 in Samur Delta, but overallnumber was low: an average of 70 passed through the delta in

1969, 1970 and 1988 (Butiev et al., 1989). c. 60 at Kulagin (Kizil Agach Reserve) in August 1984-1985 (Shubin, 1991b).Winter: >500? (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several at Lake Mahmud-chala on 26November 1989 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >300 at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe in Janu-ary 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: Colonial. Often nests in mixed colonies with Com-mon Tern, Black-headed Gull, White-tailed Plover, Collared andBlack-winged Pratincoles and Chlidonias terns (Gambarov, 1956; Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Pairs at Lake Kichik-Shorgel from mid April (Patrikeev, 1991a) and at Aggel from

late May (Vinogradov, 1967). Hummock-like nest often built inshallow water and lined with dry grass. Clutch contains 3-5 eggs.Fresh eggs at Aggel from May 14th and latest complete clutcheson June 14th (Vinogradov, 1967). In Kizil Agach Reserve, eggsfrom May 24th to June 4th (Grekov, 1965b). No nests recorded atShorgel Lakes in mid May and at Mahmud-chala in early June1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Young flying well at Aggel on June21st (Vinogradov, 1967). In Kizil Agach Reserve, the young areon the wing by 1-15 July, although a nest with newly hatchedchicks found on 16 July 1958 (Grekov, 1965b). When the young are able to fly, they disperse through adjacent lowlands and thengather in large flocks (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Stomachs examined at Aggel contained remains of drag-onflies, larvae of gnats and beetles (Scarabaeidae), seeds of Lepidium , Bolboschoenus maritimus and plants from sub-family Cruciferae; also fragments of stems and leaves of Gramineae(Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Some perished in oiled lakes and oil storage fa-cilities in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Bizdimdik

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe(Aggel and Sarisu), Mugan Steppe and Lake Hadjinour (Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. Kalinovsky Liman and possibly Ivanovskaya Banka (Grekov, 1965b; Mus-tafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a), Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shir- van) and possibly the vicinity of Cape Pirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a).

134. Avocet - Recurvirostra avosetta Linnaeus, 1758

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Satunin, 1907; Sul-

tanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe including Aggel, Sa-risu and Mekhman (Vinogradov, 1967; MP). Rarely at LakeHadjikabul (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Greater Kizil Agach Bay including Ivanovskaya Banka, Arakelovskaya Banka and Kulagin, alsoKalinovsky Liman, Lesser Kizil Agach Bay and Lake Karakush) andSara Peninsula (Grekov, 1965b). Recorded in Lenkoran Lowland(Mustafaev, 1972) and at Shorgel Lakes (Paynter et al., 1996a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Recorded in the vicinity of Alat inmid December (Shelton, 2001).




HABITAT: NESTING: Spits and islets in brackish lakes and marsh-es (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March through May.

COASTAL: Most conspicuous in Kizil Agach Reserve in March,although some migrants recorded until May (Grekov, 1965b).Recorded at Kelani, Absheron Peninsula on 12 March 1951(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Probably passes Samur Del-ta by mid March, because only single birds recorded in lateMarch-early April, latest record on April 9 th (Butiev et al., 1989).Observed in Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Aggel and Sarisu in March(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: August through December.COASTAL: Passes through Samur Delta from early August andpeaks in late August, however, in some years, conspicuous pas-sage through the delta as late as October-November; latest

sighting in the delta on November 27th

(Butiev et al., 1989).Occurs at Divichi Liman from mid August (Tuaev, 1965).Observed near Shorabad and on Yashma Island in late Octo-ber (MP). Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve (mostly Ivanovskaya Banka) from August to December with peak inOctober-November (Grekov, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Aggel from August toDecember (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 100-150 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 5 pairs at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil AgachReserve in 1966 (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Up to 10 pairsin Shirvan Reserve in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 200 at Lake Aggel on June 24 th (Tuaev,1975). 20-30 pairs at Aggel and 15-20 pairs at Sarisu in 1989-1990 (S. Gasimov, pers. comm.; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 19 at Divichi Liman in late June-early

July 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: c. 400 on Greater Kizil Agach Bay on March5th (Grekov, 1965b). Up to 265/year passed through Aggel (Vi-nogradov, 1967).F ALL: 100-600 in Samur Delta in August 1969, 1970 and 1988,224 in 1978 and 220 in 1986 (Butiev et al., 1989). In Kizil Agach Reserve, f locks of 30-35 common in August and Sep-tember, c. 125 at Kabanya Spit in August 1984 and 1985.1,500 at Ivanovskaya Banka and 500 elsewhere in the reserveon 10 October 1958. 50,000-60,000 congregated atIvanovskaya Banka 16-18 November 1955 (Grekov, 1965b;Shubin, 1991b).Winter: Perhaps1,000-2,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP),

but 2,471 in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999) and 22,980 in 1997 (Gi-lissen et al., 2000).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: 500 at Kulagin in1958, 3,000 at Ivanovskaya Banka on 8 February 1959 and 10,000at Kulagin in February 1962. Moreover, 300-400 wintered atthe southern tip of Sara Peninsula (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Grek-ov, 1965b). In 1996 1,200 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 70 at Shor-gel Lakes (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 900-1,000 at Lake Aggel in December 1962-1964 (Vinogradov, 1967), but only c. 200 in January 1991 (MP). 5at Hadjikabul in November 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BREEDING: Nests in small colonies, sometimes in mixed col-

onies with other shorebirds and terns (Mustafaev & Kiazimov,1966a; Vinogradov, 1967). 3 nests at Lake Aggel 2-14 May 1963:one nest contained 3 eggs and the other two 4 eggs each. Nest isa simple scrape in the ground lined with dry reed stems, usually close to water (Vinogradov, 1967).

DIET: Water bugs (e.g. backswimmers), beetles (e.g. whirling bee-tles) and other aquatic insects in examined stomachs (Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Oiled Avocets found at some lakes of Absher-on Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and rare wintering species; rarenesting species in the past. Probably subspecies H. o. longipes

Buturlin, 1910.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly, onislets of Kura River near Karayasi, western Azerbaijan (Radde,1884) where a pair recently observed in early May (Shelton, 2001).

FAMILY HAEMATOPODIDAE - OYSTERCATCHERS135. Oystercatcher - Haematopus ostralegus Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Greater Kizil Agach Bay in some winters (Grekov, 1965b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Wintered in the vicinity of Baku in the past (Bogdanov, 1879).

MOVEMENT:Spring passage: Early March to late May.

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but the most conspicuous passage in September. Latest recordsin the reserve 16-20 October (Grekov, 1965b). Outnumberedother shorebirds at fishponds in Samur Delta (Butiev et al.,1990b). Observed in Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975).INTERIOR : Migrates through Aggel and Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Tuaev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Oiled Wood Sandpipers recovered in Absher-on Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946;

REMARKS: Usually seen in mixed flocks with other shorebirds:Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper and Charadrius plovers (Grekov, 1965b).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggeland Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Tuaev, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small flocks winter in Kizil Agach Re-serve (e.g. in the mouth of Pogranichnyi Channel, Greater Kizil Agach Bay), Sara Peninsula and southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b;Resanov, 1983).

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Shallow freshwater ponds with silty bottom, and occasionally seashore (Resanov, 1983;

Butiev et al., 1990b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February (?) to mid May.

138. Greenshank - Tringa nebularia Gunnerus, 1767

COASTAL: Probably leaves Kizil Agach Reserve by March, butpassage of migrants from further south occurs in April-early May (Grekov, 1965b). Two south of Cape Pirsagat on 12 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: August to mid November.COASTAL: Passes through Samur Delta in August-October (Butiev et al., 1990b) and Kizil Agach Reserve from September to midNovember (Grekov, 1965b). Migrants recorded at Divichi Limanand Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1965; 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL : 50-60/day in Sam-

ur Delta, August through October (Butiev et al., 1990b).Single birds and flocks of up to 30-40 in Kizil Agach Re-serve (Grekov, 1965b).

Azeri name: Otlug dzullutu

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant and

wintering species. Subspecies T. t. totanus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Ag-gel (Vinogradov, 1967).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965b),southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; MP) and Shorgel Lakes, south-eastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Baburyi Island, Baku Ar-chipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Somewhere in the region (Khanmammedov, 1960).

139. Redshank - Tringa totanus Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu (Vino-gradov, 1967; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wetlands of Kizil Agach Reserve, Len-koran Lowland and southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; Grekov,1965b; Mustafaev, 1972; Vinogradov et al., 1990).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Formerly at brackish lakes

near Baku (Bogdanov, 1879).

HABITAT: NESTING: Wet meadows, depressions and islands(Patrikeev, 1991a). W INTER : Shores and shallows of freshwaterand brackish wetlands (Grekov, 1965b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March to May.COASTAL: From mid March to May in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grek-ov, 1965b). One collected near Saliani on 9 March 1895 (Satu-nin, 1907) and another at Binagadi, Absheron Peninsula on 9 April 1960 (Gambarov, 1960).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From March to May at Lake Aggel (Vi-nogradov, 1967).

Fall passage: August through October.COASTAL: August to October in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b)and Kizil Agach Reserve. Conspicuous passage in early Octo-ber (Grekov, 1965b; Shubin, 1991b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Mil Steppe including Ag-gel in August-September (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. On 16 June,Flocks of 10-30 in Kizil Agach Reserve on June 16th (Grekov,1965b). Several at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) in May 1990 and a pair on Baburyi Island (Baku Archipelago) in 1989

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(Patrikeev, 1991a). 10 at Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: F ALL: Very common in Kizil Agach Reserve and SaraPeninsula in August 1956 and 1957; in 1958: only 7 in August,70 in late September and 3,000 in early October (Grekov, 1965b).c. 230 at Kabanya Spit and Kulagin, Kizil Agach Reserve in August 1984 and 1985 (Shubin, 1991b).

Winter: Probably 2,000-3,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s(MP), only 16 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a), but 1,097 in 1996(Delany et al., 1999).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 150 in Kizil Agach Reserve on 18 De-cember 1958 (Grekov, 1965b), only 0.5/km at Greater Kizil Agach Bay on 12 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963) and 995in 1996; also 5 at Mahmud-chala in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >200 at Aggel in January 1991 (MP) and230 at Lake Sarisu in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

BREEDING: A female with egg was collected in Kizil AgachReserve on 3 May 1956 (Grekov, 1965b). One observed in acolony of Common Terns on Baburyi Island, Baku Archipela-go on 27 April 1989; two alarming Redshanks seen there on 4

June 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

DIET: Sometimes feeds on Pontogammarus abbreviatus in winter(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

MORTALITY: Occasionally perishes in oil in Absheron Penin-sula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and rare wintering species. Mo-notypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil AgachReserve, e.g. in the mouth of Vilajchai (Grekov, 1965b) and insouthern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Brackish and freshwater wetlands (Grekov, 1965b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to early May.COASTAL: Migrates through Kizil Agach Reserve from early March to early May, conspicuous passage in mid April (Grek-ov, 1965b).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Ivanovskaya and Arakel-

ovskaya bankas and Lake Karakush, Kizil Agach Reserve al-ready in early June (Grekov, 1965b; Shubin, 1991b). Recorded

140. Spotted Redshank - Tringa erythropus Pallas, 1764

on the Caspian shore near Divichi Liman in August (Tuaev, 1965).Conspicuous passage through Kizil Agach Reserve in late Sep-

tember through late October; numbers decrease in November,and this species is rare in the reserve by December (Grekov,1965b). Passage also recorded in southern Mugan and SamurDelta (Satunin, 1912b; Butiev et al., 1990b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Karayasi Steppe (Radde,1884) and Lake Hadjikabul (Shelton, 2001).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Kizil Agach Reserve:10 at Arakelovskaya Banka and Akusha Marsh on 5 March 1959,flocks of 20-30 at Sobachyi-Zub on March 8th and flocks of 5-30 in the reserve 12-13 March (Grekov, 1965b).F ALL: Flocks of 10-15 in Kizil Agach Reserve in early June,100-150 near Sbrosnoyi Channel in early November 1956 and

flocks of 15-18 in the mouth of Vilajchai on 9 November1957 (Grekov, 1965b).

STATUS: Common migrant and uncommon wintering species.Possibly nested in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Southern Mugan in the late 19th-early 20th centuries (Satunin, 1912b).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve including Akusha Marsh, Vilajchai River, Kalinovsky Liman and Greater

Kizil Agach Bay (Grekov, 1965b); also in southern Mugan (Sat-unin, 1912b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to early May.COASTAL: Observed at Lenkoran on March 24 th (Radde, 1884).Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from early April to early May (Grekov, 1965b).

Fall passage: Mid June to early November.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in mid June (Grekov,1965b). Common in Samur Delta and at Divichi Liman in Au-gust-October (Tuaev, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b). Conspicuous

141. Marsh Sandpiper - Tringa stagnatilis Bechstein, 1803

passage through Kizil Agach Reserve in late September-early October, a few records in early November (Grekov, 1965b). Ob-served on Yashma Island and in Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Lake Aggel (Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Kizil Agach Reserve:flocks of 10-15 at Akusha Marsh and Kulagin 15-16 June (Grek-

ov, 1965b) and c. 200 at Kabanya Spit in August 1984 and 1985(Shubin, 1991b). Flocks of up to 35 at Divichi Liman in August(Tuaev, 1965). Up to 20/day in Samur Delta in August-October(Butiev et al., 1990b).




Azeri name: Sahildaishan dzullut

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is poorly known.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Turianchai Valley, shores of MingechaurReservoir, Kura Valley near Shamkhor and Karayasi, and Aras Valley at Mindzevan in Zangelan District (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954, 1975; Tuaev, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965b; Vi-nogradov et al., 1990) and southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Kusarchai Valley (Satunin, 1907; Mus-tafaev, 1969a; MP). Probably elsewhere.GREATER C AUCASUS: Shemakha Upland, Girdimanchai Valley (Is-

mailly District), Talachai Gorge (Zakatali District) and Kusar-chai Valley (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954).N AKHICHEVAN: Recorded in the region (Khanmammedov, 1960).

142. Common Sandpiper - Actitis hypoleucos Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Recorded at ShahSpit in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: NESTING: Sandbanks and pebble spits in lowlands, foot-hills and low mountains up to 1,600 m (Gambarov, 1954, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April to mid May.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in early to mid April,conspicuous passage from mid April to early May (Grekov, 1965b).Observed at Lake Kichik-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan) frommid April to mid May (Patrikeev, 1991a). Recorded in AbsheronPeninsula in mid April (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: August to late November.COASTAL: Recorded at Divichi Liman in August-October (Tu-aev, 1965). Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Penin-sula from August through mid September, a few recorded untilSeptember 28th (Grekov, 1965b). Also observed in Kura Deltaand southern Mugan. Latest sighting at Mahmud-chala on 26

November 1989 (Satunin, 1912b; Tuaev, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Lake Sarisu, Mil Steppe(Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >400-500 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Single birds and groups of 2-3observed in Kizil Agach Reserve from May through July (Grek-ov, 1965b).Passage: F ALL: Singles and groups of 4-5 at Divichi Liman in August, but 65 on August 24th (Tuaev, 1965). c. 200 in Sara Pen-insula on 20 August 1957 (Grekov, 1965b).Winter: 30 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1997 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

BREEDING: A nest with 4 eggs at Kusarchai River (northeast-ern Azerbaijan) in early June (Mustafaev, 1969a). Chicks seen inKizil Agach Reserve in July (Grekov, 1965b).

STATUS: Common migrant, rare wintering species and irregu-lar summer visitor. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small flocksof non-breeders observed at lakes Aggel and Sarisu, Mil Steppein June (Tuaev, 1975).

Winter: Kizil Agach Reserve (Oliger, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April to late May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Penin-sula, e.g. conspicuous passage from mid April to mid May 1937(Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b). 3 recorded south of CapePirsagat on 11 May 1989 and a flock of 20 on 22 May 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: Mid July through mid September.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula 10-15 July, common in August and mostly through by mid Septem-

143. Terek Sandpiper - Xenus cinereus Güldenstadt, 1775

ber (Grekov, 1965b). In late August, conspicuous passage alsorecorded at Divichi Liman and the adjacent seashore (Tuaev,1965) and Yashma Island (Tuaev, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Aggel and Sarisu, MilSteppe (Tuaev, 1975).

REMARKS: Often in mixed flocks with Redshanks, Curlew Sandpipers or Charadrius plovers (Grekov, 1965b).

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Azeri name: Uzarcha

STATUS: Common migrant; summer vagrant and wintering species in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Non-breeding summer visitor inthe past.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly occurred in southern Muganthrough the summer (Satunin, 1912b). Menetries collected many in the vicinity of Lenkoran in June (Bogdanov, 1879) and Rad-de (1884) observed them at Lenkoran until June 4 th. No sum-mer records in the 20th century.Winter (former distribution): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Winteredin southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1912b). No recent records.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Brackish lakes, marshes and coastal watersof the Caspian Sea (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Grekov, 1965b)

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April to early June.COASTAL: In the late 19th century recorded near Lenkoran from

April 15th to June 4th (Radde, 1884). In the 1950s migratedthrough Kizil Agach Reserve from early April to mid May, con-spicuous passage c. 17-29 April, but a large flock also on 19 May 1958 (Grekov, 1965b). Also recorded in Kura Delta (Tuaev, 1975).

144. Red-necked Phalarope - Phalaropus lobatus Linnaeus, 1758

Frequently seen on brackish lakes of Absheron Peninsula fromearly April through late May (Bogdanov, 1879; Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958), e.g. 15 collected in the vicinity of Baku andseveral others near Cape Sangachal on 1 April 1956. Large flocksat Ziria on 7 May 1951, 20 May 1953 and 20 May 1956 (Gam-

barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Gambarov, 1960). Several near CapePirsagat during 18-20 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Mil Steppe (e.g. at Aggeland Sarisu) from mid April, but not recorded every year (Vino-gradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve from August,but more conspicuous from early September. Largest numbersat Akusha Marsh in fall 1955 (Grekov, 1965b; Shubin, 1991b).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Varies between years.Common in the vicinity of Lenkoran in the 19th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884), but only 2 recorded in spring 1937 and a few in 1950-1955 (Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b).

Flocks of 20-25 in Kizil Agach Reserve 17-29 April 1956, and aflock of 250-300 on 19 May 1958 (Grekov, 1965b).F ALL: Flocks of 20-30 in Kizil Agach Reserve in the autumn of 1955 (Grekov, 1965b).

MORTALITY: Migrants sometimes perished in oil in Absher-on peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Common migrant; wintered in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter (former distribution): LenkoranLowland and Karayasi Steppe (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Shores of brackish lakes, Caspian sea-shore and flooded tamarisk thickets (Grekov, 1965b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February to mid May.COASTAL: Large flocks appeared near Lenkoran on February 27th

after snowstorms (Radde, 1884). Usually passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from March to early May: latest sightings on 27 April 1957 and 13 May 1953 (Grekov, 1965b). A pair at ShorgelLakes (southeastern Shirvan) on 10 May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Recorded in southern Mugan and Absheron Peninsula (Satu-

nin, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1946).Fall passage: Early August to mid October.

145. Ruff - Philomachus pugnax Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: Males usually arrive in Azerbaijan ahead of femalesand the young. Recorded at Divichi Liman from early August

to mid September, most common in the second half of Au-gust (Tuaev, 1965). In Kizil Agach Reserve, flocks at LesserKizil Agach Bay and Kalinovsky Liman on August 20 th, very common on 12 September 1958 and several remained untilmid October (Grekov, 1965b). Passes through southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 80-200near Lenkoran in the 1870s (Radde, 1884), and of 20-40 inKizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula in the late 1950s(Grekov, 1965b).F ALL: Six flocks observed at Divichi Liman on 21 August 1961(Tuaev, 1965), flocks of 30-50 at Lesser Kizil Agach Bay, Ku-

lagin and Kalinovsky Liman c. August 20th

(Grekov, 1965b;Shubin, 1991b).

STATUS: Common migrant and uncommon wintering species.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly theshores of Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays (Tugarinov &

146. Little Stint - Calidris minuta Leisler, 1812

Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Grekov, 1965b). Formerly in south-ern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Yekhana, Shirvan Steppe (Shel-ton, 2001). Wintered in Karayasi Steppe in the past (Satu-nin, 1907).




HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Muddy shores, brackishlakes, flooded saltpans, seashore and coastal marshes (Satunin,1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Grekov, 1965b;Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April through late May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from late April

to late May, latest record on May 29th

(Grekov, 1965b). Insoutheastern Shirvan (Shorgel Lakes), flocks observed 13 Apri l-20 May 1990 and at Cape Pirsagat 11-12 May 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a).

Fall passage: Late June through early October.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve as early as June 20th,common by mid August, e.g. at Lesser Kizil Agach Bay and SaraPeninsula, but most conspicuous passage in early September toearly October (Grekov, 1965b). Small flocks near Bilgah (north-

ern Absheron Peninsula) 16-28 August 1990 (MP). Observed atlakes and marshes of southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe), butnot annually (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Southeastern Shirvan:several hundred at Lake Kichik-Shorgel on 13 April 1990, up to

3,000 at Lake Beuk-Shorgel on 9 May 1990 and several hundredremained by May 20th. Flocks of 30-70 at Cape Pirsagat 11-12May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).F ALL: Flocks of 40-60 in Kizil Agach Reserve from early Sep-tember to early October (Grekov, 1965b) and of 30-40 at Aggel(Mil Steppe), but not every year (Vinogradov, 1967).

REMARKS: Often migrate in mixed flocks with Dunlins (Grek-ov, 1965b).

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably uncommon migrant andpossibly rare wintering species (likely overlooked). Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Possibly win-ters in Kura Lowland (Mustafaev, 1974a).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Recorded in southern Mugan in the past(Satunin, 1912b). A female collected at a mudflat in Kizil AgachReserve in February 1934 (Tugarinov, 1950).

147. Temminck’s Stint - Calidris temminckii Leisler, 1812

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve on 24 March and 13 April 1937 (Tugarinov,1950; Ivanov, 1952). Several dozens in a large flock of LittleStints at Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan) in May 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a).

Fall passage: Small numbers recorded at the east end of Lake Karakush, Kizil Agach Reserve in August 1984 and 1985(Shubin, 1991b).

STATUS: Common migrant; possibly wintered in the past.

Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Winter (former distribution): Possibly win-tered at brackish lakes in Karayasi Steppe (Satunin, 1907). Norecent winter records.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Seashore, mudflats and brackishlakes (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Patrikeev, 1991a;Shubin, 1991b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April to late May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from late Aprilto late May peaking in mid May, latest spring sightings on 24-

26 May (Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b). Recorded at Shor-gel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) 9-20 May 1990 and at CapePirsagat 11-19 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a). One collected atZiria, Absheron Peninsula on 20 May 1956 (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve asearly as July 20th (Grekov, 1965b). Very common at DivichiLiman, adjacent seashore and Yashma Island in August (Tu-aev, 1965; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP). Conspicuous pas-sage through Kizil Agach Reserve (Lake Karakush, GreaterKizil Agach Bay, Arakelovskaya Banka) and Sara Peninsula

148. Curlew Sandpiper - Calidris ferruginea Pontoppidan, 1763

in mid August, latest record on September 13 th (Grekov,

1965b; Shubin, 1991b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly passed through Karayasi Steppe(Satunin, 1907). No recent inland records.

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 17 at IvanovskayaBanka, Kizil Agach Reserve on 19 May 1958 (Grekov, 1965b).100 at Lake Beuk-Shorgel and several at Lake Kichik-Shorgel(southeastern Shirvan) on 9 May 1990, dozens remained at Beuk-Shorgel on May 20th. c. 100 south of Cape Pirsagat 11-19 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).F ALL: 80 (5 flocks) at the seashore near Divichi Liman on Au-gust 21st (Tuaev, 1965). Flocks of 40-80 at Arakelovskaya Banka(Kizil Agach Reserve) and Sara Peninsula 20-29 August (Grek-

ov, 1965b). Up to 2,600 at Kulagin and Lake Karakush (Kizil Agach Reserve) in August 1984 and 1985 (Shubin, 1991b).

REMARKS: Often migrates in mixed flocks with Dunlins and Terek Sandpipers (Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b).




STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. SubspeciesC. a. alpina Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly in Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. shores of Greater Kizil Agach Bay and LakeKarakush) and Sara Peninsula. Recorded on the Caspian shoresouth of Lenkoran after snowstorms. Small numbers winter insouthern Mugan (Grekov, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1972; Resanov,1983; MP) and southeastern Shirvan (Paynter et al., 1996a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Hadjinour (Shelton, 2001).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit (Bannikovaet al., 1984).

HABITAT: W INTER : Mudflats (Grekov, 1965b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to mid May.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from midMarch to mid May with peak in late April-early May, latestsighting on May 19th (Grekov, 1965b). One collected near

149. Dunlin - Calidris alpina Linnaeus, 1758

Zorat, northern Absheron Peninsula on March 24th (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: Late August through mid November.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach in mid September, later thanother Calidris sandpipers. Conspicuous passage through the re-

serve in early through mid November, e.g. in the mouth of Vila-jchai and at Sbrosnoyi Channel (Grekov, 1965b). Passes through Absheron Peninsula and southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; Ver-estchagin, 1946; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: One collected at a brackish lake in Kara-yasi Steppe on 27 August 1895 (Satunin, 1907). Observed in MilSteppe, e.g. at Aggel, but not every year (Vinogradov, 1967).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 600-800 atLenkoran in the middle of the 19th century (Radde, 1884).F ALL: Flocks of 30-40 in Sara Peninsula on October 8th. Kizil Agach Reserve: 500-600 in the mouth of Vilajchai on Novem-ber 9th and 7,000-8,000 along Sbrosnoyi Channel, Kizil Agach

Reserve in November 1956 (Grekov, 1965b). Flocks of 30-40 atLake Aggel, but not every year (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: Probably 6,000-7,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: c. 1,000 per 2 km of shoreline of Great-er Kizil Agach Bay on 12 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963).>5,000 (e.g. >2,000 at mudflats of Ivanovskaya Banka) in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula in winter 1975 (Rezanov,1983). Flocks of 40-150 at Lake Karakush, Kizil Agach Reservein late November 1989 (MP). 2,750 in Kizil Agach Reserve and30 in Shirvan Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a).

DIET: Stomachs examined in Kizil Agach Reserve on Decem-ber 31st contained small crustaceans: 66 Hydrobia pusilla and 6

Theodoxus pallasi (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

MORTALITY: Sometimes perishes in oil in Absheron Peninsu-la (Verestchagin, 1946).


DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observedin the vicinity of Lenkoran on December 21st (Radde, 1884).

Wintered in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b) and Kizi l Agach Reserve, e.g. in 1937 (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkare- va, 1938). In 1960s several observed on the seashore southof Lenkoran after a snowstorm (Mustafaev, 1972). Sightingsof 6 in 1997 and 2 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000), probably inKizil Agach Reserve.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Seashore, lakeshore, mudflats and flood-ed plains (Grekov, 1965b; Patrikeev, 1991a; Shubin, 1991b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through mid May.

150. Sanderling - Calidris alba Pallas, 1764

COASTAL: At Lenkoran on March 24th (Radde, 1884). Severalhundred at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) in April 1990,small flocks in early May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: Mid September through early October.COASTAL: Several at Bilgah, Absheron Peninsula on 18 Septem-

ber 1955 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). A few at Lake Kar-akush, Kizil Agach Reserve in August 1984-1985 (Shubin,1991b). Two flocks (18 and 25-30) at Ivanovskaya Banka, Kizil Agach Reserve on 26 September 1958, 2 in Sara Peninsula on 6October 1958 (Grekov, 1965b).

DIET: Small crustaceans (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkare- va, 1938).

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26 April (Radde, 1884). Observed near Andreevka, Muganon March 6th (Satunin, 1907),Fall passage: Early September through early November.COASTAL: One in Samur Delta on 16 September 1989 (Butiev etal., 1990b). Recorded in the vicinity of Lenkoran from 1 Sep-tember-4 October (Radde, 1884), and in Kizil Agach Reserveand Sara Peninsula: from late September to early November

with peaks in mid October and early November (Grekov, 1965b).Migrates through Absheron Peninsula and southern Mugan (Sa-tunin, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1946).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded at Lake Aggel (Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: In Kizil Agach Re-serve, trained dog flushed 70 from 2-3 ha of saltwort semi-desert on 16 October 1957, but only 10 on November 11 th

(Grekov, 1965b).

MORTALITY: Oiled Jack Snipes recovered in Absheron Pen-insula (Verestchagin, 1946).


DISTRIBUTION:Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers win-ter in Kizil Agach Reserve (Resanov, 1983; Vinogradov et al., 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: May winter at Lake Aggel (MP).

HABITAT: W INTER : Small wetlands and thickets of Juncus (Re-sanov, 1983).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Many flocks atLenkoran in mid March 1899 with hunters bagging 30-40/

156. Great Snipe - Gallinago media Latham, 1787

day (Satunin, 1907). Small flocks passed through Sara Penin-sula in early May 1937 (Tugarinov, 1950). A female collectedat Sbrosnoyi Channel, Kizil Agach Reserve on 1 April 1956(Grekov, 1965b). Passage recorded in southern Mugan (Sat-unin, 1912b).INTERIOR : A male in a wet montane meadow at Alti-Agach, She-

makha Upland on 13 May 1939 (Gambarov, 1954).Fall passage: COASTAL: In the 1930s, conspicuous passage ob-served in Talish [Mountains?] in mid October (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, possibly rarenesting species. Subspecies G. g. gallinago Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observedat Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) throughout the year, but no evi-dence of breeding (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggel and Sarisu (Mil Steppe), wetlands of Shirvan Steppe, Mingechaur District (e.g. near Ga- varli) and wet meadows of Karayasi Forest (Zlotin, 1963; Vino-gradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Mu-saev, 1989).

157. Common Snipe - Gallinago gallinago Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Kalinovsky Liman, Akusha Marsh, Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays and LakeKarakush), Sara Peninsula, Lenkoran Lowland, southern Mugan

and southeastern Shirvan (Grekov, 1965b; Oliger, 1967; Mus-tafaev, 1972; Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Shah Spit, Absheron Pen-insula (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Common at a small reservoir near Kela-khan, Zuvand Upland in January-February (Agaeva, 1969).

HABITAT: W INTER : Wetlands, flooded tamarisk or Juncus thick-ets, wet meadows and flooded semi-desert (Dobrokhotov, 1963;Grekov, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March to early May.

COASTAL: Common in Kizil Agach Reserve in late March. Singlebirds recorded in Sara Peninsula until 5-7 May (Grekov, 1965b).Large numbers near Saliani in March 1895 (Satunin, 1907). Singleindividuals and groups of 2-5 occurred at Shorgel Lakes and CapePirsagat (southeastern Shirvan) in April (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Aggel in March-April(Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: Mid July through early October.COASTAL: Single birds observed in Kizil Agach Reserve after June15th, and groups of 4-8 in mid July-early August (Grekov, 1965b;Shubin, 1991b). Outnumbers other shorebirds in Samur Delta in

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August-September (Butiev et al., 1990b). Conspicuous passagethrough Divichi Liman and Kilazi Spit in mid August (Tuaev, 1965).In Kizil Agach Reserve: flocks of 30-50 in mid September and pas-sage mostly over by late September-early October (Grekov, 1965b). Also migrates through Absheron Peninsula (e.g. one collected in Bakuon 11 October 1946), Kura Delta and southern Mugan (Verestcha-gin, 1946; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1975).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes via Aras Valley and Lake Aggel (Vi-nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: No estimate.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 3 hunters bagged 120 near Lenkoran inmid December (Radde, 1884). In Kizil Agach Reserve, consid-

erable numbers occur from December through February in warmer winters (Grekov, 1965b; Resanov, 1983), e.g. 1.6/km 15February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963) and 2.7-8.3/km in late Jan-uary-early February 1963 (Oliger, 1967). Only 50 recorded inKizil Agach Reserve in 1996 plus 10 estimated in Shirvan Re-serve (Paynter et al. 1996a)K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >400 at Lake Aggel and 125-155 at Lake

Sarisu in January 1991 (MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Common at Shah Spit(Bannikova et al., 1984).

MORTALITY: Popular game bird (MP). Some perish at oiledlakes of Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Mesha dzullutu

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, possibly raresummer resident (in the past?). Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (former distribution): No sum-mer records in the 20th century.GREATER C AUCASUS: Formerly observed in forests of Kuba Dis-trict in June (Bogdanov, 1879).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Forests of Lenkoran Lowland in June(Radde, 1884).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Zardob, Udjari and KurdamirDistricts (Shirvan Steppe), the vicinity of Gandja and

Mingechaur, Alazani Valley and Lake Aggel (Verestchagin, 1947;Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

158. Woodcock - Scolopax rusticola Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula, andsouthern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b; Verestchagin, 1947; Vinogra-dov et al., 1990).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Agaeva, 1969).

HABITAT: W INTER : Blackberry, Juncus and tamarisk thickets ,lowland and tugai forests, coastal reeds, gardens and orchards(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Zlotin, 1963; Agaeva, 1969; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: February through early May.COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula in Feb-ruary-early March, latest spring records on March 29th (Grekov,

1965b). Observed in the vicinity of Lenkoran 16-23 March (Rad-de, 1884) and in Absheron Peninsula in early April (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). One observed on Mount Beuk-Dush(Gobustan Upland) on 4 April 1991 (MP).INTERIOR : Passage at Mount Alibek in Zakatali District (GreaterCaucasus Mountains) on 6 May 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).

Fall passage: Mid September to mid November.COASTAL: Arrives at orchards of Absheron Peninsula (e.g. Baku)in late October-early November (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; MP) and at Kizil Agach from early October to mid No- vember (Grekov, 1965b).INTERIOR : Recorded on Mount Alibek (near Zakatali) in Sep-tember 1936 and 2-7 daily during 12 October-8 November 1937

(Gambarov, 1954). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 14 Sep-tember 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

Azeri name: Airidimdik (all curlews)

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species, and raresummer resident (no evidence of breeding). Subspecies N. a.

arquata Linnaeus, 1758 and N. a. orientalis C. L. Brehm, 1831.

159. Eurasian Curlew - Numenius arquata Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Considereda summer resident in Mugan by Satunin (1912b). Flocks of non-breeders observed in Kizil Agach Reserve throughout the sum-mer (Verestchagin, 1950; Grekov, 1965b). A pair in semi-desertsouth of Cape Pirsagat 11-23 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

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Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small numbers at lakes Aggeland Sarisu (Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Kulagin andLake Karakush), Lenkoran Lowland and southeastern Shirvan

(Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Paynter et al., 1996a). Wintered in southern Mugan in the past (Satunin, 1907, 1912b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Recorded at Cape Alat in mid De-cember (Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Semi-desert, coastal mead-ows, islands of the Caspian Sea (MP).

MOVEMENT:Spring passage: Late February through early May.

COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from late Febru-ary-early March to May (Grekov, 1965b). A large flock betweenSaliani and Lenkoran on March 7th (Bogdanov, 1879). Migratesthrough southeastern Shirvan, Cape Pirsagat and Baku Archi-pelago in late April-early May (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Small flocks of males arrive at AbsheronPeninsula, islands of the Caspian Sea and Kizil Agach Reserve in

mid July. Conspicuous passage in August through mid October,e.g. in Samur Delta, Divichi Liman, Kilazi Spit, Yashma Island, Ab-sheron Peninsula, Sangachal Bay, Kura Delta and Kizil Agach Re-serve (Verestchagin, 1950; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Grek-ov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1965, 1975; Butiev et al., 1990b; MP). Latest sight-ing in Kizil Agach Reserve on November 13th (Grekov, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Sarisu and Aggel, Mil Steppe (Vi-nogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Flocks of 20-50 on Yash-ma Island in August (MP). In Kizil Agach Reserve: flocks of 8-100 adult males in July, 600-700 at Akusha Marsh on 28 Sep-tember 1958 (Grekov, 1965b) and 250 at Kabanya Spit in Au-

gust 1984 and 1985 (Shubin, 1991b). Flocks of 30-40 recordedat Lake Aggel, but not annually (Vinogradov, 1967).Winter: Probably <1,500 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).<200in Kizil Agach Reserve in the 1950s and 1980s (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov et al., 1990) and 220 in 1996. Also 180 at Lake Sarisuand 6 in Shirvan Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

MORTALITY: Found dead in oiled lakes and oil storage facili-ties in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Airidimdik (all curlews)

STATUS: Common migrant and uncommon wintering species.Subspecies N. p. phaeopus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small num-bers winter in Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov, 1950; Grekov, 1965b).

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Semi-desert, seashore and islands of the Caspian Sea (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through late May.

COASTAL: Some in the vicinity of Prishib (Mugan) on March20th and good numbers at Lenkoran 25 March-14 April (Rad-de, 1884). In Kizil Agach Reserve spring passage is inconspic-uous (Grekov, 1965b). Recorded near Shorgel Lakes (south-eastern Shirvan) and Cape Pirsagat from mid April throughlate May (Patrikeev, 1991a). One collected at Divichi Limanon April 22nd (Tuaev, 1965).

Fall passage: June through early October.COASTAL: Single birds and small flocks recorded in Kizil AgachReserve as early as June 3rd, but generally arrives at the re-serve (e.g. Arakelovskaya Banka) and Sara Peninsula in July-

160. Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus Linnaeus, 1758

August (Grekov, 1965b). A young bird collected in northern Absheron Peninsula on August 15th (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958), but most conspicuous in the peninsula, nearby islands (including Yashma Island) and the Caspian shore be-tween Baku and Lenkoran after mid August (Verestchagin,1950; MP). Latest fall records in Kizil Agach Reserve in ear-ly October (Grekov, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 15-50 atShorgel Lakes (Shirvan Reserve) in April-May 1990, e.g. c. 150on 25-26 April (Patrikeev, 1991a).F ALL : 150-200 at Arakelovskaya Banka (Kizil Agach Re-serve) in July-August 1958 and flocks of 10-20 common

elsewhere in the reserve and in Sara Peninsula in August(Grekov, 1965b).

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STATUS: Globally endangered species, close to extinction. Raremigrant in Azerbaijan. Monotypic.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Low-lying islands of the Caspian Sea(Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

MOVEMENT: Already rare in Azerbaijan, e.g. Mugan Steppein the late 19th-early 20th centuries(Satunin, 1912b). A well-preserved specimen recovered fromBinagadi Asphalt Lake, Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).Fall passage: COASTAL: Remains of one bird (a partly decom-posed head and a handful of feathers) examined on YashmaIsland (to the north of Absheron Peninsula) in August 1988.

161. Slender-billed Curlew - Numenius tenuirostris Vieillot, 1818

The bird was apparently taken from a group of 3-4. Huntersfrequenting the island insisted on seeing these “smaller” or “less-er” curlews almost every year. Similar information was obtainedfrom Y. Guseinov (Absheron Committee for Nature Conserva-tion) who probably observed Slender-billed Curlew on Yashma

Island in the late mid-1980s (MP).

REMARKS: The Asian Waterfowl Census of 1990-1992 revealed small numbers of Slender-billed Curlews wintering inIran (e.g. 38 in 1990 and 21 in 1992), Oman and Saudi Arabia(Perennou et al., 1990; Perennou & Mundkhur, 1991, 1992).Perhaps some of those were birds passing through Yashma Is-land during migration.

Azeri name: Okh-dzullut

STATUS: Common migrant and uncommon wintering spe-cies; possibly a rare summer resident. Subspecies L. l. limosa

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Summer status is unclear.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A pair and 8 non-breeding birds record-ed at Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) on June 1st (Tuaev, 1975). Ac-cording to the staff of Aggel Reserve, this species was relatively common at Aggel in summers 1989-1990 (MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 19th

century summer records fromsouthern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b) and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Sarisu, MilSteppe (Tuaev, 1975; MP) and Lake Hadjikabul in Shirvan Steppe(Radde, 1884; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. IvanovskayaBanka, the mouth of Vilajchai, the mouth of PogranichnyiChannel and Lake Karakush), Sara Peninsula (Grekov, 1965b;Resanov, 1983; MP), Lenkoran Lowland and southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b; MP).

162. Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa Linnaeus, 1758

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Recorded near Cape Alat in mid

December (Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: W INTER : Mudflats and shallow lakes (Grekov, 1965b;Resanov, 1983).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through late April.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from mid March,peaks in late March-early April and latest sightings in late April(Grekov, 1965b). Recorded at Shorgel Lakes and Cape Pirsagat(southeastern Shirvan) from mid to late April (Patrikeev, 1991a).One collected near Kilazi (to the north of Absheron Peninsula)on 21 April 1960 (Gambarov, 1960).Fall passage: Early July through early December.

COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in early to mid July (Grekov, 1965b). Observed at Divichi Liman, Yashma Islandand Kura Delta in August (Tuaev, 1965, 1975; MP) and in Sam-ur Delta from August to October with sightings of single birdsas late as early December (Butiev et al., 1990b). Conspicuouspassage through Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula from August to November (Grekov, 1965b; Shubin, 1991b).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Kizil Agach Reserve:600-700 at Sobachyi-Zub on March 17th and flocks of 30-40 atKalinovsky Liman and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay throughout Marchin the late 1950s (Grekov, 1965b). >100 at Lake Kichik-Shorgelon 13 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

F ALL: 43 at Sobachyi-Zub (Kizil Agach Reserve) on 12 July 1957 and 500-600 at the tip of Sara Peninsula in mid Octo-ber 1957 (Grekov, 1965b). Flocks of 8-12 at Divichi Limanin early August (Tuaev, 1965) and of 20-30 on Yashma Is-land in mid August (MP). Up to 5,650 in Kizil Agach Re-serve: Lake Karakush, Kabanya Spit and Kulagin in August1984 and 1985 (Shubin, 1991b).

Winter: No estimate. 896 in 1996 (Delany et al., 1999).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve: 40-50 atIvanovskaya Banka on 8 February 1959 and 150 on 5 March1959 (Grekov, 1965b), 12.5/km on the shores of Greater Kizil

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Agach Bay on 16 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), up to 50in the mouth of Pogranichnyi Channel in January 1975 (Re-sanov, 1983) and 813 in 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >300 at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe in Jan-uary 1991 (MP). 2 at Lake Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

STATUS: Rare migrant and possibly rare wintering species. Sub-species L. l. lapponica Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: No records in the 1950s-early 1990s,but 2 reported in 1997 (Gilissen et al., 2000).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes of Mil Steppe in the 1930s-1940s(Verestchagin, 1950).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April to mid May.

163. Bar-tailed Godwit - Limosa lapponica Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: Earliest record (11 birds) in Sara Peninsula on 5 April1958. Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from April to midMay; latest sighting May 17th (Grekov, 1965b). One observedsouth of Cape Pirsagat on 18 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

Fall passage: July to mid November.COASTAL: Single birds (mostly adult males) recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in July. Five adults in Sara Peninsula on August7th, 15-18 at Arakelovskaya Bank (Kizil Agach Reserve) on Oc-tober 18th. Passage is over by mid November (Grekov, 1965b).

Azeri name: Nachaguirut dzullut

STATUS: Common migrant and nesting species. Subspecies G.

p. pratincola Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Ag-gel, Sarisu and Mekhman (Mil Steppe), Lake Hadjikabul andKarayasi Steppe (Gambarov, 1956; Vinogradov, 1967; Sultanov

& Agayeva, 2003; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several colonies in Kizil Agach Reserve,e.g. at Avarinyi and Sbrosnoyi Channels, Kulagin Lookout,Ivanovskaya Banka (Grekov, 1965b; Mustafaev & Kiazimov,1966a). Also in southern Mugan (e.g. Lake Mahmud-chala) andsoutheastern Shirvan, e.g. Shirvan Reserve, along the Main Shir- van Channel and at Cape Pirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Islands of Baku Archipel-ago: Glinanyi, Pervaya Grada, Baburyi and possibly Tashkent(Patrikeev, 1991a, c). One observed near Shikhovo south of Bakuon 6 July 1990 (MP).

FAMILY GLAREOLIDAE - PRATINCOLES and COURSERS

164. Collared Pratincole - Glareola pratincola Linnaeus, 1766

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and the vicinity of Kelani. Apparently absent from the liman from the early 20 th

century to c. 1958 (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Tuaev, 1965; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

HABITAT: NESTING: Saltpans, dry ponds, livestock-trampledshores of freshwater ponds, lake islets and ridges of seashellsovergrown with herbaceous plants on islands of the CaspianSea (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov, 1967; Israfilov,1989; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April to mid May.COASTAL: Usually arrives in southeast lowlands and Mugan inmid to late April, e.g. c. 16-27April in Kizil Agach Reserve, butlater in cold springs: earliest sighting in the reserve in 1956 onMay 8th (Grekov, 1965b; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a). Earli-est records in Samur Delta in early April, conspicuous passagein late April-early May and latest sighting on May 15 th (Butiev et al., 1990a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Aggel and Sarisu in mid to late April (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: August through mid October.COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in August-early Sep-tember, latest record on September 12th (Grekov, 1965b).

In Samur Delta, fall passage is inconspicuous: recorded 26 August-12 September (But iev et al., 1990a). One collectedin Gobustan Upland on 1 October 1937. Flocks and singlebirds observed between Kilazi Spit and northern AbsheronPeninsula in mid October (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Leaves Lake Aggel in September (Isra-filov, 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >500 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

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SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: At least 3 colonies in Kizil Agach Re-serve in the mid 1950s (e.g. a colony of 50-60 pairs). Large flocksof fledged young (e.g. 5,000-7,000 at Ivanovskaya Banka on 11 July 1955) might have come from elsewhere. At least 58-67 pairsin the reserve in 1957-1958 (Grekov, 1965b), <75 pairs in theearly 1960s (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Numbers remainedlow in the late 1980s-early 1990s. In 1990 7-8 pairs at Zavvar

(Lake Mahmud-chala) and 15 pairs at Lake Kichik-Shorgel,southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: >19 pairs at Aggel in 1975, and a flock of 45 (including juveniles) on July 28th (Israfilov, 1989). 33 atSarisu and 3 at Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).ISLANDS OF THE C ASPIAN SEA: 80-90 pairs nested in Pirsagat Is-lands (Baku Archipelago) in 1989, e.g. 35 pairs on Pervaya Gra-da and 40 pairs on Baburyi (Patrikeev, 1991a). c. 50 pairs onGlinanyi Island (Baku Archipelago) in 1990 (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 74 at Divichi Liman in late June-early July 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: Uncommon in Samur Delta. In 1988: 12 on April 21st , flocks of 10-11 during 20-30 April, 50 on April 30th

and tens on May 4th

(Butiev et al., 1990a).F ALL: 150-200 on September 12th in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grek-ov, 1965b). Rare in Samur Delta: 2 on 12 September 1988 and11 on 26 August 1989 (Butiev et al., 1990a).

BREEDING: Colonial species often nesting in mixed colo-nies with other shorebirds and terns, e.g. Kentish Plover, Black- winged Stilt, Avocet, Common Tern and Little Tern (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Nest is a scrape in theground lined with a few grass stems or without any lining.Nests are usually in the open on the mainland, but hiddenunder saltworts or other perennial plants on islands of theCaspian Sea, possibly to avoid gull predation (Patrikeev, 1991a,

c). At Lake Aggel, nests 1-10 m apart. Nest diameter (n=6)

8.9-12.1 cm, depth 25-30 mm (Israfilov, 1989). Clutch con-tains 2-3 eggs; measurements 29.0-34.1 x 23.4-25.7 mm (Isra-filov, 1989). In southeastern Shirvan, complete clutches of 2eggs laid by 11-12 May 1990. 3 nests with eggs on PervayaGrada Island, Baku Archipelago on 22 May 1989 (Patrikeev,1991a). At Aggel, eggs laid throughout May, e.g. 5 nests with 1egg each, 2 nests with 2 eggs and 11 nests with 3 eggs on 25

May 1975 (Israfilov, 1989). In Kizil Agach Reserve, nests with1-2 eggs on 24 May 1959, but a female with egg collected on 5 June 1956 (Grekov, 1965b). Two nests with 2 eggs each foundat Kelani (Samur-Divichi Lowland) on June 26th and July 8th

respectively (Tuaev, 1965). Incubation lasts 17-18 days and bothpartners incubate (Israfilov, 1989). A newly hatched chick onLake Aggel on 25 May 1975 (Israfilov, 1989). A brood on Per- vaya Grada Island on 22 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Kizil Agach Reserve small young recorded from mid June to mid July (Grekov, 1965b; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a) and atDivichi Liman in early July (Tuaev, 1965). The young are onthe wing on c. 22nd day (Israfilov, 1989).Nests often fail due to elements, e.g. all nests in one colony

in Kizil Agach Reserve flooded after heavy rains in May 1956(Grekov, 1965b) and continuous rains and cold weathercaused nest failures in Shirvan Reserve in mid May 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a).

DIET: Insectivorous. Mostly aerial feeder catching flying in-sects on the wing, but also feeds on the ground. Collared Prat-incoles nesting on the islands of Baku Archipelago regularly make 6-10 km feeding trips to the mainland (Patrikeev, 1991a).Stomachs examined at Lake Aggel (n=8) contained beetles(48.2%), grasshoppers (13.8%), ants and other Hymenoptera(6.9%), flies and other Diptera (6.9%) and other insects (24.1%)(Israfilov, 1989). Stomachs of other four individuals completely

filled with ants (Tuaev, 1975).


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nested atLake Aggel (Mil Steppe) in 1962 (Vinogradov, 1967), but notfound there in 1975 (Israfilov, 1989). Possibly overlooked.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: One near Sarivan at Divichi Limanon 27 June 1892 (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: At Lake Aggel, nested on a silty spit withscattered reeds (Vinogradov, 1967).

MOVEMENT: Migrated through Mugan Steppe in the past(Satunin, 1912b).Spring passage: Rare in Samur Delta: recorded from early tomid May (Butiev et al., 1990a).

Fall passage: Recorded in Samur Delta from mid August tomid September (Butiev et al., 1990a).

165. Black-winged Pratincole - Glareola nordmanni Nordmann, 1842

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No recent summer records.May no longer breed in Azerbaijan. Lake Aggel: 2 nests in 1962and 17-20 pairs in 1963 (Vinogradov, 1967).Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, 1 on 1 May 1988, single birdsand flocks of 3-5 during 4-9 May 1988 and single birds 11-17May 1989 (Butiev et al., 1990a).F ALL: In Samur Delta, c. 30 recorded 19 August-10 September1988, e.g. a flock of 21 on September 7th (Butiev et al., 1990a).

BREEDING: At Lake Aggel, nested in mixed colonies with White-tailed Plovers, Black-winged Stilts, Common Terns andLittle Terns. 2 nests with 2 eggs found at the lake (first nesting record for Azerbaijan) on 25 June 1962 and 2 colonies (5 and12-15 pairs) in 1963, e.g. 2 nests with 1 and 3 eggs. All nests hadno lining (Vinogradov, 1967).




STATUS: Accidental visitor in the past (no records since the ear-ly 19th century). Probably subspeciesC. c. bogolubovi Zarudny, 1886.

REMARKS: Menetries observed this species in saltwort semi-desert between Baku and Saliani in the early 19th century. Prob-

166. Cream-coloured Courser - Cursorius cursor Latham, 1787

ably no other records. In 1838 Nordmann referred to Mene-tries’ observations (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Accidental winter visitor. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Occasionally recorded on the Cas-pian shore of Azerbaijan and in Mugan in the late 19th-early

FAMILY STERCORARIIDAE - SKUAS or JAEGERS

167. Pomarine Skua - Stercorarius pomarinus Temminck, 1815

20th centuries (Satunin, 1907, 1912b). No recent records from Azerbaijan, although recorded in Armenia in 1966 (Airumianet al., 1968) and on the Caspian shore of Turkmenistan in1973 (Scherbina, 1977).

STATUS: Accidental winter visitor in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: In the late 19th-early 20th cen-turies Satunin (1912a; 1912b) observed this species on the

168. Arctic Skua - Stercorarius parasiticus Linnaeus, 1758

Caspian shore of Azerbaijan and in Mugan. No otherrecords.

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species; nested inthe past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (former distribution): SOUTHEASTLOWLANDS: A colony of c. 60 pairs at the north end of SaraIsland (Kizil Agach Bay) in the mid and late 19th century (Rad-de, 1884) was abandoned by the early 20th century, but a largecolony found on Burunki Island to the north of Sara (Satunin,1907). The Burunki colony probably disappeared in the late1930s, when Burunki and other islands of Kizil Agach Bay were

FAMILY LARIDAE - GULLS and TERNS

169. Great Black-headed Gull - Larus ichthyaetus Pallas, 1773

connected to the mainland (due to the retreat of the CaspianSea) and terrestrial predators arrived on the islands (Vinogra-

dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Observed around Absh-eron Peninsula in the past, e.g. on 10 June 1898 (Satunin, 1907).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur Reservoir, VarvaraReservoir (rare), Lake Aggel in Mil Steppe, the vicinity of Shamkhor and Djandargel (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1972; Cranswick et al., 1998; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (Ga-zanchian, 1951; Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Rare in southeastern Shirvan (Paynter etal., 1996a). Wintered in southern Mugan in the past (Satunin, 1912b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Occasionally at AbsheronPeninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), e.g. Shah Spit (Ban-

nikova et al., 1984) and Kilazi Spit (Shelton, 2001).

HABITAT: NESTING ( PAST ): Low seashell beach (Radde, 1884). W INTER : Coastal waters of the Caspian Sea; lakes and reservoirs(Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late February to early April.COASTAL: Earliest spring sighting at Lenkoran on February 28th

and conspicuous arrival on March 22nd (Radde, 1884). Record-ed near Kilazi Spit in early April (Shelton, 2001).

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Fall passage: Up to 20 observed at fishponds in Samur Delta(Butiev et al., 1990b).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Probably >500 in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lake Aggel: flocks of 2-10 irregularly seen in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but small num-

bers winter regularly from the late 1960s (Tuaev, 1975), e.g.c. 20 in January 1991 (MP). Up to 300 at Mingechaur Reser- voir in the late 1960s (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). c. 40 in Kizil Agach Reserve and 2 in Shirvan Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et

al. 1996a), 300 at Shamkhor Reservoir in February 1998(Cranswick et al., 1998) and 65 at Lake Djandargel in Febru-ary 2001 (Shelton, 2001).

BREEDING: Nests on Sara Island contained eggs or chicks on June 1st . Egg size: 79-85 x 46-55 mm (Radde, 1884).

DIET: Fish and fish refuse in Kizil Agach Reserve and sur-rounding villages, e.g. observed catching small Sanders ( Stizoste-

dion lucioperca ) in the mouth of Kumbashi (Satunin, 1907; Zablotz-ky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND IS-LANDS: One colony discovered on Pelikanyi Island (Pirsagat Is-lands of Baku Archipelago) on 13 May 1989. First breeding record for Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea (Patrikeev, 1990b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islands of the Caspian Sea. In 1989 nest-ed on limestone outcrops in the south part of Pelikanyi Island(Patrikeev, 1990b).

170. Mediterranean Gull - Larus melanocephalus Temminck, 1820

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: 60 (single birds andflocks of up to 10) observed in Samur Delta on 9 May 1988(Butiev et al., 1989). One recorded in a mixed flock of Black-headed and Little Gulls at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeasternShirvan on 13 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 28 nests on Pelikanyi Islandon 21 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1990b).

BREEDING: On 21 May 1989 nests (n=28) contained 1-3 eggs(18 nests with 3 eggs each, 9 nests with 2 eggs and 1 nest with 1egg). Nests built of dry grass or algae 0.5-1 m apart. Severalpairs of Common Terns nested on the edge of the colony (Patri-keev, 1990b).

DIET: Regularly seen on the mainland (7-10 km from PelikanyiIsland) where probably forages for terrestrial invertebrates (Patri-keev, 1990b).

REMARKS: Recent arrival in the region. A few accidentalrecords in the northern and eastern sectors of the Caspian Seain the 1950s (Zaletaev, 1960). Closest colonies are on islands of Manich Reservoir, North Caucasus Plain c. 900 km from Baku Archipelago (Zubakin, 1988).

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species; summer sta-

tus is unclear. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Common at the Caspian shore inthe late 19th-early 20th centuries; several specimens collected(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Recent summer records from Var- vara Reservoir, e.g. 3 in 1998 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: The vicinity of Baku (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989), Shah Spit, Kilazi Spit and probably elsewherein Absheron Peninsula (Bannikova et al., 1984; Shelton, 2001; MP).

171. Little Gull - Larus minutus Pallas, 1776

HABITAT: W INTER AND MIGRATION: Seashore, lakes, marshes

and rubbish dumps (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; Patrikeev,1991a; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to mid May.COASTAL: Recorded near Nardaran (northern Absheron Penin-sula) on March 3d (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), DivichiLiman in March, Kilazi Spit in early April (Shelton, 2001), atLenkoran in mid April (Radde, 1884) and at Shorgel Lakesthroughout April-early May 1990, latest sighting on the lakes onMay 12th (Patrikeev, 1991a).Fall passage: August through October.

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1958; Butiev et al., 1990b). Recorded in Kura Delta and Mugan(Satunin, 1912b; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Tu-aev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: c. 200 at Lake Kichik-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan) in April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

F ALL: Flocks of 5-150 at Divichi Liman in August, but c. 400recorded on August 21st (Tuaev, 1965).Winter: 30 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a),325 in 1997 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

DIET: Examined stomachs contained insects (49.8%, including larvae of gnats Chironomidae), amphibians (40%, mostly tad-poles of Marsh Frog Rana ridibunda ), fish (10%) and spiders(0.2%) (Tuaev, 1965; Vasiliev, 1975).

MORTALITY: Some perished in oiled lakes of Absheron Pen-insula (Verestchagin, 1946).

COASTAL: Common at Divichi Liman in August (Tuaev, 1965).Passes through Samur Delta and Absheron Peninsula (e.g. atShuvelan) in September-October (Gambarov & Gazanchian,

STATUS: Rare nesting species, common migrant and wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nested onLake Mehman (Mil Steppe) in the 1950s (Gambarov, 1956).Flocks of 3-9 seen at other lakes of Mil Steppe (e.g. Aggel andSarisu) and Lake Hadjikabul, but no breeding records (Vinogra-

dov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular nesting species in Kizil AgachReserve, e.g. at Kalinovsky Liman and Lake Karakush (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).Single birds observed at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shir- van in late May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a) . Recorded in south-ern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b), e.g. at Mahmud-chala (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Non-breeders observedon Pirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago in April-May 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a).

172. Black-headed Gull - Larus ridibundus Linnaeus, 1766

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur Reservoir, lakes Aggel and Djandargel (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975; E. Sultanov).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers winter in Kizil Agach Re-serve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), Shorgel Lakes andKura Delta (Vasiliev, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; Paynter et al., 1996a). Ob-served in Lenkoran Lowland after snowstorms (Mustafaev, 1972).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Recent wintering speciesin Absheron Peninsula, e.g. in Baku suburbs, but also in ShahSpit (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islands (Gambarov, 1956). W INTER AND MI-GRATION: Marshes, lakes, semi-desert and rubbish dumps (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989)

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid February to mid April.COASTAL: Conspicuous migration at Lenkoran, in Kizil Agach Re-serve, Kura Delta and Absheron Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975). Passes via Absheron Peninsula from mid February (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP) and through Kizil AgachReserve from March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Re-corded at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through Lake Sarisu (Mil Steppe),Shilian Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) and Pirsagat Valley; also through Arasand Arpa-chai valleys in Nakhichevan Region (Tuaev, 1975; MP).Fall passage: From mid August.COASTAL: Arrives at Kura Delta c. 18-24 August (Vasiliev, 1967). Also recorded in southeastern Shirvan (e.g. at Shorgel Lakes)and Kizil Agach Reserve (Tuaev, 1975; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve: 1 nest at Kalinovsky Liman in 1954 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and 5

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pairs at Lake Karakush in 1982 (Vinogradov et al., 1990). 2 atMahmud-chala in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 8 at Hadjikabul and 3 at Sarisu in 1998(Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: Up to 2,000 Black-headed AND Common Gullsin Kizil Agach Reserve in March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). c. 100 at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan on

13 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).F ALL: 300-400 in Kura Delta in August in the early 1960s (Vasil-iev, 1967).Winter: Up to 600 at fishponds in Kura Delta in the early 1960s(Vasiliev, 1967). Thousands wintered in and around Baku in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 10 estimated in each of Kizil Agachand Shirvan reserves in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a), 344 record-ed in 1997 and 740 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

BREEDING: All known nests at Lake Mehman and in Kizil Agach Reserve in mixed colonies with terns and shorebirds(Gambarov, 1956; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

DIET: Stomachs (n=46) of individuals collected by Vasiliev (1967) during February-April and June-July mostly containedinsects (especially larvae of gnats Chironomidae , but also wee-

vils, leaf-beetles, imago and larvae of diving beetles, beetles of family Staphylinidae, water bugs and flies), but very little fish(fry of European Carp Cyprinus carpio and Asp Aspius aspius ),some fisheries refuse, but also plant fragments. Some crops con-tained earthworms (Vasiliev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Oiled Black-headed Gulls recovered in Absher-on Peninsula, particularly near Binagadi (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant anduncommon wintering species. Monotypic. Vulnerable.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND IS-LANDS: Nesting first confirmed in the mid 1980s by Y. Guseinov (pers. comm.) on Pelikanyi Island (Pirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago). Three colonies in Baku Archipelago in 1989 onPelikanyi, Baklanyi and Los’ (Karasy) islands (Patrikeev, 1991a).Not found on Pirsagat Islands in the mid 1960s (Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1969). May colonize (perhaps have colonized) other islandsof Baku Archipelago (MP). Satunin (1907) suspected nesting

on Sviatoyi (Artem) Island in April 1891.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: May nest at lakes of southeastern Shirvan where groups and courtship observed at Lake Beuk-Shorgel on 9May 1990; some remained at the lake in late May (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A pair in breeding plumage collected atLake Aggel, Mil Steppe on 8 June 1962 (Tuaev, 1975).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular wintering species in Kizil Agach Reserve (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; MP) and pos-sibly in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Absheron Peninsula(Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; MP).

173. Slender-billed Gull - Larus genei Breme, 1840

HABITAT: NESTING: Small predator-free rocky or volcanic is-

lands in the Caspian Sea; possibly islands in some lakes (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Migrates throughKizil Reserve, Kura Delta, Kilazi Spit and possibly southernMugan (Satunin, 1912b; Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Tu-aev, 1975; Shelton, 2001).Fall passage: COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reservefrom August to early December (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Possibly in southernMugan (Satunin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >500 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: c. 450-550 pairs in Baku Archipelago in 1989: 300-400 pairs on Pelikanyi Island, 80-100pairs on the tiny and barren Baklanyi Island and 46 pairs onLos’ (Karasy) Island (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 22 on a tiny islet in Lake Beuk-Shorgel(southeastern Shirvan) and 50 on a flooded plain to the east of the lake on 9 May 1990, 20 at Lake Beuk-Shorgel on 20 May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).Passage: SPRING: Up to 1,500 in Kizil Agach Reserve in the late1950s (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).F ALL: 500-600/year passed through Kizil Agach Reserve in thelate 1950s (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b).

Winter: Only 1 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a).

BREEDING: Nests in dense colonies: nests 20-50 cm apartin Baku Archipelago. On Los’ Island, 46 nests of this speciesand 3 nests of Common Terns in a 7 x 5.5 m area. Nests builtof dry twigs, grass and algae. At the north end of PelikanyiIsland all nests were in long narrow grooves in limestone providing some protected from the wind (MP). Clutch contains2-3 eggs. Nests on Pelikanyi Island contained 2-3 eggs on 13May 1989; 32 of 46 nests on Los’ Island contained 2 eggs andthe rest 1 egg each on 4 June 1989 (MP). Nesting in dense

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colonies might be advantageous to reduce predation by Yel-low-legged Gulls common on the islands (MP). Slender-billedGulls usually avoid nesting in proximity to that species(Zubakin, 1988). When a Yellow-legged Gull or other bird flew over a colony of Slender-billed Gulls, all of the latter “buzzed”the intruder (MP).

DIET: Fish 55.8% (European Carp, Lookup Culter sp., Atherine Atherina mochon , introduced Mosquito Fish Gambusia punctata ,

etc.) insects 39% (larvae of gnats Chironomidae , Diptera, ants),amphibians 5.2% (Vasiliev, 1975). On Pelikanyi Island, severalindividuals preyed on eggs of Sandwich Terns; the incubating terns sometimes attacked these Slender-billed Gulls wandering freely between tern nests, but the gulls pecked eggs in severalunattended nests (MP).

REMARKS: Probably affected by oil pollution; plumage of sev-eral birds on Pelikanyi Island stained with oil (MP).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Subspecies L. f. fuscus Linnaeus, 1758. The only record is from Shelton (2001) who observed this species in April of 1999 or 2000 in the vicinity of Cape Kilazi (north of Baku).

174. Lesser Black-backed Gull – Larus fuscus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Gagai (all gulls, but especially this species)

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.

Increasing. Subspecies L. c. cachinnans Pallas, 1811.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Locations of nesting colonieschanged in the past due to fluctuations of the Caspian Sea andpossibly human disturbance.C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Mostly in Baku Archi-pelago since the mid 1950s. The largest colony is on Glina-

nyi Island off Cape Alat (since the mid 1960s). Smaller colo-nies on Los’ (Karasy), Svinoyi (Sangi-Mugan), Pirsagat Is-lands (e.g. Pelikanyi, Baburyi, Tashkent and Rakushechnyi),Oblivnoyi, Kamen-Ignatia and possibly other islands of thearchipelago. Small numbers may nest on abandoned oilrigsand platforms, e.g. between Los’ Island and the mainland(Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Only smallnumbers nested in the archipelago in the 1950s; a colony onBulla Island abandoned by the mid 1960s because of oil-development (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969). Also nests on smallerislands of Absheron Archipelago (Sultanov & Karabanova,

175. Yellow-legged Gull - Larus cachinnans Pallas, 1811

1989; MP), but colonies on larger islands, e.g. Nargin, aban-doned in the early 1950s (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Non-breeding individuals occur along the entire Caspianshore (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS AND ISLANDS: From the late 19th century to the 1950s the largest colony in Azerbaijan was found onislands of Kizil Agach Bay: first on Sara Island (until the mid1930s), then Kulagin (until 1938-1940) and Krestovyi (until1954). The colony moved from one island to another follow-ing the retreat of the Caspian Sea connecting the islands tothe mainland and the subsequent influx of terrestrial preda-tors such as Red Fox and Golden Jackal. In 1954-1956 Yellow-legged Gulls still nested at Kizil Agach Bay but later disap-

peared (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Verestchagin, 1947; Ga-zanchian, 1951; Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In the past might have nested onlakes of southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b). During April-May 1990 dozens of adults and semi-adults seen at Shorgel Lakes(southeastern Shirvan), but those were probably visitors fromOblivnoyi Island (Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the late 1980s-early 1990s, both Larus

cachinnans and L. armenicus were treated as subspecies of Her-ring Gull L. argentatus (Ilichev & Zubakin, 1988) or L. armenicus

included in L. cachinnans (Stepanyan, 1990), and field recordsdid not differentiate between the two species. However, themajority of sub-adults of L. argentatus -L. cachinnans complex

observed in Kura Valley (up to Karayasi), Aras and Arpa-chai valleys in Nakhichevan Region (Tuaev, 1975; MP) were proba-bly L. cachinnans .Winter: C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Along the entireCaspian seashore. Large numbers in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. atdumps around Baku, Baku Bay, Shah Spit and Lake Mirzaladi(Bannikova et al., 1984; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays,southeastern Shirvan and lower Kura (Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Vinogra-dov et al., 1990).

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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Gulls of L. argentatus -L. cachinnans com-plex winter in Mil Steppe (e.g. lakes Aggel and Sarisu), MuganSteppe, Aras Valley and along Arpa-chai River in NakhichevanRegion (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Volcanic and rocky islands of the Caspi-an Sea including islands with active mud-volcanoes. W INTER AND

MIGRATION: Seashore, rivers and lakes, rubbish dumps and fishprocessing plants (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Mid March through April. Conspicuous passage in Absheron Peninsula and at Less-er Kizil Agach Bay (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).Fall passage: COASTAL: Large numbers recorded on the Caspi-an shore of Samur-Divichi Lowland (Tuaev, 1965) and Absher-on Peninsula in August (MP). The majority of local birds re-main in the Caspian Sea region. 24 of 25 recoveries of Yellow-legged Gulls ringed as chicks in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1935 were from the Caspian Sea and only 1 from the vicinity of Bas-

ra, Iraq (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably c. 12,000 pairs inthe 1980s-early 1990s (MP). (See the table below).

In addition, 100-200 pairs occur on small islands of Absheron Archipelago (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP). 50 (non-breed-ers) at Lake Hadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: Up to 3,000 passed through the Lesser Kizil Agach Bay every spring (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Winter: Common, but no overall estimate. 1,028 reported in1997 and 483 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000) from only a handfulof sites.

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Flocks of 3-10 occasionally recorded atLake Aggel in the early 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967), but >100birds in January 1991 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 100 estimated in Kizil Agach Reserve and10 at Shorgel Lakes in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a).

BREEDING: Colonial. Nest-building from mid March. Nestsbuilt of twigs, algae and grass 0.5-10 m apart. Nesting closeto active mud-volcanoes recorded on Los’ Island. Egg-lying

from mid March to early June (peaks in April). Clutch con-tains 2-3 eggs (usually 3), but nests with 4 and 5 eggs alsorecorded. Egg size: 64-75 x 49-53 mm (Satunin, 1907; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Chicks hatch frommid April through early July. The majority of nests on Peli-kanyi Island still contained eggs on 21 May 1989 (MP). OnSara Island chicks mostly hatched by June 1st (Satunin, 1907)

and c. 80% hatched on Los’ Island by June 3rd

(MP). c. 22%of eggs failed to hatch on Glinanyi Island in 1968 (Tuaev etal., 1972). The majority of young are on the wing by mid August (MP).

DIET: Almost exclusively fish (c. 90%), but also crustaceans(8.5%), insects (1.5%) (Vasiliev, 1968, 1975), rodents (e.g. young Libyan Jirds Meriones erythrourus ) and occasionally birds (e.g.ducklings of the Ruddy Shelduck and weakened Common Star-lings). No records of predation on chicks or eggs of othergulls and terns in Azerbaijan (Mustafaev et al., 1969; MP). Of fish, Kilkas ( Clupeonella sp.) eaten most frequently (93.5% of all consumed fish) including those in commercial fisheries

waste; also Roach, European Carp, Atherine and Gobies (Va-siliev, 1968, 1975; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969).

MORTALITY: Ornithosis virus killed >1,000 fledged young on Glinanyi Island and the vicinity in June 1968 (Tuaev et al.,1972). c. 40 dead chicks found on Los’ Island on 3 June 1989.Some had stabbing wounds and were probably pecked to deathby adult Yellow-legged Gulls, but others had no visible injuries. A few dead young were found mired in volcanic mud (MP).Regularly perishes in oil spills at Absheron Peninsula and inthe Caspian Sea, e.g. 64 dead found after a spill near GumIsland in February 1990 (Verestchagin, 1946; Zakiev, 1990; G.Bairamov, pers. comm.).

Eggs of Yellow-legged Gulls were traditionally harvested forfood in Azerbaijan. In the late 19th century, inhabitants of Len-koran and Sara Island regularly raided the colony of this speciesfilling whole boats with eggs (Satunin, 1907). In the 1930s, c.30,000 eggs collected annually and sold to bakeries in Baku (Ver-estchagin, 1947). In the 1960s, ships’ crews often robbed colo-nies on Pelikanyi and Kamen-Ignatia islands (Tuaev & Vasiliev,1969). Illegal egg harvesting still occurs on Glinanyi Island andperhaps other islands of Baku Archipelago (MP).

Number of Yellow-legged Gulls nesting in Azerbaijan in 1866-1989

Year Islands of Baku Archipelago Source

Kizil Agach Bay Glinanyi I.5 Pirsagat Is. Los’ (Karasy) I.

1866 >3,000 pairs1

Radde, 18841940 c. 3,000 pairs 2 Verestchagin, 1947

Verestchagin, 1947;

1930s-1940s 10,000 pairs 500-1,000 pairs3 Vinogradov &

Tcherniavskaya, 1965a

1965 1,500 pairs a few pairs 300-350 pairs Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969a

1966 3,000 pairs

1967 7,000 adults

1989 10,000-11,000 pairs >100 pairs4 150-200 pairs G. Bairamov pers. comm.; MP1 – Sara Island; 2 – Kulagin Island; 3 – the entire Baku Archipelago; 4- mostly Pelikanyi Island; 5 - Glinanyi Island was declared a seasonal bird

reserve in 1973 and the number of nesting Yellow-legged Gulls increased steadily throughout the 1970s-late 1980s.




In the late 1980s-early 1990s, both Larus cachinnans and L. armen-

icus were treated as subspecies of the Herring Gull L. argentatus

(Ilichev & Zubakin, 1988) or L. armenicus included in L. cachinnans

(Stepanyan, 1990). Thus, most of known records did not differ-

[Armenian Gull – Larus armenicus Buturlin, 1934] (Hypothetical)

entiate between these two species and sub-adult Armenian Gullsmight have been present among sub-adults of L. argentatus -L. cachin-

nans complex observed in Kura Valley (up to Karayasi), Aras and Arpa-chai valleys in Nakhichevan Region (Tuaev, 1975; MP).

STATUS: Rare wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: In the late 19th-early 20th centu-ries, observed on the Caspian shore of Azerbaijan and in Mugan

176. Great Black-backed Gull - Larus marinus Linnaeus, 1758

(Satunin, 1912a, 1912b). In the 1930s or 1940s, one found deadin oil in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946). The only re-cent record is of 11 in Kizil Agach Reserve in January-February 1996 (Paynter et al., 1996a).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species; nested inthe past. Subspecies L. c. heinei Homeyer, 1853.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (former): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS AND ISLANDS: Nested on Sara Island, Kizil Agach Bay (Radde,1884) and possibly in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b) in thelate 19th-early 20th centuries.

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley up to Karayasi (Mus-tafaev, 1974a).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular in Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. Less-er Kizil Agach Bay) appearing in years when the number of small rodents is high. Not recorded in the reserve in 1958/1959 when the number of voles was low (Gazanchian, 1951; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Small numbers winter in

Absheron Peninsula, e.g. at Lake Mirzaladi and Shah Spit (Ban-nikova et al., 1984; MP).

177. Common Gull - Larus canus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: W INTER : Semi-desert and vicinity of water bodies (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Conspicuous passage at Less-er Kizil Agach Bay in the late 1950s (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Up to 2,000 Com-mon AND Black-headed Gulls at Lesser Kizil Agach Bay in thelate 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: 10 estimated in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynteret al. 1996a), 73 in 1997 and 80 in 1998 (Gilissen et al., 2000).

DIET: Mostly small rodents (e.g. voles) in Kizil Agach Re-serve in winter (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vino-gradov et al., 1990).

STATUS: Accidental winter visitor. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Menetries observed this speciessomewhere on the Caspian Sea (Bogdanov, 1879) and Satunin

[Black-tailed Gull - Larus crassirostris Vieillot 1818] (Hypothetical)

Included in the list of the birds of Azerbaijan by Mustafaev etal. (1977). This species is confined to northwest Pacific and its

occurrence in Azerbaijan is highly unlikely. Perhaps includeddue to misidentification.

178. Black-legged Kittiwake - Rissa tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758

(1912a, 1912b) recorded Kittiwakes on the Caspian shore in

southeastern Azerbaijan and also in Mugan. No confirmed re-cent records, although Cranswick et al. (1998) possibly observedone at Shah Spit (Absheron Peninsula) in February 1998.

179. Black Tern - Chlidonias niger Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Rare migrant; summer status is unclear, probably no longer nests in Azerbaijan. Subspecies C. n. niger Linnae-us, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Apparently inhabited lowlandsthroughout Eastern Transcaucasia (i.e., mostly Azerbaijan) in thelate 19th-early 20th centuries (Satunin, 1912a). However, no re-cent summer records.




K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Possibly nested at Lake Mehman, Mil Steppein the early 1950s (Gambarov, 1956). Also summer records from Varvara Reservoir, Mingechaur District (Tuaev, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nested in marshes between Saliani andPrishib (Mugan) in 1897 and 1898 (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: Marshes (Satunin, 1907).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve, southern Mugan and Kura Delta (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Shirvan Steppe (e.g. ShilianMarsh), Mil Steppe (e.g. Lake Sarisu) and at Mingechaur Reser- voir (Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Collected in Absheron Peninsula 2-9September (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Migrates through lakes of Mil Steppe(Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: Only a few recordedin Kizil Agach Reserve in the 1950s (Vinogradov & Tchernia-

vskaya, 1965a).

BREEDING: Black Terns currying nesting material observedin marshes between Saliani and Prishib on 11 June 1897 and 6 June 1898 (Satunin, 1907).

MORTALITY: 14 found dead in oil reservoirs of AbsheronPeninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and common migrant.Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly inKizil Agach Reserve, e.g. Akusha and Lopatinsky marshes, Kali-novsky Liman and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Probably nests at Lake Kichick-Shorgel (ShirvanReserve) and in southern Mugan, e.g. Ah-chala and Mahmud-chala (Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Occasional at Lake Hadjikabul (Sultanov

& Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LIMAN: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lakes and marshes with f loating mats of submergent vegetation or muddy islets (Mustafaev & Kiazimov,1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: From early April through mid May.COASTAL: Conspicuous passage at Lake Kichik-Shorgel in late April-early May (Patrikeev, 1991a) and in Kizil Agach Reserve

180. White-winged Tern - Chlidonias leucopterus Temminck, 1815

during the first ten days of May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965a). In April-May, also recorded in Kura Delta, Cape Pirsa-gat, vicinity of Baku, the islands of Baku Archipelago, and SamurDelta. A few recorded after mid May (Tuaev, 1975; Butiev et al.,1989; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Small numbers in Evlakh District inearly April (Satunin, 1907). Also migrates through Lake Sa-risu (Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: August-September in Kizil Agach Re-serve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 2 in Kura Valley near Karayasi on 10November 1895 (Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >300 pairs in the late 1980s-

early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 5 pairs at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil AgachReserve in July 1966 (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a), 3 to 6colonies (10-70 nests/colony) in the reserve in the late 1980s(Vinogradov et al., 1990). c. 50 at Lake Kichick-Shorgel, Shir- van Reserve in May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 170 at Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).Passage: SPRING: c. 400 at Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shir- van in late April-early May 1990, flocks of 20-40 in the vicinity of Cape Pirsagat in April-May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

BREEDING: Often nests in mixed colonies with other terns

and shorebirds. Nests built on floating mats of submergent vegetation and muddy islets in lakes and marshes (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). No other in-formation.

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STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant, rare winter-ing species. Subspecies C. h. hybridus Pallas, 1811.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Commonin marshes of Kura Valley in the late 19th century (Satunin,1907), but found only at Lake Mehman, Mil Steppe in the 1950s(Gambarov, 1956). Recorded at Hadjikabul, Sarisu and VarvaraReservoir in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. Kalinovsky Liman and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya,1963; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a), southern Mugan (e.g.Mahmud-chala) and Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan (Patri-keev, 1991a, c).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).Winter: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et

al., 1996a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lakes and marshes with floating mats of submergent vegetation or small muddy islets (Gambarov, 1956;Patrikeev, 1991c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: April-May.

181. Whiskered Tern - Chlidonias hybridus Pallas, 1811

COASTAL: Passes through southeastern Shirvan, Kura Delta, Kizil Agach Reserve and Lenkoran Lowland in April and May (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a).K URA-ARAS Lowland: Recorded in Mil Steppe (Aggel and Sa-risu), Aras Valley and Arpa-chai valley in Nakhichevan Region

in April and May (Radde, 1884; Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: Late August and September in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Oneobserved at Shuvelan (Absheron Peninsula) on 6 November 1948(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 400-500 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: c. 500 pairs at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve in 1954-1956 (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963),but only c. 300 pairs in 1966 (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Two small colonies (14-15 pairs) at Lake Mahmud-chala in 1990(Patrikeev, 1991c), but perhaps as many as 2,500 pairs in 1998

(Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: 700 at Sarisu, 100 at Varvara and 42 atHadjikabul in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 420 at Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sul-tanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Winter: 10 in Kizil Agach Reserve in 1996 (Paynter et al. 1996a).

BREEDING: Often nests in mixed colonies with other marshterns and shorebirds. Nests built on floating mats of submer-gent vegetation or small muddy islets (Gambarov, 1956; Patri-keev, 1991c). Recently completed nests found at Mahmud-chalaon 23 June 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991c). In Kizil Agach Reserve, eggslaid in late May (usually 23-25 May). Egg size (n=73): 35-42 x

25-30 mm, average 36.9 x 28.7 mm. Incubation lasts 18-20 days(Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a).

DIET: Mostly insects: 47% (e.g. larvae of dragonflies and may-flies, backswimmers, beetles, biting flies), also fish: 27% (prima-rily fry of European Carp and Mosquito Fish), amphibians: 25%(Marsh Frogs and their tadpoles) and spiders: 1% (Vasiliev, 1975).

STATUS: Rare nesting species and uncommon migrant. Sub-species G. n. nilotica Gmelin, 1789.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Nest-ing first confirmed in 1989: 2 nesting colonies found on Baburyiand Pelikanyi islands, Pirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Possibly nests at Lake Kichik-Shorgel(southeastern Shirvan) where observed on a tiny islet in mid April and early May 1990. Looked agitated when approachedon May 12th (Patrikeev, 1991a). Summer records from Mugan inthe past (Satunin, 1912b).

182. Gull-billed Tern - Gelochelidon nilotica Gmelin, 1789

HABITAT: NESTING: Seashell beaches with sparse vegetationand low ridges of seashells on islands of the Caspian Sea; pos-

sibly muddy islets on inland lakes. FEEDING: Coastal semi-desertand irrigation channels (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage:

COASTAL: Observed in Kizil Agach Reserve in April (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: At Shilian Marsh (Shirvan Steppe) inspring (Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: COASTAL: August and September in Kizil AgachReserve and Sara Peninsula (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).

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Lenkoran




Baburyi and 25 pairs on Pelikanyi in 1989 (MP) and c. 20 atLake Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan in mid April 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a).Passage: F ALL: 200-250/year in Kizil Agach Reserve in the late1950s (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).

BREEDING: Colonial. Nests are shallow scrapes in aggrega-

tions of seashells. Nine nests examined on Pelikanyi Island on13 May 1989 contained 1-3 eggs (6 nests with 3 eggs, 2 with 2eggs and 1 with 1 egg). Clutches of 2 eggs in the majority of nests and very few clutches of 3 eggs on Baburyi Island on 4 June 1989. On the latter island, nested in the middle of a col-ony of Common Terns with some nests of the two speciesclose by (MP).

DIET: Small lizards ( Ophisops elegans and Eremias velox ) in south-eastern Shirvan (MP); mostly locusts in Kizil Agach Reserveduring migration (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably c. 100 pairs inthe early 1990s, e.g. 74 pairs on Pirsagat Islands: 49 pairs on

STATUS: Rare migrant and wintering species; nested in thepast. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer (former): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS:Nested on the islands of Kizil Agach Bays: first on Sara, andlater on Kulagin in the late 19th century (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907). The colony on Kulagin Island was probably abandonedby the 1930s (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g.Greater Kizil Agach Bay (Radde, 1884; Zablotzky & Zablotz-kaya, 1963).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islands (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). MI-GRATION: Caspian shore; occasionally marshes and irrigationchannels (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev, 1965).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March through mid April.COASTAL: Early March through mid April in Kizil Agach Re-serve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Also occurs in

183. Caspian Tern - Hydroprogne caspia Pallas, 1770

the mouth of Lenkoran-chai and in Kura Delta (Radde, 1884; Tuaev, 1975).

Fall passage: Mid August to October.COASTAL: Arrives at Samur-Divichi Lowland (e.g. Divichi Liman)and Absheron Peninsula in mid August (Tuaev, 1965; Y.Guseinov, pers. comm.); occurs in Kizil Agach Reserve in Sep-tember-October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding (former): <100 pairs nestedon Sara Island in the late 19th century (Radde, 1884).Passage: SPRING: Common in the mouth of Lenkoran-chai in

the late 19th

century (Radde, 1884). <150 passed through Kizil Agach Reserve every spring in the 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 12 observed on Greater Kizil Agach Bay on 18 February 1959 (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).

BREEDING: On Sara Island, nested alongside Yellow-legged Gulls,Great Black-headed Gulls and Common Terns. Slightly incubatedeggs on June 1st . Egg size: 60-68 x 47-48 mm (Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Vulnera-ble. Subspecies T. s. sandvicensis Latham, 1787.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution of nesting colonieschanged in the last 100 years because of fluctuations of theCaspian Sea and disturbance.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several pairs observed at the north endof Sara Island, Kizil Agach Bay in the mid 19th century (Radde,1884). There were also summer records from Mugan (Satunin,1912b). Small numbers nested on spits and islets of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay until 1956 when all known nesting sites were flood-

184. Sandwich Tern - Thalasseus sandvicensis Latham, 1787

ed after a dam was built in the mouth of the bay (Zablotzky &Zablotzkaya, 1963).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Two colonies found inPirsagat Islands (Baburyi and Pelikanyi) of Baku Archipelagoin 1989. The colony on Baburyi was soon abandoned due toextensive disturbance caused by fishermen. Unverified reportssuggest nesting on small islands in Absheron Archipelago (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Islands of the Caspian Sea. Nests on seashellbeaches, limestone bed outcroppings and sand spits, sometimesclose to artificial structures (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963; MP).

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Lenkoran






MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March through mid May. Moreconspicuous along the Caspian shore.COASTAL: Occurs in Kizil Agach Reserve, Mugan and Kura Del-ta in mid April through mid May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shilian Marsh in March (Tuaev, 1975) andLake Aggel in early April (Vinogradov, 1967).

Fall passage: August to early November.COASTAL: Observed in Samur Delta, Divichi Liman and Absher-on Peninsula from late August (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Tuaev, 1965; MP). Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from August through October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Latest sighting on 6 November 1948 near Nardaran, AbsheronPeninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Shilian Marsh (Shirvan Steppe)in late August (Tuaev, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: >1,500 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (conspicuous increase since the mid 1960s).ISLANDS OF THE C ASPIAN SEA: 200 pairs nested in Sara Island,Kizil Agach Bay in the mid 19th century (Radde, 1884). Mainnesting colonies are in Baku Archipelago (see table). In 1989, 5-6 pairs also nested on a sand spit south of Cape Pirsagat (Patri-keev, 1991a). Perhaps up to 100 pairs on the islands of Absher-on Archipelago (MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 13 pairs at Karakush, Kizil Agach Re-serve in 1982 (Vinogradov et al., 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: c. 80 pairs at Lake Aggel in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967; Vasiliev, 1968). 52 birds at Hadjikabul and 5at Varvara in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: 18 at Divichi Liman in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

BREEDING: Nests in single-species or mixed colonies withother species of terns (usually Little Tern), shorebirds (KentishPlover) or even gulls, e.g. Mediterranean and Slender-billed Gullsin Pirsagat Islands (Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP). Courtship andmating observed in Baku Archipelago in late April-early May (MP) and at Aggel in late May-early June (Vinogradov, 1967).Nest is a shallow scrape lined with a few twigs, but massivenests of dry twigs found in wet or muddy areas (MP).1-3 eggs per clutch. In 1989 60% of all examined clutches con-

tained 3 eggs, 35% 2 eggs and 5% only 1 egg (MP). In the mid19th century Radde (1884) found many nests with 4 eggs on SaraIsland. Egg measurements: 41-43 x 29-33 mm. In Baku Archipel-ago first eggs laid 11-17 May; incubated and fresh clutches foundon Baburyi Island on June 4th (MP), and well-incubated clutcheson Glinanyi Island on July 3rd (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969). Seventeennests examined at Aggel on 2 June 1963 still contained eggs (Vi-nogradov, 1967). Majority of chicks in Baku Archipelago and at Aggel hatch in early and mid June (Vinogradov, 1967; MP).

DIET: Mostly ichthyophagous. On the Caspian Sea, 96% of the dietis fish: primarily Kilkas ( Clupeonella sp.), but also Pipefish and Atherine. At inland lakes feeds mostly on fish and aquatic invertebrates (total

of 84.5%), but also flying insects (11.5%), e.g. dragonflies (Aeschnidae)and moths (Nocturnidae [Noctuidae?]). Of fish, at inland lakes, thisspecies catches fry of European Carp (up to 46.1% of stomach con-tent), also fry of Roach, Barbel, Asp, Lookup, Redeye, Sander andthe Mosquito Fish (Vasiliev, 1967, 1975; Tuaev, 1975).

1 - 300 pairs on Baburyi Island, 100 pairs on Pelikanyi Island (4 sub-colonies), 30 pairs on Tashkent Island, and 6 pairs on Pervaya Grada Island.2 – Not visited in 1989. 3 - Decrease in numbers of nesting terns on Los’ Island might have been caused by frequent eruptions of mud-

volcanoes abundant throughout the island. The terns also moved from the central part of the island closer to the shore (MP).

Numbers of Common Terns nesting in Baku Archipelago from the mid 1960s to 1989

Year Glinanyi Pirsagat Islands Los’(Karasy)3 Kamen-Ignatia Total Source

mid 1960s 35-40 pairs 51-60 pairs 85-100 pairs 40-50 pairs 211-250 pairs Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969

1989 500 pairs 435 pairs1 15-20 pairs ?2 950-955 pairs MP

186. Little Tern - Sterna albifrons Pallas, 1764

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. SubspeciesS. a. albifrons Pallas, 1764.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggel and

Sarisu in Mil Steppe (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975), small is-lands of Kura River near Karayasi (MP) and Lake Hadjikabul(Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Vicinity of Cape Pirsagat, Shorgel Lakes (south-eastern Shirvan), saltpans adjacent to Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan(Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP). Nested on spits and islands of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay until 1956 when those sites were flooded following thecompletion of a dam in the mouth of the bay (Zablotzky & Zablotz-kaya, 1963). Nested on Sara Island in the 19th century (Radde, 1884).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Islands of Baku Archipela-go: Glinanyi, Baburyi, Svinoyi (Sangi-Mugan), Kamen-Ignatia and

Shemakha

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Number of Little Terns nesting in Baku Archipelago from the mid 1960s to 1989

Year Glinanyi Pirsagat Islands Los’(Karasy) Total Source

mid 1960s c.10 pairs 25-30 pairs c. 20 pairs 55-60 pairs Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969

1989 c. 80 pairs 25 pairs1 - c. 105 pairs MP1 – nested only on Baburyi Island in 1989

on Sara Island, Kizil Agach Bay (Radde, 1884). c. 100 pairs

nested on islands of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay in 1954-1955,but only 20 pairs in 1956 (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya, 1963).Has not nested in Kizil Agach Reserve since 1956 (Vinogra-dov et al., 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mixed colonies at Lake Aggel contained6-28 nests of this species (Vinogradov, 1967) with a total of c.80 pairs in the late 1960s (Vasiliev, 1968). 18 at Lake Hadjikabuland 4 at Lake Sarisu in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003).

Passage: 150-300 passed through Kizil Agach Reserve every autumn in the late 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

BREEDING: Often nests in mixed colonies with Common Terns, Kentish Plovers and Collared Pratincoles (Patrikeev,

1991c; MP). Courtship observed in mid May at Cape Pirsagat(MP) and in late May at Aggel (Tuaev, 1975). Male usually feedsfemale a small fish before copulation (MP).Nest is a shallow scrape in sand or seashells. At Mahmud-chala, one pair laid eggs in a cow hoof print (Patrikeev, 1991c;MP). Clutch contains 2-3 eggs, rarely 1 or 4 eggs. 26 of 28nests examined at Aggel contained 3 eggs (Vinogradov, 1967). At Cape Pirsagat, fresh eggs from mid May (MP), on Glina-nyi Island from June 6th (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969), at Aggelfrom c. May 26th (Vinogradov, 1967) and at Mahmud-chala c. June 26th (Patrikeev, 1991c). Incubating Little Terns seen onislands near Karayasi on 29 June 1989 (MP). On GlinanyiIsland, the majority of chicks hatched in late July (Tuaev &

Vasiliev, 1969).

DIET: Mostly ichthyophagous. Fish (Atherine, Kilka, MosquitoFish and fry of European Carp) form c. 98% of their diet; in-sects and spiders account for c. 1% each (Zablotzky & Zablotz-kaya, 1963; Vasiliev, 1975).

Oblivnoyi. Nested on Los’ Island in the 1960s, but not found

there in 1989 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969; MP). Also nested near Yashma north of Absheron Peninsula (Tuaev, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Tuaev, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky, sandy, clayey, muddy and peb-bly islands of the Caspian Sea, lakes and rivers. Also sandspits and saltpans. Usually nests in areas devoid of any veg-etation (Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP). FEEDING: Mostly coastalareas, shallow lakes and lagoons (Zablotzky & Zablotzkaya,1963; Vasiliev, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Throughout April.COASTAL: Mid to late April in Kizil Agach Reserve and at Shor-

gel Lakes (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev,1991a). Also migrates through Kura Delta and southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b; Tuaev, 1975).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at Lake Aggel in the first two weeks of April (Vinogradov, 1967). Observed at Shilian Marsh(Shirvan Steppe) and Lake Sarisu, Mil Steppe (Tuaev, 1975).Fall passage: Mid August to late September.COASTAL: Recorded at Buzovna, Absheron Peninsula in mid tolate August (MP). Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve 6-25 Sep-tember, most conspicuous passage 6-10 September (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 350-400 pairs in

the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).ISLANDS OF THE C ASPIAN SEA: See the table above.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: 18 pairs in a mixed colony south of Cape Pirsagat in 1989; 10-12 pairs at Lake Mahmud-chala in1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP) and 32 in 1998 (Sultanov & Agayeva, 2003). In the mid 19th century, several pairs nested

Azeri name: Bahrigara

STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon nesting species and migrant.Probably resident in Nakhichevan Region and Mugan, but mi-gratory elsewhere. Subspecies P. o. orientalis Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: All recent summer records arefrom Nakhichevan Region, but many parts of the former rangeare poorly known ornithologically.N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains, vicinity of Mount Ilandag and probably elsewhere in Aras Valley (Laister & Sosnin, 1942;Khanmammedov, 1960; MP).

FAMILY PTEROCLIDIDAE - SANDGROUSE

187. Black-bellied Sandgrouse - Pterocles orientalis Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Formerly in Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884;

Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1974).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Past records and unconfirmed sightingsfrom Mugan, Hadjinour and Karayasi steppes and Korchai GamePreserve (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b;Mustafaev, 1974; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shirvan Reserve (Gasanov, 1990), but notfound in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Recorded in Gobustan Upland, e.g. vicinity of Mount Kargabazar until 1940s-1950s (Radde, 1884;Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961). Recent unconfirmedreports (MP).




K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly common in Mugan Steppe incold winters (Satunin, 1912b); recent unconfirmed reports (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-desert and montane grass steppe(Tarasov, 1974). Up to 1,700 m in Armenia (Dahl, 1954).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Groups of 5-6 recorded near

Mingechaur in mid March (Satunin, 1907). Migrants also ob-served in Zuvand and Gobustan uplands (Radde, 1884; Bur-chak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. 1.5/km in Na-khichevan Region on 23 March 1955 (Khanmammedov,1960). Accounted for 70-75% of all birds observed in mon-tane grass steppe of Aras Valley in April-May 1970 and 1971(Tarasov, 1974).

Winter: N AKHICHEVAN: Flocks reported in lower parts of theregion (Khanmammedov, 1960; MP).

STATUS: Probably extirpated or a very rare visitor. Commonand possibly nested in the past. Subspecies P. a. caudatus S. G.Gmelin, 1789.

DISTRIBUTION: No recent sightings.Summer (former): N AKHICHEVAN: Accidental in the 1940s-1950s (Khanmammedov, 1960).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Occurred in Mugan and Mil steppes inthe 19th century (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS : Formerly in Lenkoran Lowland(Bogdanov, 1879) and southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

188. Pin-tailed Sandgrouse - Pterocles alchata Linnaeus, 1766

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Vicinity of Baku in the early 19th

century (Bogdanov, 1879).

Winter (former): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: “Good numbers” nearSaliani in the early 19th century, e.g. large flocks in a very cold winter(Bogdanov, 1879). Thousands arrived on the Caspian shore nearLenkoran (north to Kumbashi) in winter 1875 and late March 1880,but soon moved elsewhere (possibly to Mugan Steppe). Several col-lected near Lenkoran on December 13th and 3-4 April (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: SUMMER ( FORMER ): Clayey and rocky semi-deserts(Radde, 1884). W INTER : Caspian shore and steppe (Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Accidental visitor in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: No recent records.Summer and winter (former): K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Irregu-lar in Mugan Steppe in the late 19th-early 20th centuries (Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b).

189. Pallas’s Sandgrouse - Syrrhaptes paradoxus Pallas, 1773

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: A flock of 6 observed near Lenkoran winter 1875 and 2 birds collected. Two more collected in the vicinity of Lenkoran in 1878 (Radde, 1884). Occasionally en-countered in semi-desert areas along the western shore of theCaspian Sea in the late 19th-early 20th centuries (Satunin, 1907).

Azeri name: Goyarchin, Chol goyarchin

STATUS: Very common resident (migratory in Kizil Agach Reserveand Sara Peninsula). Both wild and feral Rock Doves occur in Azer-baijan. The wild birds belong to subspecies C. l. neglecta Hume, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District, Ilisuand the vicinity, Sheki, Nidz (Kutkashen District), Lagich (Is-

FAMILY COLUMBIDAE - PIGEONS AND DOVES

190. Rock Dove - Columba livia Gmelin, 1789

mailly District), Pirgulu, Kaleibugurt, Kirovka and Alti-Agach(all in Shemakha Upland), between Alti-Agach and Kizil-Bu-run, Langabiz Mountains, Kusari and Kuba District e.g. in townsKusari and Kuba (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov,1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Shahdag Ridge, towns Kedabek,Lachin and Kubatli; Agdam, Fisuli, Djabrail and Zangelan dis-

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tricts and in Nagorno-Karabakh Region, e.g. in Stepanokert and Terter Valley (Mustafaev, 1969a; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Very common. From Aras Valley up to 2,000-2,500 m, e.g. in towns of Nakhichevan, Kegili, Shahbuz and

Bichenek, and in Negram Mountains (Khanmammedov, 1960;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva,1968; MP).BOSDAG: From Mingechaur to Agsu (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Feral doves are very common in townsand villages of Shirvan and Mil steppes, e.g. in Saliani, Ali-Bair-amli, Kurdamir, Udjari and Agjabedi districts (Zlotin, 1963;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1974a; MP) and Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).Nests in Karayasi Steppe, e.g. in steep riverbanks of Kura nearDemirchilar (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Did not nest in Lenkoran Lowland and

southern Mugan in the 19th century (Satunin, 1907). Rare atlookouts of Kizil Agach Reserve in the 1950s, but present inLenkoran, Masalli, Djabrail and other towns and villages in thelowland and in Sara Peninsula by the 1960s (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1974). Occurs in villages andother settlements in southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Baburyi and Tashkent Islands (Pirsa-gat Islands of Baku Archipelago). Rock Doves nesting on theislands regularly fly to the mainland to forage (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Very common in Samur-Divichi Low-land, e.g. in Khachmas (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Settlements throughout AbsheronPeninsula. Common in centre of Baku especially in the vicinity

of the old mill. Also in low mountains of the peninsula andGobustan Upland, e.g. Mounts Kargabazar, Beuk-Dush andDjingir (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Burchak-Abramov-ich, 1962; Mustafaev, 1973a; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; Patri-keev, 1991b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Cliffs in foothills and mountains up to2,500 m, rocky islands of the Caspian Sea, steep riverbanks.Feral Rock Doves nest in buildings and in a variety of artificialstructures in cities, towns, villages and rural regions (Gambarov,1954; Burchak-Abramovich, 1962; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-

dov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1971a, 1973a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985; Patrikeev, 1991a, b; MP).

MOVEMENT: Seasonal movements occur in Kizil Agach Re-serve and Sara Peninsula.Spring passage: Migrants recorded in April 1954 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Fall passage: Passage observed on 31 October 1953 (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >250,000 pairs (themajority of the population is probably feral).In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains: 0.5-0.8/km in the early 1960s,but up to 1,200/day in the vicinity of Agdash in December (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and 110-120 on 6 April 1991(MP). Flocks of 30-50 at Pirgulu, Shemakha Upland in Septem-ber 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991d). Also in 1989, 50 pairs nested onBaburyi Island (Baku Archipelago) and 30-40 pairs in steep river-banks at Demirchilar, Karayasi Steppe. 5-6 pairs on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland in 1990-1991 (Patrikeev, 1991a, b; MP).

BREEDING: Nests in attics, cornices, roofs, pipes and other nich-es in buildings and other structures in towns, villages and elsewhere (Mustafaev, 1971a, 1973a, b). In Shirvan Reserve, one pairnested in a horizontal metal pipe of an observation platform sev-eral years in row, even though the eggs failed every year due tooverheating (Patrikeev, 1991a). In natural habitats, nest in cliff cavities (often near water), sheer riverbanks, well shafts (e.g. in Absheron Peninsula) and rock piles, e.g. on Pirsagat Islands (Gam-barov, 1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Burchak-Abram-ovich, 1962; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Colonial nester, although sin-gle pairs also recorded. Colonies in settlements tend to be larger:8-130 pairs (av. 36 pairs per colony) compared to 3-50 pairs/col-

ony in natural habitats. Nesting season starts earlier and lasts longerin towns and villages: from early March through late September.In early March, cooing and fighting between males frequently observed, e.g. in Baku. In natural habitats, nesting season is short-er: early April to mid August (Mustafaev, 1963b, 1971a; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). In southeastern Shirvan, nest build-ing observed on May 12th (Patrikeev, 1991a). Clutch normally con-tains 2 eggs, but clutches of 3 also recorded. The third egg isprobably laid by a strange female and is usually discarded. Egg size (n=24): 34-42 x 26-30.5 mm (av. 38 x 28.4), weight 10-20 g (av. 16.5 g). Up to 3 clutches a year, especially in towns and villag-es. In colonies, nests could be 20-25 cm to several meters apart.Incubation lasts 16 days. The young remain in the nest for 28-30

or sometimes 33 days. Survival rate is higher in settlements (78%) vs. natural habitats (62%) (Mustafaev, 1963b, 1971a). Recently fledged young were seen in Greater Caucasus Mountains in late July (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: Granivorous in the wild and opportunistic in settlements.Eleven crops examined in the northeast contained grains of wheat, barley and corn, but also seed of Carduus and Heliotropi-

um (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). In towns and villag-es this species also takes advantage of various food wastes (Mus-tafaev, 1963b; MP).

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Azeri name: Mesha goyarchin

STATUS: Uncommon resident and migrant. Subspecies C. o.oenas Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Mostly resi-dent, e.g. on the lower slopes. Common in foothills of Kubaand Kusari districts, uncommon in montane forests in Belokaniand Zakatali districts, and foothills of Sheki and Ismailly dis-tricts. No records from Shemakha Upland (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Present, but distribution poorly known. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Foothills of Talish Mountains, e.g. in Gir-kan Reserve (Radde, 1884; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District), tugai forests of Shamkhor and Barda districts, Iori and Alazani val-leys (Gambarov, 1975; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

191. Stock Dove - Columba oenas Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Remains of broad-leaved forests in Len-koran Lowland (Radde, 1884; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Uncommon in lowlands of KhachmasDistrict (MP).

Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: In foothills (Gambarov, 1954).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Mugan (Satunin,1912b; Mustafaev, 1972). Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve andSara Peninsula after spells of cold weather (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: 8 in Yasamal Valley near Baku on 8 January 1964 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai and broad-leaved forest in lowlandsand foothills, montane forests (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;MP). W INTER : Fields, semi-desert and woodlots (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Little information. Uncommon migrant in Kiz-il Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Flocksof 25-30 observed In Kusari District after breeding season (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably several thousandpairs (MP). Rare in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985); 20-30 pairs at the east end of Karayasi Forest in 1989 (MP).Winter: Flocks of 7-30 at Kulagin lookout (Kizil Agach Re-serve) after a snowstorm in December 1956 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities. Pairs in Lenkoran Lowland

on March 21st

(Radde, 1884). Birds collected in the northeast on22 April 1961 were not in breeding condition (Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1968).

Azeri name: Mesha goyarchin, Alabakhta

192. Wood Pigeon - Columba palumbus Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Common resident undertaking local movements in winterand uncommon migrant. Subspecies C. p. palumbus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Resident throughout most of its summer range.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve, Ismailly Dis-trict (e.g. Girdimanchai Valley up to Djandakhar), Kusari and

Kuba districts and forested parts of Shemakha Upland includ-ing Alti-Agach (Verestchagin, 1947; Gambarov, 1954; Khan-mammedov & Mustafaev, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Lake Geigel (Drozdov, 1965). Prob-ably throughout forested portions of these mountains. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests (Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov,1990; MP).BOSDAG: Two observed in juniper woodlands of TurianchaiBosdag Mountains on 17 March 1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b) might have been migrants.

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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, e.g. Karayasi Forest,Shamkhor Game Preserve and Barda Forest; also in Alazani Valley and Iori Delta (Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Remaining woodlots in Lenkoran Low-land (Satunin, 1907; MP). Nested in Sara Island in the 19th cen-tury (Radde, 1884).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas District, e.g. in Samur Delta

(Drozdov, 1965).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Roams through southern Muganand Lenkoran Lowland. Large mixed flocks with Rock and Stock Doves seen in Lower Kura, e.g. near Saliani (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved and mixed forests from low-lands to the upper tree limits in the mountains, tugai forests, isolated woodlots, abandoned orchards and single trees (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP). W INTER : Fields, semi-desertand woodlots (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to early May.

COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from early Marchto early May, first sightings 1-6 March, but sometimes not until18-23 March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Recordedin Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Passage recorded at Mount Alibek (Zakatali District)on 23 and 30 March 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).

Fall passage: October through mid November.COASTAL: Passes through Absheron Peninsula in October (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958) and Kizil Agach Reserve in early November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed at Mingechaur on November19th (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 20,000-30,000 pairsin the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).Winter: Flocks of 100-200 near harvested fields in ZakataliDistrict (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Loose stick nests in trees. Two eggs per clutch.In Lenkoran Lowland, mating as early as March 24th (Radde,1884). In the northeast a nest with 2 eggs on May 3rd and a nest with 2 chicks in on June 10th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1968). A nest with 2 large nestlings in an isolated tree at theedge of Karayasi Forest on 30 June 1989, but a fledgling asearly as June 10th (MP).

DIET: In the past, flocks of thousands seen feeding on acornsin oak stands (Satunin, 1907). In Talish Mountains feeds onbeechnuts and also grain in nearby fields (Radde, 1884). Stom-achs of 4 individuals collected in the northeast contained grainsof wheat, barley and corn, but also nuts of beech Fagus orientalis

(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

Azeri name: Gurgur, Gumtru

STATUS: Very common nesting species and migrant. Subspe-cies S. t. turtur Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS : Usually onlower slopes, e.g. in Zakatali, Kuba and Kusari districts andShemakha Upland from Shemakha to Alti-Agach, but up to1,700 m in Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District). Very common in Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland between Kah andIsmailly (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965;

193. Turtle Dove - Streptopelia turtur Linnaeus, 1758

Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Probably common throughout lower eleva-

tions in Lesser Caucasus Mountains, but the only publishedrecords are from Agdam District (Satunin, 1907).N AKHICHEVAN: From Aras Valley up to 1,800-2,000 m, e.g. onMount Kukudag and near Batabat (Khanmammedov, 1960). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Common in the foothills (Radde, 1884;Drozdov, 1965)BOSDAG: Wooded slopes and adjacent tugai , e.g. in TurianchaiReserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Kura Valley, e.g. Kara-yasi Forest, Shamkhor Game Preserve, Akstafa and Gandja, butespecially in anthropogenic landscapes of mid and lower Kura. Also common in Alazani, Iori and Aras valleys (Mustafaev, 1969a,1971a, 1974a; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in Lenkoran Lowland andsouthern Mugan, e.g. at Mahmud-chala (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1912b; Drozdov, 1965; Patrikeev, 1991c), but uncommon in Kizil Agach Reserve and southeastern Shirvan (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland, e.g. inSamur Delta (Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Common in anthropogenic habitatsin northern and central parts of the peninsula, also in Baku andSumgait-chai Valley (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).

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Nested in Pirsagat Valley south of Gobustan Upland (Burchak- Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lowlands and lower mountain slopes,but up to 1,700 m in Greater Caucasus Mountains and to2,000 m in Nakhichevan Region (Gambarov, 1954; Khan-mammedov, 1960). Nests in tugai and edges of broad-leaved

forests, isolated woodlots, thickets of tamarisk, Russian ol-ive ( Eleagnus angustifolia ), pistachio ( Pistacia sp.) and hawthorn,tangles of creepers, juniper woodlands, pine plantations, gar-dens, orchards, roadside tree belts and single trees, e.g. intowns and villages. Also nests in flooded tamarisk thickets inlakes and marshes (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a;Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: April through early May.COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reservein late April, e.g. first record on April 22nd (Radde, 1884; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), although one observed fur-ther north (near Divichi) as early as April 20 th (Tuaev, 1965).

Arrived in southeastern Shirvan 8-9 May in 1989 and 1990 (Patri-keev, 1991a). Large numbers in Absheron Peninsula from early May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).INTERIOR : Conspicuous arrival in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains28 April-4 May 1962 and 2 May 1963 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: Late September through early October.COASTAL: Latest sightings in the northeast on September 27 th

near Divichi, September 30th in Khachmas and October 2nd inKusari (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Still common in Absheron Peninsula in late September (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; MP). Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in early October(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >100,000 pairs(MP). >100 nests in parks, gardens and other urban and ruralhabitats in Kurdamir District (Mustafaev, 1971a), up to 1.2/kmin Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965b), and up to 6 calling males/station at the edge of Karaya-si Forest in early June 1989 (MP).

BREEDING: Nests from early April in Nakhichevan Re-gion, e.g. 10 nests recorded near Batabat (1,800 m) as early as 30 April 1957 and other 17 nests at 900 m in May 1955(Khanmammedov, 1960). In mid Kura, breeding season lasts

from mid May to mid September in villages and towns, butonly from late May through late July in other habitats (Mus-tafaev, 1971a). Vocally active and males chasing females in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains in late May (MP). Nests builtof twigs, but pieces of wire recorded in nests in settlements(Mustafaev, 1971a). In mid Kura Valley, nests in towns and villages were 2.2-11.0 m above the ground (av. 3.2 m; n=84),but 1.3-2.4 m (av. 1.8m) elsewhere (Mustafaev, 1971a). InNakhichevan Region, nests in trees at 0.6-5.0 m (Khan-mammedov, 1960). In Dagirmanly village (Kurdamir District),one nest in a tree where at least 30 chickens roosted every night and another on a pile of dry cotton plants stored un-der a roof (Mustafaev, 1974a).

Two clutches a year with 2 eggs per clutch. In the northeast,egg measured 24.5-26.0 x 21.0-24.5 mm (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968). In Shamkhor District a female with egg as early as May 11th (Gambarov, 1975) and several nests withcompleted clutches near Mingechaur on 16 May 1894 (Satu-nin, 1907). In the northeast, nests with eggs recorded fromlate May-early June to 24-24 July (Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968). Two out of 3 nests located in Karayasi Forest 26-30 June 1989 contained eggs and the third one a large nest-ling and a bad egg (MP). A nest with 2 large young in Turian-chai Bosdag Mountains on 30 June 1961 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b). The young remain in nests 15-18 daysin settlements and 17-20 days elsewhere. Nesting success is

lower in towns and villages (44%) compared to 61% in otherhabitats (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Poorly known. Observed feeding in wheat fields in thefoothills of Greater Caucasus Mountains (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Rare resident in Baku, other cities and villages. New arrival. Subspecies S. d. decaocto Frivaldszky, 1836.

DISTRIBUTION: Probably arrived in Azerbaijan as recently

as the 1980s. Not listed by Mustafaev et al. (1977).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: A pair in the village of Samur in Dag-estan (Russian Federation) near the border with Azerbaijan on10 September 1988 (Butiev et al., 1989). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One observed in Baku (in the OldCity below the Nagornyi Park) on 8 May 1990. In 1991 record-

194. Collared Dove - Streptopelia decaocto Frivaldszky, 1836

ed on the new property of Baku Zoo on January 19th and in the Waterfront Park on June 9th. Other sightings from Buzovna(northern Absheron Peninsula) on 11 August 1990 and the vil-lage of Gobustan (south of Baku) on 25 September 1990 and 9

June 1991 (MP). May occur in other towns and villages along the Caspian shore.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrived at Gandja by the late 1990s (Shel-ton, 2001).

HABITAT: Parks in towns and villages (MP).






HABITAT: BREEDING: Broad-leaved and mixed forests in lowlandsand mountains, tugai forests, open juniper woodlands, isolated wood-lots, bush thickets, gardens and orchards, reedbeds at lakes andmarshes, bush patches in semi-desert and other open country. Upto 1,800 m in Talish Mountains and to 2,300 m in Greater Cauca-sus Mountains. In 1981, one observed on Mount Kichik-Gudor(Zakatali Reserve) at 2,800 m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Gam-

barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April through mid May.COASTAL: Earliest sightings in Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil AgachReserve between April 8th and May 7th, and conspicuous passage8-14 May. First calling male heard in the reserve on May 11th (Rad-de, 1884; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). First records atShorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) on April 24th and south of Cape Pirsagat on April 29th (Patrikeev, 1991a); in Gobustan Up-land: near Maraza on May 1st (Satunin, 1907) and on Mount Beuk-Dush on May 11th (MP); from first days of May in AbsheronPeninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP). Although somerecorded on the Caspian Lowland near Khachmas as early as 23-

26 April (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).INTERIOR : Recorded in Zakatali Reserve as early as April 12th (Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Elsewhere in Greater CaucasusMountains, calling males first heard 19-21 May (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954). Earliest records in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains on April 26th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), inShamkhor District) on May 3rd (Gambarov, 1975) and the vicinity of Varvara (Mingechaur District) on May 4th (Satunin, 1907).Fall passage: Late September through early October.COASTAL: One collected near Novkhana, Absheron Peninsulaon 29 September 1959 (Gambarov, 1960). Recorded in Kizil

Agach Reserve from c. September 20th, latest sighting on Octo-ber 10th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Passes through the northeast in late September (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. >10 calling malesin reedbeds of Lake Kichik-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan) in May

1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains: 0.6calling males/km on 26 April 1962 and 0.4/km on the same routeon 3 May 1963 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Brood parasite: lays eggs in nests of songbirds.Only three breeding records in Azerbaijan (Mustafaev, 1969a): acuckoo nestling in a Grey Wagtail’s nest by a small waterfall nearKedabek (Lesser Caucasus Mountains); another in a nest of White Wagtail under a bridge near Zakatali (foothills of Greater Cauca-sus Mountains); and the third one in a nest of Rufous Bushchatin Kurdamir (Kura Lowland). No dates were given. Probably par-asitises Great Reed Warbler and Reed Warbler at Shorgel Lakes(southeastern Shirvan). One frequented territories of Woodchat

and Lesser Grey Shrikes south of Cape Pirsagat in May 1989, butno examined nests contained cuckoo eggs or young (Patrikeev,1991a). On Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) one seen nearpair of Red-backed Shrikes (Patrikeev, 1991b).

DIET: Stomachs of cuckoos collected in Greater CaucasusMountains contained beetles ( Luperus armenicus, Melanotus sp.,other Carabidae and Scarabaeidae and a larva Calosoma inquisi-

tor ), ants, grasshoppers (Acridae) and wasps (Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Woolly caterpillars werefound in stomachs in Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov, 1960).

Azeri name: Baigush, Isa-Musa

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies O.

s. scops Linnaeus, 1758.

FAMILY STRIGIDAE – TRUE OWLS197. Scops Owl - Otus scops Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Alazani Val-ley, Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, lower slopes in Zakatali, Belo-kani and Kutkashen Districts, Ilisu Reserve and Shemakha Up-land, e.g. the vicinity of Shemakha, Boskal and Alti-Agach (Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Probably throughout lower slopes, but nopublished records. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests (e.g. Girkan Reserve) andZuvand Upland, e.g. Kalvas and Amburdara (Agaeva, 1985;

Gasanov, 1990).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and Turianchai Valley (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, e.g. in Kurdamir, Udjari,Zardob, Barda and Shamkhor districts, Karayasi Forest (AkstafaDistrict) and the mouth of Iori (Mustafaev, 1963a, 1969; Gam-barov, 1975; MP); inhabit gardens and parks in Gandja (Mus-tafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowlandincluding the town of Lenkoran and Sara Peninsula (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but probably present.

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ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Heard in the Kirov (Nagornyi) Park in Baku on 29 July 1967 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968).

HABITAT: Tugai , lowland and montane broad-leaved forests,open juniper woodlands, isolated woodlots, gardens and orchards(Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Agaeva, 1985; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through early May.COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland from early April, e.g.recorded in Sara Peninsula on April 6th (Radde, 1884; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Recorded in Karayasi Forest (western Azerbaijan) inlate March-early April (Radde, 1884), in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains from early April (MP) and in Talish Mountains fromthe last week of April-first week of May (Agaeva, 1985).

Fall passage: Late August to mid October.INTERIOR : Possibly leaves the Karayasi area in late August (Satu-nin, 1907), but recorded in Talish Mountains as late as mid Oc-tober (Agaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >500 pairs in thelate 1980s-early 1990s (MP). In Sara Peninsula: several pairs in

1937, 1 pair in 1956 and 1958, and 2 pairs in 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Up to 3 calling males/station in Turi-anchai Reserve in April 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: Not very vocal in Turianchai Reserve in early tomid April, but vocal activity increased in May: calling from1840-1850 hrs and through the night (MP). Actively calling in

May elsewhere in Azerbaijan (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975).Nests in tree cavities, but also in ruins, abandoned houses andold nests of crows and magpies. In Kurdamir District (midKura), 4 of 8 examined nests were in tree cavities, 2 in oldnests of corvids (Hooded Crow and Magpie), 1 in a burrow ina riverbank and 1 in ruins (Mustafaev, 1963a). A nest with 6incubated eggs in a hollow tree in Sara Peninsula on 26 June1956 (the nest cavity 5 m above the ground). Nested in thesame cavity in 1958 and first egg laid on June 9 th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). A dead fledgling found in KarayasiForest on 7 July 1989 (MP).

DIET: Mostly insectivorous. In Talish Mountains, examined

stomachs contained remains of ground beetles (Carabidae), lo-custs and grasshoppers (Agaeva, 1985).

Azeri name: Yapalag

STATUS: Rare resident. Subspecies B. b. interpositus Rothschild

et Hartert, 1910.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower forested slopesin Zakatali District, e.g. on Mount Saribash, near Tali and inKatekh Ridge (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985),Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), Mounts Babadag, Shahdag andBazar-Duzu and vicinity of Alti-Agach, Shemakha Upland (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Mount Dalidag (Karabakh Upland) and inKarabakh Ridge near Lachin (MP). Possibly elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains, mountains of Shahbuz Dis-trict (e.g. Kukudag) and Ordubad Game Preserve (MP).

198. Eagle Owl - Bubo bubo Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests and Zuvand Upland (Rad-de, 1884; MP).BOSDAG: Heard in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 18 Octoberand 21 December 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Formerly in Mugan Steppe and KarayasiForest (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). No recent records.

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Winter sightings at freshwater marsh-es in Kizil Agach Reserve in the early 1960s (Dobrokhotov,1963), but not recorded in the reserve in the late 1980s (Vi-nogradov et al., 1990).

HABITAT: Montane forests with rock outcroppings and cliffs,low semi-arid mountains and occasionally semi-desert; possibly also in abandoned artificial structures (Satunin, 1912b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP). In Mugan Steppe, one found living in a pit (Satunin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably c. 40-50 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

BREEDING: Vocal activity increases in March (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

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in settlements. Up to the upper forest limits in Greater Cauca-sus Mountains (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b; Gambarov, 1975; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Agaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Probably 200-300 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).

BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities, but occasionally in aban-doned houses, other artificial structures or old corvid nests. InKura Valley, often nests in hollow trees in backyards and gar-dens. 3 of 4 nests found in Kurdamir District were in hollow

trees and 1 in an abandoned Magpie nest (Mustafaev, 1963a,1971b). In Karayasi Forest, a pair nested in a large cavity in oldpoplar tree with nest entrance almost completely hidden by li-anas and other creepers (MP).

DIET: Stomachs of specimens collected in Talish Mountainscontained remains of beetles and moths (Agaeva, 1985).

REMARKS: Rufous, grey and intermediate forms were seen orcollected in Talish Mountains (Agaeva, 1985). Rufous form alsoobserved in Karayasi Forest (MP). No records of the dark-brownform of S. a. wilkonskii from Azerbaijan.

Azeri name: Baigush, Gulagli baigush

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies A. o. otus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is poorly known. In-conspicuous and often overlooked.

GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower slopes and the adjacent lowland, e.g.in Zakatali and Kutkashen districts, Ilisu Reserve (Kah District)and the vicinity of Shemakha, Shemakha Upland (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably present.

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Talish Mountains and Zuvand Upland (Rad-de, 1884; Agaeva, 1969, 1985).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, e.g. in Kurdamir, Zardob,Udjari, Barda and Shamkhor districts (Mustafaev, 1963a, 1969;Gambarov, 1975; MP) and parks in and around Gandja (Mus-tafaev, 1973b).

201. Long-eared Owl - Asio otus Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, Lower Kura, e.g. inSaliani (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907) and some villages in south-eastern Shirvan, e.g. Khaladz (MP).Winter: Recorded in lowlands outside of the breeding range.Not clear whether those are migrants from the north or resi-dents descending from the mountains or both.N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in Nakhichevan Region (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Regularly winters in orchards in ZuvandUpland (Agaeva, 1969).BOSDAG: Two observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 26

February 1963 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972), e.g.regularly wintered in the only woodlot of Sara Peninsula until it was cleared (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: An immature collected in Shah Spiton 31 January 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai , broad-leaved montane and lowlandforests, isolated woodlots, orchards, gardens and parks (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1963a, 1969; Agaeva, 1969, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves Sara Penin-

sula in March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Fall passage: COASTAL: One collected in Sara Peninsula on 26October 1951 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Groups seenin Lenkoran Lowland in October and November (Mustafaev, 1972).INTERIOR : Observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 16-18October 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >500 pairs (MP).Winter: 6 in Sara Peninsula in December 1935 (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938) and 11 on 12 February 1959 (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

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BREEDING: Usually nests in old corvid structures, butoccasionally in abandoned houses. In orchards and tugai of Kurdamir District 18 of 21 examined nests were in old corvid nests, e.g. those of Magpie (15), Hooded Crow (2) andRook (1). The three remaining nests in hollow trees (Mus-tafaev, 1963a, 1969). Old Magpie nest in Kalvas (Talish

Mountains) contained 4 young ready to fledge on 26 June1970 (Agaeva, 1985).

DIET: Pellets collected in Kizil Agach Reserve contained re-mains of Black Rat Rattus rattus and Water Vole Arvicola terrestris


STATUS: Threatened. Uncommon migrant and wintering spe-cies; nesting status is unclear. Subspecies A. f. flammeus Pontop-pidan, 1763.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Might have nested in the past, butno reliable records.GREATER C AUCASUS: Occurred in wet meadows along the south-

ern slope (Gambarov, 1954).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Reported from mid Kura, Shirvan andMugan steppes in the 19th century. One collected near Gandjaon 23 April 1895 might have been a migrant (Satunin, 1907;Satunin, 1912b). No recent summer sightings.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: A non-breeding female shot at AkushaRiver, Kizil Agach Reserve on 8 July 1955 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan and Mugan steppes (Sa-tunin, 1912b; Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a)and Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972).

202. Short-eared Owl - Asio flammeus Pontoppidan, 1763

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Shah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: W INTER : Semi-desert, marshes, meadows, shoreline, Juncus , tamarisk and blackberry thickets and vicinity of smallreservoirs (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Zlotin, 1963;Mustafaev, 1972; Bannikova et al., 1984).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Latest sighting inKizil Agach Reserve on February 27th (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a), but recorded in Lenkoran Lowland (Radde,

1884) and at Kilazi Spit (Shelton, 2001) in April.Fall passage: COASTAL: Passes through Divichi Liman, vicinity of Kilazi, Absheron Peninsula, Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reserve in October-November. Earliest record in Kizil Agach Reserve on October 6 th and latest record in AbsheronPeninsula on November 24th (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; Shel-ton, 2001; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: F ALL: Common on all islandsof Kizil Agach Bay in the 1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938) and flocks observed at freshwater marshes of Kizil Agach Reserve in the late 1950s-early 1960s (Dobrokho-

tov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Formerly common in Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958). A few recent records.Winter: 4 on Burunki Island, Kizil Agach Bay on December6th (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938); groups of 2-3in Kizil Agach Reserve in the 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Stomach of a specimen collected in Kizil Agach Re-serve contained a Water Vole Arvicola ter restris (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Present in Lesser Caucasus Mountains in southern Armenia(Pukinski, 1977) and may occur in the adjacent parts of Az-erbaijan.

[Tengmalm’s Owl - Aegolius funereus ] Hypothetical

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Azeri name: Kechisagan

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies C.

e. meridionalis Hartert, 1846.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower slopesin Zakatali, Kutkashen and Vartashen districts (e.g. vicinity of Kutkashen, Vartashen and Nidz), Shemakha Upland (e.g. be-tween Kirovka and Pirgulu) and Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland in-cluding Alazani Valley (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: No records, but undoubt-edly present.

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Talish Mountains and Zuvand Upland, e.g.Mount Sahal (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965; Agaeva, 1985).BOSDAG: Turianchai Reserve (Turianchai Bosdag Mountains) andother Bosdag Mountains from Agdash to Gadjali (Gambarov,1954; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Probably widespread. Known from Kara-yasi Forest, Shamkhor and Korchai Game Preserves (MP) andin Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland andpossibly Sara Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In southeastern Shirvan, occursin the vicinity of Cape Pirsagat, but was not found at ShorgelLakes and elsewhere in Shirvan Reserve (Patrikeev, 1991a).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Uncommon in the north and the eastof Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-desert, forest glades, juniper wood-lands, bush thickets, orchards and abandoned cotton fields inlowlands and low mountains; openings, logged areas and edgesof montane forest, and montane steppes (Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Agaeva, 1985). MIGRATION: Coast-al dunes, Juncus thickets and semi-desert (Radde, 1884; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

FAMILY CAPRIMULGIDAE - NIGHTJARS AND ALLIES

203. European Nightjar - Caprimulgus europaeus Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April through late May.COASTAL: Recorded at Lenkoran in late April (Radde, 1884) andin Kizil Agach Reserve from May 8 th, conspicuous passage on

May 27th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Arrives in Tal-ish Mountains in early to mid May (Agaeva, 1985). One ob-served in Absheron Peninsula on 20 May 1956 (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in the vicinity of Ganja 2-3 May (Satunin, 1907) and at Shamkhor on May 8th (Gambarov, 1975).Fall passage: Early September to late October.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve 4 September-19October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Recorded in Absheron Peninsula on 1 October 1951 (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958).INTERIOR : Still present in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 8-9 Sep-tember, in Shemakha Upland in mid September and in Talish

Mountains on October 20th

(Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Agaeva, 1985).


BREEDING: Calls and aerial displays from late April to at leastearly June in lowlands (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a, b;Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Nests on the ground; usually 2 eggs perclutch. A nest with 2 slightly incubated eggs near Lenkoran onMay 22nd (Radde, 1884) and in Talish Mountains a nest with 1egg on 9 June 1971 (Agaeva, 1985). Fledglings recorded in Turi-anchai Bosdag Mountains 30 June-11 August, and a well flying young collected at Turianchai on September 17th (Vinogradov

& Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

DIET: Stomach contents included beetles ( Copris lunaris , oth-er Scarabaeidae and Age las tic a aln i ) in Greater CaucasusMountains (Gambarov, 1954), beetles and grasshoppers in Talish Mountains. Seen chasing moths in Lenkoran Low-land (Agaeva, 1985).

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Azeri name: Usunganad (all swifts)

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Subspecies

A. m. melba Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Mountains of Kuba and Kutkashen dis-tricts (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: Southern part of Karabakh Ridge (Radde,1884) and possible elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: Mountains of Ordubad District (e.g. ZangelanRidge) and Mount Ilandag in Julfa District (MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Mount Gush-gaya in Gobustan Up-land (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961).

FAMILY APODIDAE - SWIFTS

204. Alpine Swift - Tachymarptis melba Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Crevices in inaccessible cliffs (Burchak- Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 30 March-7 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b; MP).

Fall passage: A flock of 150 near Gadjali (Kutkashen District)on 5 July 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. 20-25 pairs onMount Gush-gaya, Gobustan Upland (Burchak-Abramovich &Gambarov, 1961).

Azeri name: Usunganad (all swifts)

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Significantly expanded breeding range in the mid 20 th century. Subspecies A.

a. apus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Apparently only in foothills, moun-tains and ancient fortresses in the 19th century (Radde, 1884),but expanded into lowlands and colonized man-made structuresin the 1960s (Mustafaev, 1974a, b).GREATER C AUCASUS: Forests and alpine zone, e.g. in ZakataliDistrict and near Laza on Mount Shahdag, Kuba District (Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but undoubtedly present.N AKHICHEVAN: Mostly in settlements including Norashen,Givrag, Nakhichevan, Ordubad, etc. (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965).

205. Common Swift - Apus apus Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Talish Mountains and Zuvand Upland(Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nests in man-made structures through-out Kura and Aras valleys from the mid 1960s (Mustafaev, 1973b,1974a, b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: First nested in Lenkoran Lowland and SaraPeninsula in 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mus-

tafaev, 1974a, b). By the 1980s, nested in Lenkoran, Akstafa, Au-rora and many villages along the Caspian shore, vicinity of LakeHadjikabul and southeastern Shirvan, e.g. Khaladz (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Nests in Samur-Divichi Lowland from1960s (Mustafaev, 1974a, b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: First nesting record in Absheron Penin-sula (Mashtagi and Buzovna) in early 1960s (Gambarov, 1960; Ga-zanchian & Mustafaev, 1968) and in Baku probably in the early 1970s.Common in downtown Baku (e.g. the ancient tower Giz-Galasi andadjacent old buildings) and in new suburbs in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Also nests in villages along the Caspian shore south of Baku(e.g. Gobustan and Alat) and Gobustan Upland, e.g. Sumgait-chai Valley and Mount Beuk-Dush (Gambarov, 1960; Mustafaev, 1973a;

Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Apparently only in cliffs and rock crevic-es in foothills and mountains (up to 2,000 m), and clayey wallsof ancient fortresses in the 19th century. Presently also nests inbuildings, water towers and other tall artificial structures (Rad-de, 1884; Mustafaev, 1974a, b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early to mid April.COASTAL: Earliest record near Lenkoran on April 17th (Radde,1884). Observed in southeastern Shirvan and southern Absher-

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on Peninsula (e.g. Primorsk) 4-5 April and in Pirkishkul (Go-bustan Upland) and Khurdalan (Absheron Peninsula) on April7th (MP). Arrived in Baku 11-12 April in 1989 and 1990 (MP).INTERIOR : In Nakhichevan Region from c. April 27 th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965) and Shamkhor District from May 5th

(Gambarov, 1975).

Fall passage: Late July through early September.

COASTAL: Leaves Baku in late July-early August (MP).INTERIOR : in Greater Caucasus Mountains from mid July (Gam-barov, 1954). Leaves Nakhichevan Region in August-early Sep-tember (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). Latest record in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on September 3rd (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Flocks of upto 100-120 in Sara Peninsula in the mid 1960s (Mustafaev &Gazanchian, 1967). Colonies of 50 pairs and greater in Nakhich-evan, Ordubad and Norashen in Nakhichevan Region (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). >20 pairs nested in the Giz-Galasi Tower in Baku in 1989-1991 (MP).

BREEDING: Colonial. 10-50 pairs per colony, but colonies of >50 pairs found in Nakhichevan Region. Nests under roofs inbuildings, and in cracks and holes in other man-made struc-tures. Some still nest in cliff crevices (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1974b). Carrying nest-material in Baku on May 14th (MP).

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably rare nesting speciesand migrant. Subspecies A. a. galilejensis Antinori, 1855.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Poorly known. May nest in Na-khichevan Region.GREATER C AUCASUS: Observed near Laza (Mount Shahdag, KusariDistrict) on 17 May 1896 (Satunin, 1907, 1912a)

206. Little Swift - Apus affinus Gray, 1830

N AKHICHEVAN: Reported from semi-desert mountains, e.g.Negram Mountains (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded between Ruarut and Kalvas in

Baransar Passage on 26 June 1898 (Satunin, 1907, 1912a).

HABITAT: Semi-desert mountains (MP).

Azeri name: Goidza-karga


g. garrulus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Commonthroughout Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, but rare in montane for-ests. Apparently does not occur above Zakatali, Kutkashen andIsmailly. In Shemakha Upland: vicinity of Shemakha and Pirgu-lu, but may be absent from Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).

FAMILY CORACIIDAE - ROLLERS AND ALLIES

207. European Roller - Coracias garrulus Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: Widespread in lower elevations and adjacent valleys (MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Common (Drozdov, 1965; Agaeva, 1985).

BOSDAG: Uncommon in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura Valley, e.g. KarayasiForest, Djeiranchel Hills (especially between Poili and Soug-Bulak), Shamkhor, Tauz and Barda districts, the mouth of Iori, Alazani Valley, lower Turianchai Valley, Gandja, Shirvan andMugan steppes, vicinity of Lake Hadjikabul (Mustafaev, 1963a,1969, 1971b, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in southern Mugan and Len-koran Lowland (Satunin, 1912b; Drozdov, 1965), uncommon inKizil Agach Reserve, Sara Peninsula and southeastern Shirvan(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov,1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: From Samur Delta to Divichi and Yashma (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula, e.g. in Sumgait-chai Valley and outskirts of Baku (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai and broad-leaved forests, semi-desert,low cliffs, quarries, orchards, settlements and planted trees.Mostly in lowlands, but also in foothills (Gambarov, 1954, 1975;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b; Agaeva, 1985; MP).

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Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mus-tafaev, 1972; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wetlands of Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).Not recorded in Mingechaur District after November 25th (Gam-barov, 1975).

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Twice recorded in Shah Spit in Janu-ary-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: Rivers, lakes, reservoirs, large ponds, irrigation chan-nels and wetlands (Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Tuaev & Vasiliev,1972). In Lenkoran Lowland, prefers shallow rivers with trans-parent waters (Radde, 1884), but observed hunting over turbidand murky waters elsewhere (MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No overall estimate. 2-5pairs/km in Kura Valley near Karayasi (MP).

BREEDING: Nests in burrows excavated in steep banks of rivers and irrigation channels. Near Karayasi, nest-building start-ed in late June 1989, after the water level in Kura River hasdropped: 2 burrows under construction in a low bank of a dried

channel on June 27th

, 1-2 m above the riverbed (MP). Elsewherein Kura Valley, egg-laying recorded in early May (Satunin, 1907).

DIET: Mostly piscivorous (Radde, 1884).

REMARKS: On Lake Dambartan (Nidz, Kutkashen District), a wounded kingfisher was snatched by a large Marsh FrogRana ridibun-

da ), although the frog had failed to drown the bird (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Subspecies H. s. smyrnensis Lin-

naeus 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Two specimens col-lected in Lenkoran Lowland in 1884, e.g. a semi-adult male

209. White-breasted Kingfisher - Halcyon smyrnensis Linnaeus, 1758

on the banks of Lenkoran-chai (Radde, 1884). Unconfirmed

records from Talish Mountains in the 1970s-1980s (I. Ba-baev, pers. comm.) and Kizil Agach Reserve in summer 1999(Shelton, 2001).

Azeri name: Kizlar-gushu (all bee-eaters)

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Commonalong the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains (e.g. Alazani Valley, lowlands in Vartashen, Kutkashen and Ismailly districts) and in Shemakha Upland (e.g. in the vicinity of She-makha), although apparently absent from the Alti-Agach area. A few colonies in foothills in the northeast (Kusari and Kubadistricts). After the young have f ledged (late July-early August),

FAMILY MEROPIDAE - BEE-EATERS

210. European Bee-eater - Merops apiaster Linnaeus, 1758

broods often move to mountains up to alpine zone (Gambarov,1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Distribution poorly known.N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley and foothills. Colonies found nearSadarak, Khanaga, Julfa, Ordubad, Vanad, Nusnus, Yukhari-Ailis,Shahbuz and Gadjali (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Uncommon in Zuvand Upland (Radde,1884; Drozdov, 1965; Agaeva, 1985).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Steppe, Shamkhor District, themouth of Iori, vicinity of Mingechaur and Gandja (Mustafaev,1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP) and Mugan Steppe, especially inSabirabad and Saatli districts (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Gazanchian& Mustafaev, 1961; MP). Distribution in Aras Valley is poorly

known.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve and northern SaraPeninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev &Kiazimov, 1966a). Small numbers occur in Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; MP). Rare in southeastern Shirvan, e.g. near Alatand Khaladz (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common in Samur, Kusarchai, Kudi-al-chai, Velvelchai and Gilgilchai valleys, and the vicinity of Di- vichi (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961; Drozdov, 1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Yashma, Sumgait-chai Valley andnorthern Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958;

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MP). In Gobustan Upland, common in Pirsagat Valley, but rareon Mount Beuk-Dush. Observed on slopes of Airan-Tekan mud- volcano and in low mountains around Lake Hadjikabul (Bur-chak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Lowlands, foothills and sometimes tree-less uplands (e.g. Zuvand Upland). Nests in burrows excavated

in sheer banks of rivers, channels, walls of ravines, quarries andsandpits sometimes close to villages and towns. Radde (1884)reported nesting in burrows excavated in coastal f lats. May nestin tree cavities in Karayasi Forest: seen carrying food towardsthe forest in late June (MP). FEEDING: Aerial feeder. Recordedover a variety of habitats, but also in vicinity of apiaries, forest-ed mountain gorges and up to alpine zone, e.g. at 2,500 m inZakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid to early May.COASTAL: Earliest records in Kizil Agach Reserve 12-29 April(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In 1990, first observedin Shirvan Reserve on April 25th, and on Mount Beuk-Dush,

Gobustan Upland by May 11th

(Patrikeev, 1991a, b). Usually ar-rives at Absheron Peninsula after April 28th (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958; MP).INTERIOR : Flocks of 20-30 observed in Karayasi Steppe as early as 14-15 April, but not until 2-10 May in other years (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907). Recorded in Nakhichevan Region on April21st (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). Arrives in Alazani Valley, Zakatali District in April (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985)and to Turianchai Bosdag Mountains between 28 April and 4May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

Fall passage: Late August through late September.COASTAL: Leaves the northeast in late August-early September,although some remain as late as 28-29 September (Mustafaev &

Khanmammedov, 1968). Southbound observed near Baku 5-12September after the nesting population have already left (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Departs Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 13-19 Septem-ber (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and Karayasi Steppein mid September (Satunin, 1907). Still present in ShemakhaUpland in mid September (Patrikeev, 1991d).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 3,000-5,000 pairs in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).In the mid 1960s, average density of 5/km on slopes of Great-er Caucasus and in Kura Aras Lowland, 3.2/km in Nakhichev-an region, Zangelan and Kubatli districts, 2.4/km in Samur-Di-

vichi Lowland, 0.45/km in Absheron Peninsula and 0.16/km inLenkoran Lowland (Khanmammedov & Gasanova, 1969). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, 0.6/km on 19 May 1962 (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and 3-4 pairs in eastern partof Turianchai Reserve in 1991 (MP). In Samur-Divichi Low-land, 3-100 pairs/colony (average 20-30), but single pairs alsorecorded (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961). In Kizil AgachReserve 6-26 pairs/colony (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a), 125 pairs nested there in 1964, 140 in 1965 and 175 in1966 (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). In southeastern Shirvanup to 10 pairs east of Khaladz in 1990 and 1 pair in a small

quarry south of Alat in 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a). Colonies infoothills and uplands are usually smaller: 4-6 pairs in ZuvandUpland (Agaeva, 1985), 2-3 pairs on Mount Beuk-Dush, Go-bustan Upland (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Nakhichevan Region, col-onies consisted of 10-15 pairs, but sometimes up to 25-35 pairs(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

BREEDING: Colonial, although single pairs also reported. Nestsin burrows excavated in sheer banks of rivers, channels, wallsof ravines, quarries and sandpits. European Rollers, Kestrelsand some passerines are known to nest in colonies of EuropeanBee-eaters (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961). Suspectednesting in tree cavities in Karayasi Forest (MP). Radde (1884)reported an unusual mixed colony of European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters on the Caspian shore: burrows of both spe-cies reportedly excavated in flats consisting of mixture of sandand seashells. In the northeast, burrows 70-289 cm long (av. 140cm) with entrances 6-9.5 cm in diameter (av. 7.3 cm). A nesting burrow ends with a chamber of 18-30 x 14-26 cm (av. 24 x 19.8cm), height 7-8 cm. Occasionally two chambers, but eggs found

only in one. In Zuvand Upland, examined burrows only 65-80cm long possibly because of rocky soils. Nest excavated in 12-18 days depending on soil texture. Nests have no lining except alayer of insect exoskeletons (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1961; Khanmammedov & Gasanova, 1969; Agaeva, 1985). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, excavation of burrows recordedas early as May 2nd (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).One clutch (5-8 eggs)/year; 70% of 23 examined clutches inthe northeast contained 6-7 eggs (Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1961). Eggs (n=5) from Zuvand Upland measured 27-28 x22-23 mm, average weight 6.3 g (Agaeva, 1985), elsewhere(n=167): 24.0-29.5x10.2-23.0 (average 26.6x21.8), weight 5.3-7.7 g, average 6.5 (Khanmammedov & Gasanova, 1969). In the

northeast, Kura-Aras and Lenkoran lowlands, eggs are laid frommid May. In mid May completed clutches also found inMingechaur District and in Kizil Agach Reserve. In the vicinity of Divichi, the majority of nests contained eggs in mid June.Both partners incubate for c. 20 days (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1961; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Khanmamme-dov & Gasanova, 1969; Gambarov, 1975). The young hatch frommid June. In Karayasi Forest, adults carrying food were observedin late June (MP). In early July, nests containing young of differ-ent ages recorded in the northeast and Shemakha District. Theyoung remain in nests for c. 30 days and leave from 10-15 July.In Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland fledglings recorded from late July. After the young are on the wing, broods sometimes move to

mountains (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1961, Khanmammedov & Gasanova, 1969). In Zuvand Upland,broods were very common in early to mid August. Those wereprobably birds that have nested in the adjacent lowlands andfoothills (Agaeva, 1985).

DIET: Insect-eater catching its prey on the wing. In the north-east, examined stomachs and pellets contained remains of Tene-brionidae, ground beetles, Dorcadion sp., ants, moths (Nocturnidae[Noctuidae?]), Acrididae, Gryllus sp., Aelia sp. and Eurygaster sp. The majority of those insects are considered agricultural pests




(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961). Stomachs collected inZakatali-Ismailly Lowland mostly contained beetles ( Trox scaber

and other species of family Scarabaeidae), wasps Hylocapa vio-

lacix and tree bugs (Gambarov, 1954). In Zuvand Upland, thisspecies feeds on beetles, dragonflies and bugs Coriomeus (Agae- va, 1985) and in Mugan Steppe on locusts (Satunin, 1907, 1912b).Predation on domestic honeybees should be examined sepa-

rately. Satunin (1907, 1912b) presumed that this species feedson honeybees only during migration or on cold days when noother food is available. Indeed, a group of 38 European Bee-eaters was perching on wires near an apiary in Shemakha Up-land on a cold morning in mid September 1989, probably wait-

ing for bees to emerge (Patrikeev, 1991d). However, in someareas in the northeast honeybees make up to 60% of the dietduring nesting period (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1961).Remains of domestic honeybees also found at burrow entranc-es in Shemakha District, where stomachs of some collected in-dividuals contained up to 25 bees each (Gambarov, 1954). None-theless, damage caused by bee-eaters to apiaries is probably ex-

aggerated, and these colourful birds animating otherwise bleak semi-desert landscapes of Azerbaijan deserve some protection.

MORTALITY: In the late 1980s apiary-keepers often paid a littlebounty on both species of bee-eaters (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

Azeri name: Kizlar-gushu (all bee-eaters)

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies M.

p. persicus Pallas, 1773.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: In the mid to late 19th century, thisspecies occurred only in the southeast: between the Iranian bor-der and Saliani (Bogdanov, 1879; Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907),but found elsewhere in the 20th century and probably expanding.N AKHICHEVAN: Nests only in the northwest corner: one smallcolony near Sadarak, Norashen District (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965).BOSDAG: Foothills of Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Gasanov, 1990).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common in Mugan and Mil steppes (e.g.Saliani and Saatli Districts and vicinity of Lake Aggel). Smallnumbers nest near Ali-Bairamli (Satunin, 1912b; Gazanchian &Mustafaev, 1961; Gasanov, 1990; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland is a stronghold of thisspecies in Azerbaijan. In the 1980s-early 1990s, common be-tween Lenkoran and Masalli, but uncommon between Lenko-ran and Astara. Nests in Sara Peninsula, Kizil Agach Reserveand southern Mugan, e.g. vicinity of Mahmud-chala (Satunin,1912b; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Mustafaev & Gazanchian,1967; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991c; MP). Uncom-

211. Blue-cheeked Bee-eater - Merops persicus Pallas, 1773

mon at Shorgel Lakes and Cape Pirsagat, southeastern Shirvan(Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Rare in Absheron Peninsula in the1940s-1950s: one collected near Buzovna on 14 May 1941, an-

other at Ziria on 20 May 1951 and third near Zagulba on 26May 1956 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Uncommon in thepeninsula in the late 1980s, but no confirmed nesting records sofar (MP). Small numbers nested in Gobustan Upland (Burchak- Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961).

HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-desert, coastal areas, pasture, melonand vegetable fields in lowlands; also in hills and rarely in low semi-arid mountains. Some colonies very close to villages andother settlements (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1969a; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April-early May.

COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reservein late April. First flock recorded in the reserve on April 25th

and conspicuous passage on May 8th (Radde, 1884; Gazanchian& Mustafaev, 1961; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). AtShorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan), earliest record on April25th and at Cape Pirsagat on April 30th. A flock of 100 arrived atLake Kichik-Shorgel at 2000 hrs on 8 May 1990 and roosted inreeds at the lake (Patrikeev, 1991a). Recorded in Absheron Pen-insula c. May 10th (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Arrived in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 28 April-4May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and to Nakhichev-an Region on April 30th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).Fall passage: Early September to early October.

COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and the vicinity from September 6th. Mostly leaves this area by mid September,although single birds recorded in Kizil Agach as late as October4th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably over 1,500-2,000pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP).Outnumbers European Bee-eater in southern Mugan and north-ern Lenkoran Lowland, but numbers of both species are roughly equal in Lower Kura Valley, e.g. near Ali-Bairamli, Sabirabadand Saatli (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961; Gasanov, 1990). In

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Sara Peninsula and Kizil Agach Reserve, up to 80-100 nests/hain colonies near Port-Ilich and Kumbashi, e.g. a colony of 500-700 nests near the office of Kizil Agach Reserve (Gazanchian& Mustafaev, 1961; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mus-tafaev & Gazanchian, 1967; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Less com-mon elsewhere: only 6 pairs in the vicinity of Cape Pirsagat in1989 and several pairs at Shorgel Lakes in 1990. Rare in Absher-

on Peninsula (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). The only known colony inNakhichevan Region contained 13 nests in the early 1960s (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

BREEDING: Colonial species usually nesting in single-speciescolonies (4-700 pairs), but single pairs also recorded (Gazan-chian & Mustafaev, 1961; Mustafaev, 1971b; Patrikeev, 1991a).In the 19th century, two mixed colonies of Blue-cheeked andEuropean Bee-eaters reported from the vicinity of Lenkoran(Radde, 1884) and Kumbashi (Satunin, 1907). Nests in burrowsexcavated in flats, but occasionally in low cliffs and ravines. Incolonies near Kumbashi and Port-Ilich burrows were close toeach other (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961), but in southeast-

ern Shirvan neighbouring burrows 30-40 m apart (Patrikeev,

1991a). Burrows excavated in flats descend at 5-6o angle, withnesting chambers 45-80 cm (av. 65 cm) below the surface. Di-mensions of burrows examined in Lenkoran Lowland were asfollowing: length 120-300 cm (av. 190 cm), entrance diameter 7-9 cm (av. 7.6 cm), nest chamber 17-30 x 20-23 cm, chamberheight 9-16 cm (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961). On 13 May 1898 only burrows still under construction found near Kum-

bashi (Satunin, 1907). In southeastern Shirvan, excavation ob-served 20-24 May 1989 and at Lake Mahmud-chala copulationand excavation were under way in early June 1990 (Patrikeev,1991a, c). Clutch contains 5-10 eggs (av. 6-8). Eggs are white with slight salmon tint. Incubation begins with the first or sec-ond egg. Both partners incubate, but female does most of the work (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961). In Lenkoran Lowland,incubated and freshly laid clutches found from 24 May to 13 June (Satunin, 1907; Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961).

DIET: In Lenkoran Lowland, examined stomachs mostly con-tained dragonflies (c. 60%), beetles (c. 40%, e.g. long-horned,leaf and scarab beetles and weevils), locusts, bugs and butter-

flies, but NO domestic bees (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1961).

Azeri name: Hop-hop, Shanapipik

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering

species. Subspecies U. e. epops Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Southernslope and the adjacent lowland, e.g. from Alazani Valley toalpine zone in Zakatali District, but up to 1,500 m in Is-mailly District (Girdimanchai Valley) and at 1,000-1,500 min Shemakha Upland. Also in Kutkashen, Kah and Kusaridistricts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Probably widespread, but no published records.

FAMILY UPUPIDAE - HOOPOES

212. Hoopoe - Upupa epops Linnaeus, 1758

N AKHICHEVAN: Throughout the region except perhaps the high-est mountains (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1960). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests up to treeline, and ZuvandUpland, e.g. near Kelokhan, Ambirdara and Gosmalian (Agae- va, 1985).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-

niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura-Aras Lowland, e.g.Shirvan, Karayasi and Mugan steppes and Zangelan District(Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).Nests in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in southern Mugan e.g. near Mah-mud-chala (Satunin, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991c). Small numbers nestin Lenkoran Lowland, Sara Peninsula, Kizil Agach Reserve andsoutheastern Shirvan, e.g. at Shorgel Lakes and Cape Pirsagat (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: One seen on Tashkent Island (PirsagatIslands of Baku Archipelago) c. 3 km offshore (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common in lowlands of Kusari, Kh-

achmas and Divichi districts (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Common in Absheron Peninsula in-cluding some areas in Baku, but uncommon in coastal semi-desert and settlements further south and in Gobustan Upland,e.g. Mounts Kargabazar and Beuk-Dash (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular in Lenkoran Lowland (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Forest edge, scrub, orchards, parks, treeplantations, built-up areas and semi-desert in lowlands and moun-

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran




tains; also montane forests. Up to alpine zone in Greater Cauca-sus Mountains (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a, b; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971b, 1973a; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Agaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through mid April.

COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland 12-18 March (Radde,1884) and Kizil Agach Reserve 3-21 March. Conspicuous pas-sage through the reserve: 20 March-10 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In the northeast, earliest record onMarch 20th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). In 1952-1955,a pair routinely arrived in the Botanical Gardens of Baku on April 1st (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). One observed innorthern Gobustan Upland on 7 April 1990 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mid March through early April nearZakatali and Sheki (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, record-ed from 3-5 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: September to November.

COASTAL: Departs Kizil Agach Reserve by September 10th

,although some recorded on September 21st and October 5th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Latest record in thenortheast on 2 October 1959 (Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968). Collected in Lenkoran Lowland in November 1880(Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably thousands of pairs.1-10 /km in Zuvand Upland (Agaeva, 1985) and up to 5/km(av. 2/km) in the northeast (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,

1968). Only one pair on Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland)in 1990-1991 (Patrikeev, 1991b).

BREEDING: Calls heard from early April through mid August(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a, b). Nestsin burrows, crevices, rock piles, tree cavities, in buildings (e.g.under roofs or floors) and stone fences. One burrow was 45 cm

long. Occasionally nests in bee-eater colonies (Gambarov, 1954;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1969a; 1971b; Agaeva, 1985). In Talish Moun-tains, 6 nests in tree cavities 0.9-5 m above the ground. Nestcontains no lining (Agaeva, 1985). Eggs laid from mid April toearly June (3-7 eggs per clutch). In the northeast, hatching re-corded from 9-10 May (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).In Kizil Agach Reserve a nest with 6 young found on 14 June1956 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Karayasi For-est, adults carrying food observed in late June (MP). On 19 June1970, nestlings examined in Zuvand Upland weighed 40-68 g.If disturbed, nestlings may shoot liquid odorous feces at theintruder (Agaeva, 1985). A brood observed in Kizil Agach Re-

serve contained 5 young (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Insectivorous. Mostly forages on the ground sometimespicking insects from manure or offal (Satunin, 1907). In Absh-eron Peninsula, examined stomachs contained remains of bee-tles, caterpillars ( Agrotis sp. and Plusia gamma ) and larvae of Ten-

tyria sp. (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

MORTALITY: Frequently road-killed (Alekperov & Mus-tafaev, 1971).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Subspecies J. t. torquilla Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common infoothills of the northeast, e.g. in the vicinity of Kusari (Mus-

FAMILY PICIDAE - WOODPECKERS AND WRYNECKS

213. Wryneck - Jynx torquilla Linnaeus, 1758

tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968), but very rare along the south-ern slope: 6 specimens collected near Zakatali (Gambarov, 1954)and also observed in lower montane forests of Zakatali Reserve(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). On 23 July 1939, a male col-lected in upper Girdimanchai Valley near Lagich (Ismailly Dis-trict) at 1,500 m (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably present. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded near Lerik (1,500 m), Gosmalian,Makhlababad, Guseinabad and Kalvas (Agaeva, 1985).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: No recent records, but in the 19th centu-

ry observed and collected in Lenkoran Lowland, e.g. near Ruaon 7 May 1897 (Satunin, 1907). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One seen in a park in Mardakian, Absheron Peninsula on 20 August 1961 (Gazanchian & Mus-tafaev, 1968) was probably an early migrant.

HABITAT: NESTING: Orchards, parks and cleared valleys with oldhollow trees in foothills and mountains (up to c. 1,500 m). Appar-ently rare in older forest. In the 19th century, observed in bush thicketsin wet ravines in Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov,1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Agaeva, 1985).






215. Grey-headed Woodpecker - Picus canus Gmelin, 1788

STATUS: Accidental visitor in the past. Possibly subspecies P. c.

canus Gmelin, 1788.

DISTRIBUTION: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Menetries, Maximov-ich and Radde observed this species in Lenkoran Lowland (Rad-

de, 1884). No dates, precise locations or specimens. No recordsin the 20th century.

Azeri name: Gara agachdalan

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies D. m. martius Lin-naeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Throughout

middle and upper montane forests on the southern slope, e.g. inBelokani and Zakatali districts (including Mount Alibek), IlisuReserve (Kah District), Kutkashen and Ismailly districts andfoothills of Sheki District (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

216. Black Woodpecker - Dryocopus martius Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in montane forests of the upperShamkhor-chai Valley, Murovdag Ridge (Radde, 1884). Proba-bly occurs in other forested parts. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Primarily in old beech forests up to 1,500-1,800 m (Radde, 1884; MP)SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Occurred in forests of Lenkoran Low-land, e.g. near Tanchevan and Mashkhan in the 19th-early 20thcenturies (Satunin, 1907). The forests were completely clearedby the 1930s.

Winter: Some move to lowlands in winter.GREATER C AUCASUS: Some descend to Zakatali, Djari and Alaza-ni Valley, but the rest winters in the mountains. Ivkin observedpairs and single birds on Mount Alibek in February 1937 (Gam-barov, 1954).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Tugai forests in Kura Valley (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Orchards and woodlots in Lenkoran Low-land (Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane forests up to the tree limits inGreater Caucasus Mountains, and up to 1,500-1,800 m in TalishMountains. Prefers old beech forests in the latter (Radde, 1884; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Formerly in lowland beech for-

ests in Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1907). W INTER : Montane for-ests at perhaps lower elevations, but also tugai forests, orchardsand woodlots in lowlands (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1972).


Azeri name: Agachdalan (all woodpeckers)

STATUS: Common resident. Subspecies D. m. tenuirostris Butur-lin, 1906 occurs in Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains,

Kura-Aras and Samur-Divichi lowlands, and D. m. poelzami Bogdanov, 1879 inhabits Talish Mountains and Lenkoran Low-land.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: D. m. tenuirostris: GREATER C AU-CASUS: Common on the southern slope although rare in uppermontane forests. Recorded near Zakatali, in Tsilbanchai Gorgeand on adjacent mountains, Alazani Valley, Ilisu and Ismailly reserves, montane forests of Kutkashen District, and in She-makha Upland, e.g. near Pirgulu, Tchagan and Alti-Agach. Com-mon in foothills and lowlands of the northeast (Gambarov, 1954;

217. Great Spotted Woodpecker - Dendrocopos major Linnaeus, 1758



198


Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shamkhor-chai Gorge (Murovdag Ridge),southern slopes of Murovdag Ridge in Nagorno-KarabakhRegion, and in Karabakh Ridge (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907;MP). Probably elsewhere.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Overlaps with Syrian Woodpecker in

Kura-Aras Valley. Recorded in Karayasi Forest, Akstafa Dis-trict (Radde, 1884; MP), and possibly in Gandja (Mustafaev,1973b) although the latter is more probably inhabited by Syr-ian Woodpecker.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and woodlots along Cas-pian shore south of the delta (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; MP).D. m. poelzami: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests, e.g. inGirkan Reserve and other parts of Ulasi Range (Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Bogdanov, 1879;Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).Winter: Some descends from mountains and foothills to val-leys. Both D. m. tenuirostris and D. m. poelzami were recorded in

Kura Valley in winter (Radde, 1884).GREATER C AUCASUS: Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) in Febru-ary 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS : Seen at “relatively high altitudes” inShamkhor-chai Gorge (Murovdag Ridge) on 8 November 1896(Satunin, 1907).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Turianchai Valley near Turianchai in Oc-tober and November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowlandincluding Lenkoran (Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1972). One col-lected in Kizil Agach Reserve on 12 September 1953 and an-other in Sara Peninsula in September 1955 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane forests up to the limit, tugai for-ests, woodlots, old orchards, parks and roadside treebelts in foot-hills and lowlands (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev,1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Montane andtugai forests, woodlots, clearings, towns and villages in foothillsand lowlands (Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Unknown.

BREEDING: Often nests close to houses. Nests excavated inoak, beech, elm and other tree species were found in backyards,orchards, parks and roadside treebelts (Mustafaev, 1969a). On

Mount Alibek (Zakatali District), a fledgling recorded on 19 June 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: In the northeast, ants, ground and scarab beetles, andother insects found in examined stomachs (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968).

STATUS: Common resident. Subspecies D. s. transcaucasicus Bu-turlin, 1910.

DISTRIBUTION: N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley and the moun-tains (Satunin, 1907; Khanmammedov, 1960; Mustafaev, 1968a). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Rural habitats in the upper Vilajchai Valley and Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev, 1968b; Mustafaev & Agaeva,1968; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common in Kura Valley from KarayasiForest to the confluence of Kura and Aras, e.g. in Shamkhor,Barda, Zardob, Udjari and Kurdamir districts; also in Iori delta

218. Syrian Woodpecker - Dendrocopos syriacus Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833

and Aras Valley (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a;Gambarov, 1975; MP). Sympatric with Great Spotted Wood-pecker in Karayasi Forest, but apparently not elsewhere in Az-

erbaijan (Radde, 1884).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b), butapparently absent from Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai forests, old orchards, parks and set-tlements in lowlands, but also mountains of Nakhichevan Re-gion and Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev, 1968a, b, 1969; Gambarov,1975). W INTER : Observed in tamarisk thickets in autumn and winter (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown.Winter: Up to 2.2/km in villages and orchards of Zuvand Up-land (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

BREEDING: Regularly nests in settlements. A nest in a mul-berry tree next to a house in Kurdamir (Shirvan Steppe) on 24May 1960 (Mustafaev, 1969a).





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S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965;MP).D. m. quadrifasciatus: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Foothills of TalishMountains including Girkan Reserve (Radde, 1884; Drozdov,1965; Gasanov, 1990).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and possibly south-ern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai forests in river valleys, orchards andforest edges in foothills (Gambarov, 1954, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Unknown.

BREEDING: No nests documented in Azerbaijan. A young collect-ed in Tsilbanchai Gorge (Zakatali District) in July (Gambarov, 1954).

Azeri name: Sahil garangushu

STATUS: Common nesting species and very common migrant.Subspecies R. r. riparia Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Several small flocks near Nidz (KutkashenDistrict) on 23 July 1938 (Gambarov, 1954). Sand Martins ob-served near Kirovka and Pirgulu (Shemakha Upland) in midSeptember 1989 were probably migrants (Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs.N AKHICHEVAN: Colonies near Norashen, Yukhari-Yaidji and Yukhari-Ailis, Aras Valley (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Two colonies in the sheer right bank of Kura near Demirchilar and Omaraglu, Karayasi Steppe. Alsonests in the vicinity of Saliani, the lower Kura (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (e.g. at Lake Mahmud-

chala), Lenkoran-chai and Vilajchai valleys and Kizil Agach Re-serve, e.g. Saladjinka Channel and between Kulagin and Sobachyi-Zub, although apparently does not nest in the reserve every year(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Patrikeev, 1991c).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but probably occurs.

HABITAT: NESTING: Burrows in sheer banks of rivers and chan-nels. FEEDING AND MIGRATION: Aerial feeder over lakes and wet-lands. Often roosts in reedbeds during migration (Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; MP).

FAMILY HIRUNDINIDAE – SWALLOWS and MARTINS

222. Sand Martin - Riparia riparia Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to early June.COASTAL: In 1881, single birds recorded north of Lenkoranafter March 18th, and flocks after March 24th. However, many migrants killed by cold weather in late March 1880 (Radde,1884). In the late 1950s-early 1960s, first records in Kizil Agach Reserve during 7-18 April and large f locks from late April to early June (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Also migrates through Mugan (Satunin, 1912b) and ShorgelLakes (southeastern Shirvan) from late April to late May (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Absheron Peninsula, recorded at Ziriaon 23 April 1953 and 20 May 1956 (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958).INTERIOR : Arrives in Nakhichevan Region c. March 24th (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).Fall passage: September.COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in mid September (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Departs from Nakhichevan Region in September(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >50,000 pairs inthe late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 100-120 pairs/colony in Na-khichevan region (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). In Kizil Agach Reserve 9,000-9,500 in the 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a) and 30,000-35,000 in mid July 1966. The lat-ter were probably broods from Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967).Passage: SPRING: Kizil Agach Reserve: a flock of 2,000-2,500at Kalinovsky Liman on 18 April 1958; flocks of thousandsbetween May 4th and June 18th; 1.2 km of telegraph wires com-pletely covered with roosting Sand Martins on May 17 th; a flock of 1,600-1,700 at Lopatinsky Marsh on 29 May 1961 (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Several hundred at Shorgel Lakes

in early May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

BREEDING: Colonial. Nests in burrows excavated in sheerbanks of rivers and channels. In Karayasi Steppe, seen in colo-nies in June and July (MP).

DIET: Aerial feeder. Often seen catching flying insects aroundherds of livestock (Kokshaisky & Mustafaev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Some perish in oiled lakes of Absheron Penin-sula (Verestchagin, 1946).





DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is poorly known.Probably more widespread than indicated below.GREATER C AUCASUS: Often nests in man-made structures above

Kutkashen (L. Patrikeev, pers. comm.). Most probably occursthroughout Greater Caucasus Mountains.LESSER C AUCASUS: A large colony near Istisu, Karabakh Upland(Radde, 1884); probably elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: Colonies near Norashen, Gulus, Bichenek, Gan-ligel, Dirnis and Yukhari-Ailis (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1965; Tarasov, 1974). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Cliffs of Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Up-land (Patrikeev, 1991b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky cliffs and man-made structures inlow and high mountains, e.g. up to alpine zone in Nakhichevan

Region (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; MP).

223. Crag Martin - Hirundo rupestris Scopoli, 1769

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through early May.COASTAL: One in low mountains near Baku on May 5th (Gazan-chian & Mustafaev, 1968).INTERIOR : Arrives in Nakhichevan Region c. April 12th (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

Fall passage: Early September.INTERIOR : Departs Nakhichevan Region c. September 8th (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. In Nakhiche- van Region, 15-20 nests per colony (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965); several hundred pairs in a colony nearIstisu (Radde, 1884).

BREEDING: Near Istisu, nests clustered under overhanging cliff 45-60 m above the ground (Radde, 1884). A large nestling with an underdeveloped wing fell from a nest in KutkashenDistrict in August 1984 (L. Patrikeev, pers. comm).

Azeri name: Garangush or Garangushu

STATUS: Very common nesting species and migrant. Subspe-cies H. r. rustica Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: One of the most common songbirds in vil-lages and other settlements.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common in villages along the

southern slope, in Shemakha Upland and the northeast: up tothe treeline (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed in Kedabek, Shahdag Ridge (Rad-de, 1884), but undoubtedly occurs in settlements throughoutthe region.N AKHICHEVAN: From Aras Valley to 2,100-2,200 (Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1965; Tarasov, 1974). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Undoubtedly occurs, but no published in-formation.BOSDAG: Valleys in Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in settlements of Kura Val-

ley from Karayasi Steppe (e.g. Akstafa and Soug-Bulak) to KuraDelta. Nests in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b, 1974b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Kizil Agach Reserve,Sara Peninsula, Lenkoran Lowland south to Astara, and south-eastern Shirvan (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Patri-keev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Feeding Barn Swallows observed onPirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland (Drozdov,1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).

224. Barn Swallow - Hirundo rustica Linnaeus, 1758

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Nests in Absheron Peninsula (e.g. Sum-gait-chai Valley) and coastal villages south to Cape Pirsagat. BarnSwallows observed in Gobustan Upland (e.g. Mount Beuk-Dushand Airan-Tekan) probably nested in adjacent coastal settlements(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Patrikeev, 1991a, b; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Houses and other man-made structures(including underground bunkers) in villages, towns and else-

where; from lowlands to the upper forest limits in Greater Cau-casus Mountains and up to 2,100-2,200 m in Nakhichevan Re-gion. FORAGING: Feeding Barn Swallows seen in a variety of habitats with the exception of dense forests and alpine mead-ows (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965;Mustafaev, 1969a).

MOVEMENT:Spring passage: Early March through mid April.COASTAL: Appeared in the vicinity of Lenkoran as early as 8-10March, although early migrants often perished during spells of cold weather (Radde, 1884). Earliest records in Kizil AgachReserve between March 13th and April 1st , and conspicuous pas-sage between March 18th and April 4th (Vinogradov & Tcherni-

avskaya, 1965a). Some observed in Gobustan Upland 4-7 Apriland flocks at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) in mid April(Patrikeev, 1991a, b; MP).INTERIOR : Arrives in Nakhichevan Region 17-20 March (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965) and to Iori and Alazani val-leys 6-7 April (Gambarov, 1975). In Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains, first sightings on March 17th and conspicuous passage c.23 March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: September-October.COASTAL: Latest record in Khachmas District (the northeast) on28 September 1959 (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Mi-



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grates through Kizil Agach Reserve from c. 25 Septemberthrough mid October; latest sightings 20-23 October (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Leaves Kura Valley from 5-7 September, but stillpresent near Turianchai 14-20 September (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b). Departs Nakhichevan Region also in Sep-tember (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >50,000 pairs (MP).4-22 nests/colony in Sara Peninsula (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a), but only 3-5 nests/colony in Nakhichevan Re-gion (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). In the early 1960s,>450 pairs nested in Kizil Agach Reserve (Mustafaev & Kiazi-mov, 1966a). Ten pairs in an abandoned underground bunkernear Cape Pirsagat in 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

Passage: SPRING: Several hundred at Shorgel Lakes (southeast-ern Shirvan) in mid April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a, b; MP).

BREEDING: In Azerbaijan, nest exclusively in man-made struc-tures: mostly under roofs and in attics in houses, but also in

other structures including towers and factories (Mustafaev, 1969a;Patrikeev, 1991a). Colonies found close to smelter furnaces, in-side variety stores and in abandoned bunkers. In Soug-Bulak (Akstafa District) Barn Swallows built nests on the outer wallsof a railway station shelter whereas House Martins nested in-side (Radde, 1884; MP). Nests built 1.8-2 m above the ground

or higher (Mustafaev, 1969a). Two clutches a year (4-5 eggs/clutch). Incubation lasts 16 days. On March 30th some nests witheggs in Turianchai (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Themajority of nests examined in Shamkhor in mid May containedincubated eggs (Gambarov, 1975). In Kusari District, eggs laidin May and June (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Nest-building near Cape Pirsagat in mid to late May 1989 (Patrikeev,

1991a) and in Kizil Agach Reserve nests built 1-7 April, firstclutches laid 14-18 April and second clutches 1-10 June. In thisreserve first broods hatch 10-11 May and second broods in late June-early July (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Theyoung remain in nests 22-25 days (Mustafaev, 1971a). In Turi-anchai first fledglings observed on May 17th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). In Kusari District the young fledged inearly June and mid July (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).In Karayasi Steppe broods seen on July 8th. By late August, thesecond broods are on the wing (MP).

DIET: Aerial feeders catching insects on the wing. Often seenfeeding over open habitats, sometimes close to livestock or even

horsemen (Satunin, 1907; Kokshaisky & Mustafaev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Spells of cold weather often kill early ar riv-als (Radde, 1884). Many are killed on the roads (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971) and some perish in oil reservoirs (Ver-estchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Garangush

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies D.

u. urbica Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: In the 19th-early 20th centuries,apparently nested only in foothills and mountains (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907), but expanded into lowlands during the mid 20thcentury (Mustafaev, 1968a, 1974a).GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (Karachai and Nourchai valleys), Ilisu, Vartashen, Sheki, Ismailly, Turianchai Valley and

225. House Martin - Delichon urbica Linnaeus, 1758

Kusari District, up to 2,500 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev, 1974a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: No published records, but undoubtedly occurs.

N AKHICHEVAN: Nests in villages (e.g. Khanaga, Gazanchi, Yukhari-Ailis and Yukhari-Yaidjaand) and cliffs in the mid mon-tane zone (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Settlements, e.g. in Teg Gorge (Radde, 1884).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nests in the lowland since the mid 20th

century, e.g. in Kurdamir and Udjari districts, Gandja, Ak-stafa, Soug-Bulak and other sites (Mustafaev, 1968a, 1969,1973b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nests in Lenkoran Lowland since the mid20th century, e.g. in Lenkoran and Aurora (Mustafaev, 1974a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: By the late 1980s, throughout the low-land from Samur Delta to Divichi (Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968; MP).

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Small numbers in Gobustan Upland,e.g. in Maraza and Mount Beuk-Dush (Satunin, 1907; MP). Firstnesting in Absheron Peninsula in 1962 at Buzovna (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968), nestedin Baku and the suburbs in the early 1990s (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Settlements and cliffs from lowlands upto 2,500 m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1968a,1974a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to early May.




COASTAL: In 1937, passed through Kizil Agach Reserve between7 April to 4 May, but in 1954, first sighting in the reserve onMarch 23rd (Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Observed on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland on4 April 1991 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives in Nakhichevan Region c. 28-29 April (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

Fall passage: August-September.COASTAL: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve on September 21st

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Leaves Nakhichevan Region in August(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Less common than BarnSwallow. Colonial. In Nakhichevan Region, 15-30 nests/colony,but >400 nests in Khanaga (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1965), 8-60 nests (av. 25 nests)/colony in Kura Valley (Mus-tafaev, 1971a), 36 nests under a roof of a two-storey house inKusari (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968), 12 pairs in Bu-zovna (Absheron Peninsula) in 1962 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev,

1968), and 15 individuals on Mount Beuk-Dush (GobustanUpland) in mid May 1991 (MP). Flocks of 800-1,000 during post-breeding season (MP).

Passage: SPRING: Common to very common in Kizil Agach Re-serve: thousands recorded 7 April-4 May 1937 (Tugarinov, 1950).

BREEDING: Nests in man-made structures (especially underroofs and balconies) and on cliffs, e.g. in Nakhichevan Regionand Zakatali District: the largest known colony of >400 pairson a cliff near Khanaga (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khan-

mammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). In Soug-Bulak (Akstafa District) House Martinsnested inside a railway station shelter, while Barn Swallows nestedon the outside (MP). Nest-building in late April in AbsheronPeninsula (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968), on May 2nd in Go-bustan Upland (Satunin, 1907), from 5-10 May in mid Kura, butnot until May 21st in mountains and foothills (Mustafaev, 1969a,1971a). In Zakatali District, nest building recorded in June and July (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Apparently 2 clutches/year in settlements, and only 1 in natural habitats; 3-5 eggs/clutch. The young remain in nests 18-22 days. Nesting successis c. 71% in settlements, but 50% in natural habitats (Mustafaev,1971a). In the northeast, first broods fledged in mid June, and

second broods in the second half of July (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968).

STATUS: Common nesting species, migrant and wintering spe-

cies. Subspecies A. a. cantarella Bonaparte, 1850 occurs in Azer-baijan year-round, and A. a. arvensis Linnaeus, 1758 only during migration and in winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common inShemakha Upland from Alti-Agach to Shemakha. Also occursin the upper Girdimanchai Valley (e.g. near Lagich and Djanda-khar), and Sheki Upland; rare in lowlands of Kutkashen andIsmailly districts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Spurs of Megri Range in Zangelan and Ku-batli Districts (MP).

FAMILY ALAUDIDAE - LARKS

226. Skylark - Alauda arvensis Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (mostly above 2,000 m),e.g. near Ruarut and Kalvas (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Possibly nested in Karayasi (Radde, 1884)and Mugan steppes (Satunin, 1912b), but no recent sightings.

Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan and Hadjinour Steppe(Zlotin, 1963; Shelton, 2001; MP). Recorded in MingechaurDistrict, e.g. near Mingechaur and in Khanabad Valley (Gam-barov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g.shores of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay, Burunki, Kulagin, northeastof Lake Karakush and northern Sara Peninsula (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Paynter et al., 1996a), Lenkoran Low-land and Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Very common in Gobustan Upland insome winters. Also in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. close to Baku andSumgait (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Gazanchian,

1958; Mustafaev, 1977), and at Shah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane steppe, clearings, fields and pas-ture. Above 2,000 m in Zuvand Upland, but lower elsewhere(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965). W INTER : Semi-desert, steppe, fields, vicinity of villages and townsin lowlands and foothills, dunes along the Caspian shore (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972; Gam-barov, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to mid May.



204


COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve and Mugan in early to lateMarch, although some remained as late as May 15 th (Satunin,1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Passes through Karayasi Steppe in March(Radde, 1884) and through the vicinity of Sheki in early April(Satunin, 1907).

Fall passage: October.

COASTAL: Passage recorded in Absheron Peninsula on October 29th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Earliest record in Kizil AgachReserve on October 11th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Still common in Shemakha Upland in mid September(Patrikeev, 1991d). Migrates through Karayasi Steppe in Octo-ber (Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No population estimate. Lo-cally common, e.g. in Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954; MP).

Winter: In Kizil Agach Reserve, only 0.8/km in stands of Juncus

acutus in mid February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), but flocks of hundreds occurred in cold winters (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

1965a). In Shirvan Steppe 7/km in clayey semi-desert pastures,and 11.2/km in semi-desert with no grazing pressure in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963). Flocks of 20-30 at Shah Spit (Absheron Pen-insula) in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

BREEDING: Sings from early April. In Sheki District mating observed 5-7 April (Satunin, 1907). A nest with 4 eggs found in

the vicinity of Shemakha on 28 May 1960 (Mustafaev, 1969a).Nests with eggs and chicks, but also fledglings recorded nearKirovka, Shemakha Upland in early July. Six-day-old nestlingsseen leaving nest during hottest hours of the day, but returning afterwards (Gambarov, 1954).

MORTALITY: Frequently killed on roads especially in winter(Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971). Some perish in oil in AbsheronPeninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

REMARKS: Often occurs in mixed flocks with Calandra Larks andsometimes with White-winged Larks (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Accidental visitor in the past.

DISTRIBUTION: Satunin (1911) collected a specimen on theCaspian shore near Lenkoran (not dated). No other records.

227. Small Skylark - Alauda gulgula Franklin, 1831

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, migrant and wintering species. Subspecies L. a. pallida Zarudny, 1902 nests in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Insufficiently known.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (TsilbanchaiGorge and Zakatali Reserve), Kutkashen District (e.g. Demira-paranchai Valley), Ismailly District (near Djandakhar in the up-per Girdimanchai Valley), Kuba District and the vicinity of Kirovka, Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Shelton, 2001).

228. Woodlark - Lullula arborea Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Range is poorly known. Spurs of Megri andBargushad ranges in Zangelan and Kubatli districts (MP).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland and the vicinity of Lerik (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Turianchai Reserve (MP).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Absent in winter (Gambarov, 1954), T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Upper parts of Talish Mountains (Mus-tafaev, 1968b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Mostly in Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil AgachReserve and Sara Peninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: 2 collected near Baku on February 13th (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: NESTING: Forest edge, meadows and clearings in

hills and mountains up to the treeline. At 250-300 m in Turi-anchai Bosdag Mountains (Dahl, 1954; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; MP). W INTER : Edge, vicinity of woodlots andshrubby fields (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mus-tafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to early April.COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve in late March-early April,latest record before April 7th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Recorded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).Fall passage: Early September




COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in early September (ear-liest sighting on September 6th ). Large flocks observed in SaraPeninsula in mid September, but only small numbers remainthroughout the winter (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Migrates through south-ern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).


BREEDING: Two fledglings in Demiraparanchai Valley, Kut-kashen District on 8 July 1938 (Gambarov, 1954).

Azeri name: Kakilli torahai

STATUS: Very common resident undertaking some local move-ments. Two subspecies: G. c. subtaurica Kollibay 1912 south of Karabakh Ridge in Lesser Caucasus Mountains, and G. c. cauca-

sica Taczanowski, 1887 elsewhere in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Uncommonalong the southern slope, e.g. between Kutkashen and Sheki.Not found in the vicinity of Zakatali, although good numbers were present in Alazani, Aldjiganchai and Turianchai valleys.Common in Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov,1965; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: No published information, but most proba-bly occurs at lower elevations (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Very common in Aras Valley (Khanmammedov,1960; Tarasov, 1974). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains and Djeiranchel Hills(Gambarov, 1975; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Shirvan, Mil and Mugansteppes, Korchai Game Preserve, other semi-desert inMingechaur and Shamkhor Districts, Gandja, Karayasi Steppeand Aras Valley (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common in the north half of south-eastern Shirvan (e.g. near Cape Pirsagat and Khaladz), but de-creases farther south and uncommon at Shorgel Lakes and elsewhere in Shirvan Reserve (Patrikeev, 1991a). Common in south-ern Mugan (e.g. at Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala), Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991c).

229. Crested Lark - Galerida cristata Linnaeus, 1758

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Coastal semi-desert from Kh-achmas to Divichi and Sumgait (Khanmammedov & Mus-tafaev, 1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Very common in Absheron Penin-sula, e.g. near Mashtaga and Zagulba. Nests in Baku and Sum-gait (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a, 1977;MP). Observed in the north of Gobustan Upland and on MountBeuk-Dush (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil, Shirvan, Mugan and Karayasi steppes,the vicinity of Lake Hadjikabul, and Mingechaur District (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common in Lenkoran Lowland,southern Mugan and Kizil Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Very common in Absheron Penin-sula, e.g. in Shah Spit and near Baku (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Bannikova et al., 1984; MP). At lower elevations in Go-bustan Upland (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-desert, steppe, fields, pasture,

roadsides, young pine plantations, and open space in villagesand towns in lowlands, foothills and uplands. Up to 2,000 min Zuvand Upland (Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Drozdov, 1965;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973a, b). In southeastern Shirvan, morecommon in anthropogenic habitats and moderately grazedsemi-desert, rare in overgrazed areas (Patrikeev, 1991a); rarein fields and other man-made habitats in Shamkhor andMingechaur Districts where common in semi-desert (Gam-barov, 1975). W INTER : Caspian shore, lowlands and uplands:in semi-desert, steppe, dry montane meadows, orchards,fields, villages and near wetlands (Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Zlotin,1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev &

Agaeva, 1968; Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Most common lark in Azer-baijan. Probably >50,000 pairs (MP). In 1990, c. 20 pairs onMount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland), but only 2 pairs at LakeKichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a, b).Winter: Number increases in lowlands due to birds descending from foothills, mountains and arriving from the north. Only 0.55/km in clayey semi-desert of Kizil Agach Reserve on 24 January 1958 (Dobrokhotov, 1963), but 4.7/km in grazed semi-desert in Shirvan Steppe in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).



206


BREEDING: In early March, mating observed in Karayasi Steppeand Alazani Valley (Radde, 1884). Males singing and chasing eachother on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland on 4 April 1991(MP). In southeastern Shirvan, courtship and nest building ob-served in mid April (Patrikeev, 1991a). Nests under saltworts, wormwood or other plants. Regularly nests close to houses andon roadsides (c. 50% of recorded nests). One nest was on a flat

roof covered with soil and dry grass (Mustafaev, 1969a; Patrikeev,1991a). Probably 2 clutches a year (3-5 eggs/clutch). First clutch-es laid from early April to mid May, and second clutches in June(Gambarov, 1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1971a, b; Patrikeev, 1991a). The young remain in the nest 7-11 days (Mustafaev, 1971a). In

southeastern Shirvan and Shamkhor District the young leave nestsfrom early May (Gambarov, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a). In AbsheronPeninsula fledglings observed on May 25th (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958) and in Karayasi Steppe in early June (MP). In mid June, nests with eggs, nestlings, but also fledglings recorded nearKirovka, Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954). According toMustafaev (1971a) breeding success is higher in natural habitats

(51%) than in settlements (40%).

MORTALITY: Frequently road-killed along both highways andrural roads (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971). Some perish whendrinking from water-oil mixture seeping from oiled lakes or oilreservoirs in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, and uncom-mon wintering species. A small part of the population is prob-ably resident. Subspecies C. b. longipennis Eversmann, 1848.

DISTRIBUTION: insufficiently known.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Kuba District in thenortheast (Satunin, 1907), and Alazani Valley (Radde, 1884).N AKHICHEVAN: Common in Aras Valley (Tarasov, 1974).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common in Mugan Steppe and observedelsewhere in the lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shorgel Lakes (southeaster Shirvan) andKizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Uncommon in Absheron Peninsula where probably resident (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil

Agach Reserve. Probably resident in the latter (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Oliger, 1967; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Common in semi-desert of Absher-on Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

230. Short-toed Lark - Calandrella brachydactyla Leisler, 1814

HABITAT: NESTING: Saltwort semi-desert and steppe in low-lands and foothills (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Tarasov, 1974; Patri-keev, 1991a). W INTER : Semi-desert and open spaces in villages

and towns (Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Large numbers near Kilazi inearly April (Shelton, 2001).

Fall passage: Migrates through Mugan Steppe in November(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: BREEDING: Less common than LesserShort-toed Lark (MP). W INTER : Flocks of 20-50 in Kizil Agach Reserve in late Janu-ary-early February 1963 (Oliger, 1967).

BREEDING: Females in breeding condition collected in Ab-

sheron Peninsula on May 4th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

MORTALITY: Oiled Short-toed Larks found in Absheron Pen-insula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Torahai or Turagai (all larks)

STATUS: Common resident. Subspecies C. r. pseudobaetica Steg-mann, 1832.

DISTRIBUTION: N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley (Tarasov, 1974; MP).BOSDAG: Turianchai and Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains andDjeiranchel Hills (Gambarov, 1975; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mil Steppe (e.g. at Lake Aggel), Hadji-nour and Mugan steppes, Korchai Game Preserve and ShamkhorDistrict (Satunin, 1912b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan, e.g. in the vicinity of Cape Pirsagat, Shorgel Lakes and elsewhere in Shirvan Re-serve (Patrikeev, 1991a).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Baburyi Island and probably Tash-kent Island, Baku Archipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a).

231. Lesser Short-toed Lark - Calandrella rufescens Vieillot, 1820





208


vskaya, 1965a). A nest with the young near Divichi on 25 May 1959 (Mustafaev, 1969a. (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Stomachs of Calandra Larks wintering in Absheron Peninsu-la contained seed of Ephemeretum (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

MORTALITY: Many perish while drinking from water-oilmixture seeping from oiled lakes or oil reservoirs in Absher-on Peninsula, e.g. 38 dead recorded by Verestchagin (1946).Frequently killed on highways and rural roads (Alekperov &Mustafaev, 1972).

STATUS: Locally common resident undertaking some altitudinalmovements. This species and subspecies M. b. bimaculata Mene-tries 1832 were described from Talish Mountains of Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: LESSER C AUCASUS ( HYPOTHETICAL ):May occur in Karabakh Upland (MP).

233. Bimaculated Lark - Melanocorypha bimaculata Menetries, 1832

N AKHICHEVAN: Valleys and foothills of Nakhichevan Region(Bogdanov, 1879; Tarasov, 1974; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1963; Agaeva, 1972).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND ( ACCIDENTAL ): A female collected on theCaspian shore in Samur Delta on 21 May 1989 (Butiev et al., 1990a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky semi-desert, montane steppe andfield edges up to 2,000 m (Agaeva, 1972; Tarasov, 1974).

MOVEMENT: Winter: Descends from Zuvand Upland toMugan Steppe where sometimes mixes with Calandra Larks (Sa-

tunin, 1912b). May leave Nakhichevan Region in winter.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Very commonin Nakhichevan Region and Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1963; Tarasov, 1974).

BREEDING: In Zuvand Upland, 4 nests under Astragalus 150-200m from cultivated fields. Eggs laid from mid May through early June, 4-5 eggs/clutch. Average egg measurements (n=17): 24.3 x17.5 mm; average weight 3.8 g. Incubation lasts 12-13 days, andsmall chicks recorded on May 29th and June 19th (Agaeva, 1972).

STATUS: Irregular migrant and wintering species. May be com-mon in cold winters. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Apparently arrives in Azerbaijan only during very cold winters.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1911).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: One taken from a flock of Skylarks nearLenkoran on February 19th (Radde, 1884). Many observed inflocks of Skylark northeast of Lake Karakush, Kizil Agach Re-serve (Paynter et al., 1996a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Large mixed flocks of White-

winged and Calandra Larks in Gobustan Upland in January

234. White-winged Lark - Melanocorypha leucoptera Pallas, 1811

1880. Many were collected near Baku on February 11th (Rad-de, 1884)

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Semi-desert in lowlands andlow uplands (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1911).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: 5 observed in Sam-ur Delta 21-28 March 1987 (Butiev, 1990a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Leaves Mugan Steppe in late March (Sa-tunin, 1911).

STATUS: Irregular wintering species. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Probably occurs in Azerbaijan only during cold wintersK URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Might have occurred in Mugan Steppe in winter 1876/1877 (Radde, 1884).

235. Black Lark - Melanocorypha yeltoniensis Forster, 1768

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: On 27 December 1876 (after heavy snow-storms), 12 specimens (11 males and a female) collected in the vicinity of Lenkoran, some from flocks of Skylarks (Radde,1884). After cold winter 1989/1990 recorded in southeasternShirvan: a flock of 6 males in semi-desert near Lake Kichik-Shorgel 13-14 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).




STATUS: Uncommon resident descending to lower elevationsin winter. Subspecies E. a. penicillata Gould, 1838.

DISTRIBUTION: poorly knownSummer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Alpine zone of Belokani andZakatali District, also in the upper Girdimanchai Valley (aboveDjandakhar), Mounts Babadag and Tkhan in Ismailly Dis-trict (Satunin, 1911; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Above 1,500-1,800 m in Shahdag (above Ked-abek) and Murovdag ridges (Radde, 1884). Probably at higherelevations elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: At 3,050-3,610 m in Zangezur Ridge (e.g. MountsKapudjik and Soukh), although also recorded at lower eleva-tions (Radde, 1884).

236. Shore Lark - Eremophila alpestris Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).Winter: LESSER C AUCASUS: Some descend to foothills and low-lands during snowstorms and spells of cold weather, e.g. ob-served in Kedabek on 7 September 1896 and near Agdam on 8March 1898. However, a part of the population apparently re-

mains in the mountains all year round (Satunin, 1907).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan Steppe (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1912b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Lenkoran Lowland in mid February (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes and montane meadows insub-alpine and alpine zones at 1,500-3,610 m (Radde, 1884; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Fields, meadows, steppesand semi-desert in uplands, foothills and lowlands (Satunin, 1907;Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

MOVEMENT: Fall: Descend from Zangezur Ridge (Nakhich-

evan Region) already in September (Radde, 1884), but linger onbreeding grounds in Zakatali District (Greater Caucasus Moun-tains) until mid December (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No overall estimate. Theaverage of 0.8 nest/km2 in alpine zone of Zakatali Reserve,Greater Caucasus Mountains (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Nests in shallow depressions lined with stems of clover and grass. Average nest measurements: diameter 104 mm,height 49 mm, diameter of nest-cup 81 mm, depth 39 mm. InZakatali District chicks found after June 20th and fledglings inearly July (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Possibly subspecies A. r. richardi

Vieillot, 1818.

FAMILY MOTACILLIDAE - WAGTAILS AND PIPITS

237. Richard’s Pipit – Anthus richardi Vieillot, 1818

MOVEMENT: One observed in the vicinity of Shirvan Re-serve on 29 September 2000 (Shelton, 2001).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant, possible win-

tering species. Subspecies A. c. boehmii Portenko, 1960 nests in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution unclear. Known frommany areas from the 19th century records only.GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills and lower slopes (up to 1,500 m)from Sheki Upland to Kutkashen District and Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District); also in Shemakha Upland (from As-trakhanovka to Shemakha and Kirovka) and Kuba District (Sa-tunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954).

238. Tawny Pipit - Anthus campestris Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Nagorno-Karabakh Region and Aras Valley

(Radde, 1884; Tarasov, 1974; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Foothills in Aras Valley (Tarasov, 1974). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Treeless slopes of Talish Mountains includ-ing Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lower Aldjiganchai Valley, Karayasi andMugan steppes (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). No recent ob-servations.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Vicinity of Lenkoran (Radde, 1884). Norecent sightings.Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b).



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MOVEMENT: Spring passage: inconspicuous (early Aprilthrough late May).COASTAL: Several small flocks west of Mount Beuk-Dush (Go-bustan Upland) on 4 April 1991 (MP). In Absheron Peninsula,recorded in Sumgait-chai Valley during 6-8 May 1952 and nearPirkishkul on 26 May 1956 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

Fall passage: Leaves Azerbaijan from mid September (Satu-

nin, 1907).


BREEDING: Tawny Pipits carrying nest material observedsomewhere in Azerbaijan on 11 April 1899. In early June, fledg-lings collected in Kuba District (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: Steppe, semi-desert, fields, scrub and for-est openings in lowlands and foothills up to 1,500 m (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Tarasov, 1974).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Small numbersmay winter in Azerbaijan. Subspecies A. t. trivialis Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Above theforest limit and in treeless areas at 1,500-2,500 m, e.g. in Zakata-li District (Mounts Gamzigora and Khalakhi), vicinity of Lagich(Ismailly District), in Shemakha Upland including Alti-Agach,and in Kuba and Kusari districts in the northeast (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Upper forest and alpine zones in Murovdag

Ridge (Satunin, 1907). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded near Lerik (1,500 m) and in Kus- Yurdi (Radde, 1884).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Old records from Mugan Steppe(Satunin, 1912b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Scrub, meadows, clearings, fields andforest edges in mountains above 1,500. Recorded in sub-alpineand alpine zones (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

239. Tree Pipit - Anthus trivialis Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to mid May.COASTAL: Recorded on Mount Beuk-Dash (Gobustan Upland)from 4 to 20 April (Patrikeev, 1991b), near Lenkoran 12-16 April(Radde, 1884), at Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) on May 12th (Patrikeev, 1991a) and in Zagulba (Absheron Peninsula) 3-5May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Passes through Karayasi Steppe from mid March toearly April (Satunin, 1907). Two observed in juniper woodlandsof Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 6 April 1991 (MP).Fall passage: COASTAL: On 26 August 1948, recorded near Shu-

velan, Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Migrates through Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b).


DIET: Stomachs examined in Greater Caucasus Mountains con-tained bees ( Halictus ), ants ( Lasius alienus ), bugs ( Brachycarenus andLaria pisorum ), weevils ( Phyllobius , Olibrus and Lacolius ), etc. (Gam-barov, 1954).

STATUS: Locally common migrant and wintering species. Mo-notypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: LenkoranLowland, Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g. shores of Lesser Kizil AgachBay, Kulagin and Burunki), Sara Peninsula (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972) and the vicinity of Saliani (Satunin, 1907). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Shah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

240. Meadow Pipit - Anthus pratensis Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: W INTER : Semi-desert, wet meadows, fields, openspaces near villages and towns (Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Latest spring recordin Kizil Agach Reserve on 31 March 1958 (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed at the confluence of Kura and Aras on March 24th (Radde, 1884).




Fall passage: COASTAL: Common in Kizil Agach Reserve andnear Lenkoran from early November (Radde, 1884; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: 8.6/km in semi-desert of Kizil Agach Reserve on 15 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963). A flock of 7 at Shah Spit in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

STATUS: Accidental in spring. Monotypic.

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: In May. No recent records.Possibly overlooked.

241. Red-throated Pipit - Anthus cervinus Pallas, 1811

COASTAL: A male collected near Lenkoran on 10 May 1882 (Rad-de, 1884); other specimens collected in Absheron Peninsula(Sumgait-chai Valley, near Pirkishkul, orchards in Ziria and Bil-gah) between May 7th and 20th (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies A. s. coutellii Audouin, 1828 nests in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Commonthroughout sub-alpine and alpine zones (1,800-3,000 m), e.g. inZakatali, Belokani, Kutkashen and Ismailly districts (Gambarov,1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Mounts Kapaz (Geigel Reserve) and Giamish,Murovdag Ridge (Gasanov, 1990). Probably elsewhere at highelevations.N AKHICHEVAN: Mounts Kapudjik and Soukh, Zangezur Ridge(Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Talish Mountains including Zuvand Upland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).Winter: In mountains some descend to lower elevations. Those

wintering in lowlands are probably migrants from the north. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Remains at high elevation throughout the winter (Mustafaev, 1968b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

242. Water Pipit - Anthus spinoletta Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Alazani Valley and Shirvan Steppe (Satu-nin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: NESTING: Common in subalpine and alpine mead-

ows (2,000-3,000 m) and uncommon in rocky areas (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985); also along forest edge (Radde, 1884). W IN-TER : Fields, semi-desert, marshes and other wetlands in low-lands, rocky slopes in mountains (Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April to mid May.COASTAL: On 17 May 1956, one collected on Mount Kizil-Kum(Gobustan Upland) not far from the Caspian shore (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Arrives at Zakatali Reserve 20-24 April (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).Fall passage: October-November.

INTERIOR : Recorded in Karayasi Steppe in October and Novem-ber (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In ZakataliReserve: 60 individuals/km2 in subalpine meadows and 47/km2

in alpine meadows (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

Winter: In Shirvan Steppe in January 1961: 0.96/km in semi-desert pastures, 2.43/km in non-grazed semi-desert, 2.96/km in marshes and other wetlands and 0.53/km in Kura Val-ley (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Male displays in mid air descending with a loudsong (Satunin, 1907). In Zakatali Reserve 24 of 26 recorded

nests were in subalpine and alpine meadows (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

Azeri name: Sari chaidachapan

STATUS: Common nesting species, very common migrantand rare wintering species. Subspecies M. f. flava Linnaeus,

243. Yellow Wagtail - Motacilla flava Linnaeus, 1758

1758 and M. f. f eldeg g Michaelles, 1830 nest, migrate and win-ter in Azerbaijan, and M. f . thunbergi Billberg, 1828, M. f . bee-

ma Sykes, 1832 and M. f . lut ea Gmelin, 1774 only occur dur-ing migration.



212


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known; pos-sibly distributed wider than indicated below.GREATER C AUCASUS: Unidentified subspecies in Zakatali District,e.g. near Djari (Mustafaev, 1969a).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Possibly M. f. feldegg near Kalvas at 2,100 m(Radde, 1884).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Unidentified subspecies in the vicinity of Turianchai (Agdash District) and at Lake Djandargel in Ak-stafa District (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: M. f. flava and M. f. feldegg nest in Lenko-ran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan, e.g. atLake Mahmud-chala (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991c). Also M. f. feldegg

may nest at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan: record-ed in mid May (Patrikeev, 1991a).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: M. f. flava and M. f. feldegg winter

in Mugan Steppe (Satunin, 1912b). Unidentified subspecies inthe vicinity of Turianchai, Agdash District (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: M. f. flava and M. f. feldegg recorded insouthern Mugan and near Lenkoran (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1912b). In January 1958 one (subspecies unknown) observed inKizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Wet meadows and wetland edges in low-lands and mountains up to 2,100 m (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Mustafaev, 1969a; Patrikeev, 1991c). MIGRATION AND WINTER : Caspian shore, semi-desert, fields, pasture, orchardsand wet meadows (Radde, 1884; Gambarov & Gazanchian,

1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Butiev et al.,1990b; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: M. F. FELDEGG: March through April. Often does not mix with other subspecies while feeding and roosting (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Butiev etal., 1990a). As early as March 16 th near Lenkoran and 20-21March in Kizil Agach Reserve. Conspicuous passage in the vi-cinity of Lenkoran during 27-30 March (Radde, 1884; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). On 9 April 1897, observed insouthern Mugan and near Saliani (Satunin, 1907, 1912b). In

Samur Delta, flocks recorded from March 28th through April23rd; rare in late April. Latest sighting in the delta on 23 May 1989 (Butiev et al., 1990a).M. F. FLAVA: Early March through late May. Sometimes migrates inmixed flocks with other subspecies (Butiev et al., 1989). On 11March 1895 large flocks of [probably this subspecies] in Mugan(Satunin, 1907, 1912b). Intensive passage near Lenkoran 25-28

March (Radde, 1884), and in Kizil Agach Reserve 14 April-2 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Samur Delta, conspic-uous passage from late March through late April, latest record onMay 20th (Butiev et al., 1990b). Common in Absheron Peninsula11-20 May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).M. F. THUNBERGI: In Lenkoran Lowland and Mugan Steppe 27March-14 April (Radde, 1884). On 11 May 1955, one taken froma flock of M. f . flava near Pirkishkul, northern Gobustan Up-land (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).M. F. BEEMA: Passes through Absheron Peninsula from late Marchto early May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).M. F. LUTEA: Rare migrant in Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).

M. F. FELDEGG, M. F. FLAVA AND M. F. THUNBERGI: Conspicuouspassage through Shorgel Lakes (southeastern Shirvan) from midand to mid May 1990 (peak in late April), but none observednear Cape Pirsagat in 1989. May take a shortcut through Go-bustan Upland to Sumgait-chai Valley and northern Absheronand then follow the Caspian shore to Samur Delta (MP).UNIDENTIFIED SUBSPECIES: A flock in Shamkhor District on May 14th (Gambarov, 1975).

Fall passage: less conspicuous.M. F. FLAVA: Rare in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990a); re-corded near Pirshaga, Absheron Peninsula on September 13 th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958); migrates through Kizil

Agach Reserve 5 September-10 October (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).M. F. FELDEGG: Rare in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990a).M. F. THUNBERGI: Possibly in Kizil Agach Reserve in September-early October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate.Spring Passage: M. F. FELDEGG: Several hundred in Samur Deltaduring 1-5 April 1980 ((Butiev et al., 1990a).M. F. FLAVA: c. 100 on 23 April 1980 in Samur Delta (Butiev etal., 1990b).M. F. FELDEGG, M. F. FLAVA AND M. F. THUNBERGI: At least 10,000passed through Shirvan Reserve (southeastern Shirvan) from

mid April to mid May 1990: flocks of 400-500 in mid April andup to 50 until mid May at Shorgel Lakes (MP).

Winter: 1-4/day near Turianchai (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: In Kizil Agach Reserve: a nest on May 16 th andfledglings from early June (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a). In June 1990 alarming adults at Lake Mah-mud-chala, southern Mugan (Patrikeev, 1991c). A nest of un-specified subspecies with 4 large nestlings near Djari, ZakataliDistrict on 13 June 1963 (Mustafaev, 1969a).




STATUS: Uncommon migrant. Subspecies M. c. citreola Pallas,1776 and M. c. werae Buturlin, 1907.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Wet meadows, vicinity of wetlands, fieldsand semi-desert in lowlands (Satunin, 1912b; Ochapovski, 1965;

Butiev et al., 1990a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March to late May.COASTAL: Recorded at Divichi Liman as early as March (Shelton,2001), but from mid April in Samur Delta, peaks in late April-early May, and then again during 15-20 May (Butiev et al., 1990a).INTERIOR : Recorded in the vicinity of Julfa, Nakhichevan region11-14 April (Ochapovski, 1965).

244. Citrine Wagtail - Motacilla citreola Pallas, 1776

Fall passage: Rare. August-September.COASTAL: Single individuals in Samur Delta in August (Butiev etal., 1990a) and Divichi Liman in September (Shelton, 2001).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: 3-10/day in the vi-

cinity of Julfa in April 1957 (Ochapovski, 1965). In Samur Del-ta, 18-140/km2 in April and May. Up to several tens/day in late April-early May 1988, and up to 100/day in May 1989 (Butiev etal., 1990a).

REMARKS: Observed in mixed flocks with White and Yellow Wagtails and Meadow Pipits (Ochapovski, 1965).

STATUS: Common resident undertaking altitudinal movements.Subspecies M. c. cinerea Tunstall, 1771.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Districts:Zakatali (e.g. Tsilbanchai Gorge), Kah (Kurmunchai and Il-isu Reserve), Kutkashen (Demiraparanchai near Laza), Is-mailly (upper Girdimanchai Valley, e.g. near Lagich and Djan-dakhar) and Kuba districts; Girkhbulak and Tchanut valleysin Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d;Shelton, 2001). Satunin (1907) reported nesting in the adja-

cent lowland.LESSER C AUCASUS: Upper Terter Valley in Nagorno-KarabakhRegion (e.g. in Sarsang), vicinity of Kedabek and in upperShamkhorchai Valley (Shahdag Ridge), Karabakh and Murovdag ridges (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Upper Lenkoranchai and Astara-chai val-leys (e.g. near Alashavend), and Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Three observed in Turianchai Valley (at 300-400 m) on7 April 1991 could have been altitudinal migrants not yet re-turned to their nesting grounds (MP).

245. Grey Wagtail - Motacilla cinerea Tunstall, 1771

Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Descends to foothills (e.g. at 600

m in Zakatali District) and adjacent lowlands (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Some remain in Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1968b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Near Khaldan (Aldjiganchai Valley) onNovember 24th (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky area along fast-flowing streams infoothills and mountains, e.g. at 1,100-2,500 m in Zakatali Dis-trict. Occurs in both forested and cleared areas (Radde, 1884;

Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Val-leys in foothills; wetlands, orchards and villages in lowlands(Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1968b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. Outnumbers White Wagtailin mountains of Zakatali District (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Arrives on breeding grounds in Zakatali Dis-trict 20-21 March. Nests in rock crevices and cavities (e.g. instream banks and near waterfalls), but also in holes in man-made constructions (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Mus-tafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In Zakatali Dis-

trict examined nests built of moss, leaves, twigs and grass, andlined with animal fur. Average nest measurements: diameter101 mm, height 86 mm, diameter of nest-cup 66 mm, anddepth 48 mm (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Two clutches/year (usually 5 eggs/clutch). Average eggs size: 20.4 x 14.9mm, and weight 1.72 g (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In Astara-chai Valley incubation as early as April 24th (Satunin,1907). In Zakatali District first clutches 15-20 May, and sec-ond clutches from mid June. First chicks hatched in early June. A newly-hatched chick weighs 1.65 g (av.), and 9-days-old 15.5g (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Fledglings on 24 May 1898



214


in Astara-chai Valley, Talish Mountains (Satunin, 1907) andafter June 10th in Zakatali District (Alekperov & Mustafaeva,

1985). A young Eurasian Cuckoo in a nest near Kedabek, LesserCaucasus (Mustafaev, 1969a).

Azeri name: Chaidachapan

STATUS: Very common nesting species and common migrant,a small part of the population is resident, and small numbersfrom the north also winter. Subspecies M. a. dukhunensis Sykes,1832 nests in Azerbaijan, and M. a. alba Linnaeus, 1758 possibly occurs during migration.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Widespread throughout Azer-baijan.GREATER C AUCASUS: Common in foothills and mountains fromZakatali District to Shemakha Upland, e.g. in river valleys nearIlisu, Laza, Lagich, Djandakhar, Kirovka and Alti-Agach. Rarein lowlands adjacent to the southern slope (Gambarov, 1954;

Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d). In the north-east occurs in foothills of Kuba and Kusari districts (Satunin,1907; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).LESSER C AUCASUS: Present (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Dahl, 1954).N AKHICHEVAN: Nakhichevan Region including Aras Valley (Rad-de, 1884; Khanmammedov, 1960). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Present (Radde, 1884; Mustafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: River valleys in Bosdag Mountains, e.g. vicinity of Turi-anchai (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Villages and towns of Shirvan and Mugansteppes and Kura Valley (Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1969a,1971a; Gambarov, 1975); also in Aras Valley and Gandja (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1973b).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland andKizil Agach Reserve (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1968b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: From Samur Delta to Divichi (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).Winter: Descends from mountains and foothills to lowlands.BOSDAG: At low elevations in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, Karayasi, Shirvan, Mil andMugan steppes (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963; Sul-tanov & Musaev, 1989).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Mus-tafaev, 1972).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Along the Caspian shore (Satunin,1907; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: River valleys, streams, openings, anthro-pogenic habitats and settlements from lowlands to alpine zone;in semi-desert regions, occurs mostly in towns and villages (Gam-barov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP). MIGRA-TION AND WINTER : Wetlands, Caspian shore and villages (Zlotin,1963; Mustafaev, 1972; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to late April.

246. White Wagtail - Motacilla alba Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve between 17 and 23

March, and conspicuous passage during 15-16 April (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In mid April 1990 only single birds at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan. One ob-served on Baburyi Island (Baku Archipelago) in late April1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a) .K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Turianchai Valley on 17March 1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: Late September through November.COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve first sightings of migrants be-tween September 28th and October 1st , peaks 9-12 October (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Absheron Peninsula inOctober (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the vicinity of Turianchai (Agdash

District), passage recorded 23-28 September (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Flocks of 4-6 common in MingechaurDistrict in the second half of November (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate, but very com-mon. 0.6 nests/ha in Kusarchai Valley, the northeast (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).Winter: Rare in Lenkoran Lowland in the 19th century (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907) and uncommon in the late 1960s (Mus-tafaev, 1972). In January 1961, 0.4/km in wetlands of ShirvanSteppe (Zlotin, 1963). 1-4 near Turianchai all winter (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Often nests in man-made constructions (e.g.house attics and under bridges), under rocks, among debrison pebble river islets, in crevices and occasionally in tree holes(Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; MP). Three nests under a roof of a house in Kusari and one in a fork of a large willow stand-ing in a river, 1.2 m above the water (Mustafaev, 1969a). Insettlements nests 0-7 m above the ground (Mustafaev, 1971a).Near Lenkoran nests built grass and lined with paper, moss,leaves and fur (Radde, 1884). Breeding season begins c. 16-24 April. Two clutches a year: 3-6 eg gs/clutch, but usually 4-5 (Mustafaev, 1971a). A female with eggs collected in Agsu Valley on May 8 th (Satunin, 1907). The young remain in nests9-14 days (Mustafaev, 1971a). In Zakatali District fledglings

observed from late May (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). InKusari District (the northeast) well-incubated clutches andnewly hatched chicks found in late June and fledglings inearly July (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Nesting success higher outside settlements: 53% vs. 35% (Mustafaev,1971a). A nest in Zakatali District contained a young Eur-asian Cuckoo (Mustafaev, 1969a).

MORTALITY: Often killed along highways and rural roads(Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971); also perishes in oil in AbsheronPeninsula during migration (Verestchagin, 1946).




Azeri name: Aladjahra


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common (lo-cally very common) at lower elevation of the southern slope,although ascends to 1,400-1,700 m in cleared river valleys (e.g.near Laza, Lagich and Djandakhar). Common in ShemakhaUpland, e.g. near Alti-Agach, Tchukhuryurt and Kirovka andadjacent lowlands. Occurs in lowlands in Kutkashen and Ismailly districts (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; MP). Common inKusari and Kuba districts in the northeast (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Probably occurs in foothills, but no publishedinformation.N AKHICHEVAN: Vicinity of Nakhichevan and Shahbuz (Rad-de, 1884; Khanmammedov, 1960) and probably elsewhere in Aras Valley.BOSDAGS: Probably in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Kura Valley, e.g. settle-ments of Shirvan Steppe; also in Shamkhor District, KarayasiForest, islets of Kura, Turianchai Valley and in Gandja (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP). Com-

mon in Aras Valley in Zangelan District (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Uncommon in southeastern Shirvan, butcommon in southern Mugan, Sara Peninsula and Lenkoran Low-land (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: A male seen on Pelikanyi Island (Baku Archipelago) on 21 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland, e.g. in Sam-ur Delta (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: North shore of Absheron Peninsulaand parks in Baku (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev,

FAMILY LANIIDAE - SHRIKES

247. Red-backed Shrike - Lanius collurio Linnaeus, 1758

1973a); also on Mount Beuk-Dash (Gobustan Upland) on 17May 1991 (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Hedgerows, forest edge, neglected or-chards, parks, scattered bushes (e.g. tamarisk, pistachio, Russianolive) in lowlands, foothills and mountains up to 1,700 m. (Gam-barov, 1954, 1975; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1960; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Patri-keev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April through May.COASTAL: In the 19th century observed near Lenkoran as early asearly April (Radde, 1884), but in the mid 20th century not re-corded in coastal areas until May, e.g. in Kizil Agach Reservefrom 6-8 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Arrivesin southeastern Shirvan 10-11 May (Patrikeev, 1991a). On 17

May 1991, a male on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains in early to mid April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: Mid August to mid October.COASTAL: From mid August (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1968). Latest sightings in Kizil Agach Reserve on September22nd and October 13th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In Kusari Dis-trict 2 nest/ha in orchards and bushes (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968). On the southern slope of Greater CaucasusMountains outnumbers many other species of songbirds (Gam-barov, 1954).

BREEDING: Nests in bushes (often in hawthorn bushes) 0.3-2.5 m (av. 0.6-0.8 m) above the ground. Nests built of rootletsand plant stems, and lined with rootlets, grass, fur and feath-ers. Measurements of a nest from Shemakha Upland were:diameter 9 cm, depth of the nest-cup 7 cm. A nest may weigh45-110 g, average 86 g (Radde, 1884; Khanmammedov &Mustafaev, 1960; Mustafaev, 1971a). Nesting season lasts fromlate April to late July-August (Mustafaev, 1971a). In Turian-chai Bosdag Mountains a male feeding a begging female ob-served as early as April 15th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b). Clutch contains 3-6 eggs (usually 5). Average eggsmeasurements: 22.2 x 16.3 mm, weight 2.9 g (Mustafaev &

Khanmammedov, 1968). In Kusari District eggs mostly laid inmid June (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968), but in Ismailly and Kutkashen districts and in Shemakha Upland nests witheggs found in July (Gambarov, 1954). Incubation lasts 14-15days. A newly-hatched chick weighs 2.3 g (av.) and reaches 26g on the 12th day (Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1960). Inone nest in Shemakha Upland the young hatched only on July 21st , and in Djari (Zakatali District), a nest with 4 large nest-lings on 30 July 1937 (Gambarov, 1954). Female remains onthe nest with the young until they are 5-7 days old while malefeeds them. At the beginning only male brings food to nest.



216


During a study in Shemakha Upland a male fed young 45-50times/day, and the female only 8-9 times/day. In Kusari Dis-trict a male brought food 7.5 times/hour on average, femaleonly 1.7 times/hour (Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1960;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). The young remain innests 14-15 days, but may leave earlier if disturbed, e.g. somefledged on 12th day in settlements. Nesting success varies from

38% in settlements to 51% in other habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a).In Karayasi Forest broods observed on 27 June and 1 July

1989 (MP), in Shemakha Upland fledglings recorded from late June (Gambarov, 1954) and in Sara Peninsula from mid July (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: Locusts, grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars, ants, bugs,spiders and molluscs (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

MORTALITY: Killed along highways and rural roads in Azer-baijan (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. SubspeciesL. s. niloticus Bonaparte, 1853.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Semi-desert

parts of Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland in Sheki (1 record), Kut-kashen and Ismailly districts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Kura Valley in Shamkhor District(Gambarov, 1975) and in Aras Valley in Zangelan District (Sat-unin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in the vicinity of Cape Pirsagatin 1989, but not found in the north of Shirvan Reserve in 1990(Patrikeev, 1991a). Uncommon in southern Mugan and Lenko-ran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). A pair in Sara Pen-insula on 8 May 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Two pairs in Samur Delta in May 1989

(Butiev et al., 1990a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Rare in Absheron Peninsula (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958). Nested on Mount Beuk-Dash (Go-bustan Upland) in 1990 and 1991 (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-deserts with scattered Russian olive,pistachio, tamarisk and Paliurus australis in lowlands and low mountains. Near Cape Pirsagat nests in tiny bush patches andsingle bushes, but not recorded in a 0.05 ha patch of Russianolive. Absent from some visually suitable habitats (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Patrikeev, 1991a).

248. Woodchat Shrike - Lanius senator Linnaeus, 1758

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: April?COASTAL: Small numbers recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve andSara Peninsula 7-10 May (Tugarinov, 1950). Probably arrivesearlier, because nesting recorded in early May (MP).Fall passage: Probably leaves early.COASTAL: One observed in Turianchai Valley on 14 July 1963(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Perhaps latest record

in the area.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In May 1989,1.5 pairs/ha in semi-desert near Cape Pirsagat, southeasternShirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a); 1 pair on Mount Beuk-Dush, Go-bustan Upland in 1990-1991 (MP); 5-6 pairs/km in TurianchaiBosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: In southeastern Shirvan, 3 nests in Russian ol-ive and 3 in tamarisks (e.g. in one surrounded by water), 0.9-1.5 m above the ground (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Turianchai Bos-dag Mountains and Mingechaur District nests in Paliurus aus-

tralis and pistachio, e.g. one at 1.7 m (Satunin, 1907; Vinogra-

dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Nests built of grass, twigs andsheep wool and lined with sheep wool. Probably renovatesand reuses old nests in southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, a new nest was 200-250 mfrom a previous-year nest (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b). Clutch contains 5-7 eggs. In southeastern Shirvan lays30 April-19 May. Incubation lasts 14-15 days. In 1989 hatch-ing observed from May 14th, and fledging 27 May-5 June (Patri-keev, 1991a). In Mingechaur District several nests on 19 May 1894 (Satunin, 1907). A nest with 4 fresh eggs in TurianchaiBosdag Mountains on 19 May 1962 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b). In southeastern Shirvan 25 chicks hatched from30 eggs in 5 nests, 3 eggs were infertile and 2 were knocked

out of a nest by grazing camels. A European Cuckoo observedand chased by the adults in the vicinity of the nests, but nocuckoo eggs or chicks were recorded (Patrikeev, 1991a). On22 June 1990 an adult with a fledgling on Mount Beuk-Dush,Gobustan Upland (Patrikeev, 1991b).

DIET: Mostly grasshoppers fed to brooding females and theyoung in southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).




Azeri name: Aladjahra (all shrikes)


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common inlowland adjacent to the southern slope and in the foothills up to700-800 m: in Zakatali (e.g. in Tsilbanchai Gorge), Sheki, Kut-kashen and Ismailly districts (Gambarov, 1954); uncommon inKusari and Kuba District in the northeast (Khanmammedov &Mustafaev, 1968; Shelton, 2001).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shamkhor-chai Valley in foothills of Shahdag Ridge near Kedabek, Bargushad Valley near Lachin (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907).N AKHICHEVAN: Vicinity of Ordubad, Nakhichevan and Shah-buz. Up to 2,000 m in mountains, e.g. near Yukhari-Ailis (Rad-

de, 1884; Khanmammedov, 1960; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Common in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, e.g. in Shamkhor District and villages and towns of Shirvan Steppe (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a;Gambarov, 1975; MP), Gandja and Gandja-chai Valley (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (e.g. at Lake Mah-mud-chala), Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve andSara Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991c; MP). Rare insoutheastern Shirvan where bushes and trees are scarce

(Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common in the vicinity of Khachmas(Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1968). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including parksin Baku and suburbs (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958: Mus-tafaev, 1973a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Orchards, woodlots, roadside treebelts,bush patches, backyards and single trees in river valleys, settle-ments and semi-desert in lowlands and foothills, although as-cends to 2,000 m in Nakhichevan Region and Zuvand Upland

249. Lesser Grey Shrike - Lanius minor Gmelin, 1788

(Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a;Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April to late May.COASTAL: Collected near Lenkoran as early as 18 April 1866 (Rad-

de, 1884). Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve between April 29th

and May 7th with conspicuous passage 8-23 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). First sighting at Shorgel Lakes on April26th (Patrikeev, 1991a).INTERIOR : A small flock in Kura Valley north of Gandja on 27 April 1895 (Satunin, 1907). Arrives in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains 2-15 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: Late August-early September.COASTAL: Decreases in Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland in late August(Gambarov, 1954). Latest sighting in Sara Peninsula on Septem-ber 6th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Outnum-

bers other shrikes in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and Kizil Agach Reser ve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a, b),and matches Red-backed Shrike in Samur-Divichi Lowland.0.1 nests/ha in neglected orchards of Kusari District (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Rare in southeastern Shir- van: 2 pairs (5 km apart) south of Cape Pirsagat in 1989; 2pairs at Shorgel Lakes and 1 pair in Khaladz in 1990 (Patri-keev, 1991a).

BREEDING: Nests in trees and bushes (e.g. tamarisk andRussian olive) 1.8-12 m above the ground. On average, nests were higher in settlements (4 m) compared to 2.5 m in oth-er habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a). Nest is built of twigs and

sheep wool and lined with soft plant material (Satunin, 1907;Patrikeev, 1991a). Nesting starts in early to mid May, short-ly after arrival. Clutch contains 4-6 eggs; average measure-ments 26 x 19 mm (Radde, 1884). In Kizil Agach Reserve,Sara Peninsula and southeastern Shirvan lays during 24-30May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev,1991a). In the northeast (Kusari) nests with eggs found inearly June (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). In SaraPeninsula chicks hatched in mid June (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). The young remain in nests 13-17 days.In settlements c. 46% of nestlings have fledged, and 54%in other habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Stomachs of individuals collected in Greater Caucasuscontained beetles (weevils, click beetles, leaf beetles), locusts,grasshoppers, flies, wheat grain, other seed and fine rock frag-ments (Gambarov, 1954).



218


STATUS: Uncommon migrant and rare wintering species, acci-dental in summer. Subspecies L. e. excubitor Linnaeus, 1758 andL. e. homeyeri Cabanis, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: BOSDAG: Observed in Turianchai

Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), butnesting is unlikely.Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: 3 records in Zuvand Upland in Jan-uary and February 1969 (Agaeva, 1969).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: The vicinity of Mingechaur and Turian-chai (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Both L. e. excubitor and L. e. homeyeri col-lected in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b). One taken in SaraPeninsula on 23 January 1954 and another observed at Kali-novsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve on 24 March 1959 (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Pairs and single individuals in SamurDelta 22 February-13 March (Butiev et al., 1990a).

250. Great Grey Shrike - Lanius excubitor Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: MIGRATION AND WINTER : Thickets of pomegranate,hawthorn, blackberry and tamarisk (Gambarov, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to late May.COASTAL: In Samur Delta, 1-4 daily from March 28th through

April 5th

; left by May (Butiev et al., 1990a). In Kizil Agach Re-serve, a female collected on 18 May 1955 (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).Fall passage: Mid August to late November.COASTAL: Migrates through Samur Delta from mid August to lateNovember: up to 3 daily from mid August to early September 1988,but only 3 records in 1989 (between August 25th and October 10th ).More common in November (Butiev et al., 1990a). In Kizil AgachReserve, one recorded on 25 September 1935 (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938) and another in late November 1989 (MP).INTERIOR : On 6 November 1896, one collected near Novo-Gore-loe in foothills near Gandja (Satunin, 1907). Passes throughMingechaur District (Gambarov, 1975).

STATUS: Irregularly wintering species (locally common in cold winters). Subspecies B. g. garrulus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: Apparently arrives in Azerbaijan only in cold winters.GREATER C AUCASUS: Recorded on Mount Alibek (Zakatali Dis-trict), e.g. on 19 January 1938 (Gambarov, 1954).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Irregular in Sara Peninsula: 1 on 16 Feb-ruary 1952, 3 on 10 February 1958 and 2 on 13 March 1958(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Adult female collectednear Lenkoran on 18 December 1879 (Radde, 1884). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Common in Absheron Peninsula andBaku in cold winters (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968; MP); alsorecorded in Gobustan Upland, e.g. near the village of Gobust-an (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

FAMILY BOMBYCILLIDAE - WAXWINGS

251. Waxwing - Bombycilla garrulus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: W INTER : Parks, gardens, juniper woodlands andforests in lowlands and mountains up to the tree limits (Gam-barov, 1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Gazanchian &Mustafaev, 1968; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring: Leaves Baku in late April (MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: In Baku, 40-45 on 25 March1962 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968). Flocks of 20-25 com-mon in Baku parks in March 1979 (MP).

DIET: Fruits of wild rose, exotic Sophora japonica and probably juniper berries (Gambarov, 1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; MP).

Azeri name: Sarikoinak


o. oriolus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common infoothills and the adjacent lowland (e.g. in Zakatali District), al-though ascends up to 1,800 m in Girdimanchai Valley, Ismailly District (Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b). In the northeast, occurs in Kusari and Kuba districts

FAMILY ORIOLIDAE - OLD WORLD ORIOLES

252. Golden Oriole - Oriolus oriolus Linnaeus, 1758

including Kusarchai Valley (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968; Shelton, 2001; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed on southern slopes of KarabakhRidge (Mukhtarov, 1991), but probably inhabits lower elevationselsewhere (MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Vicinity of Ordubad and Gansa; also in Bichenek Forest (Zangezur Ridge) at 2,000 m (Laister & Sosnin, 1942;Mukhtarov, 1991). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Present (Drozdov, 1965; MP).





220


District (Khanmammedov, 1960; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in settlements of Kura Valley, e.g. Shirvan Steppe, Barda, Evlakh, Shamkhor and Tauz

districts, and Karayasi Forest; also in Gandja, the mouth of Ioriand Alazani Valley. Western Mil and Mugan steppes (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b;Mustafaev, 1968b, 1969, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).S. v. caucasicus: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali-Ismailly Low-land east of Zakatali District, and Shemakha Upland, e.g. near Alti-Agach, Shemakha and Sharadil (Gambarov, 1954; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Fragmented montane forests and ZuvandUpland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Shirvan, Mil and Mugan steppeseastwards (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1969).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan, southern Mugan(e.g. near Belasuvar and Lake Mahmud-chala), Sara Peninsula,

Kizil Agach Reservoir and Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1907,1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Ki-azimov, 1966a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Observed on Los Island (Baku Ar-chipelago) 7-8 km from the mainland (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland south toDivichi and Gandov (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Very common in Absheron Penin-sula including Baku. South of Baku, mostly confined to settle-ments along the Caspian shore (e.g. Gobustan) and man-madeconstructions in adjacent semi-desert. Also in northern GobustanUpland, e.g. near Maraza and Karasakhala (Satunin, 1907; Gam-

barov & Gazanchian, 1958; Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Villages in forest zone and ZuvandUpland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Shirvan Steppe and elsewhere in Kura-Aras Lowland including villages and towns, e.g. inMingechaur District, Turianchai Valley and Karayasi Steppe. Largenumbers winter at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Vino-gradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common in southern Mugan, e.g. atLake Mahmud-chala, Kizil Agach Reserve and Lenkoran Low-land (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938;Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev et al., 1969; Mustafaev, 1972; MP). Probably wintersin southeastern Shirvan (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Throughout Absheron Peninsula, e.g.

in Shah Spit, Baku and the suburbs, Sumgait and other settle-ments. Also in Gobustan Upland (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Mustafaev, 1977; Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Villages, towns, man-made constructionsin semi-desert and elsewhere, broad-leaved and tugai forests (usu-ally close to edges) and woodlots in lowlands, foothills andmountains up to 2,200 m. At present, more common in anthro-pogenic habitats in lowlands (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Drozdov, 1965; Patrikeev, 1991a, MP). W INTER AND MIGRATION: Orchards, parks, gardens, arable lands, villages and towns, bush thickets, wetlands and semi-desert inlowlands, foothills and uplands up to 2,000 m, e.g. in Zuvand

Upland. Often roosts in extensive reedbeds in lakes and marsh-es (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938;Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vi-nogradov, 1967; Mustafaev et al., 1969; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

MOVEMENT:Spring passage: Early February through mid May.COASTAL: S. v. vulgaris and S. v. poltaratskyi leave Absheron Penin-sula in early and mid February (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).In Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula spring passage re-corded from March 11th through April 12th (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a). On 7 April 1990, flocks seen in northernGobustan Upland (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Shamkhor District flocks seen prior

to May 17th

(Gambarov, 1975).Fall passage: Early October to early December.COASTAL: Fall passage of subspecies nesting in Azerbaijan is in-conspicuous. In 1952-1955, S. v. vulgaris and S. v. poltaratskyi ar-rived at Absheron Peninsula from early November with peak inearly December (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). In Kizil Agach Reserve, conspicuous passage occurred 1-2 December(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In early October, migration in Kura Val-ley near Karayasi (Radde, 1884). In the second half of Novem-ber, large flocks in river valleys in Shamkhor and Mingechaurdistricts (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 50,000-100,000pairs or greater (MP). Up to 400 individuals in Sara Peninsula inthe late 1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Na-khichevan Region, 10-15 nests/colony, but up to 100 nests/colony in Norashen District (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1965). On 24 June 1958, 800-1,000 (c.70% were newly-fledgedyoung) at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Passage: SPRING: Flocks of 50-500 in northern Gobustan Up-land on 7 April 1990 (MP).Winter: Probably 100,000-500,000 individuals or greater (MP).




In the mid 19th century, thousands near Arab (Shirvan Steppe),and “millions” in lower parts of Kura and Aras valleys (Radde,1884). On 22 January 1958, 25/km in semi-desert of Kizil AgachReserve, mostly near sheep flocks (Dobrokhotov, 1963); in Shir- van Steppe in January 1961: 23.7/km in grazed clayey semi-desert, 3.9/km in ungrazed semi-desert, and only 0.08/km in wetlands (Zlotin, 1963). In winter 1961/1962, thousands in

Turianchai Valley and Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). In the early 1960s, up to 10,000roosted in reedbeds of Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Vinogradov,1967), and flocks of 1,000-2,500 arriving at the roost in January 1991 (MP). Up to 130/km2 in Sumgait (Mustafaev, 1977).

BREEDING: At present, majority of nests are in man-madeconstructions, e.g. under roofs of houses, cracks in house walls,bird-houses, hollow powerline poles, metal pipes, cavities inconcrete blocks and dry wells in towns, villages and semi-desert.Natural nesting sites include tree cavities (e.g. often in tugai for-est), rock crevices and burrows including those of bee-eatersand rollers, and communal nests of Spanish Sparrows (Satunin,

1907; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a; Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1965, 1968; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Patri-keev, 1991a; MP). In Karayasi Forest, occupied tree cavities indead poplars 6-16 m above the ground (MP). Nests lined withgrass and leaves (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Colo-nial nester: 4-200 nests/colony (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1971a).In northern Gobustan Upland and Divichi District, nested inmixed colonies with European Bee-eaters and European Roll-ers (Satunin, 1907).Sings in Kizil Agach Reserve from mid February. Occupies nest-boxes in Sara Peninsula 1-3 March (Vinogradov & Tchernia-

vskaya, 1965a). Up to 2 clutches a year, sometimes 3 in settle-ments; 4-7 eggs (av. 5)/clutch. Egg size: 28.8-29.0 x 21.0-21.9mm, weight 7.0-7.8 g (Mustafaev, 1971a). Incubation in early March near Lenkoran (Radde, 1884). On 20 April 1958, nests in20 bird-boxes in Sara Peninsula contained 1-7 eggs (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Nests later in other areas: c. 7-20 April in Kura Lowland (Mustafaev, 1971a); nest-building inShamkhor District on May 3rd (Gambarov, 1975). In Shirvan

Reserve, nest-building from early April to May (Patrikeev, 1991a).In Sara Peninsula, not all pairs lay second clutches. On June16th, only 6 of 20 examined bird-boxes were occupied: 3 con-tained eggs and 3 chicks (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).In southeastern Shirvan, young hatch in late April (Patrikeev,1991a). In the vicinity of Shemakha, adults carrying food ob-served from mid May (Gambarov, 1954) and in Karayasi Forest

on June 10th

(MP). In Gandov (the northeast), nests containedsmall and full-grown nestlings, but also fresh and well incubat-ed eggs on June 15th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1958). InSara Peninsula, the young of the first brood fledged in mid May,and the second brood between June 22nd and July 5th (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In southeastern Shirvan, firstfledglings recorded on May 15th and the majority fledged onMay 22nd (Patrikeev, 1991a). In the vicinity of Shemakha, fledg-lings seen from early June (Gambarov, 1954). In Karayasi for-est, first fledglings from June 12th, but nests with young (secondbrood?) until June 30th (MP). Some young ringed in Sara Penin-sula were recovered there at a later date (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: In Divichi, Khachmas and Shemakha districts, stomachscontained ground beetles, cicadas, grasshoppers and locusts. Fourof the stomachs also contained grains of wheat and barley. Theyoung are fed insects at first, and berries later (Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Common Starlings feedin semi-desert, e.g. often around herds of livestock, also in set-tlements including dumps (Satunin, 1907; Kokshaisky & Mus-tafaev, 1967; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MORTALITY: Large numbers perish during cold winter. In cold winters of 1950 and 1964, tens of dead Common Starlings foundon streets and in yards. Perhaps >80% of Common Starlings

wintering in towns perished during cold winter of 1969 (Mus-tafaev, 1964; Mustafaev et al., 1969). In January 1990, many deadstarlings found in Baku after a snowstorm (E. Sultanov, pers.comm.; MP). Others get killed on roads, short-circuited andalso perish in oil (Verestchagin, 1946; Alekperov & Mustafaev,1971; E. Sultanov, pers. comm.). In the vicinity of Lake Aggel(Mil Steppe), shepherds hunted Common Starlings for food,e.g. in January 1991 (MP).

Azeri name: Ala sigirchin


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution is poorly knownpartly because nesting is irregular and nesting localities changebetween years.GREATER C AUCASUS: Recorded in lowlands near Ismailly andShemakha (Gambarov, 1954).N AKHICHEVAN: From Aras Valley up to 1,700-1,800 m. Coloniesfound in the vicinity of Sadarak, Norashen, Yukhari-Yaidji,Kechili and Bichenek (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).

254. Rose-coloured Starling - Pastor roseus Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Steppe, Korchai Game Reserve,

Mugan Steppe, e.g. at the confluence of Kura and Aras; also in Aras Valley in Djabrail District (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907,1912b; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Occurred in southern Mugan and Len-koran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b), but no re-cent records. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Northern and central parts of Go-bustan Upland, e.g. near Maraza (nested in 1990) and Sum-gait-chai Gorge (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; V. Bairam-ov, pers. comm.).



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HABITAT: NESTING: Semi-desert from lowlands to uplands to1,700-1,800 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev &Khanmammedov, 1965).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through May.COASTAL: Arrives in Lenkoran Lowland from mid April (Radde,1884). Common in Kizil Agach Reserve during 8-12 May (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). A flock of 40-50 near CapePirsagat on 10 May 1989, but only one on May 14th (Patrikeev,1991a) and in mid May in Khudat District (Shelton, 2001). Re-corded near Maraza (northern Gobustan Upland) on May 1st

(Satunin, 1907) and in western Absheron Peninsula in May (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Kura-Aras Lowland from mid April (Satunin, 1907), and in Nakhichevan Region c. May 7th (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). Also in May in the vicinity of Gandja (Satunin, 1907). Several in flocks of Common Starlingsin Shamkhor District during 10-20 May (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Up to 100,000 birdsin Karayasi Steppe in 1865 (Radde, 1884). In Nakhichevan Region,6-15 pairs/colony, although a colony of 70-80 pairs near Yukhari- Yaidji, Norashen District (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965).On 18 July 1958, 100-200 adults and young near Sbrosnoyi Chan-nel, Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

BREEDING: Observed in a colony near Maraza, GobustanUpland in late May-early June 1990 (V. Bairamov, pers. comm.). Adults with young flying well (probably nested in Mugan Steppe)seen in Kizil Agach Reserve on 18 July 1958 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

DIET: In the 19th century huge flocks of Rose-coloured Star-lings followed flocks of locusts through semi-deserts of Azer-baijan. This habit of eating locusts earned this species a sympa-thy and protection from local people, although Rose-colouredStarlings are also known to feed on fruits in vineyards, cherry and mulberry orchards (Satunin, 1907, 1912b).

Azeri name: Zih-zih, Boyagchi, Mesha sahsagani

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some altitudinal move-ments. Subspecies: G. g. krynicki Kaleniczenko, 1839 and G. g.

hyrcanus Blanford, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: G. g. krynicki: GREATER C AUCA-SUS: Very common in forests and anthropogenic habitats on the

FAMILY CORVIDAE - CROWS, JAYS AND ALLIES

255. Eurasian Jay - Garrulus glandarius Linnaeus, 1758

southern slope, e.g. in Zakatali, Kutkashen and Vartashen dis-tricts, Ismailly and Ilisu reserves, and in Shemakha Upland in-cluding all three sections of Pirgulu Reserve and Alti-AgachReserve (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d). Also very com-mon in the northeast: Kuba and Kusari District including the vicinity of Kusari (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in Geigel Reserve (Murovdag Ridge),southern slope of Murovdag Range in Nagorno-Karabakh Re-gion, e.g. near Stepanokert and Shusha, in vicinity of Kedabek and in Agdam, but probably elsewhere (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and tugai in Turianchai

Valley (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest, tugai and thickets of Shamkhor District, the mouth of Iori and Barda Forest (Gam-barov, 1975; MP), settlements of Shirvan Steppe, e.g. in Kur-damir District including the town of Kurdamir (Mustafaev,1969a, 1971a). Not recorded in lower Kura (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and coastal forests and woodlots between Yalama and Khudat (Drozdov, 1965; MP).G. g. hyrcanus: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Throughout the moun-tains including Ulasi Ridge (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990).




SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; MP).Winter: In winter some descend to lowlands, while others re-main in mountains. It is not known whether the two subspeciesoverlap in winter.GREATER C AUCASUS: Mountains, e.g. in Zakatali District (Gam-barov, 1954).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Observed in foothills of Talish Mountains(Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Some descend to Kura Valley in Novem-ber, e.g. common in Mingechaur District from where there wereno summer records (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Villages and towns of Lenkoran Low-land (Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One collected in northern AbsheronPeninsula on 29 November 1939, (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: Broad-leaved forests, juniper woodlands, densescrub, orchards and planted trees in settlements in lowlands,foothills and mountains; also tugai forest in river valleys (Gam-

barov, 1954, 1975; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mus-tafaev, 1969a, 1972, 1976).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably >1,000-1,500 pairs(MP). G. g. hyrcanus : average 1/km2 in lowland forests and over-grown clearings, but 9/km2 in foothill forests (Mustafaev, 1976).Only 0.17/km in Turianchai Reserve in the early 1960 (Vino-

gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), but 3 pairs in eastern part of the reserve in April-May 1991 (MP).Winter: G. g. hyrcanus : 1-19/km2 in lowlands and 4-28/km2 inmountains. Density depends on presence/absence of snow cover with higher counts on snowy days (Mustafaev, 1976).

BREEDING: In Talish mountains and Lenkoran Lowland,

pairs from early April and nest building from mid April (Mus-tafaev, 1976). In the northeast and Kura Lowland, nesting sea-son starts c. 16-20 April and lasts until c. July 20 th (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Mustafaev, 1971a). In the north-east, 20 nests in oaks and 13 in hawthorns, 1.2-5 m (average2.4 m) above the ground (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1968). In the southeast, 8 of 9 recorded nests were in smalloaks (diameter 11-16 cm). In settlements, nests built as high as7 m above the ground (Mustafaev, 1971a, 1976). In the south-east, eggs laid in late April-early May, usually 3-6 eggs (usually 4)/clutch. Egg measurements: 25.2-31.5 x 20.0-23.6 mm, weight 7.5-8.9 g. Incubation lasts 15-18 days. The young re-main in nests 17-20 days. In settlements, only 36% of nest-

lings fledge compared to 45% in other habitats (Mustafaev,1971a, 1976). In Karayasi forest, broods recorded 5-12 June1989 and a nest with 1 large nestling on June 26th (MP).

DIET: Scarab, ground, click and leaf beetles, wood borers (Bu-prestidae), stink bugs, locusts, corn and wheat in the northeast(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

Azeri name: Sahsagan; Gadzala

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some winter move-ments. Subspecies P. p. pica Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Up to 1,800 m on thesouthern slope and in the adjacent lowland, e.g. in Zakatali, Sheki, Vartashen and Kutkashen districts, vicinity of Lagich and Djan-dakhar (Ismailly District), near Agsu, and in Shemakha Upland,e.g. near Pirgulu and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov,

256. Magpie - Pica pica Linnaeus, 1758

1965; Patrikeev, 1991d). Foothills in Kusari and Kuba Districtsin the northeast (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev &

Khanmammedov, 1968).LESSER C AUCASUS: The only published sightings were from AgdamDistrict (Satunin, 1907), but probably widespread in foothillsand adjacent lowland (Mustafaev, 1960b).N AKHICHEVAN: Julfa, Ordubad and Babek districts (Satunin, 1907;Khanmammedov, 1960). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Villages of Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965;Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and tugai forest in Turianchai Valley (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Kura Valley: edges of Karayasi Forest, vicinity of Akstafa, thickets and tugai of Shamkhor District, the mouth of Iori, Alazani Valley, Barda

Forest especially near Tchilabilar where Terter River joins Kura,Kurdamir, Zardob and Udjari districts, Agjabedi and its vicinity,at lakes Bos-Koba and Sarisu, and near Saliani (Radde, 1884;Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1974a; Gambarov, 1975; Sul-tanov & Musaev, 1989; MP). Also in Aras Valley in Fisuli andZangelan districts (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, e.g. near Astrakhanbazarand Lake Mahmud-chala, Masalli District (Satunin, 1912b; Patrikeev,1991c). Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), but common in Lenkoran Lowland,e.g. lowland section of Girkan Reserve (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965;



224


Mustafaev, 1972). In southeastern Shirvan, north to the Main Shir- van Channel; observed at Lake Kichik-Shorgel (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland (Satunin,1907; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).Winter: ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Prior to the 1960s, Magpies wintered in orchards in the north of Absheron Peninsula (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958), but no recent records (Sultanov &

Karabanova, 1989).

HABITAT: Y EAR -ROUND: Bush thickets, woodlands, tugai forests,scattered juniper woodlands, semi-desert with tamarisk patches,orchards, clearings, villages and towns in lowlands and mountainsup to 2,000 m. Observed in extensive reedbeds and near wetlands,but not clear whether it nests there. Often feeds in pastures andclearings (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Mus-tafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1972; Patrikeev, 1991a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: 2,000-5,000 pairs or greater(MP). In Astrakhanbazar District (southern Mugan), 90 nests(active and old)/km in roadside treebelts in 1990 (MP). In Turi-

anchai Bosdag Mountains, 0.4 /km in juniper woodlands, and 1/km in Turianchai Valley (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).In the late 1950s, only 2-3 pairs in Kizil Agach Reserve and 1pair in Sara Peninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Insoutheastern Shirvan, 1.2-2 pairs/km (Patrikeev, 1991a).

Winter: In January 1961, 3.1 /km in clayey semi-desert andbush thickets in Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Nests in shrubs and small trees. In settlements of Kura Valleys, nests 1.6-21 m (av. 6.5 m) above the ground, but only 0.6-6.5 m (av. 2.4 m) in other habitats (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a). Insoutheastern Shirvan, nests in tamarisk 4-6 m above the ground.Usually a pair has several nests on its territory (Patrikeev, 1991a).

Pairs 150 m apart in the vicinity of Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954),and 500-800 m apart in southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).Mating from late March (Satunin, 1907). Clutch contains 3-9 eggs,but usually 4-7 eggs. In Kura Lowland, egg-laying from early Marchto late June, peaking after mid April (Mustafaev, 1971a). A nest with 7 eggs at Shorgel Lakes on 15 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a),but nests near Alti-Agach contained 1 and 2 eggs, respectively, on

14 May 1939 (Gambarov, 1954). Near Kusari (the northeast), eggsmostly laid in mid May (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). Theyoung remain in nests 20-26 days (Mustafaev, 1971a). On 9 June1989, a brood of 4 observed near edge of Karayasi Forest (MP). Inthe southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains, fledglings seenfrom mid June (Gambarov, 1954). Nesting success is lower in set-tlements (56%) compared to 72% elsewhere (Mustafaev, 1971a).Domed nests of Magpies provide good protection and vacantor abandoned nests are frequently used by other bird species. Inmid Kura, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Hobby, Long-eared Owl,Scops Owl and even Tawny Owl and European Roller usedMagpie nests for nesting (Mustafaev, 1963a, 1969).

DIET: Stomachs from Greater Caucasus Mountains contained weevils, ground beetles, locusts, grasshoppers, crickets, molluscs,seed and berries (Gambarov, 1954). Some individuals regularly stealeggs and chicks of other bird species and sometimes of poultry (Satunin, 1907). Regularly forages around cattle, domestic waterbuffalo and other livestock (Kokshaisky & Mustafaev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Some perish during cold winters. During a heavy snowstorm on 8 March 1898, a yard of a post station in Agdam was full of Magpies looking for shelter (Satunin, 1907). Frequently killed on roads (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971), some are short-circuited while perching in hydro-poles (Sultanov et al., 1991) andothers perished in oil in Absheron Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Girmizidimdick

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies P. p. docilis S. G.Gmelin, 1774.

257. Red-billed Chough - Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Linnaeus, 1758

DISTRIBUTION: Poorly known. In cold winters some descendfrom mountains to valleys while others remain in the moun-tains and uplands year-round (Gambarov, 1954).GREATER C AUCASUS: Alpine zone of Zakatali District (c. 3,000m), mountains of Kutkashen District, and in the vicinity of Laza on Mount Shahdag (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in Shahdag Ridge, e.g. in upperShamkhorchai Valley and above Kedabek (Radde, 1884).

N AKHICHEVAN: Common from mid elevations up to 2,380 m inZangezur Range: at least 10 colonies near Garadash, Batabat,Khoshlu, Kechimli, Khanaga, Nusnus, Yukhari-Ailis, Akulis; alsonear Lake Ganligel in Shahdag District and on Mount Ilandag in Julfa District (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Low semi-arid mountains (100-400m) in Gobustan Upland (cliffs of Pirsagat Valley near Khanaga,Mount Djingirdag west of Sangachal, Mounts Karadag, Karagez




and the vicinity, and possibly Mount Beuk-Dash) and western Absheron Peninsula, e.g. vicinity Shubani and Puta, MountsShihi-gaya and Atmandag (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes, cliffs and ledges in low semi-arid mountains (100-400 m) and high mountains up to 3,000 m(Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov,

1961; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. In Nakhichevan Region,15-20 nests/colony, but 50-55 nests in a colony near Khanaga(Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). Flocks of 55-65 in

Zakatali District in June (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985) and aflock of 200 on Mount Gamzigora, Zakatali District on 23 August 1937 (Gambarov, 1954). In Gobustan Upland, pairs nestseparately (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov, 1961; MP).

BREEDING: Lives in flocks throughout most of the year. InGobustan Upland, two nests in cliff crevices 10 and 15 m above

the ground. Nests with young in June 1948 and 27 June 1954,and fledglings in late June (Burchak-Abramovich & Gambarov,1961). In alpine zone of Zakatali District, not in pairs until early June. In Zakatali Reserve, also nests in cliff crevices (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Rare resident. Not clear whether P. g. graculus Linnae-us 1766 or P. g. forsythi Stoliczka, 1874 occurs in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Poorly known.

GREATER C AUCASUS: At 3,000-3,600 m in Zakatali District, e.g.Mounts Ruchug, Guton, and possibly Kala and Gudor in ZakataliReserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985); also on Mounts Baz-ar-Duzu and Shahdag (MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Mounts Giamish and Kapaz, Murovdag Ridge(Gasanov, 1990; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: At 2,800-3,900 m in Zangezur Ridge including Mounts Kapudjik and Soukh (Satunin, 1907; Dahl, 1954).

258. Alpine Chough - Pyrrhocorax graculus Linnaeus, 1766

HABITAT: Cliffs and rocky slopes in alpine zone at alti-tude 2,800-3,900 m (Satunin, 1907; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No information. Flocks observed inZakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: In 1969-1970 nests seen in inaccessible cliffs onMounts Ruchug and Guton, Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

Azeri name: Dolasha, Tahan

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, migrant and wintering species. Subspecies C. m. monedula Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Formerly common in Kuba District (Satu-nin, 1907), but no recent records. Not found on the southernslope (Gambarov, 1954).

259. Jackdaw - Corvus monedula Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but may occur.

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Nested near Gedara in 1970-1971 (Agae- va, 1972).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Occurs in settlements of Shirvan Steppe,e.g. a colony in Kurdamir in 1955 and 1956 (Mustafaev, 1969a).Rare in tugai of Shamkhor District (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Old records from southern Mugan (Sat-unin, 1912b) and Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884). No recentinformation. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Nested in cliffs at Lake Hadjikabul(Satunin, 1907).Winter: Apparently nomadic in winter.N AKHICHEVAN: Old records from this region (Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Winters in Talish Mountains (Mustafaev,

1968a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963). Formerly common east of Mingechaur, especially in cold winters (Satu-nin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland and Sara Peninsula (Rad-de, 1884; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Roaming flocks observed in Absher-on Peninsula (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved and tugai forests, orchards,parks and other planted trees in settlements, and cliffs; from



226


lowlands to uplands (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a; Agaeva,1972; Gambarov, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Appeared near Len-koran in mid February and remained until early spring (Radde,1884). In Kizil Agach Reserve, single birds in late March (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Fall passage: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A flock in Turianchai Valley on September 30th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Ob-served in Mingechaur District in late November (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably <2,000 pairs. Pos-sibly declining (MP). In Kura Lowland: 4-12 nests in 6 coloniesin settlements, and 15-250 (av. 85) nests in 17 colonies in otherhabitats (Mustafaev, 1971a). Single pairs in Talish Mountains(Agaeva, 1972).

Passage: SPRING: Several hundred near Lenkoran in mid Feb-ruary (Radde, 1884).

F ALL: A flock of 30 in Turianchai Valley on 30 September 1961(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Winter: In Shirvan Steppe, 2.5/km in tugai and tamarisk thick-ets, 2.4/km in grazed semi-desert and 0.1/km in ungrazed semi-desert in January 1961, (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Cavities in oaks, poplars and other trees, bur-

rows of Eurasian Rollers and cliff crevices (Satunin, 1907;Mustafaev, 1969a; Agaeva, 1972). Radde (1884) reported nest-ing in stick nests in Lenkoran Lowland. No nests in man-made structures reported from Azerbaijan. Eggs on April13th in Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884), and nestlings inKuba District during the first half of May (Satunin, 1907).In Talish Mountains, a nest in a cliff crevice (5.5 m abovethe ground) contained 5 and 6 young on 4 June 1971 and 4 June 1970, respect ively. Both broods successfully fledged(Agaeva, 1972).

260. Rook - Corvus frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758

Azeri name: Zakhcha, Zakhdza

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies C. f. frugilegus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Lowlands of Azerbaijan.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland in Ismailly andKutkashen districts (Gambarov, 1954).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common in Kura Valley in Akstafa, Tauz,Mingechaur, Agdash, Evlakh, Barda, Zardob and Kurdamir dis-tricts (e.g. colonies in Kurdamir and Mollakend in the latter).Colonies also near Karasy, Ali-Bairamli, Saliani, Bank, Neftechalaand Gandja (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1960a, 1969,1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP), and in Mil Steppe including reed-beds of Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Formerly nested in southern Mugan, SaraPeninsula and Lenkoran Lowland, e.g. in Lenkoran and Astara.Disappeared from Sara by 1948, and from Lenkoran Lowlandduring the 1950s-early 1960s. Driving factors behind its disap-

pearance from the southeast are unknown (Satunin, 1912b; Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1960a; 1974a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Reedbeds of Divichi Liman (Burchak- Abramovich & Tuaev, 1960). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Summers in Absheron Peninsula, butprobably does not nest there (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Winter: Mostly remain within the nesting range.N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in Nakhichevan region (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Lakes Aggel and Bos-Koba in Mil Steppe,Shirvan and Mugan steppes, Mingechaur District and KarayasiSteppe (Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov, 1967; Gambarov, 1975; Sul-

tanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland,Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: From the late 1960s-early 1970s, reg-ularly winters in Absheron Peninsula including dumps near Baku(Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Planted trees in villages and towns, parks,orchards, roadside treebelts, tugai forests and reedbeds in lakesand marshes (Mustafaev, 1960a; Burchak-Abramovich & Tu-aev, 1960; Vinogradov, 1967). W INTER : Semi-desert, wetlands,

pastures, settlements, dumps; often roosts in reedbeds (Vino-gradov, 1967; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves Sara Penin-sula by February 18th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Passage recorded in Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; MP).INTERIOR : Some cross over Greater Caucasus Mountains, e.g. atMount Alibek (Zakatali District) on 16 March 1937 (Gambarov,1954), and over Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 19 March 1962(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).




Fall passage: COASTAL: Observed in Absheron Peninsula in fall(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), e.g. in Baku in late October-early November 1990 (MP). First flocks arrive at Kizil AgachReserve on October 22nd (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 4,000-5,000 pairsin the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). 37 colonies with 6,936 active

and inactive nests in 1955-1957 (Mustafaev, 1960a). Additional-ly, c. 100 pairs in a colony of Divichi Liman in 1959 (Burchak- Abramovich & Tuaev, 1960); >1,000 pairs in two colonies atLake Aggel (Mil Steppe) in the early 1960s and c. 5,000 adultsand fledglings at one of the colonies in June (Vinogradov, 1967).In April 1991, c. 50 pairs in Karrar, Kurdamir District (MP).Passage: SPRING: Ivkin observed a flock of 250 at Mount Ali-bek, Zakatali District on 16 March 1937 (Gambarov, 1954), andc. 2,500 over Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 19 March 1962(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Winter: Shirvan Steppe: 51.7/km in semi-desert pastures and 4.2/km in ungrazed semi-desert in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963). In theearly 1960s, 3,000-5,000 roosted at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Vi-

nogradov, 1967). Flocks of several hundreds occur in dumps nearBaku and elsewhere in Absheron Peninsula (Sultanov & Kara-banova, 1989; MP), and up to 107/km2 in Sumgait (Mustafaev,1977). In November 1989, several hundred near Glubinka (south-ern Mugan) and at Lake Karakush, Kizil Agach Reserve (MP).

BREEDING: Colonial species nesting in orchards, parks, iso-lated trees in villages, towns and railway stations, tugai forestsand reedbeds (Mustafaev, 1969a). Nests in poplar, willow, elm,oak, apricot and acacia 6-31 m above the ground, average 4-15m, but sometimes in saplings. About 50.8% of all nests in Azer-baijan were in poplars (Mustafaev, 1960a, 1971a). At Lake Ag-gel and Divichi Liman, nests of reed stems and twigs built on

the top of broken reed clumps 0.1-1.1 m above the water, andlined with panicles and cuticle of reeds, stems of saltwort andother plants. Size such nests: diameter 36-46 cm, nest-cup di-

ameter 21-25 cm, depth 8.5-10 cm (Burchak-Abramovich & Tuaev, 1960; Vinogradov, 1967). 7-412 pairs/colony (Mustafaev,1960a), but up to 1,000 pairs in 2.1 ha of reedbeds at Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967). Sometimes, in single pairs, e.g. nearGachadjili, Kurdamir District in 1954. In Kura Valley, neigh-bouring colonies 0.25-27 km apart (Mustafaev, 1960a, 1969).Colonies may persist for decades, e.g. for at least 35 years in

Karrar, Kurdamir District, but if harassed (shooting, egg-col-lecting) may move elsewhere (Mustafaev, 1960a, 1969, 1971a;MP). Colonies in reedbeds shift frequently (Burchak-Abramov-ich & Tuaev, 1960; Vinogradov, 1967).Pairing from mid February, and nesting season lasts from early April to early July. In Shirvan Steppe 3-7 eggs/clutch, average4-6 eggs (Mustafaev, 1960a, 1971a). On 12 April 1991, nest build-ing and incubation observed in Kurdamir District (MP). Nestsexamined in Lenkoran Lowland in April contained eggs (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907). At Divichi Liman, the majority of nestscontained fresh clutches on 19 April 1959 and 2-3 large young on May 22nd (Burchak-Abramovich & Tuaev, 1960). At Lake Aggel, nest building in early April and hatching in early May. On

16 May, 30% of examined nests contained eggs, 40% smallyoung, and 30% larger young. By 3 June 1964, 80% of nestscontained large young, average 3.4/nest (Vinogradov, 1967). Theyoung remain in nests 33-36 days. Only 30-63% fledged fromtree nests (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Locusts, mole-crickets, molluscs, seed and refuse (Sa-tunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP).Often forages around herds of livestock (Kokshaisky &Mustafaev, 1967).

MORTALITY: Many die during cold winters, e.g. c. 20% of wintering population perished in the winter of 1969 (Mustafaev

et al., 1969). Others are electrocuted, killed on roads or perishin oil (Verestchagin, 1946; Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971; Sul-tanov et al., 1991).

Azeri name: Garha, Karga, Boz Karga, Ala Karga

261. Hooded Crow - Corvus cornix Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Very common resident. Increasing. Subspecies C. c.

sharpii Oates, 1889.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common inthe lowland adjacent to the southern slope (e.g. in Kutkashen,Sheki and Zakatali districts), but also occurs in the mountains

up to Djandakhar (2,000 m) in Girdimanchai Valley; commonin Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954; MP) and in the north-east (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968;).LESSER C AUCASUS: Distribution is poorly known, but probably widespread. Recorded in foothills near Agdam (Satunin, 1907).N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley in Nakhichevan Region (Satunin,1907; Tarasov, 1974; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965) and pos-sibly around villages elsewhere.BOSDAG: Turianchai Valley and Turianchai Bosdag Mountains(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).



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K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Very common in Kura Valley: KarayasiSteppe, Shamkhor and Tauz districts, the mouth of Iori, Alaza-ni Valley, vicinity of Mingechaur Reservoir, Evlakh and Bardadistricts, Agjabedi and its vicinity, at lakes Aggel and Sarisu, inZardob, Udjari and Kurdamir districts, at the confluence of Arasand Kura, in Saliani District and Kura Delta (Radde, 1884; Sat-unin, 1907; Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Gam-

barov, 1975; MP). Fisuli, Djabrail and Zangelan districts in Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907; MP). Nests in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Settlements and lakes of southeasternShirvan (including Shorgel Lakes); very common in southernMugan (e.g. at Mahmud-chala) and Lenkoran Lowland south to Astara, and Kizil Agach Reserve, e.g. flooded tamarisk thicketsof Kalinovsky Liman and Lesser Kizil Agach Bay near largemixed colonies of cormorants and wading birds (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Grekov,1965a; Mustafaev, 1974a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).C ASPIAN SEA AND ISLANDS: Occasionally visits islands of Baku Archipelago (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Widespread through the lowland south

to Divichi Liman (Satunin, 1907; Burchak-Abramovich & Tu-aev, 1960; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Rare in Gobustan Upland, e.g. nearSaribash (northern Gobustan) and on Mount Beuk-Dush, andprobably does not nest there (MP).

Winter: Throughout the breeding range, but mostly in lowlandsand along the Caspian shore. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Remains in Zuvand Upland throughout winter (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Lowlands adjacent to Turianchai Bosdag (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Winters throughout the lowland, but notcommon at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov,

1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Very common in southern Mugan andLenkoran Lowland, but uncommon at Mahmud-chala and No- vogolovka-chala and in Kizil Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Along the Caspian shore from Yala-ma to Absheron Peninsula (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Only small numbers wintered innorthern Absheron Peninsula in the 1950s (Gambarov & Ga-zanchian, 1958), but widespread throughout the peninsula by mid 1980s, e.g. in Baku, Shah Spit, lakes Mirzaladi, Mosazirgeland elsewhere (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Orchards, parks, roadside treebelts, plantedtrees in and near settlements, tugai forests, tamarisk thickets andreedbeds (Burchak-Abramovich & Tuaev, 1960; Vinogradov,1967; Mustafaev, 1969a; Gambarov, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a).FEEDING AND WINTER : Caspian shore, semi-desert, wetlands,fields, clearings, rubbish dumps, towns and villages (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably 8,000-10,000 pairsor greater in the late 1980s-early 1990s (MP). Very common in

mid Kura and Samur-Divichi Lowland, e.g. >100/km along theCaspian shore in Khachmas District in August-September 1978-1980 and 1986 (MP); 2 flocks of 70 (including many fledglings)in Kizil Agach Reserve on 3 June 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a); 5-8 nests/km2 in reedbeds of Lake Aggel inearly 1960s (Vinogradov, 1967).

Winter: Probably >30,000-50,000 or greater. In January 1961,

0.24/km in ungrazed semi-desert and 0.13/km in semi-desertpastures in Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963). In Kizil Agach Re-serve: 6.5/km on mud flats along Big Kizil Agach Bay, and 0.3/km in clayey semi-desert on 17 February 1962 (Dobrokhotov,1963). In Baku, c. 420 in winter 1985/1986 and 760 in winter1986/1987 (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989). Only 15 at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe on 13 January 1991 (MP).

BREEDING: In Kura Valley, nesting season lasts from early March to early July. In Shirvan Steppe, nests were 4.5-28 m (av-erage 18 m) above the ground in settlements, and 1.3-7.5 m inother habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a). In Kizil Agach Reserve, nestsoften built in flooded tamarisk bushes 1.5-2.5 m above the wa-

ter (Grekov, 1965a). At Lakes Aggel and Shorgel, nests of twigsand branches built on piles of broken reeds. A nest found inreeds at Kichik-Shorgel was 1.3 m above the water (Vinogra-dov, 1967; Patrikeev, 1991a). Nests in settlements lined with rags,cotton, paper, pieces of polythene, wood-chips and wool (Mus-tafaev, 1971a), and nests in reedbeds with dry reed stems, wooland odd feathers (Vinogradov, 1967; Patrikeev, 1991a). In Shir- van Steppe, usually 3-6 eggs/clutch, average 4-5 eggs (Mustafaev,1971a). In Kizil Agach Reserve, nests with eggs on March 28th

and April 3rd (Grekov, 1965a; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a), and slightly incubated eggs in Lenkoran Lowland in April(Radde, 1884). At Lake Aggel, earliest clutch on 26 March 1963,but completed clutches mostly from mid April (Vinogradov,

1967). At Lake Kichik-Shorgel, 6 incubated eggs on 24 April1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). At Lake Aggel, chicks hatched 3-8 April(Vinogradov, 1967) and in Kizil Agach Reserve from mid April(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Grekov, 1965a). On May 14th, a nest with 4 nestlings in Shamkhor District (Gambarov,1975). In Shirvan Steppe, the young remain in nests 30-36 days;c. 66% fledge in settlements, and c. 76% in other habitats (Mus-tafaev, 1971a). First f ledglings at Lake Aggel observed on May 24th (Vinogradov, 1967) and in Kizil Agach Reserve on May 26 th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Grekov, 1965a). Aban-doned and old nests of Hooded Crows often occupied by Kestrels, Black Kites, Hobbies, Long-eared Owls and other birds(Mustafaev, 1963a; 1969).

DIET: Omnivorous. Feeds on insects (locusts and small bee-tles; sometimes picks insects from cattle), mollusks ( Theodox-

us pallasi , Hydrobia pusilla and Cardium edule ), carrion, refuse,fruit and grain (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938;Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Kok-shaisky & Mustafaev, 1967; Vinogradov, 1967). During cold winters, Hooded Crows seen attacking other birds and mam-mals, e.g. weakened Flamingo and Nutrias (Mustafaev et al.,1969). Hooded Crows nesting in and near wetlands oftenspecialise in stealing chicks and eggs of waterbirds, e.g. from




mixed colonies of wading birds and cormorants in Kizil Agach Reserve (Grekov, 1965a). At Lake Aggel , HoodedCrows also destroy eggs and young of ducks, coots and shore-birds, e.g. one crow brought 25 duck eggs, 28 eggs of ternsand shorebirds and 1 egg of Purple Gallinule to a feeding station between May 15th and June 10 th (Vinogradov, 1967). Thus control or complete eradication of Hooded Crow is

recommended around important nesting colonies of wading birds, cormorants, shorebirds and terns.

MORTALITY: A few are road-killed (Alekperov & Mustafaev,1971) or electrocuted while perching on hydro-poles (Sultanov et al., 1991). A small bounty was paid for this species in the late1980s-early 1990s (MP).

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably irregular visitor or pos-sibly rare nesting species. Probably subspecies C. c. orientalis Ever-smann, 1811.

DISTRIBUTION: N AKHICHEVAN: A group of 4 observed be-tween Julfa and Ordubad on August 1955 and in July 1956 (Mus-tafaev, 1968a).

262. Carrion Crow - Corvus corone Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the early 19th century Hohenackerobserved Carrion Crow in the vicinity of Gandja (Bogdanov,1879). No recent records.

Azeri name: Guzgun, Beuk Kara Karga

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies C. c. corax Linnae-us, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: is poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali and Belokani districts (including Mounts Gamzigora and Alibek), Ilisu Reserve (Kah District)

and Shemakha Upland (e.g. near Pirgulu, Tchagan, Keshmed-din and in Girkhbulak Valley). Rare south of Shemakha (Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Murovdag, Shahdag (e.g. upper Shamkhor-chai Valley, and Terter Valley in Nagorno-Karabakh Region)and Karabakh ridges, and mountains of Zangelan and Ku-batli District (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Laister & Sosnin,1942; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Low mountains in Julfa District, and ZangezurRidge up to 2,900 m (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Laister &Sosnin, 1942).

263. Raven - Corvus corax Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS : Throughout the mountains including Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; MP).BOSDAG: Rare in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A pair at a steep bank of Kura River nearDemirchilar (Karayasi Steppe) in July 1989 (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare visitor to Kizil Agach Reserve(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Regularly observed in Absheron Pen-insula in the past (Radde, 1884). One seen chasing a Goshawk in a suburb of Baku on 10 February 1990 (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky and clayey cliffs in low and highmountains, 300 to 3,000 m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Probably several hundredpairs (MP). In 1989, a pair near Tchagan and another nearKeshmeddin, Shemakha Upland (Patrikeev, 1991d). In eastern Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, only 1 pair in the early 1960s(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b) and in 1991 (MP).Winter: Flocks of 10-12 observed in winter (Radde, 1884).

BREEDING: Two nests in Zakatali District, Greater Caucasus

Mountains: a nest in a cliff 70 m above the ground in KorchaiGorge in June 1969 (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985) and a nest with 3-day-old chicks on Mount Gamzigora on 3 July 1955 (Mus-tafaev, 1969a).

DIET: Mostly carrion and refuse (Radde, 1884; MP).



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Azeri name: Su sarchasi

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies C. c. caucasica Ma-darasz, 1903.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Commonalong streams in Zakatali and Belokani districts (e.g. at Tsil-banchai, Kopachai, Kalachai, Nourchai and Gutorchai rivers);also in Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), on slopes of Mounts Bazar-Duzu and Shahdag, and in Shemakha Upland, e.g. near Pirgulu(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Gasanov, 1990; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Common at 1,800 m in upper Shamkhorchai

Valley, Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884). Possibly occurs in moun-tains of Zangelan and Kubatli districts. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Headwaters of Lenkoranchai and its tribu-taries, e.g. near Alekseevka (Lenkoran District), Vizezemin and

FAMILY CINCLIDAE - DIPPERS

264. Common Dipper - Cinclus cinclus Linnaeus, 1758

Gosmalian (Lerik District), and in headwaters of Vilajchai(Smogordzevsky & Zolotukhina, 1965).

Winter: Mostly remains within the breeding range, although

some descend to lower altitudes.GREATER C AUCASUS: Some descend from alpine zone in ZakataliDistrict to lower elevations in mid November (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded in Zuvand Upland in winter (Mus-tafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

HABITAT: Montane rivers and streams with clear water androcky banks in forest, sub-alpine and alpine zones (Gambarov,1954; Smogordzevsky & Zolotukhina, 1965; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. On average 1

pair/km along rivers in Talish Mountains (Smogordzevsky &Zolotukhina, 1965).

BREEDING: Ball-shaped nests usually built on rocks, boul-ders and cliffs near water (0.45-19 m above the water). A nestfound in Zakatali District mostly built of moss with lining of hornbeam, beech and maple leaves; nest measurements: diame-ter 215 mm, height 210 mm, diameter of nest-cup 105 mm(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). In Talish Mountains, egg lay-ing from late January: 3 nests with 5 eggs each found on 1 Feb-ruary 1963, 11 and 13 February 1961 (Smogordzevsky & Zolo-tukhina, 1965). Two clutches a year in Zakatali District: in early May and after mid June (3-5 eggs/clutch). Egg measurements:

25.5 x 18.1 mm, av. weight 4.58 g. Several nests contained young of the first brood on 30 May 1971. One-day-old chick weighs 6g reaching a maximum of 52.3 g on the 15th day. The young remain in nests 17-18 days (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Common resident and wintering species. SubspeciesT. t. hyrcanus Zarudny et Loudon, 1905 nests in Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: From foot-hills to sub-alpine zone in Zakatali, Belokani, Vartashen andKutkashen districts, Ilisu and Ismailly Reserve. In ShemakhaUpland, recorded near Kirovka, on Mount Pirgulu and TchanutGorge (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Distribution poorly known: observed only inforests around Lake Geigel, Murovdag Ridge (Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990), but probably occurs elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: Zangezur Ridge including Bichenek Forest; upto 2,700 m (Radde, 1884; Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

FAMILY TROGLODYTIDAE - WRENS

265. Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Common in Girkan Reserve and Ulasi Range(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).Probably occurs elsewhere.

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observed in woodlots and orchards of Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965;Mustafaev, 1969a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Observed in Sumgait-chai Valley inlate April 1961 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968).Winter: Some descend from mountains to valley and lowlands, while others probably arrive from the north.GREATER C AUCASUS: In Zakatali District, descends from moun-tains to valleys in cold winters (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).





232


ets, dry reeds, orchards and villages (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: March through late April (Sa-tunin, 1907).COASTAL: Observed on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Uplandon 4 April 1991 (MP).

INTERIOR : Leaves Turianchai Valley in March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: November-December.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula inearly November (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Onerecorded on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland on 25 No- vember 1990 (MP). In Sara Peninsula number decreases in De-cember (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

INTERIOR : Arrives in Turianchai Valley in November (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In Zakatali andBelokani districts, 22 nests/km2 in montane forests and 8 nests/km2 in sub-alpine zone (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

Winter: 1.2/km in tugai of Kurdamir and Zardob districts, mid

Kura in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: In Zakatali and Belokani districts, nests found inmontane forests and sub-alpine zone (Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985).

DIET: Terrestrial molluscs in a stomach examined in Kizil AgachReserve (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies P. c. montana Ha-blizl, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: insufficiently known.

267. Alpine Accentor - Prunella collaris Scopoli, 1769

GREATER C AUCASUS: Alpine and sub-alpine zones in Zakatali and

Belokani districts, e.g. on Mount Kulunsu (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985); also on Mount Shahdag (Satu-nin, 1907) and possibly elsewhere.LESSER C AUCASUS: Mounts Kapaz and Giamish, Murovdag Ridge(Radde, 1884; Gasanov, 1990) and probably elsewhere. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Mount Kus-Yurdi (Radde, 1884). No oth-er records.

HABITAT: NESTING: Narrow rocky gorges with grassy slopes at2,000-3,000 m in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Some altitudinal post-breeding movements re-corded (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. In Zakatali Reserve: 1-4nests/km2 (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Five nests found in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Rare resident. Monotypic. Threatened. Describedfrom Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: poorly knownLESSER C AUCASUS: Karabakh Upland around Lake Karagel at2,100-2,200 m (Dahl, 1954; Loskot, 1988).N AKHICHEVAN: Southern portion of Zangezur Ridge at c. 2,700-2,800 m (Loskot, 1988). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: The type specimen collected on eastern slopeof Mount Kus-Yurdi on the Iranian border (Radde, 1884). Noother records from Talish Mountains and the type might havebeen a straggler.

268. Radde’s Accentor - Prunella ocularis Radde, 1884

HABITAT: NESTING: Almost exclusively in juniper thickets along streams on slopes with rocky or clayey outcrops at 2,100-2,800m (Loskot, 1988).

POPULATION SIZE: No information. According to Loskot(1988) total number in Armenia and Azerbaijan may not exceedseveral hundred pairs.

BREEDING: Arrives at nesting grounds on Mount Alagez (Ar-menia) in late April-early May. Nests in junipers 0.16-0.4 m abovethe ground. The first clutch is laid in late May-early June, andthe second clutch in late July-early August. 45-48 days from nest




building to fledging. Independent young of the first brood re-corded already in late June (Loskot, 1988).

REMARKS: On Mount Alagez (Armenia), deliberate burning of juniper habitats pose a serious threat to this species (Loskot, 1988).


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District, above Ilisu (Kah District)and Girdimanchai Valley in Ismailly District. Rare in ShemakhaUpland, e.g. near Pirgulu (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs.

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Possibly nests (or nested) in KarayasiSteppe (Radde, 1884). No recent records.

FAMILY TURDIDAE - THRUSHES, CHATS, WHEATEARS AND ALLIES

269. Whinchat - Saxicola rubetra Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observed in Lenkoran Lowland in May (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Rare in Kizil Agach Reserve andin Sara Peninsula, e.g. one was collected on 4 February 1951(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Montane grasslands and sub-alpine meadowsat 1,200-2,500 m (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through early May.COASTAL: Recorded in Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil Agach Re-serve 19-22 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a) and

in southeastern Shirvan 23 April-7 May (Patrikeev, 1991a). Oneseen in Gobustan Upland on 5 May 1955 (Gambarov, 1960).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrived in the vicinity of Mingechaur andGandja from mid April (Satunin, 1907) and to the breeding grounds in Zakatali District in late April (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve afterSeptember 6th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).


BREEDING: In Zakatali District, nests with fresh eggs foundin late May (6 eggs/nest). Egg measurements: 17-20 x 13-15

mm; average 18.3 x 14.0 mm (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).In upper Girdimanchai Valley, fledglings collected in mid July (Gambarov, 1954). May have 2 clutches in Azerbaijan.

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species, common migrant andrare wintering species. Up to 4 subspecies: S. t. variegata S. G.Gmelin, 1774 and S. t. armenica Stegmann, 1935 nest in Azer-baijan, and S. t. rubicola Linnaeus, 1766 and possibly S. t. maura

Pallas, 1773 occur during migration.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: S. t. variegata: GREATER C AUCA-SUS: Zakatali District (e.g. above treeline on Mount Verketel),foothills of Vartashen District, lowlands of Kutkashen District(e.g. at Gadjali); Shemakha Upland: vicinity of Kirovka, Pirguluand Shemakha (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Patrikeev, 1991d).BOSDAG: A singing male observed in Turianchai Valley on 9 April1991 might have been a migrant (MP).S. t. armenica: LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, but nests in LesserCaucasus in Armenia (Stepanyan, 1990).

270. Stonechat - Saxicola torquata Linnaeus, 1758



234


N AKHICHEVAN: Very common in Babek and Norashen districts(Radde, 1884; MP).Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers regularly winterin Sara Peninsula and Kizil Agach Reserve (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Grasslands, wet meadows and steppe in

lowlands, foothills and mountains (Gambarov, 1954; Tarasov,1974; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). MIGRATION AND WINTER :Blackberry thickets, river valleys and stands of reeds (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to early May.COASTAL: Conspicuous passage through Kizil Agach Reserve andLenkoran Lowland 17-27 March (Radde, 1884; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Recorded in Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Kura Valley in March (Satu-nin, 1907). Arrives in Shemakha Upland after May 8th (Gam-barov, 1954).Fall passage: Late October to late December.COASTAL: Subspecies S. t. rubicola arrives at Sara Peninsula in lateOctober-early November and mostly leaves by late December(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate.

BREEDING: Nests with young found near Kirovka (She-makha Upland) in early July. Fledglings seen in lowlands of Kutkashen District on July 3rd (Gambarov, 1954). Adultsfeeding large fledglings observed on Mount Verketel,Zakatali District (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). May have2 clutches/year.

Azeri name: Tchahragdzil (all wheatears)

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, possibly rare wintering species. Subspecies O. o. oenanthe Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Uncommonin Zakatali Reserve: Mounts Tsorigimer and Kala, and in KalachaiGorge at 2,300-2,800 m; also possibly on Mounts Ruchug andBadaga (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Also near Ilisu (KahDistrict), Sheki Upland, Demiraparanchai Valley (Kutkashen Dis-

trict), Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District) and vicinity of Pir-gulu in Shemakha Upland (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Patri-keev, 1991d). Not found in Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, but oc-curs in Alazani Valley (Gambarov, 1954). In the northeast, re-corded in Kusarchai Valley and probably elsewhere (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Mustafaev, 1969a).LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: No records, but probably present. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Vicinity of Kalvas (2,100 m), and Mount Kus- Yurdi (Radde, 1884).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).

271. European Wheatear - Oenanthe oenanthe Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Nests (or nested) in Gandja (Mustafaev,1973b). Probably occurs in Mugan Steppe, but no publishedinformation.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Uncommon at Cape Pirsagat and Shor-gel Lakes, southeastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Rocky areas and steep slopes through-out Absheron Peninsula, e.g. in Baku (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Mustafaev, 1973a), and in northern and eastern GobustanUpland (MP).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wintered in Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884), but no recent records.

HABITAT: NESTING: Clayey cliffs, ravines, hilly semi-desert,

rocky areas, ruins and houses, cemeteries, villages and suburbsin lowlands, foothills and uplands, also rocky grasslands in sub-alpine and alpine zones up to 2,800 m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov,1954; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973a,b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March-early April.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve, Lenkoran low-land and southern Mugan in late March (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; MP). In Gobust-an Upland, males seen 4-7 April (MP).INTERIOR : In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, a female observedon April 6th (MP). Arrives at breeding grounds in Zakatali Dis-

trict from early April (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).Fall passage: Late September through late November.COASTAL: Migrates through Kizil Agach Reserve between Sep-tember 30th and November 25th (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Leaves breeding grounds in mountains of ZakataliDistrict in late September (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Common, but no overallestimate. Only 2-4 pairs in Turianchai Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).




BREEDING: A nest with 4 young (10 days old) under a rock at 2,300 m in Kalachai Gorge (Zakatali District) on 21 June1976. The nest was built of twigs and dry grass, and lined withtender parts of plants, feathers and fur; measurements: diam-eter 100 mm, height 51 mm, diameter of the nest-cup 60 mm,and depth of the nest-cup 37 mm. The young left the nest on June 25th (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Also nests in bur-

rows. On June 26th, fledglings collected on Mount Kus-Yurdi, Talish Mountains (Radde, 1884). Nests earlier in lowlands. In Absheron Peninsula, fledglings seen after mid May (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), and in southeastern Shirvan on 23 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Kusari District, broods often re-corded in “the second half of summer of 1961” (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. SubspeciesO. p. pleschanka Lepechin, 1770. This species hybridises with theBlack-eared Wheatear and sometimes both species nest in mixedcolonies. It is possible that the majority of O. pleschanka nesting in Azerbaijan are of hybrid origin.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: In foothills, e.g. in Kurmukh Valley (KahDistrict), Turianchai and Gekchai valleys (Loskot, 1986; Panov,1999), and in Shemakha District (Satunin, 1907).LESSER C AUCASUS: A hybrid male collected near Naftalan on 26

June 1934 (Loskot, 1986). Probably elsewhere in the foothills.

272. Pied Wheatear - Oenanthe pleschanka Lepechin, 1770

BOSDAG: Korchai Bosdag Mountains and Djeiranchel Hills (Sa-tunin, 1911; Gambarov, 1975; Loskot, 1986). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Small numbers in Absheron Penin-sula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958) and mixed population onMount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland (Panov, 1999; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Clayey and rocky slopes and rock pilesin foothills and semi-desert mountains (Loskot, 1986; Panov,1999; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Lenko-ran Lowland and southern Mugan, but no dates given (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1912b). Arrives at Mount Beuk-Dash, GobustanUpland after April 4th (MP).

Fall passage: Recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve in mid Octo-ber (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. A mixed colony (with Black-eared Wheatear) of 60 pairs near Kah included 19hybrid males (Loskot, 1986) and another of 50-70 pairs on east-ern slope of Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland included 55%of hybrids (Panov, 1999). Less common than other wheatears in

Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

BREEDING: Nests in niches and crevices between rocks. Inhybrid population of Gobustan Upland, 4-6 eggs/clutch, egg size (n=56): 17.2-20.7 x 13.5-15.4 mm (av. 19.3 x14.7 mm). Young hatched 11 May-14 June, average 4.7 young/nest (Panov, 1999).


h. melanoleuca Güldenstadt, 1775. This species hybridizes withPied Wheatear in foothills of Greater Caucasus Mountains and

eastern Gobustan Upland.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Found inmixed colony with Pied Wheatear in Kurmukh Valley near Kah,foothills of Kah District (Loskot, 1986). Another hybrid col-lected in Shemakha District on 17 May 1896 (Satunin, 1907).LESSER C AUCASUS: A hybrid male collected in foothills of Murovdag Ridge on 26 June 1934 (Loskot, 1986). Probably more widespread.N AKHICHEVAN: Very common between Nakhichevan and Julfa,and also in the vicinity of Ordubad. No hybrids recorded in theregion (Radde, 1884; Tarasov, 1974; Loskot, 1986).

273. Black-eared Wheatear - Oenanthe hispanica Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Agaeva, 1972) and possi-bly treeless foothills of the mountains (Satunin, 1912b).BOSDAG: Turianchai, Korchai and Mingechaur Bosdag moun-

tains, lower Aldjiganchai Valley (Drozdov, 1965; Gambarov, 1975;Loskot, 1986) and possibly Djeiranchel Hills (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Sumgait-chai Valley, and at the footof Mount Beuk-Dush, eastern Gobustan Upland (MP). Mixes with O. pleschanka at the latter location (Panov, 1999).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes and ravines in low semi-aridmountains and foothills; up to 2,000 m in semi-desert of ZuvandUpland (Agaeva, 1972; Gambarov, 1975; Loskot, 1986; Panov,1999; MP).



236


MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through late April.COASTAL: Migrates through Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Pen-insula 3-12 April (Tugarinov, 1950). A hybrid collected in Len-koran Lowland during spring migration (Radde, 1884). Also

passes through southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b). Arrives inGobustan Upland after April 4 th (MP).INTERIOR : Arrives in Nakhichevan from 28-31March, and atMingechaur from March 30th. Conspicuous arrival in Nakhich-evan from 3-8 April (Satunin, 1907; Panov, 1999). In TurianchaiReserve, a male observed on 10 April 1991 (MP), but in other

years not seen until after April 26th (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: No information.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In TurianchaiBosdag Mountains, 0.8/km in the early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). A mixed colony (with Pied Wheatear)

of 60 pairs near Kah included 19 hybrid males (Loskot, 1986),and another of 50-70 pairs on eastern slope of Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland included 55% of hybrids (Panov, 1999).

BREEDING: Pairs from mid April-early May. Nests usually ina niche under a flat rock. Only female builds. In Nakhichevannests with eggs from late April, and in Zuvand Upland a nest with 5 well-incubated eggs on May 22nd. Egg size (n=26): 17.5-22.2 x 12.4-15.7, average weight 2.3 g; 5-6 eggs/clutch, proba-bly one clutch/year. Incubation 12-13 days. In Nakhichevan nests with nestlings from 7-14 May; in Zuvand Upland nestlings by May 29th, and 2 broods on 11 and 14 June 1970, e.g. one broodof 4 (Agaeva, 1972; Panov, 1999). In hybrid population of Go-

bustan Upland 4-6 eggs/clutch, egg size (n=56): 17.2-20.7 x13.5-15.4 mm (av. 19.3 x14.7 mm). Young hatched 11 May-14 June, average 4.7 young/nest (Panov, 1999).

MORTALITY: Young in one nest predated by Dahl’s WhipSnake Coluber najadum (Agaeva, 1972).

STATUS: Common nesting species; possibly resident. Mo-notypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common nearShemakha (Gambarov, 1954) and Alti-Agach (Shelton, 2001).N AKHICHEVAN: Foothills in Julfa, Babek and Ordubad districts(Tarasov, 1974; Panov, 1999; V. Loskot, pers. comm.; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: At 2,000 m near Kalvas (V. Loskot, pers.comm.).BOSDAG: Korchai, Mingechaur and Gekchai Bosdag mountains(Gambarov, 1954, 1975; MP).

274. Finch’s Wheatear - Oenanthe finschii Heuglin, 1869

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Khamamdag Mud-Volcano (Cape Pirsa-gat) and perhaps other mud-volcanoes and hills in coastal south-eastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Recorded near Kilazi and Khizi (Sat-unin, 1907). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Gobustan Upland: Mounts Kar-gabazar, Gush-gaya, Beuk-Dash and Kizil-Kum, also Airante-kan Mud-Volcano and in Djeirankechmes (Burchak-Abram-ovich & Gambarov, 1961; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP). Common in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. Mount Karadag near Puta, on slopesof Yasamal Valley and near suburbs of Baku (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).Winter: In fall and winter, some descend to lowlands.N AKHICHEVAN: Some remain in the region throughout the win-ter (Panov, 1999).BOSDAG: During 18-25 November, several collected on slopes

of Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains, but was absent from therein winter (Gambarov, 1975). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: On 25 November 1990, only onemale recorded on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland (MP).Some winter in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. near Zikh and Baku(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky and clayey slopes, narrow ravines with burrows and niches, montane steppe (Tarasov, 1974; Patri-keev, 1991a, b; V. Loskot, pers. comm.). F ALL AND WINTER : Semi-desert and orchards (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).




MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives at nesting grounds inNakhichevan 5-10 March (Panov, 1999).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In 1989, 10 pairson slopes of Khamamdag Mud-Volcano, southeastern Shirvan.In late April 1990, 9.5 pairs/km2 on Mount Beuk-Dush (Patri-keev, 1991a, b). Very common in Nakhichevan Region: 4.7-17.4/

km (Tarasov, 1974; V. Loskot, pers. comm.).

BREEDING: Nests in cavities and crevices between rocks,sometimes in cliffs or abandoned burrows, small flat rocks areusually placed at the entrance. Two or perhaps even three

clutches/year, 5 eggs/clutch. In Nakhichevan region nest-building (by female only) from mid to late March, but some-times earlier as a nest with large young found as early as April8th. Usually nestlings of the first brood hatch 11-17 April. Fledg-lings from late April (Panov, 1999). Two fledglings recordedon Beuk-Dash on May 6th and other two on Khamamdag Mud- Volcano on May 8th. On Mount Beuk-Dash, adults feeding

fledglings of the second brood observed in mid June (Patri-keev, 1991a, b; MP).

DIET: Stomachs examined in May-June contained insects, butalso seed in September (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Probably subspecies O. d. salina

Eversmann, 1850.

DISTRIBUTION: Considered nesting in Eastern Transcauca-

sia by Satunin (1907, 1911), but no records given.

275. Desert Wheatear - Oenanthe deserti Temminck, 1825

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Radde (1884) collected one spec-imen near Baku (Absheron Peninsula), but no evidence of nesting.

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species with restricted range.Subspecies O. x. chrysopygia De Filippi, 1863.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: LESSER C AUCASUS: Possibly in moun-tains of Zangelan and Djabrail districts (Stepanyan, 1990; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Mountains in Babek, Julfa and Ordubad districts,e.g. Negram Mountains and Mount Ilandag (Laister & Sosnin,1942; Panov, 1999; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Desert slopes with scree and rock frag-ments (Panov, 1999).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives at breeding groundsfrom 7-10 March (Panov, 1999).

276. Red-tailed Wheatear – Oenanthe xanthoprymna Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Up to 10 pairs/km in the vicinity of Julfa (Panov, 1999). No other information.

BREEDING: In Nakhichevan region, pairs from mid March.Copulation and nest building in late March-early April. Nests innarrow crevices or abandoned burrows, often on a layer of smallrocks brought by the birds. Two clutches/year, 4-5 eggs/clutch.Egg size (n=5) 20.6-22.0x14.9-15.2. Incubation is probably by

female only. Five-days-old young in 4 nests examined on April26th and 2 nests examined on May 9th. Fledglings from 3-4 May (Panov, 1999).

STATUS: Very common nesting species and migrant, a smallerpart of the population is resident. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: In ZakataliDistrict, on rocky slopes at 1,600-2,500 m, and in Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District) at 1,500 m. Common in Zakatali-Is-mailly Lowland, east of Shemakha, and in Alazani Valley (Satu-nin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs in thefoothills.N AKHICHEVAN: Aras and Arpa-chai valleys, foothills near Nakhich-evan, Julfa, Negram, and also in Ordubad District; up to 1,200 m(Radde, 1884; Khanmammedov, 1960; Tarasov, 1974; MP).

277. Isabelline Wheatear - Oenanthe isabellina Temminck, 1829

BOSDAG: Turianchai and Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains, andDjeiranchel Hills (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan, Mil, Mugan and Karayasi steppes,Korchai and Shamkhor game preserves, and Gandja and its vi-cinity (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1969a,1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In southeastern Shirvan, very commonnear Cape Pirsagat, but uncommon at Shorgel Lakes, ShirvanReserve (Patrikeev, 1991a). Small numbers in semi-desert of Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but probably occurs.



238


ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: In Gobustan Upland: vicinity of Mounts Kargabazar, Bayanata and Beuk-Dash, Sumgait-chai Valley, and near the village of Gobustan (Burchak-Abramovich& Gambarov, 1961; Burchak-Abramovich, 1962; Drozdov, 1965;

MP). Very common in Absheron Peninsula, e.g. in suburbs of Baku (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a; MP).Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Wintered in Mugan Steppe andpossibly elsewhere in the lowland (Satunin, 1912b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Small numbers in Absheron Penin-sula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Saltwort-wormwood clayey semi-desertin lowlands and foothills, rocky semi-desert, montane steppeand overgrazed slopes in foothills and mountains up to 2,500m. Often nests in burrows along roads, close to railways andhuman habituation (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov,1954; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafae-

va, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: February-late March.COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran as early as February 23rd (Radde,1884), but not recorded in Kizil Agach Reserve until 20-23 March

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In Absheron Peninsulaincreases in early March (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at nesting grounds in central Az-erbaijan in February (Satunin, 1907).Fall passage: Mid September to mid November.COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from c. Septem-ber 11th to mid October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

INTERIOR : Latest record in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains onOctober 9th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), but goodnumbers near Mingechaur in late November (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Most common wheatear in Azerbaijan. In southeastern Shirvan, 20-60 pairs/km in semi-desert near Cape Pirsagat in April-May 1989, butonly 1-2 pairs/km in overgrazed semi-desert near Shorgel Lakes,Shirvan Reserve in April-May 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a). In early April 1991, 5-20 pairs/km west of Mounts Beuk-Dush andDjingirdag, eastern Gobustan Upland (MP). In NakhichevanRegion, Isabelline Wheatears and Crested Larks accounted for65-70% of all birds recorded in semi-deserts of Aras Valley,

and this species and Bimaculated Larks made 48-50% of allbirds in foothills (Tarasov, 1974).

BREEDING: Nests in abandoned burrows, e.g. those of Red-tailed Jird Meriones erythrourus . Territorial pairs from late March-early April(Satunin, 1907; Patrikeev, 1991a). In southeastern Shirvan, burrows with young 23 April-14 May. Large young often remain at the bur-row entrance waiting for adults with food, but disappearing intothe burrow at the first sign of danger (Patrikeev, 1991a). In central Azerbaijan fledglings seen from late April (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954), in southeastern Shirvan on May 6th (Patrikeev, 1991a),in Absheron Peninsula after May 20th (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958) and in Greater Caucasus Mountains (Ismailly District) on

July 22nd

(Gambarov, 1954). Probably 2 clutches/year.

DIET: Stomachs of specimens collected in Greater CaucasusMountains contained insects including weevils and grasshop-pers (Gambarov, 1954).


g. familiaris Menetries, 1832.

DISTRIBUTION: In the 19th century, this species was proba-

bly confined to the southeast lowlands (Satunin 1907, 1911,1912a, b).

Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills in Zakatali District, nearSheki, lowlands of Kutkashen District (e.g. near Nidz and Gad-jali), and also near Shemakha (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: No information, but prob-ably occurs in foothills.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Shirvan and Mugan steppes, tugai in Bardaand Shamkhor districts, Gandja, Alazani and Iori Valleys (Mus-tafaev, 1969a, 1973b; Sikharulidze, 1974; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

278. Rufous Bushchat - Cercotrichas galactotes Temminck, 1820




SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Kizil Agach Reserveand southeastern Shirvan, e.g. at Cape Pirsagat and Lakes Aggel(Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vino-gradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Sumgait-chai Valley (e.g. near Pirk-ishkul), Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) and AbsheronPeninsula including Mashtaga (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958;

Drozdov, 1965; Patrikeev, 1991b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tamarisk and blackberry thickets, hedg-erows, edges of tugai forest, overgrown dry ditches, ravines, ru-ins and agricultural habitats in semi-desert lowlands and foot-hills (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1969a;Gambarov, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late migrant. Late Aprilthrough mid May.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve between April 25th andMay 6th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), to Shorgel Lakeson May 9th, and to Cape Pirsagat after May 19th (Patrikeev, 1991a).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Shamkhor District first sighting onMay 10th (Gambarov, 1975). In Iori and Alazani Valleys firstarrivals recorded on May 11th, but the majority showed up afterMay 16th (Sikharulidze, 1974).

Fall passage: No information.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. At Cape Pirsa-gat (southeastern Shirvan), 2-3 singing males/km in May 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a). In Iori and Alazani Valleys, 1.3 singing males/km (Sikharulidze, 1974).

BREEDING: Males start singing almost immediately on arrival atthe breeding grounds (MP). Nests in niches, semi-cavities, on theground and sometimes low in bushes or trees up to 1.5 m abovethe ground. In southeastern Shirvan a completed nest found onMay 23rd, and in Iori and Alazani valleys egg laying from May 22nd.Completed clutches in Kizil Agach Reserve on June 2nd, and nearCape Pirsagat on June 5th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Sikharulidze, 1974; Patrikeev, 1991a). Probably 1 clutch/year; 4-5eggs/clutch (MP). Incubation lasts 14 days. In Iori and Alazani valleys hatching 6 June-18 July (Sikharulidze, 1974). In Kizil AgachReserve fledglings recorded on June 14th (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b), but in Iori and Alazani Valley as late as July 25 th

(Sikharulidze, 1974). A nest of Rufous Bushchat found in Kur-

damir contained a young European Cuckoo (Mustafaev, 1969a).

DIET: Ants and small ground-beetles Carabidae in one stom-ach (Gambarov, 1954).

Azeri name: Odguirug

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Two subspe-cies: P. p. phoenicurus Linnaeus, 1758 nests in high mountains andP. p. samamisicus Hablizl, 1783 in foothills.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution of this species andboth subspecies not well known.P. p. phoenicurus: GREATER C AUCASUS: Mountains near Lagich,and in Shemakha Upland, e.g. near Pirgulu, Shemakha and Alti- Agach (Gambarov, 1954; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS AND N AKHICHEVAN: No information, but prob-ably occurs at higher elevations.

279. Common Redstart - Phoenicurus phoenicurus Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded near Lerik, and at 2,400 m onMount Kus-Yurdi (Radde, 1884).

P. p. samamisicus: GREATER C AUCASUS: Forested foothills inZakatali and Ismailly districts, e.g. Mount Alibek (Gambarov,

1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Apparently also recorded near Lerik (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907), but perhaps at lower altitudes?K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Tugai forests of Shamkhor District, vi-cinity of Mingechaur and Gandja (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev,1973b; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Vicinity of Tangerud, Mashkham and Vel,Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). No recent in-formation.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forests and orchards in low-lands, foothills, mountains; occasionally in ruins and man-made

structures (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through late May.P. p. phoenicurus: First sightings in Lenkoran Lowland from26 March to 16 April (Radde, 1884). A pair at Cape Pirsagat 28-29 April 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).P. p. samamisicus: As early as March 11th, but usually notuntil March 29th in the vicinity of Lenkoran (Radde, 1884; Sa-tunin, 1907). A male in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 6 April 1991 (MP).



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SUBSPECIES UNKNOWN: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve from April 2nd to May 20th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a),and in northern Absheron Peninsula 5-15 May (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: Mid September through mid November.P. p. phoenicurus: Recorded in Absheron Peninsula on 3 Oc-tober 1954 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958), in a suburb of

Baku on 15 October 1990, and on Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobust-an Upland) on 25 November 1990 (MP).SUBSPECIES UNKNOWN: Observed in Turianchai Reserve on9 September 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Conspicuous passage near Kilazi in September (Shelton,2001). Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve from 15-25 Septem-ber, intensive passage: 3 October-11 November (Tugarinov

& Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).


BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities. In Zakatali District anest of P. p. samamisicus on Mount Alibek on 11 May 1937,

and other nest with 3 large young in late June; fledglings from24 May to early July (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). A fledgling of P. p. phoenicurus collected nearLagich (Greater Caucasus Mountains) on 31 July 1939 (Gam-barov, 1954) and other f ledglings of this subspecies observedat 2,400 m on Mount Kus-Yurdi, Talish Mountains on June26th (Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Common nesting species and uncommon migrant.Subspecies: P. o. ochruros S. G. Gmelin, 1774.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: At 2,000-3,000m in Zakatali and Belokani districts (Gambarov, 1954; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985); also near Laza on slopes of MountShahdag (Satunin, 1907). Probably elsewhere.LESSER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Shahdag Ridge, e.g. in Kedabek and its vicinity (Radde, 1884; Mustafaev, 1969a).N AKHICHEVAN: Very common in mountains in Shahbuz, Julfaand Ordubad districts (Radde, 1884; Tarasov, 1974; MP).

280. Black Redstart - Phoenicurus ochruros S. G. Gmelin, 1774

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: High altitudes in Talish Mountains includ-ing Mount Kus-Yurdi and Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884;

Drozdov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes, river valleys, forests and vil-lages at 2,000-3,000 m (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through early April.COASTAL: Observed in Sara Peninsula on March 23rd and at Len-koran on March 26th (Radde, 1884; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a). One recorded on Mount Beuk-Dush, GobustanUpland on 4 April 1991 (MP).INTERIOR : Arrives at breeding grounds in mountains of ZakataliDistrict from mid March (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).


POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Average of 34 birds/km2 inmountains of Zakatali District, (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: In mountains often nest in rock fences and nich-es in house walls; sometimes near waterfalls (Satunin, 1907; Mus-tafaev, 1969a). In Kedabek a nest with 6 eggs on 16 June 1961,and another with 5 large young on 29 June 1961 (Mustafaev,1969a). On Mount Kus-Yurdi (Talish Mountains) fledglings on26 June (Radde, 1884), and in Zakatali Reserve from mid July (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Uncommon resident in high mountains. SubspeciesP. e. erythrogaster Güldenstadt, 1775.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (e.g. onMount Kichik-Gudor) above 2,800 m (Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985), also above 2,500 m on Mounts Bazar-Duzu and Shah-dag (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs.

281. Güldenstadt’s Redstart - Phoenicurus erythrogaster Güldenstadt, 1775

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: A male recorded on Mount Kalvas in 1961,and nesting confirmed near Giladara in 1968. Another malecollected at Amburdara on 24 April 1972 (Agaeva & Mus-tafaev, 1973).

HABITAT: Rocky slopes in sub-alpine and alpine zone above1,500 m. Descends to the upper forest limits in winter (Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).





BREEDING: A nest with 3 eggs under a rock at 2,800 m onMount Kichik-Gudor, Zakatali District. The nest built of dry alpine plants, feathers of Caucasian Snowcock, sheep wool, furof the East Caucasian Tur and rootlets, and lined exclusively with feathers of Caucasian Snowcock (Alekperov & Mustafae-

va, 1985). In Talish Mountains, a fledgling observed near Gila-dara on 8 July 1968 (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973).

STATUS: Probably accidental visitor. Monotypic.

REMARKS: Listed by Mustafaev et al. (1977). This species nestsin Central Asia and may accidentally enter Azerbaijan during migration or in winter.

282. Eversmann’s Redstart - Phoenicurus erythronotus Eversmann, 1841

Azeri name: Shafag bulbulu

STATUS: Common nesting species (a part of the population isresident) and uncommon migrant. Two subspecies: E. r. caucasi-

cus Buturlin, 1907 nests in Greater and Lesser Caucasus Moun-tains, and E. r. hyrcanus Blanford, 1874 in Lenkoran Lowlandand Talish Mountains.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: E. r. caucasicus: GREATER C AU-CASUS: Foothills and lower slopes up to 1,600-1,800 m in Zakataliand Belokani districts, also in Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), Kut-kashen and Ismailly districts, and Shemakha Upland including Mount Pirgulu, Tchanut Gorge and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954;

283. Robin - Erithacus rubecul a Linnaeus, 1758

Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Shelton, 2001;MP). In the northeast, occurs in mountains in Kusari and Kubadistricts (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).LESSER C AUCASUS: Geigel Reserve in Murovdag Ridge (Drozdov,1965; Gasanov, 1990), but probably also on forested slopes

elsewhere.BOSDAG: Turianchai Valley and Turianchai Bosdag Mountains(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965).

E. r. hyrcanus: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Woodlands and thickets inLenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Talish Mountains (e.g. Girkan Reserveand other parts of Ulasi Range) and Zuvand Upland (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills off Zakatali District(Gambarov, 1954). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests (Mustafaev, 1968b).

BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Vicinity of Mingechaur, Karayasi Forestand elsewhere in Kura Valley, Lake Aggel and Shirvan Steppe(Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Kizil Agach Reserveand Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mus-tafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Small numbers winter in AbsheronPeninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; MP).



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HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forests with dense under-storey, tugai , orchards and thickets from lowlands to uplands upto 2,000 m (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Blackberry, tamarisk, Juncus and reedthickets, tugai , overgrown clearings, orchards, swamps and marsh-es in lowlands and foothills, also in montane forests (Dobrokho-tov, 1963; Zlotin, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;

Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Leaves AbsheronPeninsula in early March (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

Fall passage: In autumn some descend from mountains to low-lands. Migrants from the north are also present.COASTAL: Present in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsulafrom late October to late March (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In TurianchaiReserve, 0.1-0.2/km in the early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b), but more common in early 1990s (MP).Winter: In Shirvan Steppe, 0.9/km in tamarisk thickets and 1.1/km in wetlands in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Singing from mid February (Tugarinov & Ko-

zlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). Inthe southeast mating probably takes place in March. A fledgling collected in foothills of Talish Mountains on 8 May 1897 andyoung flying well seen in Zuvand Upland on 18 June 1897 (Sa-tunin, 1907).

Azeri name: Bulbul

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies L.

m. africana Fisher et Reichenow, 1884.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Common inlowlands adjacent to the southern slope and foothills (e.g. inZakatali and Kutkashen districts). In Shemakha Upland, recordednear Shemakha, Kirovka and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954), andin northeast near Kuba (Satunin, 1907).

LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs in foothills. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve (Ulasi Range) and moun-tains around Lerik (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Turianchai Valley (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District), tugai

in Shamkhor District, settlements of Shirvan Steppe including Kurdamir, and also in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b; Gam-barov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland (in-cluding Lenkoran) and Sara Peninsula (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

284. Nightingale - Luscinia megarhynchos L. C. Brehm, 1831

S AMUR -D IVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Satunin, 1907;Drozdov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tugai , broad-leaved forests, forest edge,orchards, roadside treebelts and parks in lowlands and foothills(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April through mid May.COASTAL: Recorded near Vel, Lenkoran Lowland on 19 April1897 (Satunin, 1907) and near Lenkoran on April 24 th (Radde,1884). Also passes through southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Shamkhor District, songs heard from3-17 May (Gambarov, 1975).



BREEDING: Singing through the night in tugai in Turianchai Valley on 24 May 1991 (MP). Nests on the ground. A nest with4 eggs found near Lenkoran was built of dry oak leaves and ricestraw, and lined with tender parts of cereals, thin rootlets andsome hair (Radde, 1884). In Karayasi Forest: a nest with 4 young (3-4 days old) on 10 June 1989, and another one with 2 newly-hatched chicks and 1 egg on 1 July 1989 (MP).




STATUS: Accidental. Possibly nested in the past. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Old records only.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Radde (1884) reported Sprosser for theKarayasi, but only Nightingales found in Karayasi Forest in the

late 1980s (MP).

285. Sprosser - Luscinia luscinia Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: A specimen collected at Rya near Lenko-ranchai on 7 May 1897 (Satunin, 1907) was probably a migrant.

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Migrated through southernMugan. Also collected at Azur-Akhmedli near Gandja on 20

April 1895 (Satunin (1907, 1912b).

STATUS: Uncommon migrant. Subspecies L. s. magna Zarudny et Loudon, 1904 and L. s. cyanecula Meisner, 1804 migrate through Azerbaijan.

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March to mid April.COASTAL: Recorded in Sara Peninsula between March 31st to April12th (Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a)

286. Bluethroat - Luscinia svecica Linnaeus, 1758

and near Lenkoran on April 1st (Radde, 1884). Both subspecies were recorded in Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Observed in Mingechaur District fromearly March (Satunin, 1907).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Observed near Kilazi by Shelton (2001).2-3 late autumn records from Sara Peninsula (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species restricted to the southwest; possibly winters. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: LESSER C AUCASUS: Mountains of Zangelan and Kubatli districts (Mustafaev, 1968a).N AKHICHEVAN: Mountains east of Arpa-chai, e.g. common inDjagri-chai Valley and east Tanam, also nests near Djamaldin

and Kazilu, Negram Mountains, Mount Ilandag and mountainsnear Ordubad (Mitropolsky, 1989; MP).

Winter: Suspected in Lenkoran Lowland and Zuvand Upland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1911), but no specimens collected.

HABITAT: NESTING: Dry rocky gorges with pear and almondtrees at 1,000-1,400 m, but mostly between 1,100 and 1,200 m(Mitropolsky, 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrived in Djagri-chai Valley by April 22nd (Mitropolsky, 1989).

287. White-throated Robin - Irania gutturalis Guerin, 1843

Fall passage: Possibly moves southwards or descend to valleys.

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In 1969, 8singing males and 2 females observed in Djagri-chai Valley (Mitropolsky, 1989).

BREEDING: In Nakhichevan region sings actively from late April, usually perching in a tree, but also performs a display flight. Six nests found in Djagri-chai valley built in bushes 0.4-0.6 m above the ground. Nest built of dry plants and lined

with bast, tender plants and feathers. Nest measurements: di-ameter 100-110 x 110-130 mm, height 100-120 mm, nest-cupdiameter 55-65 x 55-70 mm, nest-cup depth 55-85 mm. Egg laying from 4-10 May, but in one nest from May 20 th (possibly a replacement clutch); 4 eggs/clutch. Eggs are greenish, slightly mottled with brown. Egg measurements: 19.4-21.3 x 15.0-16.5mm, weight 1.95-2.75 g (av. 2.51 g; n=10). On 11 June 1929,fledglings observed near Djamaldin, Nakhichevan Region(Mitropolsky, 1989).



244


STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. Subspecies M. s. saxatilis Linnaeus, 1766.

DISTRIBUTION: Poorly known.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Uncommon in Zakatali and Be-lokani districts at 1,900-2,800 m (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985);also observed near Djandakhar in upper Girdimanchai Valley,Ismailly District (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but probably occurs.

288. Rock Thrush - Monticola saxatilis Linnaeus, 1766

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (e.g. near Kalvas) and MountKus-Yurdi (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes with scarce bushes in sub-alpine and alpine zones and montane steppe (Radde, 1884; Ale-

kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Arrives at breeding groundsin Zakatali District in late April (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

Fall passage: One collected in Gobustan Upland west of San-gachal on 14 September 1960 (Gambarov, 1960).


BREEDING: In mountains of Zakatali District nest-building from early May. Nests built of rough grass stems and mud,and usually placed under or among rocks. In Zakatali Reservefresh clutches found from 13-24 May. Two clutches a year.

Nests with young of the first brood recorded 3-5 June and thesecond brood in early July. The young remain in nests 12-14days. The first brood fledges in mid June and the second broodin mid July (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Also in mid July,a fledgling collected near Djandakhar, Ismailly District (Gam-barov, 1954). In Talish Mountains young found on June 26th

(Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species. Subspecies M. s. solitarius

Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Distribution poorly known. Probably occursin Greater and Lesser Caucasus Mountains, and Zuvand Up-land, but no published records or specimens.N AKHICHEVAN: Common in the region (Radde, 1884; Tarasov, 1974).

289. Blue Rock Thrush - Monticola solitarius Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes with large rock fragments(Radde, 1884; Tarasov, 1974).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: A female collectedin Sara Peninsula on 23 March 1953 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. SubspeciesT. r. atrogularis Jarocki, 1819.

DISTRIBUTION: Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Upper forest

zone throughout the mountains, and Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev,1968a, b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Agaeva, 1969).BOSDAG: Recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 6-26 Janu-ary 1962 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

HABITAT: W INTER : Forest edge, orchards, juniper woodlandsand villages in high and low mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: A female collected in the vi-cinity of Lenkoran on 24 March 1882 (Radde, 1884).

290. Black-throated Thrush - Turdus ruficollis Pallas, 1776

Fall passage: Recorded near Lenkoran during autumn migra-tion (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1911). A male collected at Kulaginlookout, Kizil Agach Reserve on 11 December 1957 (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: Most common in Talish Moun-tains in late February-early March, e.g. 7.3/km in villages andorchards and 0.6/km on rocky slopes 3-5 March 1968 (Mus-tafaev & Agaeva, 1968). Less common in winter 1969 (Agae- va, 1969).

DIET: Often feeds on wild rose hips in Zuvand Upland (Mus-tafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Agaeva, 1969).









248


STATUS: Common nesting species, migrant and wintering spe-cies. Subspecies T. p. philomelos C. L. Brehm, 1831.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali andBelokani districts, the vicinity of Laza (Kutkashen District),upper Girdimanchai Valley (e.g. near Djandakhar) and Ismailly Reserve, Ismailly District (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965;Mustafaeva, 1965b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov,1990); also in Shemakha Upland including Tchanut Gorge andMount Pirgulu (Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed only at Lake Geigel, Murovdag Ridge (Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990), but probably widely dis-tributed throughout forested habitats. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve and Ulasi Range (Radde,1884; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1968a; Gasanov, 1990).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Alazani and Kura valleys, e.g. in KarayasiForest (Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Small numbers in Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Uncommon (Satunin, 1907; MP).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Good numbers winter in Tsil-banchai Gorge, Zakatali District (Gambarov, 1954). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests (Mustafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: Rare in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains in January (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley, e.g. very common inMingechaur and Shamkhor districts (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1975).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including Bakuand Shah Spit, mostly in cold winters (Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forests, tugai , roadsidetreebelts, orchards, parks, backyards in lowlands and moun-tains up to 1,700-1,800 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaeva, 1966; Mustafaev, 1969a). W INTER : Woodlots,shrub thickets, overgrown clearings, montane forests, parks

295. Song Thrush - Turdus philomelos C. L. Brehm, 1831

and orchards in villages and towns (Satunin, 1907, 1912b;Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972;Gambarov, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Undertakes vertical movements in the

mountains.Spring passage: March through early April.COASTAL: Passes through Sara Peninsula between March 20th and April 5th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). On 4 April1991 a flock of 15-20 on Mount Beuk-Dush, eastern GobustanUpland (MP).INTERIOR : Mostly leaves Kura Valley in March (Satunin, 1907);recorded on Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) after March 14 th

(Gambarov, 1954).

Fall passage: COASTAL : Recorded in Sara Peninsula(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives in mid Kura Valley in October

(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information.Winter: 5/km in juniper woodlands of Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on 13 March 1962 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Sings from mid February in Lenkoran Low-land (Radde, 1884). In Zakatali District nesting season lastsfrom mid March through mid July, e.g. nest-building on Mount Alibek from early Apri l; nests (n=132) in hornbeam, medlar,hazelnut, wild plum, elm, other trees and shrubs sometimesthorny or entwined with Chondrilla or blackberry (Gambarov,

1954; Mustafaeva, 1965b, 1966). In Tchanut Gorge (Shema-kha Upland) nests in young yews (Patrikeev, 1991d). The ma-jority of nests (74%) at 1-4 m (av. 3 m) above the ground,17% at 4-10 m, and 9% at only 0.7-1 m (Mustafaeva, 1965b).Nests in settlements often built at greater heights than elsewhere (Mustafaev, 1971a). Nest material includes moss, dry grass, leaves, twigs and rootlets. Average nest measurements:diameter 139 mm, diameter of nest-cup 83 mm, depth 53mm; weight 98.5 g (Mustafaeva, 1965b). Two clutches a year(3-5 eggs/clutch; av. 4.1). Incubation lasts 14 days and only female incubates. A newly-hatched chick weighs 4.4 g. Bothadults feed the young (av. 54 times/day). In Zakatali Districtnestling mortality was c. 12.5% (Mustafaeva, 1966), but as

high as 49-54% in Shirvan Steppe and the northeast (Mus-tafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Mostly invertebrates, but also berries and fruits (espe-cially in autumn): bird-cherry, blackberry, cornelian cherry, grape,hawthorn, medlar, mulberry, pear, wild plum and wild rose (Mus-tafaeva, 1966).

MORTALITY: One found dead in oil in Absheron Peninsula(Verestchagin, 1946).




STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies T. v. viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Breeding population is confinedto montane forests.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve, Tsilbanchai Gorge nearZakatali, Ilisu Reserve (Kah District), Kutkashen and Ismailly districts including Ismailly Reserve; Mount Pirgulu and the vi-cinity of Alti-Agach in Shemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaeva, 1966; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov,1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Karabakh Ridge, e.g. north of Shusha, andprobably montane forests elsewhere. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Montane forests of Talish Mountains (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1911; Gasanov, 1990).

Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Small numbers winter in Talish Mountains(Mustafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: Very common in juniper woodlands of TurianchaiBosdag Mountains in fall and winter (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Rare in the vicinity of Mingechaur andelsewhere in Kura Valley (e.g. Karayasi Forest) where probably descends after heavy snowstorms in the mountains (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Sara Peninsula, Kizil Agach Reserve (e.g.near Burunki) and elsewhere in Lenkoran Lowland (Tugarinov

& Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

296. Mistle Thrush - Turdus viscivorus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved (mostly beech-hornbeam andbeech-chestnut) forests at 700-2,200 m, but sometimes up to3,000 m, e.g. on Mount Guton, Zakatali Reserve (Mustafaeva,1966; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W INTER : Broad-leavedforests, thickets of wild rose and juniper woodlands in the moun-

tains, woodlots and overgrown clearings in lowlands (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: A female collectednear Lenkoran on March 7th (Radde, 1884). Leaves Sara Penin-sula by April 6th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Re-corded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

Fall passage: Late October through November.COASTAL: Arrives at Sara Peninsula between October 31st andNovember 12th (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).INTERIOR : Recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains after Oc-tober 9th, but in numbers after November 14 th (Vinogradov &

Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information.Winter: Outnumbers other wintering thrushes in juniper wood-lands of Turianchai Bosdag Mountains: up to 340/km2 in theearly 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Flocks of 6-9 in Zakatali Reserve (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985), and of upto 10 in Sara Peninsula (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

BREEDING: Pairs on Mount Alibek (Zakatali District) fromMarch 19th and nests from April 2nd (Gambarov, 1954); breed-ing season lasts into early July (Mustafaeva, 1965a, 1966). InZakatali District, nests (n=18) built in hornbeam (39%), pear,

elm and beech 3.4-11.8 m above the ground (average 6 m). Avoids thorny bushes and vines. Average nest measurements:diameter 126 mm, diameter of nest-cup 93 mm, depth 55 mm; weight 123 g (Mustafaeva, 1965b, 1966). Two clutches a year(usually 4 eggs). Incubation by female alone (14 days), but bothadults feed the young (28 times/day on average). The young remain in the nest 14 days. In Zakatali Reserve nestling mortal-ity was c. 27% (Mustafaeva, 1966). On Mount Alibek (ZakataliDistrict) fledglings after June 11th, and in Tsilbanchai Gorge on July 28th (Gambarov, 1954). When young are on the wing, broodsmove to the upper forest limits (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

DIET: Mostly invertebrates, but also fruit (especially in fall), e.g.

grape, date-plums, pear, Chondrilla , juniper and Russian olive (Satu-nin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaeva, 1966).

Warblers belonging to these five genera are poorly understoodin Azerbaijan and their ranges remain largely unknown. Diffi-culties with field identification and dull plumage are probably

FAMILY SYLVIIDAE - WARBLERS (OLD WORLD WARBLERS)

responsible for a lack of interest in this group and inadequateliterature record. A thorough study of these genera may revealspecies previously unknown in this country.

REMARK on CETTIA , LOCUSTELLA , LUSCINIOLA , A CROCEPHALUS and HIPPOLAIS



250


STATUS: Uncommon resident. Populations in the north of thecountry are probably migratory. Subspecies C. c. orientalis Tris-

tram, 1867.

DISTRIBUTION: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Uncommon to com-mon in wetlands of mid Kura (e.g. Zardob, Udjari and KurdamirDistricts) and at Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (Zlotin, 1963; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Common in Lenkoran Lowland, e.g. the vicinity of Lenkoran and in Astara District, rare in the south of

297. Cetti’s Warbler - Cettia cetti Temminck, 1820

Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Blu-mental, 1969; Mustafaev, 1972).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Rare in Samur Delta (Butiev et al.,1990b). Probably absent from the delta in winter (MP).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Has nested in Zuvand Upland (Bogdanov,1879).

HABITAT: NESTING: Dense reedbeds in marshes, other wet-lands and fishponds (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Butiev et al.,1990b; MP). Possibly also in hedgerows, e.g. in Zuvand Upland(Bogdanov, 1879). W INTER : Reedbeds and flooded woodlots(Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

MOVEMENT: Migrants recorded in southern Mugan (Satu-nin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Uncommon to common lo-

cally. No estimate.Winter: 3.25/km in wetlands on mid Kura in January 1961 (Zlo-tin, 1963).

BREEDING: Menetries reported nesting in hedgerows of Zuvand Upland (Bogdanov, 1879). No other information.

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably uncommon migrant andpossibly nesting species. Subspecies L. n. naevia Boddaert, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Recorded singing males might havebeen migrants.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Singing in thickets along Shirvan Drain-age Channel and coastal reeds of Lake Kichik-Shorgel (south-eastern Shirvan) on 25 April 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a) and in densereeds in Sara Peninsula on 3 June 1880 (Radde, 1884).

298. Western Grasshopper Warbler - Locustella naevia Boddaert, 1783

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Rare at fishponds in Samur Delta(Butiev et al., 1990b).

HABITAT: Thickets and reeds along channels, wetlands andfishponds (Radde, 1884; Butiev et al., 1990b; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Late migrant probably overlooked on mi-gration.

STATUS: Rare migrant (possibly overlooked). Monotypic.

HABITAT: Reedbeds in wetlands and at fishponds (Radde, 1884;Butiev et al., 1990b).

299. River Warbler - Locustella fluviatilis Wolf, 1810

DISTRIBUTION (MOVEMENT): In the 19th century 2 col-lected at Avchal Marsh (Kura Valley) on May 9th and August 8th

respectively (Radde, 1884). No other sightings until the 1980s when recorded at fishponds in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990b).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Possibly subspecies L. l. sarmatica

Kazakov, 1973.

300. Savi’s Warbler - Locustella luscinoides Savi, 1824

REMARKS: Rarely occurs in Azerbaijan during migration (Mus-tafaev et al., 1977).




STATUS: Uncommon nesting and common wintering species.Resident in part. Subspecies L. m. mimica Madarasz, 1903.

DISTRIBUTION: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Common resident inZardob and Kurdamir districts, mid Kura (Zlotin, 1963).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, southern Kizil Agach Reserve and southern Mugan, e.g. at Mahmud-chala(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkare- va, 1938; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Common at fishponds in Samur(Butiev et al., 1990b), but probably absent in the winter.

301. Moustached Warbler - Lusciniola melanopogon Temminck, 1823

HABITAT: Reedbeds in marshes and lakes (Radde, 1884; Zlo-tin, 1963).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: A female collectedin Lenkoran Lowland on 18 May 1882 (Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate.Winter: 7.1/km in wetlands of Zardob and Kurdamir districts(mid Kura) in January 1961, (Zlotin, 1963).



DISTRIBUTION: Summer: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kalinovsky Liman of Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,

302. Sedge Warbler - Acrocephalus shoenobaenus Linnaeus, 1758

1965a), south of Lenkoran District, Astara District (e.g. near Vel) and southern Mugan, e.g. at Lake Mahmud-chala and the vicinity of Archivan (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991c).

HABITAT: NESTING: Stands of reeds and rushes in shallow lakesand marshes (Patrikeev, 1991c). MIGRATION: Observed in wet-lands and orchards (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through May.COASTAL: Earliest records in Lenkoran District on April 12th, insouthern Mugan on April 23rd, and in Kizil Agach Reserve onMay 12th. Passes through the reserve in May (Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Col-lected in Absheron Peninsula near Ziria on May 20th, and nearPirkishkul (Sumgait-chai Valley) on 24 May 1946 (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).



DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Rare in moun-tains of Zakatali and Belokani districts, but common near Ilisu(Kah District), in Shemakha Upland (e.g. near Alti-Agach) and

mountains of Kuba District (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Old records from Mingechaur District(Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Old records from southern Mugan andLenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Valley and delta (Satunin, 1907;Drozdov, 1965; Butiev et al., 1990b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Singing male in Mashtaga, AbsheronPeninsula in June 1991 (MP).

303. Marsh Warbler - Acrocephalus palustris Bechstein, 1798



252


HABITAT: NESTING: In mountains: meadows, grassy forestopenings and streamside grass thickets in the upper forest andlower sub-alpine zones (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). Cereal fields and reeds in Samur Valley and delta(Satunin, 1907; Butiev et al., 1990b). The latter habitat is usually associated with Reed Warbler and not Marsh Warbler (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April through mid May.COASTAL: Recorded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).INTERIOR : Arrives at breeding grounds in mountains of ZakataliDistrict from late April (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Ob-served in mountains near Alti-Agach (Shemakha Upland) on

May 12th (Gambarov, 1954). Recorded in Mingechaur Districton May 10th, and the vicinity of Kurdamir (Shirvan Steppe) onMay 19th (Satunin, 1907).Fall passage: COASTAL: One collected in Baku on 19 Septem-ber 1960 (Gambarov, 1960).


BREEDING: In Zakatali District, nests found in dense grass 15-30 cm above the ground. Fresh clutches from early June (usually 4 eggs/clutch). Average egg measurements: 18.5 x 13.5 mm, weight1.9 g. Incubation lasts 12 days (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aggeland Sarisu, Mil Steppe and probably other wetlands of mid

Kura (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan: Shorgel Lakes,alongside channels and ditches crossing Shirvan Reserve, andthe vicinity of Kursangi (Patrikeev, 1991a). Also in southernMugan, e.g. at Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala (Satunin,1912b; Patrikeev, 1991c; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: A singing male immedi-ately north of Baku in June 1991 (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and Samur Delta (MP).

304. Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus scirpaceus Hermann, 1804

HABITAT: NESTING: Extensive reedbeds and isolated reedstands in wetlands and lakes of various sizes; also reeds border-ing irrigation channels and ditches (MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Heard at lakes of southeast-ern Shirvan from late April (Patrikeev, 1991a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Very commonat Shorgel Lakes in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a).

BREEDING: In southeastern Shirvan, singing from late Aprilthrough June. Eurasian Cuckoos frequenting reedbeds of ShorgelLakes may indicate nest parasitism on Reed Warbler (Patrikeev, 1991a).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Subspecies A. a. arundinaceus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karasy andShilian marshes, lakes Aggel, Bos-Koba, Sarisu and Djandargel,mouth of Iori, Varvara Reservoir; other wetlands in Shemakha,Zardob, Kurdamir, Udjari, Barda, Shamkhor and Akstafa dis-tricts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

305. Great Reed Warbler - Acrocephalus arundinaceus Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve,southern Mugan (e.g. Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala),Kura Delta, Shorgel Lakes and coastal lagoons north to CapePirsagat (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: Absent from Absher-on Peninsula in the 1950s (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958),but singing males recorded in a suburb of Baku in May-June1991 (MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman and Samur Delta (Sa-tunin, 1907; Butiev et al., 1990b).GREAT C AUCASUS: Observed at a small lake near Nidz, Kutkash-en District (Gambarov, 1954).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Two winter records from Kizil Agach Reserve: a female collected on 30 January 1950, and an-other specimen obtained from Kalinovsky Liman on 17 Janu-ary 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: NESTING: Reedbeds and smaller reed patches atlakes and marshes of various sizes; also reeds bordering irri-gation channels (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Patri-keev, 1991a, c).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through mid May.




COASTAL: As early as April 15th at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, south-eastern Shirvan (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Lenkoran Lowland firstspecimen collected on April 21st and conspicuous passage re-corded a week later (Radde, 1884); from early May in Kizil AgachReserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). On 20 May 1956several collected at Ziria, Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958). Common in Samur Delta in May (Butiev et

al., 1990a, b).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded near Buzovna, AbsheronPeninsula on 13 October 1946 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. Very common locally, e.g.in Kizil Agach Reserve and Shorgel Lakes. At the latter, singing males 20-30 m apart (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Patrikeev, 1991a).

BREEDING: In southeastern Shirvan singing from mid April(Patrikeev, 1991a). Vocally active in Kizil Agach Reserve in

May-June. Two nests in the reserve on May 14th

: one recently completed and another with 1 egg (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

STATUS: Accidental visitor (might have nested in the past). Norecent records. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION (former): SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Many sing-ing males reported from Lenkoran-chai Gorge near Rua and

306. Icterine Warbler - Hippolais icterina Vieillot, 1817

woods near Butasar, Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1907, 1911).Might have been migrants. No other records.

HABITAT: Reportedly alders in ravines and gorges; also woods(Satunin, 1907, 1911).

STATUS: Common migrant. Subspecies H. c. caligata Lichten-stein, 1823.

HABITAT: MIGRATION: Bushes in coastal areas and semi-desert,but also in reeds (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Butiev et al., 1990a, b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April though early June.COASTAL: As early as April 7th in Lenkoran Lowland, but notconspicuous until May; latest record in the lowland on June 2nd

(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). From late April-early May in Samur

Delta (Butiev et al., 1990a, b); also in May in Saliani District andthe vicinity of Cape Pirsagat (Satunin, 1907; MP).

307. Booted Warbler - Hippolais caligata Lichtenstein, 1823

Fall passage: August through mid October.COASTAL: Rare to uncommon in Samur Delta in August-early October (Butiev et al., 1990a); in Kizil Agach Reserve in midOctober (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

POPULATION SIZE: Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, com-bined number of Booted and Olivaceous Warblers in mid May ranged from a low of 1 to a high of 80/km2 (Butiev et al.,1990a, b).F ALL: 1-4 Booted/Olivaceous Warblers daily in Samur Delta in

1988 (Butiev et al., 1990a).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies H.

p. elaeica Lindermayer, 1843.

308. Olivaceous Warbler - Hippolais pallida Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower partsand foothills in Agsu, Sheki, Kutkashen (e.g. near Gadjali) andKuba districts (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a).LESSER C AUCASUS: Terter Valley up to lower parts of KarabakhRidge (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Probably at lower eleva-tions elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley within the region (Satunin, 1907).

BOSDAG: Eastern part of Turianchai Reserve (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aras Valley in Zangelan District (Satu-nin, 1907) and the mouth of Iori (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, southern Mugan andsoutheastern Shirvan north to Cape Pirsagat (Radde, 1884; Sa-tunin, 1907, 1912b; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Vicinity of Nizovaya and Naradjan(Khachmas District) and Samur Delta (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev,1969a; Butiev et al., 1990b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Collected in villages Ziria andZagulba in late May 1953 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).



254


Common on eastern slope of Mount Beuk-Dush, GobustanUpland (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Thickets and scattered bushes of Russianolive, tamarisk and blackberry, often near water; also in orchards(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975; Lebedeva, 1991;MP). Up to 1,075 m in Armenia (Dahl, 1954). MIGRATION: Thick-

ets, semi-desert and reeds (Butiev et al., 1990a, b).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April through early June.COASTAL: From late April in southeastern Shirvan and SamurDelta; conspicuous passage in the delta in mid May (Butiev etal., 1990a; MP). In Lenkoran Lowland collected as late as May 29th-June 1st (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).Fall passage: August through early October.COASTAL: A few in Samur Delta between August 13 th and Octo-ber 7th (Butiev et al., 1990a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. In Dagestanipart of Samur Delta, 17-108 pairs/km2 (Lebedeva, 1991).

Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, combined number of Boot-ed and Olivaceous Warblers in mid May ranged from a low of 1to a high of 80/km2 (Butiev et al., 1990a, b).F ALL: 1-4 Booted/Olivaceous Warblers daily in Samur Delta in1988 (Butiev et al., 1990a).

BREEDING: Sings in Samur Delta from mid May (Butiev et

al., 1990a). Nests in loose colonies of 2-5 pairs, but each pairoccupies and defends a territory of c. 0.14 ha. On territoriesfrom the end of May. Nest building from 27-28 May (com-pleted in 2-3 days by female only). Of 13 examined nests 12 were in tamarisk 0.55-1.30 m above the ground, and 1 in a wormwood clump at 0.45 m. Nests made of dry twigs, straw,pieces of bark, plant down and insect cocoons, lined mostly with down. Nest measurements: diameter 66-78 mm, height55-75 mm, nest-cup depth 38-51 mm. Eggs laid from 1-11 June, 3-5 eggs/clutch. Incubation lasts 12 days, mostly by fe-male (Lebedeva, 1991). A nest with 5 eggs near Naradjan (Kh-achmas District) on 25 May 1959 (Mustafaev, 1969a). Eggshatch from mid June (Lebedeva, 1991).

STATUS: Uncommon (?) nesting species and migrant restrict-ed to the southwest. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Poorly understood.Summer: N AKHICHEVAN: Aras Valley within the region (Stepa-nian, 1990), e.g. on or near Ilandag (Shelton, 2001).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Aras Valley in southwestern Azerbaijan(Stepanian, 1990).

309. Upcher’s Warbler - Hippolais languida Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: A pair observed at fishpond in SamurDelta (Butiev et al., 1990b) was probably lost or perhaps misi-dentified.

HABITAT: Semi-deserts of Aras Valley (Stepanian, 1990). Noother information. Up to 1,850 m in Armenia (Dahl, 1954).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. SubspeciesS. n. nisoria Bechstein, 1795.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Range very patchy or not wellknown. No recent records.GREATER C AUCASUS: An immature male collected in foothills of Zakatali District on August 27th (Gambarov, 1954).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in the vicinity of Gandja(Karasahkal) and Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District) in late May (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (e.g. near Vel), andpossibly in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1907, 1912b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Forest edge and bush thickets (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April through May.COASTAL: In Lenkoran Lowland from mid April (Radde, 1884). A male in semi-desert south of Cape Pirsagat on 19 May 1989(Patrikeev, 1991a). Conspicuous passage in Samur Delta in May (Butiev et al., 1990a). Also in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

310. Barred Warbler - Sylvia nisoria Bechstein, 1795

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded in Kura Valley in late April (Sa-tunin, 1907).


BREEDING: A nest with 3 fresh eggs in the vicinity Lenkoranon May 24th. The nest was built of stems and rootlets, and lined with soft rootlets and hair (Radde, 1884).




STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably a rare nesting speciesand migrant. Subspecies S. h. crassirostris Cretzschmar, 1826.

DISTRIBUTION: virtually unknown.

Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Nested in lower forest zone, e.g.

in Agsu (Satunin, 1907). No recent records.

311. Orphean Warbler - Sylvia hortensis Gmelin, 1789

LOWLANDS: Observed in lowlands of Azerbaijan (Satunin, 1911;Loskot, pers. comm.).

MOVEMENT: Recorded in southern Mugan in the past (Satu-nin, 1912b).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies S.

a. dammholzi Stresemann, 1928 nests in Azerbaijan, and S. a.

atricapilla Linnaeus 1758 occurs during migration.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali-Is-

mailly Lowland and adjacent foothills from Zakatali to Ismailly and Kuba; also in Shemakha Upland, e.g. near Kirovka, Astra-khanovka and Agsu (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Lake Geigel, Murovdag Ridge(Gasanov, 1990) and probably elsewhere.BOSDAG Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Karayasi Forest and Akstafa-chai

Valley through Shamkhor District (Gambarov, 1975; MP). May

312. Blackcap - Sylvia atricapilla Linnaeus, 1758

occur in mid Kura. Also near Begmanlu (Djabrail District) in Aras Valley (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland andin the south of Kizil Agach Reserve between Avarinyi Channeland Narimanabad (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Mus-tafaev & Gazanchian, 1967).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas District (Satunin, 1907; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Thickets of blackberry, pomegranate andhawthorn, tugai , woodlots, treebelts, gardens and orchards inlowlands and foothills (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through early May.COASTAL: In Lenkoran Lowland from March 31 (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907) and conspicuous passage in Kizil Agach Reserve11-12 April (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Observed inMugan (Satunin, 1912b). One collected in Yasamal Valley, Absh-eron Peninsula on 28 April 1954 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).INTERIOR : Arrives in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 3-10 May

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: COASTAL: Recorded near Lenkoran 13-15 Sep-tember (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).


BREEDING: Singing in Astrakhanovka (Shemakha Upland) onMay 19th (Satunin, 1907). Nests earlier in lowlands of ShamkhorDistrict: a nest with 5 incubated eggs on May 8th, and another with 4 newly hatched chicks on May 13th (Gambarov, 1975).

STATUS: Rare migrant; possibly nests in the northeast. Sub-species S. b. borin Boddaert, 1783.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: SamurDelta (Drozdov, 1965). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Possibly nested in Absheron Penin-sula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: Summer: Lowland broad-leaved forest (Droz-dov, 1965).

313. Garden Warbler - Sylvia borin Boddaert, 1783

MIGRATION: Blackberry thickets (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Collected in Absh-eron Peninsula on 14 May 1952, 20 and 24 May 1956 (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).

Fall passage: COASTAL: One taken in Sara Peninsula on Octo-ber 28th (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).



256


STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant. SubspeciesS. c. caucasica Ognev et Bankovski, 1910. Some authors (e.g. Stepa-nian, 1990) consider S. c. caucasica a subspecies of Hume’s Less-er Whitethroat: Sylvia althaea , e.g. S. althaea caucasica .

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly known. Re-cent records are scarce.GREATER C AUCASUS: Kuba District (Satunin, 1907) and Shema-kha Upland, e.g. in the vicinity of Kirovka (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Murovdag Ridge (Satunin, 1907). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Lerik District (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley in Shamkhor District (Gam-barov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

314. Lesser Whitethroat - Sylvia curruca Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Bush thickets, tugai and woodlots in low-lands and low mountains up to 1,500 m (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April through mid May.

COASTAL: Earliest records in Lenkoran Lowland and Kizil AgachReserve 3-14 April, latest 9-15 May (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov, 1950). Conspicuous passage in Samur Delta in May (Butiev et al., 1990a).Fall passage: COASTAL: Several collected in Sara Peninsula on 28September 1953 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Ob-served in Kuba District in mid September (Shelton, 2001).


STATUS: Common nesting species and uncommon migrant.Subspecies S. c. icterops Menetries, 1832 nests in Azerbaijan andS. c. communis Latham, 1787 occurs during migration.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills inZakatali, Belokani and Sheki districts, the vicinity of Lagich (Is-mailly District) and Shemakha Upland (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: The vicinity of Lerik, and Zuvand Upland

(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District), Ak-stafa-chai Valley, Kura Valley in Shamkhor District (Gam-barov, 1975; MP). Common in Gandja and the vicinity (Mus-tafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b), SaraPeninsula (Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967) and LenkoranLowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). A pair observed southof Cape Pirsagat on 7 May 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a) were prob-ably migrants.S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but probably present.

315. Common Whitethroat - Sylvia communis Latham, 1787

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: North of Absheron Peninsula (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Bush thickets, forest edge, tugai forests,orchards, young tree plantations and other man-made habitatsin lowlands and foothills; up to 1,800 m in Zuvand Upland (Rad-de, 1884; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1973b).

MOVEMENT: is inconspicuous (probably overlooked).Spring passage: Late April-May.COASTAL: Collected in Lenkoran Lowland on April 22nd (Radde,

1884) and observed on Mount Beuk-Dash (Gobustan Upland)on 4 May 1991 (MP). Conspicuous passage in Samur Delta inMay (Butiev et al., 1990a).Fall passage: One collected in Sara Peninsula on 8 September1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Unknown. Only 2-3 pairs inSara Peninsula in 1964 (Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967).

BREEDING: A nest with 5 eggs in a saltwort in ShamkhorDistrict as early as May 13th (Gambarov, 1975). On June 2nd, 2nests near Lerik, Talish Mountains. Also in early June, a male with enlarged gonads collected in Sara Peninsula (Radde, 1884;

Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov, 1950). Often nests close to settlementsand roads (Mustafaev, 1969a).




STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies S.

m. mystacea Menetries, 1832 described from Kura Valley near

Saliani, Azerbaijan.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Mostly in Kura Valley and CaspianLowland.GREAT C AUCASUS: Turianchai Valley north to Gadjali, Kutkash-en District (Gambarov, 1954).BOSDAG: Small numbers in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Shamkhor-chai to Saliani. Very common in Shirvan, Mil and Mugan steppes, vicinities of Mingechaur and Khaladz (Bogdanov, 1879; Satunin, 1912b; Mus-tafaev, 1960c, 1969; MP). Probably also in Aras Valley.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southeastern Shirvan north to Cape Pir-

sagat (Satunin, 1907; Patrikeev, 1991a), southern Mugan, Len-koran Lowland and Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Kuba and Khachmas districts includ-ing Samur Delta (Satunin, 1907; Butiev et al., 1990a). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Western and central parts of Absh-eron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Saltwort-tamarisk semi-desert, bush thick-ets (blackberry and tamarisk), orchards, young tree plantationsand roadside treebelts (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev, 1960c, 1969; Gambarov, 1975; Patrikeev, 1991a).MIGRATION: Edges of bush thickets (Butiev et al., 1990a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to late May.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve between March 27 th

and April 7th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), and tosoutheastern Shirvan from mid April (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Samur

316. Menetries’ Warbler - Sylvia mystacea Menetries, 1832

Delta earliest record on April 6th in 1985, but not until April 20 th

in 1988. Conspicuous passage as early as April 13th. Latest sight-ings 9-23 May (Butiev et al., 1990a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In the vicinity of Kurdamir (ShirvanSteppe), at the confluence of Kura and Aras, and in Mugan

from late March (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1960c).Fall passage: August to late October.COASTAL: Rare in Samur Delta in August (Butiev et al., 1990a).Latest sightings in Kizil Agach Reserve 18-25 September, but onecollected in Sara Peninsula on October 28th (Tugarinov & Kozlo- va-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Leaves Kurdamir District (Shirvan Steppe)by late October (Mustafaev, 1960c).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Outnumbers other Sylvia , butno estimate. Up to 30 nests/km2 in a two-year-old mulberry plantation near Dagirmanli, Kurdamir District (Mustafaev,1960c). Only several pairs in Samur Delta (Butiev et al., 1990a).

Passage: SPRING: In Samur Delta, 5-8/day during 22-23 April1988, but up to 6.5-22/km2 in 1989 (Butiev et al., 1990a).

BREEDING: Singing in Kelagoini (northern Mugan) as early asMarch 24th (Satunin, 1907); from mid April in southeastern Shir- van. Singing male usually remains well-hidden (MP). In ShirvanSteppe, nests in young trees (mulberry, pomegranate, plum and Ailanthus ) usually 0.2-0.8 m (av. 0.5 m) above the ground, but ashigh as 1.2-1.5 m near settlements (Mustafaev, 1960c; 1969, 1971a).In southeastern Shirvan, nests in wormwood and saltwort at 0.2-0.8 m (Patrikeev, 1991a). Nest measurements: diameter 6-7 x 7-9cm, nest-cup 4.5-5 cm, height 4-5 cm (Mustafaev, 1960c).Nesting season in Kurdamir District (Shirvan Steppe) from late April

through mid July. Two clutches/year, 4-6 eggs (Mustafaev, 1960c).Perhaps only 1 clutch/year in southeastern Shirvan (MP). At LakeKichik-Shorgel a newly built nest found on April 27th contained 6eggs by May 8th (Patrikeev, 1991a). In Kizil Agach Reserve complet-ed clutches from early May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). The young hatch within 2-3 days, perhapsbecause warm weather triggers embryo development before actualonset of incubation. In southeastern Shirvan newly hatched chicksduring 12-17 May, but young ready to fledge as early as May 14 th

(Patrikeev, 1991a). Young usually remain in nests 7-12 days, av. 9-11days (Mustafaev, 1971a). In Kizil Agach Reserve fledglings from 12May to 6 June (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), and in south-eastern Shirvan broods with 2-3 young during 23-24 May (Patrikeev,

1991a). In Kura Lowland the first brood fledges from late May, andthe second brood in early July (Mustafaev, 1960c). In Shirvan Steppelow survival rate (28%) in settlements, higher (55%) elsewhere (Mus-tafaev, 1971a). In Caspian Lowland, broods move from coastal semi-desert to the adjacent foothills shortly after the fledge (MP).

STATUS: Accidental visitor (one record). Probably S. n. nana

Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833.

317. Desert Warbler - Sylvia nana Hemprich et Ehrenberg, 1833

MOVEMENT: One collected near Lenkoran in October (Satu-nin, 1911).



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STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and common migrant.Subspecies: P. t. acredula Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Distribution poorly understood.Might have been confused with other Phylloscopus species or per-

haps non-breeding individuals were recorded.GREATER C AUCASUS: Upper forest zone, e.g. in Zakatali Reserve(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). An immature bird collected nearKirovka, Shemakha Upland on 25 July 1950 (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: Nests on Bargushad and Megri ridges in Ar-menia (Dahl, 1954), and perhaps also in Azerbaijan.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Radde (1884) reported nesting in Lenko-ran Lowland, but nests described by him were atypical: e.g. builtin bush forks above the ground, nesting material included threadsand lining: pieces of paper. Perhaps misidentified. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One collected near Pirshaga, Absh-eron Peninsula on 1 July 1938 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING (?): Upper forest zone (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985). MIGRATION: Thickets of shrubs, e.g. tamarisk, andorchards (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Gambarov, 1975; MP).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to early June.

318. Willow Warbler - Phylloscopus trochilus Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve as early as 20-26 March, butsometimes not until April 10th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Migrates through southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b) andsoutheastern Shirvan, e.g. at Lake Kichik-Shorgel 10-12 May 1990 (MP). In Absheron Peninsula recorded throughout May

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958). One on Los’ Island (Baku Archipelago) on 3 June 1989 (MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives in Kura Valley in late April. Somecollected in Iori Valley on May 11 th (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1975).Fall passage: Mid August to mid October.COASTAL: Collected and observed in Absheron Peninsula (e.g. inBaku and Zagulba) between August 18th and September 29th

(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Alekperov, 1972). Passesthrough Kizil Agach Reserve between September 10 th and midOctober (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information.Passage: SPRING: c. 30 near Lake Kichik-Shorgel (southeasternShirvan) 10-12 May 1990 (MP).


STATUS: Common migrant and rare wintering species; possi-bly nests in the northeast. Subspecies P. c. abietinus Nilsson, 1819.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Recorded in

the mountains, probably in the northeast (Marova, 1991).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Probably in Samur Delta (Droz-dov, 1965).Winter: No recent records, but probably overlooked.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley in Zardob and Kurdamir dis-tricts (Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wintered in Kizil Agach Reserve in the1930s (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938), not observedin 1955-1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), but thenagain recorded in 1968 (Blumental, 1969). As late as mid De-cember in Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: SUMMER : Up to 2,000 m in montane forest (Marova,

1991). MIGRATION AND WINTER : Bush thickets, tugai forests and

319. Chiffchaff - Phylloscopus collybita Vieillot, 1817

orchards (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Zlotin, 1963).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early March through late April.

COASTAL: In Lenkoran Lowland as early as March 5th

, but conspicu-ous passage 20-27 March, and in Kizil Agach Reserve 26 March-27 April (Radde, 1884; Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). Passes in numbers through Absheron Peninsula (e.g. Baku)from late March-early April (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: Late September through mid November.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula inlate September, but sometimes not until mid October. Conspic-uous passage on November 16th (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate.Winter: In January 1961, 0.5/km in tugai of Kura Valley, Zard-

ob and Kurdamir Districts (Zlotin, 1963).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant; perhaps winters at lower altitudes. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION:Summer: Poorly known, but probably widespread.GREATER C AUCASUS: Upper forest zone in Zakatali and Belokanidistricts (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985), and Ismailly Reserve

320. Caucasian Chiffchaff – Phylloscopus lorenzii Lorenz, 1887

(Gasanov, 1990). One collected near Kirovka, Shemakha Up-land on 28 June 1950 (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in Geigel Reserve on the northernslopes of Murovdag Ridge (Gasanov, 1990), and on southeast-ern slopes of Megri Ridge (Dahl, 1954).




HABITAT: NESTING: Montane forests at 1,400-2,000 m (Dahl,1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Recorded in southern Mugan by Satunin (1912b).In Armenia and Georgia, passage in March and late October(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Dahl, 1954).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. Uncommon in Zakataliand Belokani districts (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Nests of this species are larger and with thicker walls than those of Chiffchaff; also nests of this species tend tobe higher above the ground: 0.15-2 m (Marova, 1991).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies P.

t. nitidus Blyth, 1843 (sometimes considered a full species - Green Warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Blyth, 1843).

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali, Be-lokani and Kuba District; also in Shemakha Upland, e.g. nearShemakha, Alti-Agach, Kirovka, Djandakhar, Astrakhanovka,

321. Greenish Warbler - Phylloscopus trochiloides Sundevall, 1837

Khaltava Springs and possibly near Maraza (Satunin, 1907; Gam-

barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Lake Geigel (Murovdag Ridge) andmountains of Zangelan District (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Foothills of Ulasi Ridge (Drozdov, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Recorded in Samur Delta (Droz-dov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Woodlands, bush thickets and orchards infoothills and mountains; sometimes in lowlands (Gambarov,1954; Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Passes through SaraPeninsula and Kizil Agach Reserve mid April through May

(Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Re-corded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).Fall passage: COASTAL: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve 10September-16 October (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Also in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information.Passage: Common migrant in Kizil Agach Reserve in the late1950s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Possibly migrated through Azerbaijan in the past. Records by Menetries (Bogdanov, 1879) were dismissed by Radde (1884).No other information.

[Wood Warbler - Phylloscopus sibilatrix Bechstein, 1793] (Hypothetical)

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Probably S. i. platyura Severt-zov, 1873.

322. Scrub Warbler - Scotocerca inquieta Cretzschmar, 1826

REMARK: Included by Mustafaev et al., (1977). Probably rare-ly wanders into Azerbaijan in fall and winter.



260


STATUS: Common wintering species; possibly nests. Subspe-cies R. r. regulus Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Pos-sibly nests in pine plantations in Baku and the vicinity (Y.Guseinov, pers. comm.).Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Winters in montane forests (Rad-de, 1884; Mustafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley (Radde, 1884); also south of Shemakha (Satunin, 1907).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Sara Peninsula, Lenkoran Lowland andsouthern Mugan (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including Baku(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.) andShah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

FAMILY REGULIDAE - KINGLETS AND ALLIES

323. Goldcrest - Regulus regulus Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: W INTER : Forests, woodlots, juniper woodlands, bushthickets, orchards, parks, pine plantations, villages and towns inlowlands and hills; also in montane forests (Radde, 1884; Satu-

nin, 1907, 1912b; Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: INTERIOR : Leaves Kura Valley by early March (Satunin, 1907), but remains in Turianchai Bos-dag Mountains as late as mid April (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b; MP).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Sara Peninsula already in lateOctober, but sometimes not until late November-early Decem-ber (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

STATUS: Rare migrant (last observed in 1956). Probably sub-species F. h. hypoleuca Pallas, 1764.

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Arrived in Lenko-

ran Lowland 23 March-4 April, conspicuous passage recordedon 8-14 April (Radde, 1884; Tugarinov, 1950). Last records (sin-

FAMILY MUSCICAPIDAE - OLD WORLD FLYCATCHERS

324. Pied Flycatcher - Ficedula hypoleuca Pallas, 1764

gle birds in Sara Peninsula) on 28 March and 1 April 1954, and1 April 1956 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

MORTALITY: A snowstorm of 14-16 April 1880 killed almost

all Pied Flycatchers that had arrived in the vicinity of Lenkoran:c. 100 carcasses recovered (Radde, 1884).


325. Semi-collared Flycatcher - Ficedula semitorquata Homeyer, 1885

DISTRIBUTION: Summer range poorly known.GREATER C AUCASUS: Upper forest zone in Zakatali District (Sere-brovsky, 1925).LESSER C AUCASUS: Bargushad Ridge in Kubatli and Zangelandistricts (Laister & Sosnin, 1942).N AKHICHEVAN: Recorded near Ordubad and Aza, Ordubad Dis-trict (Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Vicinity of Lerik and elsewhere (Satunin,1907; Peklo, 1987).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved montane forests with mea-gre understorey, also orchards (Satunin, 1907; Serebrovsky, 1925).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March to mid AprilCOASTAL: A male collected in “southern Azerbaijan” on 24 March1880 (Radde, 1884), and others in Sara Peninsula on 1 April




1956, 4-8 April 1937 (Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965a). Recorded in southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Arrives at breeding grounds in ZakataliDistrict by April 10th (Serebrovsky, 1925).Fall passage: COASTAL: One collected in Sara Peninsula on 12

August 1952 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).


BREEDING: Singing male near Archevan, Talish Mountainson 24 April 1898 (Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant, rare wintering species. Subspecies F. p. parva Bechstein, 1794.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lowlands andlow mountains from Zakatali to Ismailly; also in ShemakhaUpland, e.g. Mount Pirgulu and Tchanut Gorge (Gambarov,1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Geigel Reserve, Murovdag Ridge (Drozdov,1965), and probably elsewhere. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Ulasi Range, vicinity of Lerik, and mountains westof Astara (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Peklo, 1987).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Peklo, 1987).

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Several remained in Sara Penin-sula until early January (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

326. Red-breasted Flycatcher - Ficedula parva Bechstein, 1794

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forests (e.g. beech forests), woodlots and orchards in lowlands and mountains up to at least1,200 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Peklo, 1987).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Early April to early May.COASTAL: Earliest sightings in Sara Peninsula and Lenkoran Low-land: 8-20 April, and latest on May 1 st (Radde, 1884; Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). A male on Baburyi Island, Baku Archipelago on 27 April 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991a).INTERIOR : Arrives at breeding grounds in Zakatali District in

early April (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985), but observed inKura Valley and the vicinity of Gandja only from April 20th

(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). Passes through Mugan (Satu-nin, 1912b).

Fall passage: Early August to mid December.COASTAL: Migrates through Sara Peninsula from 6-10 Septem-ber to late October, but some as late as December 14 th

(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Common in Kura Valley and Mugan from early Au-gust to mid October (Satunin, 1907, 1912b). Leaves ZakataliDistrict by mid October (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Laterecords: one in Turianchai Valley on 29 October 1961 (Vino-

gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), and several in Kura Valley during 15-24 November (Satunin, 1907).


BREEDING: In Zakatali District, a nest with 5 eggs in asmall hornbeam 1.1 m above the ground. Average egg size:16 x 13 mm. Fledglings recorded from July (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Common nesting species and migrant. Subspecies M.s. striata Pallas, 1764.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lowlands andlow mountains in Zakatali District (e.g. Tsilbanchai Gorge), Il-isu and Ismailly reserves, vicinity of Agsu and Lagich, and KubaDistrict. In Shemakha Upland, recorded near Kirovka, Pirgulu, Tchanut Gorge and Alti-Agach (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954;Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Peklo, 1987;Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).

327. Spotted Flycatcher - Muscicapa striata Pallas, 1764

LESSER C AUCASUS: No information, but undoubtedly occurs. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Ulasi Range, the vicinity of Lerik and elsewhere (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Peklo, 1987).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Karayasi Forest (Ak-stafa District) to the confluence of Kura and Aras, also Alazani Valley and Gandja (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 196, 1973b9; Gam-barov, 1975; Peklo, 1987; MP).



262


SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland, Sara Peninsula, south-ern Mugan and southeastern Shirvan, (Satunin, 1912b; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Gazanchian,1967; Peklo, 1987; Patrikeev, 1991a).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Lowlands of Khachmas District (Sa-tunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including Baku(Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a) and in Go-bustan Upland including Mount Beuk-Dush (Patrikeev, 1991b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Woodlots, bush thickets (e.g. in semi-desert), broad-leaved forest, orchards, parks, villages and live-stock farms in lowlands, foothills and mountains up to 1,500 m

(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985;Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March through mid May.COASTAL: Earliest records in Sara Peninsula between March 14 th

and April 9th; conspicuous passage after April 10th (Vinogradov &

Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Arrived in southeastern Shirvan and Bakuin late April and at Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) during the first week of May (Peklo, 1987; Patrikeev, 1991a, b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Not seen in Turianchai Bosdag Moun-tains until 19-20 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).Fall passage: Mid September through early October.COASTAL: In Sara Peninsula, conspicuous passage 13-21 Septem-ber, and latest sightings on September 28th and October 4 th


POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Only 1 pair inSara Peninsula in 1958, but 2-3 pairs from 1964 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967). In

Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, 0.3-0.5/km (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b). In 1990-1991, >10 pairs on Mount Beuk-Dush, Gobustan Upland (MP).

BREEDING: A pair in Lenkoran Lowland on April 28th (Satu-nin, 1907), and a breeding male in Sara Peninsula in early June(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). On 12 June 1989, a fledg-ling recorded in Karayasi Forest (MP). In Greater CaucasusMountains, large young collected in August (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some local movements.Subspecies P. b. russicus C. L. Brehm, 1831.

DISTRIBUTION: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Wetlands of MilSteppe (Aggel, Bos-Koba and Sarisu) and Shirvan Steppe (Shil-ian, Karasy and small marshes in Zardob and Udjari districts),

FAMILY TIMALIIDAE – BABBLERS AND ALLIES

328. Bearded Reedling - Panurus biarmicus Linnaeus, 1758

Varvara Reservoir (Satunin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963; Tuaev & Vasil-iev, 1965a, 1972). Formerly at Lake Hadjikabul (Radde, 1884).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shorgel Lakes and connecting channelsin southeastern Shirvan, Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chalain southern Mugan, Kizil Agach Reserve including Kalinovsky Liman and wetlands of Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satu-nin, 1907, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938;Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Mustafaev, 1972; Patrikeev, 1991a, c; MP).C ASPIAN SEA, ABSHERON AND ISLANDS: May nest in AbsheronPeninsula, but so far only recorded in winter, e.g. near Plaj Rail-

way Station on 5 December 1958 (Gambarov, 1960) and in ShahSpit (Bannikova et al., 1984).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: Extensive reedbeds, small reed patches and kobl s infreshwater and brackish wetlands (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1965a; Patrikeev, 1991a).

POPULATION SIZE: Locally very common, but no overall estimate.Breeding: At Lake Sarisu nests 1-3 m apart (Tuaev & Vasiliev,1965a), but 30-200 m at Lake Kichik-Shorgel, southeastern Shir-




van (Patrikeev, 1991a); 3/km in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: 1/km in wetlands of Zardob and Udjari districts in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963), and flocks of up to 20 at Lake Aggel in January 1991 (MP). In Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil AgachReserve), 0.2/km in August, 3/km in September and 4.2/km in January (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Common at

Shah Spit in January-February 1982 (Bannikova et al., 1984).

BREEDING: Often nests in kobls 20-50 cm above the water.Nest built of dry reed leaves and lined with reed panicles. 2clutches/year, e.g. in late March-early April and late May-early June in Kura Lowland (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1965a). AtLake Kichik-Shorgel, nests with eggs from mid April, up to6 eggs/clutch. In southeastern Shirvan, fledglings from May 8th; broods at Mahmud-chala, southern Mugan in early June

(Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some winter move-ments. Subspecies A. c. major Radde, 1884 nests in Greater andLesser Caucasus Mountains and adjacent areas, and A. c. alpinus

Hablizl, 1783 in Talish Mountains and Lenkoran Lowland.

DISTRIBUTION: A. c. major: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower for-est zone and lowlands in Zakatali, Sheki, Kuba and Kusari dis-tricts, Shemakha Upland including Mount Pirgulu, TchanutGorge and Alti-Agach Reserve (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; Patrikeev, 1991d; Shelton, 2001).LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Lake Geigel (Murovdag Ridge),the upper Shamkhorchai Valley in Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884;Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990) and probably elsewhere.BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and Turianchai Valley (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; MP).

FAMILY AEGITHALIDAE - LONG-TAILED TITS

329. Long-tailed Tit - Aegithalos caudatus Linnaeus, 1758

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Karayasi Forest (Ak-stafa District) to Shamkhor and Mingechaur districts, also inthe mouth of Iori (Gambarov, 1975; MP).

A. c. alpinus: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve in Ulasi Ridgeand probably elsewhere. Remains in montane forests throughthe winter (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Mus-

tafaev, 1968b; Gasanov, 1990).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Drozdov, 1965). In winter alsooccurs in Sara Peninsula and Kizil Agach Reserve, towns and villages of Lenkoran Lowland (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved and tugai forest, woodlots,juniper woodlands, bush thickets, forest edge and orchards inlow mountains and lowlands (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP). W INTER : Sim-ilar habitats, but also villages and towns (Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Increases in upper Kura Valley in winter proba-bly due to birds descending from foothills of the CaucasusMountains (Gambarov, 1975).


BREEDING: Early nester. A female with egg was collectednear Mingechaur as early as March 3rd (Satunin, 1907). Birds with nesting material in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains 5-7 April(MP). Fledglings observed in Talish Mountains from mid April(Radde, 1884), and in lowlands of Kuba District on May 23 rd

(Satunin, 1907). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, broods of 7-9 young flying well 25-27 May 1991 (MP).

Azeri name: Pasnak gush

STATUS: Common resident under taking some winter move-ments. Subspecies R. p. menzbieri Zarudny, 1913 occursthroughout Azerbaijan with the exception of Lenkoran

FAMILY REMIZIDAE - PENDULINE TITS and ALLIES

330. Penduline Tit - Remiz pendulinus Linnaeus, 1758

Lowland and Zuvand Upland where it is replaced by R. p.

altaicus Radde, 1899. The latter sometimes included in Rem-

iz macronyx Severtzov 1873, i.e., R. m. altaicus (Stepanian,1990). However, validity of R. macronyx is not widely rec-ognized.



264


DISTRIBUTION: R. p. menzbieri: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND:Kura Valley from Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District) to Saliani,e.g. Shilian and Karasy marshes (Shirvan Steppe), Aggel andSarisu (Mil Steppe). Also in Alazani Valley, the mouth of Iori,

Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, and Fisuli and Djabrail districts in Aras Valley (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975;Mustafaev, 1969a; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Shorgel Lakes and irrigation channels of southeastern Shirvan, Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chalain southern Mugan (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Divichi Liman (Satunin, 1907). R. p. altaicus: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve andLenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: Usually in trees, shrubs and thickets adja-

cent to rivers, lakes, wetlands and channels (e.g. in villages), butsometimes as far as 2 km from nearest water; occasionally in reeds.Mostly in lowlands, but also inhabits Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884;Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a; Patrikeev, 1991a, c).

MOVEMENT: Arrives at Shorgel Lakes, southeastern Shirvanby April 25th (Patrikeev, 1991a).


BREEDING: Pouch-like nest woven of tamarisk fibre or wil-low down is suspended from branches 1-2 m over water, lesscommonly over ground. Many nests left unfinished (Patrikeev,

1991a, c; MP). Nest-building recorded from early May throughmid June. In Shamkhor District, a nest with 2 eggs on 12 June1935 (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1975).

STATUS: Uncommon resident with restricted range. Subspecies

P. l. anatoliae Hartert, 1905 occurs in Megri Ridge, and P. l. talischensis Stepanyan, 1974 in Talish Mountains. The latter is some-times included in Parus hyrcanus Zarudny et Loudon, 1905 , i.e. P. h.

talischensis (Loskot, 1978). Parus hyrcanus is not widely recognized.

DISTRIBUTION: P. l. anatoliae: LESSER C AUCASUS: MegriRidge in Zangelan District (Loskot, 1982; Stepanian, 1990).P. l. talischensis: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Vicinity of Lerik, Vizezaminand Gosmalian, also along highway Lerik-Lenkoran. Probably remains in the mountains through the winter (Loskot, 1978).

HABITAT: NESTING: P. l. anatoliae : dry forests including juniperforest (Loskot, 1982). P. l. talischensis : frequently logged and in-

tensively grazed Fagus and Carpinus forest, small openings inmature forest, forest edges and roadside at 550-1250 m, usually above 1,000 m (Loskot, 1978).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. In April and June 1976, 14pairs (0.6 pair/km) near Lerik, Talish Mountains. Neighbouring pairs 0.3-2 km apart (Loskot, 1978).

BREEDING: P. l. anatoliae apparently nests only in natural cav-ities and rock crevices, while P. l. talischensis excavates its owncavities. Nests of the former subspecies contain green moss

FAMILY PARIDAE - TITS

331. Sombre Tit - Parus lugubris Temminck, 1820

not found in nests of the latter (Loskot, 1982). Detailed infor-

mation on P. l. talischensis was collected in the vicinity of Lerik, Talish Mountains. This species excavates nesting cavities in deador living trees and snags in 5-14 days. The majority of cavities were near tree/snag top 0.7-11 m (av. 4.5 m) above the ground.Nesting cavity dimensions (n=7): entrance diameter 3.0-3.8 cm(av. 3.3 cm), cavity depth 14.5-27.5 cm (av. 21.6 cm). Nests builtin 6-8 days of strips of tree bark, animal fur, Aster down andfeathers. Nest measurements: diameter 6.8-8.2 cm (av. 7.3 cm),height 4.8-6.3 cm (av. 5.6 cm), nest cup 4.6-6.0 cm in diameterand 3.0-4.3 cm deep (Loskot, 1978). At 550-800 m first eggslaid 14-17 April, and at 1150-1250 m from 22 April to early May. Egg size (n=30): 16.0-18.1 x 12.2-13.3 mm (av. 16.9 x 12.8), weight 1.2-1.5 g (av. 1.4 g). Incubation does not exceed 13-14

days. Feeding rate c. 21 times/hour. A brood of 6 recorded on June 3rd (Loskot, 1978).

DIET: P. l. talischensis forages in canopy and shrub thickets whileP. l. anatoliae spends more time feeding on the ground. Stom-achs of talischensis (n=14) examined in April and June containedcaterpillars Yponomeutidae and Pieridae, beetles, terrestrialmolluscs and seed (Fabaceae). The young often fed gnats Tipul-idae. Stomachs of anatoliae (n=11) collected in southern Tran-scaucasia contained large quantities of ants, aphids, beetle larvae, also caterpillars, Orthoptera and Isopoda (Loskot, 1978).




STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies: P. a. michalowskii

Bogdanov, 1879 inhabits Greater and Lesser Caucasus Moun-

tains and adjacent lowlands, while P. a. gaddi Zarudny, 1911 isconfined to the southeast.

DISTRIBUTION: Distribution of both subspecies not welldocumented.P. a. michalowskii: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve andadjacent areas, Kutkashen and Kuba districts, Ismailly and Alti- Agach reserves (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985; Gasanov, 1990; Shelton, 2001).LESSER C AUCASUS: Geigel Reserve (Murovdag Ridge) and upperShamkhorchai Valley, Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).

332. Coal Tit - Parus ater Linnaeus, 1758

BOSDAG: One recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains onOctober 18th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Winters in Aras Valley, e.g. Fisuli District(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

P. a. gaddi: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Ulasi Ridge, Girkan Reserveand elsewhere (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In 1964-1968, found nesting in re-maining forest fragments of Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev,1969a) where long known to winter (Satunin, 1907; Mus-tafaev, 1968b, 1972). Collected in Kizil Agach Reserve on28 October 1959 and 15 December 1952 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

HABITAT: Broad-leaved forests, woodlots, overgrown clear-ings, orchards and villages in lowlands and mountains up to 2,000m (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Some remain in montane forests in winter whilemany descend to lowlands (Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Common in Zakatali Reserve (Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985). No overall estimate.

BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities, often in villages or close toroads (Mustafaev, 1969a). In Talish Mountains (e.g. Borjali, Ra-fidenlu), singing from early March, and broods in late May-early June (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Accidental visitor. Subspecies P. c. cristatus Linnaeus, 1758.

REMARK: Recorded in Alazani Valley (Mustafaev et al., 1977).No other records. In the 19 th century, once observed in the vi-cinity of Borjomi, Georgia (Radde, 1884).

333. Crested Tit - Parus cristatus Linnaeus, 1758

STATUS: Common resident and wintering species. SubspeciesP. c. satunini Zarudny, 1908.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower forestzone in Belokani and Zakatali districts, Ilisu Reserve (Kah Dis-trict) and Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland adjacent to the southernslope of the mountains. Also in Shemakha Upland including Mount Pirgulu and its vicinity, Alti-Agach Reserve; forests of Kuba and Kusari districts (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965;Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1968; Alekperov & Mustafae- va, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Forests near and south of Shusha, Nagorno-Karabakh Region (Satunin, 1907) and probably elsewhere.

334. Blue Tit - Parus caeruleus Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Throughout lower forest zone, e.g. in Gir-kan Reserve and Lerik District (Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Drozdov,

1965; Gasanov, 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District),Shamkhor District and the city of Gandja (Satunin, 1907; Mus-tafaev, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Khachmas District including Khudatand Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965; Khanmammedov & Mus-tafaev, 1968; MP).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District throughout theyear (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).



266


T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Wanders into Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975)and Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland,Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Tugarinov, 1950; Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: Forest edge, open woodlands, overgrown clearings,orchards, villages and towns in lowlands and mountains up to1,500 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Drozdov, 1965;Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1972, 1973b). In winter,also occurs in bush thickets and reedbeds (Tugarinov & Kozlo- va-Pushkareva, 1938).

MOVEMENT: In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains: from early October to late March-early April (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b), and in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula:October to late February (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva,1938; Tugarinov, 1950; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate.Breeding: Common in Shemakha Upland and the northeast(Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

Winter: In the early 1960s, 0.6-2.5/km in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Nests in tree cavities, often close to villages and

roads (Mustafaev, 1969a). A fledgling collected in the vicinity of Gandja on 25 May 1895 (Satunin, 1907), and a brood ob-served in Karayasi Forest on 10 June 1989 (MP).

DIET: Stomachs of specimens collected in the northeast insummer contained caterpillars and ants, and in autumn: bee-tles, bugs Arl ia acuminata and seed (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968).

Azeri name: Arigushu (also other tits)

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some movements inautumn and winter. Subspecies P. m. major Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Southernslope (e.g. Zakatali, Ilisu and Ismailly reserves) and the adjacentlowland, Shemakha Upland including Mount Pirgulu and Alti- Agach Reserve, Kusari and Kuba districts (Gambarov, 1954;

335. Great Tit - Parus major Linnaeus, 1758

Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Mustafaev,

1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patri-keev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Upper Shamkhorchai Valley (Shahdag Ridge), vicinity of Lake Geigel (Murovdag Ridge) and probably elsewhere (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: No records, but probably occurs.BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District),Shamkhor District and the mouth of Terter to villages of Shir- van Steppe and the confluence with Aras; also in Gandja (Rad-de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b; Gambarov,1975; MP).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowlandincluding the town of Lenkoran and the lowland section of Girkan Reserve (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta and the vicinity of Khu-dat, Khachmas District (Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a; MP).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District throughout theyear (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Small numbers winter on Shahdag Ridge upto 1,500 m (Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).





268


season (Radde, 1884; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No information. Common in Zakataliand Ilisu reserves (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985; Gasanov, 1990).

BREEDING: In the vicinity of Lenkoran, singing as early asFebruary 24th (Radde, 1884). Nests in tree cavities, some-

times close to human habitation (Mustafaev, 1969a). In Len-koran Lowland, nests with 3-5 freshly laid eggs on May 19 th

(Radde, 1884), and large nestlings near Astara on June 25th

(Mustafaev, 1969a). Other pairs nest earlier: broods observedin tugai forests of Shamkhor District as early as April 28th

(Satunin, 1907), but not until late June in Shemakha Upland(Gambarov, 1954).

Azeri name: Dzilovchi (all nuthatches)

STATUS: Common resident. Subspecies S. n. rupicola Blan-ford, 1873.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve (above2,400 m), above Ilisu (Kah District), and Shemakha Upland in-cluding the vicinity of Shemakha (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, but probably present.N AKHICHEVAN: Vicinity of Sadarak, Yukhari-Yaidji (Arpa-chai Valley), Kechili, Bichenek (Zangezur Ridge), Sirab, Khana-ga, Gazanchi and Yukhari-Ailis (Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-

niavskaya, 1965b; MP). Perhaps also Mingechaur Bosdag Moun-tains (Gambarov, 1975). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Mounts Kargabazar, Kizil-Kum,Beuk-Dush, Kichik-Dush, low mountains near Baku and prob-ably elsewhere (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Burchak-Abra-movich & Gambarov, 1961; Patrikeev, 1991b).

HABITAT: Cliffs and rocky outcrops from 100 to 600 m inGobustan Upland (Patrikeev, 1991b) to over 2,400 m in GreaterCaucasus Mountains (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Occa-sionally observed in trees in river valleys in winter (Radde, 1884).

337. Rock Nuthatch - Sitta neumayer Michahelles, 1830

MOVEMENT: Mostly remains within the breeding range, but someroam. Fewer on Mount Beuk-Dush (Gobustan Upland) in No- vember (MP). Sometimes descends to river valleys (Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate.Breeding: Common in Nakhichevan region, where often nestsin loose colonies of 6-30 pairs (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,

1965), and in Gobustan Upland, e.g. 10-18 pairs on Mount Beuk-Dush in 1990-1991 (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP). Rare in GreaterCaucasus Mountains and Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

Post-breeding: In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, 1.2-1.6/km in July-August, and 0.3-0.5/km in December-March in the early 1960s (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). In Zuvand Up-land, 3.6 “rock nuthatches”/km in winter (Mustafaev & Agaeva,1968), but it is possible that S. tephronota also included in this count.

BREEDING: Sings from March. In Gobustan Upland, nestscompleted by early April, and in Turianchai Bosdag Mountainsnest-building observed on April 8th. Nest is a massive mud struc-

ture attached to a rock surface, usually with a cavity behind it.Nest shape is highly variable: a classical nest is a semi-sphere with a short tubular entrance attached to a rock wall, but nestsbuilt under rock ledges may have longer entrance tubes. Somenests fitted entirely within rock cavities had only the outer walland the entrance tube protruding from the rock (Patrikeev, 1991b;MP). Construction usually takes 15-18 days, and squeezed cat-erpillars are smeared over the nest surface making it less con-spicuous against rocky outcrops (Adamian, 1965). On MountBeuk-Dash, nests 2-10 m (usually 4-6 m) above the ground and100-150 m apart; 3 of 7 examined nests faced southeast, twoeast and two northeast. May prefer places shaded from thedirect sunlight: one nest lit only between 0900 and 1000 hrs,

and another for a shorter period of time. Nests may last sev-eral years. On Beuk-Dash, one nest used in 1990 and 1991and another vacant in 1990 was active in 1991. Remains of oldnests often found close to active nests (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).Clutch contains 6-8, sometimes up to 13 eggs, incubated for15-18 days. On Beuk-Dush, chicks hatched in some nests pri-or to May 1st . Faecal sacs are deposited at the entrance, andpicked up and carried away by the adults from there. Largenestlings are noisy and could be heard from 20-30 m away. OnBeuk-Dash, they remained in nests through 17-19 May 1991,even though they were completely feathered and matched the




adults in size. An adult feeding fledglings observed on Beuk-Dash on June 9th (Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

FOOD: A butterfly ( Vanessa sp.) delivered to a nest on MountBeuk-Dash (MP).

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably resident in south-

ern Azerbaijan Subspecies S. t. obscura Zarudny et Loud-on, 1905.

DISTRIBUTION: Basic information in Stepanian (1990) withno specific localities or sources.

338. Eastern Rock Nuthatch - Sitta tephronota Sharpe, 1872

LESSER C AUCASUS: Mountains of Zangelan and Kubatli districts

(Stepanian, 1990).N AKHICHEVAN: Probably in Zangezur Ridge. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: “Western foothills of Talish” (Stepanian,1990) and probably in Zuvand Upland where “rock nuthatch-es” observed (Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).

STATUS: Uncommon resident roaming widely during non-breeding season. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: is poorly known.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Reserve (Mounts Ru-chug, Beuk-Kopo, Iki-Khalakhi, Katekh-chai and Talachai gorg-es) and Sheki District (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: No records, but probably occurs.

FAMILY CERTHIIDAE – TREECREEPERS AND WALLCREEPERS

339. Wallcreeper - Tichodroma muraria Linnaeus, 1766

N AKHICHEVAN: Mount Kapudjik, Zangezur Ridge (Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Known only from the Iranian side of Mount

Kus-Yurdi (Radde, 1884).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Observed at 150 m on MountBeuk-Dush (eastern Gobustan Upland) on 4 April 1991 (MP).May nest.Winter: Descends to foothills and sometimes to lowlands.BOSDAG: Observed in Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains on Janu-ary 18th (Gambarov, 1975). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Two specimens collected in Absher-on Peninsula: one in low mountains near Puta on 12 January 1936 and another in the vicinity of Baku on February 12th (Gam-barov & Gazanchian, 1958).

HABITAT: NESTING: Steep cliffs and rocky outcrops in highand low mountains at 500-3,300 m (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya. 1965b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: No information. Rare in Zakatali and Turianchai reserves (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).


STATUS: Common resident. Subspecies C. f. persica Zarudny etLoudon, 1905 inhabits Talish Mountains and Lenkoran Low-land, and C. f. caucasica Buturlin, 1907 occurs in Greater andLesser Caucasus and adjacent lowlands.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: C. f. caucasica: GREATER C AU-CASUS: Lower forest zone of Belokani, Zakatali and Vartashendistricts, Ilisu and Ismailly reserves and probably elsewhere(Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985; Gasanov, 1990).

340. Eurasian Treecreeper - Certhia familiaris Linnaeus, 1758

LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in the vicinity of Lake Geigel andGasanru (Murovdag Ridge), and upper Shamkhorchai Valley,Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965).C. f. persica: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Lower forest zone (Radde,1884; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1968b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1907;Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1972).Winter: Roams within and outside the breeding range.



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BOSDAG: Observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains from midOctober to early March (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Broad-leaved forests and orchards in low-lands and low montane (Gambarov, 1954; Drozdov, 1965).


BREEDING: A nest with young under bark of an old chestnutin Djari, Zakatali District on 8 May 1962 (Mustafaev, 1969a).

STATUS: Insufficiently known species with restricted range.

Subspecies C. b. harterti Hellmayr, 1901.

DISTRIBUTION: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Discovered in remainsof broad-leaved forests in Lenkoran Lowland in the early 1960sby Stepanian (Mustafaev, 1968a).

341. Short-toed Treecreeper - Certhia brachydactyla C. L. Brehm, 1820

Azeri name: Dam sarchasi, Sarchasi

STATUS: Very common resident (increasing). Subspecies P. d.

caucasicus Bogdanov, 1879.

DISTRIBUTION: Throughout Azerbaijan, although generally avoids natural landscapes and high elevations.GREATER C AUCASUS: Throughout Zakatali-Ismailly Lowland, butconfined to towns and villages in the mountains (up to 2,000 min Girdimanchai Valley). Widespread in Shemakha Upland and

FAMILY PASSERIDAE – SPARROWS

342. House Sparrow - Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758

foothills of Kuba and Kusari districts (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov,1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Towns and villages including Kedabek, Step-anakert, Shusha, Agdam and Kubatli (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Mustafaev, 1969a; MP).N AKHICHEVAN: Throughout man-modified landscapes from Arasand Arpa-chai valleys up to 2,200 m (Laister & Sosnin, 1942;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Settlements in the mountains and ZuvandUpland (Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1963, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Throughout Kura Valley from Georgianfrontier to Saliani including settlements in Shirvan, Mil andMugan steppes and Gandja; also throughout Aras Valley (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a, 1973b; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975).

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Villages and towns in southeastern Shir- van, southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991a, c). Small numbers in Kizil Agach Reserve and the vicinity (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the lowland (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Widespread in Baku, its suburbsand all towns and villages of Absheron Peninsula including Sumgait (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a,1977; Bannikova et al., 1984; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989;




MP). In Gobustan Upland, confined to villages and seasonalshepherd camps (MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Cities, towns, villages, seasonal camps andother man-made structures in lowlands, foothills and mountainsup to 2,500 m. In mountains, often confined to villages withcereal fields in the vicinity. Small numbers occur in orchards

and natural habitats, although avoids wetlands and older forests(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1973a,b). W INTER : In addition to the above, occurs in fields, semi-desert,bush thickets and tugai (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938;Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1972; Sul-tanov & Musaev, 1989).

POPULATION SIZE: Probably 500,000-1,000,000 pairs orgreater.Highest densities in Sumgait (317-535/km2, summer and win-ter, respectively) and central Baku (170/km2 ), but also very com-mon in suburbs and adjacent settlements (Mustafaev, 1973a,1977; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989). Colonies of 20-80 pairs

in Nakhichevan (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965), and of 6-300 or even 1,200 pairs elsewhere in Azerbaijan (Mustafaev,1971a). In the early 1960s, >1,000 in Kizil Agach Reserve andSara Peninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). In January 1961, 3.6/km in pastures of Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: In Baku, collective singing from December tillFebruary, and singing on territories from early March. Searchfor suitable nest-sites and building from late March in Baku andLenkoran Lowland, and from late April in Gobustan Upland(Radde, 1884; Patrikeev, 1991b; MP).

Nests almost exclusively in crevices and cavities provided by man-made structures including buildings, hollow pipes, oil rigs,street-lamps, chimneys, dugouts, etc. (Radde, 1884; Mustafaev,1969a, 1973a; MP). Occasionally nests in tree cavities, bur-rows, and nests of the White Stork and Barn Swallows (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a; Patrikeev, 1991a, b). Sometimesbuilds nests of straw in trees and shrubs (Satunin, 1907; Mus-

tafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). Nests 0.8-22 m (usually within 2.2-9 m) above the ground. In lowlands, laying from mid Marchthrough September: 3-4 clutches/year in settlements and 2-3in other habitats, 3-8 eggs/clutch, average 5.3. Egg measure-ments 18-27x13-16 (Mustafaev, 1969b, 1971a). In Lesser Cau-casus Mountains, 2 clutches/year on lower slopes and only 1(June) in high mountains (Radde, 1884). Nests with small chicksfound in Greater Caucasus Mountains as late as mid August(Gambarov, 1954). The young remain in nests 15-21 days (Mus-tafaev, 1971a). In Baku and Cape Pirsagat, fledglings observedfrom mid April and in Greater Caucasus Mountains from ear-ly May (Gambarov, 1954, MP). This species enjoys a high rateof nesting success: up to 70% of the young survive to fledge

in settlements and c. 85% in other habitats; average 3.7 fledg-lings/nest (Mustafaev, 1969b, 1971a).

DIET: In the northeast, weed seed in only 6 of 56 examinedstomachs, the rest filled with wheat (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968). The young fed mostly insects (Mustafaev,1969b; MP).

MORTALITY: High mortality during cold winters, e.g. up to40% of urban populations in 1969 (Mustafaev et al., 1969). Fre-quently road-killed (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971), occasional-ly perishes in oil (Verestchagin, 1946).

Azeri name: Garadosh sarcha

STATUS: Very common resident ( declining ). A par t of the population is migratory. Subspecies P. h. transcaspicus

Tshusi, 1902.

343. Spanish Sparrow - Passer hispaniolensis Temminck, 1820

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Confined to lowlands. Colonial.N AKHICHEVAN: Colonies near Dervishlar, Engidja and Lenina-bad, Aras Valley (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Large colonies in mid Kura (Murtuli,Kasum-beili and Udjari) and lower Kura (vicinity of Bank, Salianiand Lake Hadjikabul). In Shirvan Steppe: near Kurdamir, Arab-mekhti-bek and Musa-beili (Agsu District). In Mil Steppe: 6colonies in Beilagan District in 1954-1963, small colonies in Agjabedi District, e.g. in Lamberan. In Mugan Steppe: Karacha-

la, Saatli, Suvorovka (Imishli District) and Bilasuvar. In Aras Valley: between Djabrail and Fisuli, and near Mindjavan (Zange-lan District) at the mouth Okhchu-chai (Satunin, 1907; Gam-barov & Mustafaev, 1966). Also in Turianchai Valley (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: In Kizil Agach Reserve: 3 large (Kulagin,Kalinovsky Liman and Sbrosnoyi Channel) and 3 small colo-nies in the early 1960s, plus another colony in southern SaraPeninsula (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev &Kiazimov, 1966a; Mustafaev & Gazanchian, 1967). In 1979, anew large colony in Lebajyia Spit in the north of the reserve



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(Vinogradov et al., 1990). Rare in Lenkoran Lowland in the late19th century (Radde, 1884), but spread as forests were clearedaway (Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). Also in southern Mugan(Satunin, 1912b; MP) and southeastern Shirvan, e.g. near Khal-adz and south of Cape Pirsagat (Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Widespread in the late 19th centu-ry-early 20th century and nested near Sayat, Keimiri and Nizh-

nie-Kustchi (Satunin, 1907). No colonies found in the early 1960s, although large flocks observed west of Khudat (Gam-barov & Mustafaev, 1966). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Flocks recorded in Absheron Penin-sula, e.g. near Zagulba (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968), but nonesting records.Winter: Mostly within the breeding range, but some move southof Azerbaijan.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley up to Evlakh and Mingechaur(not every winter at the latter site), Mugan, Shirvan and Milsteppes including Lake Aggel (Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov & Mus-tafaev, 1966; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972).

Fewer in Kizil Agach Reserve where usually recorded inmixed flocks with other sparrows, finches and buntings(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

HABITAT: NESTING: Tamarisk and blackberry thickets or WhiteStork nests in rural habitats and semi-desert, roadside treebelts,tree plantations, orchards and occasionally in tugai (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966: Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a;Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). W INTER :Fields, semi-desert, thickets, wetlands, villages and towns(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late March through mid April.COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland and Mugan in late March-early April (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907). In Kizil Agach Re-serve, first flock on March 26th, and large flocks on April 14th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Recorded at Lake Had-jikabul on April 5th, and near Saliani on April 7 th (Radde, 1884).

Fall passage: Gathers in huge flocks and roams during cold winters sometimes leaving Azerbaijan (Gambarov & Mus-tafaev, 1966).COASTAL: Departs Samur-Divichi Lowland in early September(Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: Declining. Perhaps fewer than

150,000 pairs in the late 1980s (MP).In the late 19th century, colonies of up to 100,000 pairs, usu-ally 5,000-10,000 pairs. In 1954, 20,000 nests near Suvorovka(Imishli District), 200 pairs in the vicinity of Saatli, and 50-60pairs near Agjabedi. Three colonies in Nakhichevan Regioncontained 50-75 pairs each (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965; Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). Over500,000 pairs (26 colonies) in the mid 1960s, including 115,600nests in 6 colonies of Kizil Agach Reserve (Gambarov &Mustafaev, 1966; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1966a). A colony of 70,000 pairs found in Lebajyia Spit, Kizil Agach Reserve in

1979 (Vinogradov et al., 1990) is probably the largest remain-ing in Azerbaijan (MP).Passage: SPRING: In Kizil Agach Reserve, a flock of 100 on 26March 1958, and 4 flocks of 800-1,000 birds each on 14 April1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: 11.1/km in ungrazed semi-desert, 8.5/km in tugai , 6.2/km in semi-desert pastures and 2.6/km in wetlands of Kura

Valley in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Nests in colonies (50-70,000 pairs), but some-times in single pairs. Colonies are in traditional areas, butmay relocate within such area. Where trees are sparse, a col-ony may remain at the same site for several years (Satunin,1907; Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). Nests in almost any trees and shrubs available, e.g. poplar, elm, oak, mulberry,blackthorn, plum, apricot, plane-tree, ash, Russian olive, pine,locust-tree, pomegranate, Gleditsia, Amorpha , Sophora , black-berry, tamarisk and thistle thickets. Also in nests of WhiteStork (up to 100 Spanish Sparrow nests per a stork nest).New nest built for every clutch. Nests built of dry grass,

feathers, sometimes roots and leaves, 0.5-18 m (av. 2.5-7 m)above the ground (Satunin, 1907; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966; Mustafaev &Kiazimov, 1966a; Mustafaev, 1971a). Usually 5-50 nests/tree,but occasionally just 1. In areas with fewer trees nests builtclose together forming a massive loose structure (Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). Sometimes builds a truly communal nest with common roof and numerous entrances on sides. Com-mon Starlings are known to nest in communal nests of Span-ish Sparrows (Satunin, 1907).In Kizil Agach Reserve, nest building observed from April 15th,but peaks c. May 10th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a;Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). Usually 2 clutches (late April to

late May and in mid June) of 4-10 (usually 5-6) eggs. Averageegg measurements: 21.9 x 15.5 mm, weight 2.0-3.7 g (Radde,1884; Gambarov & Mustafaev, 1966). In Suvorovka (MuganSteppe), nests contained 1-4 eggs on May 18th, and 5-8 eggsMay 22nd, whereas in Beilagan (Mil Steppe) 5 nests with 1 egg each and 16 nests still empty on May 26 th (Gambarov & Mus-tafaev, 1966). The young remain in nests 18-21 days. In Kizil Agach Reserve, first brood fledges 15-21 May (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Nesting success is high (when nests arenot destroyed) amounting up to 77% in settlements and 80% inother habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Mostly grain of cultivated cereals, but also weed seed

and insects (especially locusts). One individual eats up to 3 kg of grain/season, thus a large colony may inflict up to 10% harvest loss. This species also damages fruit and vegetables (Gam-barov & Mustafaev, 1966).

MORTALITY: Generally considered a pest in rural Azerbaijanand control carried out to destroy colonies close to villages:poisoned grain and torching nests used most frequently (Gam-barov & Mustafaev, 1966).




STATUS: Very common resident undertaking some wintermovements. Subspecies P. m. transcaucasicus Buturlin, 1906.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower forest zone andadjacent lowland in Sheki, Kutkashen, Ismailly and Kusari dis-tricts (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968)and probably elsewhere. Satunin (1907) pointed out absence fromKuba District.LESSER C AUCASUS: A few records, e.g. from Shihauz and Alabashli(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907), but probably more widespread.N AKHICHEVAN: From Aras Valley to mid montane zone, e.g. inSadarak, Norashen, Nakhichevan, Julfa, Ordubad, Araskanariy, Yaidzi, Akhura, Badamli, Kuku, Bichenek, Goganchi and Yukhari-Ailis (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Widespread in the mountains and ZuvandUpland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District)and Yenikend (Shamkhor District) to Shirvan and Mugan steppes(Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a; Gambarov, 1975;Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP); also in Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan and Lenkoran Lowland(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b; Drozdov, 1965; MP).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but may occur. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula including Bakuand Sumgait (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Mustafaev,1973a, 1977; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Natural habitats ( tugai , edges of broad-leavedforest, thickets) as well as orchards, parks, villages and towns. Upto 1,200-2,000 m in Nakhichevan region (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965,

344. Tree Sparrow - Passer montanus Linnaeus, 1758

1968). W INTER : Mostly in cultivated habitats and settlements (Rad-de, 1884; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Passes through Kizil Agach Reserve and SaraPeninsula in mid to late April, and again in late autumn

(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965a).


Breeding: In the 19th century, uncommon in Kura Valley (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907), but outnumbered House Spar-row in the vicinity of Mingechaur and Yenikend in the 1940s-1950s (Gambarov, 1975). Very common in lower forest zoneof Greater Caucasus Mountains and adjacent lowland, in Ab-sheron Peninsula and Nakhichevan region (Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Gambarov & Gazan-chian, 1958; Mustafaev, 1973a); uncommon in Lenkoran Low-land (Drozdov, 1965; MP).

Passage: SPRING: In 1958, c. 800 recorded in Sara Peninsula on April 14th, and flocks of 15-20 on April 25th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).Winter: Very common in Mingechaur and Yenikend (Gambarov,1975), but only 0.3/km in Kurdamir and Zardob districts (midKura) in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: In Nakhichevan Region, mating from lateMarch. Nests in tree cavities, but sometimes in man-madeconstructions, burrows in banks and cliffs, and even nests of swallows and White Storks. Often nests in loose colonies. InKura Lowland, colonies of 4-38 pairs (av. 12) in settlementsand 14-90 pairs (av. 60) in other habitats (Gambarov, 1954;

Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a,1971a), in Nakhichevan Region: 15-20 pairs/colony (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1965). Nesting season from midMarch to late August; 2-3 clutches a year in settlements, and2 in other habitats; 4-7 (usually 5-6) eggs/clutch (Mustafaev,1971a). In Kusari District, nest with 4-6 small nestlings 10-15 April 1960 (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). InGreater Caucasus, fresh eggs in mid July (Gambarov, 1954).Nesting success is high: 65% fledge in settlements and 76%in other habitats (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Stomachs collected in Kusari District contained insectsand weed seed (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968), whereas

stomachs and crops of specimens from the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains filled with millet (Gambarov, 1954).

MORTALITY: Frequently road-killed (Alekperov & Mus-tafaev, 1971).

STATUS: Uncommon resident restricted to the southwest andsoutheast. Monotypic.

345. Pale Rock Sparrow - Carpospiza brachydactyla Bonaparte, 1850

DISTRIBUTION: N AKHICHEVAN: From Arpa-chai to Negram Moun-tains and Julfa (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960).



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T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Drozdov, 1965; Agae- va, 1972).

HABITAT: Semi-arid mountains in Nakhichevan Region (Laister& Sosnin, 1942; Khanmammedov, 1960) and montane slopes with rocky outcrops in Zuvand Upland (Agaeva, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Locally common in Zuvand Upland withnumbers as high as 125/km2 during post-breeding season(Drozdov, 1965).

BREEDING: Late nester. Of 4 examined nests, 3 in clumps of Astragalus 11-50 cm above the ground, and 1 on the ground.Nests built of dry wormwood twigs and rootlets. Nest mea-surements: diameter 66-91 mm, height 68-74 mm, diameter of nest-cup 50-73 mm, depth of nest-cup 50-55 mm. Incubatedeggs recorded 8-19 June. Average egg weight (n=14): 2.3 g,measurements 20.4 x 15.7 mm. Flocks of 20-25 males recorded

in mid June while females incubated suggests that not all malesattend to nests (Agaeva, 1972).

Azeri name: Gaya sarchasi

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some movements in

winter. Subspecies P. p. exigna Hellmayr, 1902.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Shemakha Upland, e.g.in the vicinity of Shemakha, Agsu and Alti-Agach (Gambarov,1954; Shelton, 2001; MP).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded only from Kedabek (Shahdag Ridge),but probably more widespread (Mustafaev, 1969a).N AKHICHEVAN: From Aras Valley to the mid montane zone, e.g.near Sadarak, Negram, Julfa, Sirab, Gazanchi, Ordubad and onMount Ilandag (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1965; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland, e.g. near Kalvas and in Barna-sai Pass (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; Agaeva, 1969).

346. Rock Sparrow - Petronia petronia Linnaeus, 1766

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: In Gobustan Upland from Pirkish-kul and Sumgait-chai Valley to Beuk-Dush, Kizil-Kum and the village of Gobustan. Also along the Caspian shore, e.g. atKhamamdag Mud-Volcano (Cape Pirsagat) and Puta (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968; Patrikeev,1991a, b).

HABITAT: Rocky and clayey slopes in low and high mountainsup to 2,500 m; also in towns and villages (Radde, 1884; Laister& Sosnin, 1942; Gambarov, 1954; Patrikeev, 1991a).

MOVEMENT: In Gobustan Upland, some are resident andothers arrive to breeding grounds in March (Satunin, 1907; MP).

POPULATION SIZE: No estimate. Common in Gobustan andZuvand uplands (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965, MP). A colony of 10 pairs near Shemakha (Gambarov, 1954) and 20-25 pairson Mount Ilandag, Nakhichevan region (MP).

BREEDING: In Zuvand Upland, males on territories from early February, and singing and displaying from early March (Radde,1884). In Gobustan Upland, still in flocks on April 4th (MP).Loose colonies of 5-25 pairs. Nests in rock crevices, burrowsof bee-eaters, vacant nests of Rock Nuthatch and even nichesand crevices in houses (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Gazanchian& Mustafaev, 1968; Mustafaev, 1969a). In Shemakha, a colony alongside 2 pairs of Kestrels and several pairs of Common Star-lings (Gambarov, 1954). In Gobustan Upland, nest building inearly April, nests with large young from early May and broodsin June-early July (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968; Patrikeev,1991b). In Zuvand Upland, fledglings observed on June 26 th

(Radde, 1884).

STATUS: Uncommon resident. Subspecies M. n. alpicolaPallas, 1811.

DISTRIBUTION: poorly known. Probably more widespreadthan indicated below.GREATER C AUCASUS: Known from high mountains of Zakataliand Belokani districts (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985) althoughprobably occurs at high elevations elsewhere.

347. Snowfinch - Montifringilla nivalis Pallas, 1811

LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed near Slavinka (Kedabek District,Shahdag Ridge) and in Murovdag Range in Nagorno-KarabakhRegion (Radde, 1884; Laister & Sosnin, 1942).N AKHICHEVAN: High mountains during nesting season, butat lower elevations in winter (Radde, 1884; Laister & Sos-nin, 1942).




HABITAT: NESTING: Alpine and sub-alpine zone up to 3,160m. W INTER : Descends to 1,300-1,500 m (Radde, 1884; Laister &Sosnin, 1942; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: Broods recorded in Greater Caucasus Mountainsin July (Bogdanov, 1879).

Azeri name: Mesha sarchasi

STATUS: Common nesting species, migrant and wintering spe-cies; partly resident in the southeast and northwest. Two sub-species nest, but their ranges are not fully understood: F. c. cau-

casica Serebrowski, 1925 occurs west and south of Mingechaur,and F. c. solomkoi Menzbir et Sushkin, 1913 west of Mingechaur.F. c. coelebs Linnaeus, 1758 probably present in winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Montane for-ests and adjacent lowland in Zakatali, Belokani, Kah, Kutkash-en, Ismailly, Kuba and Kusari districts, and Shemakha Upland,e.g. vicinity of Pirgulu and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954;Drozdov, 1965; Khanmammedov & Mustafaev, 1965; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990; Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shahdag Ridge (upper Shamkhor-chai Val-ley), Murovdag Ridge (Lake Geigel and the southern slopes)and Karabakh Ridge, e.g. vicinity of Shusha (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Girkan Reserve, Ulasi Range, vicinity of

Ruarut and Kalvas, and Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Satunin,1907; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: From Karayasi Forest (Akstafa District)and Yenikend (Shamkhor District) to Gandja (Mustafaev, 1973b;Gambarov, 1975; MP). According to Gambarov (1975) this partof the range is occupied by F. c. solomkoi .SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Resident in southern Mugan and Lenko-ran Lowland including the town of Lenkoran (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912b; Drozdov, 1965).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Throughout the forested part of the low-land including Samur Delta (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965; MP).

FAMILY FRINGILLIDAE - FINCHES AND ALLIES

348. Chaffinch - Fringilla coelebs Linnaeus, 1758

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Recorded in Buzovna, northern Absh-eron Peninsula on 11 August 1990, but no breeding evidence (MP).

Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Remains in lowlands and moun-tains of Zakatali District, e.g. Mount Alibek (Gambarov, 1954).LESSER C AUCASUS: In upper Shamkhor-chai Valley, Shahdag Ridgein November (Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Throughout the mountains and ZuvandUpland (Mustafaev, 1968b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Vicinity of Mingechaur and Karayasi;

Shirvan and Mil steppes (Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; Sul-tanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland,Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Throughout Absheron Peninsulaincluding Baku and Shah Spit (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Alekperov, 1972; Bannikova et al., 1984; Sultanov & Karaban-ova, 1989).

HABITAT: NESTING: Orchards, woodlots, treebelts, broad-leaved and tugai forests from the Caspian Sea to 2,200 m. Most

common in foothills (Satunin, 1912b; Gambarov, 1954, 1975;Drozdov, 1965; Mustafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985; MP). W INTER : Broad-leaved and tugai forests, bush andreed thickets, woodlots, juniper woodlands, wetlands, parks, or-chards and gardens in villages and towns (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Zlotin, 1963; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a, b; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972;Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Alekperov, 1972; Sultanov & Mu-saev, 1989; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to early April.COASTAL: In Kizil Agach Reserve, passage and departure in midMarch with latest sighting on April 3rd (Vinogradov & Tcherni-

avskaya, 1965a). Recorded in eastern Gobustan Upland and Bakuin early April (MP).INTERIOR : One recorded in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on April 10th (MP).Fall passage: Early October to mid December.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula fromearly October with conspicuous passage in mid October (Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, passage from Oc-tober 10th to December 19th peaking at the end of October (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).



276


POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Common inGreater Caucasus Mountains and adjacent lowland (Gam-barov, 1954).Winter: No estimate. Common, occurring in flocks of 5-50,e.g. Lenkoran Lowland and the vicinity of Mingechaur (Mus-tafaev, 1972; Gambarov, 1975). Rather uncommon in towns and villages of Mil Steppe (MP). In January 1961, 20.3/km in bush

thickets and tugai of mid Kura, 3.4/km in semi-desert pasturesof Shirvan Steppe, 2.5/km in ungrazed semi-desert and 1.3/km in wetlands (Zlotin, 1963). In Kizil Agach Reserve, only 0.1-0.4/km in February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963).

BREEDING: Singing from early February-late March to mid July (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Gambarov, 1954; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a).

Nesting season from mid April to late July. Nests 1.8-6 m (aver-age 3.5 m) in natural habitats and 3.5-11 m in settlements; 3-5eggs/clutch. The young remain in nests 10-14 days. Survival tofledging: from 60% in settlements to c. 75% in other habitats(Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Mostly insectivorous during nesting season, but switch-

es to grain and seed from late summer (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gambarov, 1954).

MORTALITY: Frequently road-killed (Alekperov & Mustafaev, 1971).

REMARKS: In winter frequently occurs in mixed flocks withBullfinch, Goldfinch, Red-fronted Serin, Common Redpoll, Yellowhammer and House Sparrow (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).


DISTRIBUTION: Winter: T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Widely distrib-uted (Mustafaev, 1968b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Forest (Sultanov & Musaev, 1989)to mid Kura (Zlotin, 1963).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve, southern Mugan andLenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: W INTER : Bush thickets, woodlots, villages, tugai andbroad-leaved forests in lowlands and mountains (Zlotin, 1963;Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972; Sultanov & Musaev, 1989).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid March to mid April.

349. Brambling - Fringilla montifringilla Linnaeus, 1758

COASTAL: Leaves Kizil Agach Reserve between March 13th

and April 8th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). One collectedin Baku on April 16th (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: A large flock in Alazani Valley in March(Radde, 1884).

Fall passage: Early October through mid November.COASTAL: Arrives at Kizil Agach Reserve in early October (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: In Shamkhor and Mingechaur districts inNovember (Gambarov, 1975).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: No estimate. Uncommon inKizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). In

January 1961, only 0.2/km in tugai and bush thickets of midKura (Zlotin, 1963).

STATUS: Uncommon resident undertaking altitudinal move-ments. Monotypic.

350. Red-fronted Serin - Serinus pusillus Pallas, 1811

DISTRIBUTION: poorly understood. Probably more wide-spread than indicated below.Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Mountains of Zakatali and Belo-kani districts (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985)and probably elsewhere.LESSER C AUCASUS: Murovdag Ridge e.g. Geigel Reserve, Mount Gi-amish and Mardakert District of Nagorno-Karabakh Region (Rad-

de, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Gasanov, 1990). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Nested according to Radde (1884), but norecent records.Winter: Descends to lowlands and foothills in cold and snowy winters.BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mingechaur District including vicinitiesof Mingechaur and Khaladz (Gambarov, 1975). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: One found dead in a suburb of Bakuon 19 March 1968 (Gazanchian & Mustafaev, 1968).

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HABITAT: NESTING: Bushes and bush thickets in alpine andsub-alpine zones, e.g. in meadows with rocky outcrops, stream valleys and cliffs, at 1,800-3,000 m (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: In winter 1961-1962 this species arrived in Turi-anchai Bosdag Mountains in mid November and departed prior

to March 9th

(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information.Winter: In winter 1961-1962, 100-120 in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Uncom-

mon near Mingechaur and Khaladz, Mingechaur District (Gam-barov, 1975).

BREEDING: Pairs from May in Zakatali Reserve. Often nestsin small bushes growing in rock crevices. Two clutches a year: inmid June and late July. Average egg measurements (n=4): 15.7 x14.7 mm, weight 1.34 g. First broods fledge in early July, and

second broods from mid August (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

REMARKS: In winter, often observed in mixed flocks withChaffinch and Goldfinch (Gambarov, 1975).

Azeri name: Yashildza

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies C. c. bilkevitchi Zarudny, 1911 is resident, and C. c.

chloris Linnaeus, 1758 occurs during migration and in winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Range of this common speciesnot well known, surprisingly.GREATER C AUCASUS: Foothills and low mountains of Zakatali,Belokani, Ismailly and Kuba districts (Gambarov, 1954; Mus-tafaev, 1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Foothills of Shahdag Ridge Kedabek, also inthe vicinity of Lake Geigel, Murovdag Ridge (Mustafaev, 1969a;Gasanov, 1990).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: No information, but probably occurs.BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains and adjacent valleys (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Probably throughout the lowlands in set-tlements and treed areas, but the only factual records are fromGandja (Mustafaev, 1973b) and Akstafa (MP). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Colonized Absheron Peninsula 15-20 years ago. By the late 1980s, nested in Baku, suburbs andadjacent settlements including Baladzari and Kirovski (Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).Winter: Partly resident.

351. Greenfinch - Chloris chloris Linnaeus, 1758

GREATER C AUCASUS: Resident in Zakatali District (Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Mostly in areas transformed through an-thropogenically (Mustafaev, 1968b).

BOSDAG: Resident in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogra-dov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Probably throughout the lowland. Observedin mid Kura and Shirvan Steppe (Zlotin, 1963). C. c. bilkevitchi

recorded in the vicinity of Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland, Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula. Most of specimens collectedin Sara Peninsula were C. c. chloris and only one: C. c. bilkevitchi

(Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Woodlots, juniper woodlands, tugai , or-chards, parks, gardens and open habitats with trees from the

Caspian lowland to 1,800 m (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev,1969a; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP). W INTER : Fields,forest edge, blackberry thickets, overgrown clearings, villagesand towns (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Mustafaev,1968b, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Only 2 in Turi-anchai Reserve on 11 August 1961 (Vinogradov & Tchernia- vskaya, 1965b), but at least one pair in every gorge and ravine in April 1991 (MP).Winter: No estimate. Very common in Sara Peninsula, but ratherrare in Kizil Agach Reserve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a). In January 1961, 0.7/km in mid Kura (Zlotin, 1963),

and 0.4/km in Kizil Agach Reserve in February 1962 (Dobrokho-tov, 1963). Only 2 in Turianchai Reserve on December 4 th (Vi-nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

BREEDING: Sings in Sara Peninsula from early February (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938), and in Baku from 26March-3 April through mid June. In Turianchai Valley, singing heard on April 6th (MP). A nest with 4 eggs in an apple tree inDjari (Zakatali District) on 10 June 1961, and another with 2eggs in a willow in a backyard in Kedabek, foothills of Shahdag Ridge (Mustafaev, 1969a).

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ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Winters in Absheron Peninsula in-cluding Baku from the 1940s-1950s (Gambarov & Gazanchian,1958; Sultanov & Karabanova, 1989; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Forest edge, parks and orchards from low-lands to mountains up to 2,100 m (Gambarov, 1954, 1975; Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968; Mustafaev, 1973b). W INTER :

Open areas overgrown with thistle, forest edge, clearings, villag-es, orchards, fields, pastures and rocky slopes in lowlands, foot-hills and mountains (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev,1968b, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Conspicuous pas-sage in Kizil Agach Reserve and Sara Peninsula with latest sight-ing on April 29th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

Fall passage: COASTAL: Earliest record in Sara Peninsula onNovember 5th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Common in low-er forest zone in Greater Caucasus Mountains and Gandja (Gam-

barov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1973b; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).Only 3-5 pairs in the vicinity of Turianchai in 1961-1962 (Vino-

gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b). Flocks of 20-100 observed inShemakha Upland in early September 1989 (Patrikeev, 1991d).Winter: No estimate. Common in Mingechaur District, vicinity of Lake Aggel and Sara Peninsula, but rare in Kizil Agach Re-serve (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a, Gambarov, 1975;MP). In Turianchai Valley, 1.0-1.2/km in December 1962-March1963 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), and 0.1/km in

mid Kura in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963).

BREEDING: Singing from early February (Tugarinov & Ko-zlova-Pushkareva, 1938). Nests in pines, locust-trees and othertree species (Radde, 1884). A nest with 5 eggs in Turianchai onMay 17th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b), and 4 nests with 4-5 young each in Djari (Zakatali District) in mid June(Mustafaev, 1969a). In the vicinity of Lagich (Greater CaucasusMountains), females with eggs as late as July 25th. In early tomid July, joined broods of 50-100 recorded in Tsilbanchai Gorge(Zakatali District) and in the vicinity of Kusari (Gambarov, 1954;Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

DIET: Seed of thistle and other weeds in winter (Tugarinov &Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Gambarov, 1975).

STATUS: Common resident (subspecies A. c. bella C. L. Bre-hm, 1845), migrant and wintering species ( A. c. cannabina Lin-naeus, 1758).

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Southernslope from Ilisu (Kah District) to Ismailly and Kuba districts. Also recorded in Shemakha Upland, e.g. Maraza and Alti-Agach(Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Shelton, 2001).LESSER C AUCASUS: Shahdag Ridge in Kedabek District and elsewhere (Satunin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1969a). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: including Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).

354. Linnet - Acanthis cannabina Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: Some remain in mountains while others descend tolowlands where mix with A. c. cannabina arriving from the north. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Remains in the mountains through the win-ter (Mustafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: A. c. bella and A. c. cannabina recorded in MingechaurBosdag and Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tch-erniavskaya, 1965b; Gambarov, 1975).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley from Karayasi to Shirvan steppes(Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907; Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland andSara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkare- va, 1938; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON: Common in Sumgait (Mustafaev, 1977). Recordedin Shah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: NESTING: Treeless valleys, grasslands, juniper woodlands,slopes and ravines with blackberry, wild rose, rhododendrons from400 m to alpine zone (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Tarasov, 1974). W INTER : Forest edges, woodlots, clearings, blackberry thickets, semi-desert, fields, rarely in villages and towns (Radde, 1884; Tugarinov

& Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late April to mid May.COASTAL: A male in Darnagul, Baku on 28 April 1990 (MP) andanother one near Cape Sangachal on 14 May 1952 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Mixed flocks of A. c. bella

and A. c. cannabina recorded in Mingechaur Bosdag Mountainson November 18th (Gambarov, 1975). In Kura Valley, large win-tering flocks occur from mid November to early April (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907).

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POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information. Very com-mon in vicinity of Ilisu (Kah District), Lagich and Djandakhar,Ismailly District (Gambarov, 1954).Winter: No estimate. In Shirvan Steppe, 6.4/km in ungrazedsemi-desert and 1.4/km in semi-desert pastures in January 1961(Zlotin, 1963). Common in Sara Peninsula in the 1930s

(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938), but very few in win-ter 1958/1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).

BREEDING: A nest with 4 eggs in a backyard apple tree inKedabek on May 28th (Mustafaev, 1969a). In Greater CaucasusMountains, broods by mid July (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Uncommon resident undertaking altitudinal migra-tions. Subspecies A. f. brevirostris Moore, 1856.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Nesting range poorly known.Probably more widespread than indicated below.GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali District (Zakatali Reserve and Mount Alibek), above Ilisu, Kah District (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov &Mustafaeva, 1985) and possibly above Pirgulu (Shelton, 2001).LESSER C AUCASUS: Geigel Reserve, Murovdag Ridge (Gasanov,1990) and possibly elsewhere.

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: No records, but may occur.Winter: Remains in the mountains in warmer winters, but may descend to lowlands after heavy snowfalls.GREATER C AUCASUS: Recorded on Mount Alibek on January 20th

and February 24th (Gambarov, 1954). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: In the mountains and Zuvand Upland (Mus-tafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1968b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Descends to Kura Valley in cold winters(Satunin, 1907).

355. Twite - Acanthis flavirostris Linnaeus, 1758

HABITAT: NESTING: Upper part of subalpine zone and alpinemeadows up to 3,000 m (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). W IN-TER : Mountain slopes, orchards, etc. (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968;Mustafaev, 1968b).


BREEDING: Observed on nesting grounds in Zakatali Reservefrom early April. Nest built on the ground usually next to agrass clump, and lined with animal hair: sheep or East Cauca-

sian Tur (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

DIET: Feeds on hornbeam seed in winter (Gambarov, 1954).

REMARKS: Recorded in mixed flocks with Red-fronted Serin,Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Bullfinch (Gambarov, 1954).


DISTRIBUTION: Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Recorded onMount Alibek (Zakatali District) in 1937 (Gambarov, 1954).

356. Common Redpoll - Acanthis flammea Linnaeus, 1758

SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observed in Kura Valley (Gambarov, 1975).

REMARKS: Recorded in mixed flocks with Chaffinch, Gold-finch, Bullfinch and Yellowhammer (Gambarov, 1954, 1975).

STATUS: Uncommon resident restricted to the southwest. Sub-species R. s. sanguinea Gould, 1838.

DISTRIBUTION:Summer: N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountainsnear Julfa (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1911; Laister & Sosnin, 1942)

and probably elsewhere in suitable habitat. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: May occur.

Winter: SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Wintered in Lenkoran Lowlandin the past, e.g. a male collected on 16 January 1880 (Radde,1884). No recent records.

357. Crimson-winged Finch - Rhodopechys sanguinea Gould, 1838

HABITAT: NESTING: Up to 3,000 m in the mountains of Na-khichevan Region (Radde, 1884; Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

MOVEMENT: May descend to lower elevations in winter.


BREEDING: A brood recorded near Djemaldin, NakhichevanRegion on June 11th (Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

358. Trumpeter Finch - Bucanetes githagineus Lichtenstein, 1823

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species restricted to Nakhichev-an Region. Subspecies B. g. crassirostris Blyth, 1847.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Mountains,Mounts Ilandag and Daridag in the vicinity of Julfa, and foothills




of Ordubad District (Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Adamian & Zaletaev,1965; Panov & Bulatova, 1972; MP). Probably more widespread.

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky semi-desert slopes in low moun-

tains and lower parts of higher mountains (Adamian & Zale-taev, 1965; Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Flocks arrive at nesting grounds from March28th (Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. 6 pairs anda brood on Mount Daridag in June 1962 (Adamian & Zale-taev, 1965), common near Aza in spring 1970 (Panov & Bu-latova, 1972).

BREEDING: In the vicinity of Aza, pairs from March 28th,mating from April 1st and nest building commences shortly af-ter (Panov & Bulatova, 1972). Nests in cavities and crevices inboulders and large rock fragments (Adamian & Zaletaev, 1965;MP). Up to 6 eggs/clutch. Fledglings recorded 3-20 May. Sec-ond nests built 11-21 May (Panov & Bulatova, 1972). On 3 June1962, a female with 2 fledglings observed on Mount Daridag (Adamian & Zaletaev, 1965).

REMARKS: Almost never mixes with Bucanetes mongolicus (Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species restricted to Nakhichev-an Region. Monotypic.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: N AKHICHEVAN: Zhukov collecteda specimen at Bulgan lookout in spring 1915 (Laister & Sosnin,1942). Found by Mitropolsky in the vicinity of Aza, Julfa (?)District in the 1960s, and confirmed there in 1970 (Panov &

Bulatova, 1972). Perhaps elsewhere in the region. However, noneof the above records acknowledged in Stepanian (1990).

HABITAT: Clayey and rocky cliffs with saltworts and wormwood, but also on rocky slopes (Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

359. Mongolian Trumpeter Finch – Bucanetes mongolicus Swinhoe, 1870

MOVEMENT: Flocks recorded on nesting grounds from April8th (Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information. Commonnear Aza in 1970 (Panov & Bulatova, 1972).

BREEDING: Mating from April 17th, adults with food on May

10th

, and fledglings from May 18th

(Panov & Bulatova, 1972).


e. kubanensis Laubmann, 1915 nests in Azerbaijan and C. e. eryth-

rinus Pallas, 1770 occurs during migration.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali Dis-trict, vicinity of Ilisu (Kah District), upper Girdimanchai Valley (Ismailly District), lower parts of Mount Shahdag, and moun-tains of Kuba District (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov, 1954; Ale-kperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Lake Geigel and adjacent parts of Murovdag Ridge (Gasanov, 1990), probably in Karabakh Ridge(Laister & Sosnin, 1942) and elsewhere. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Recorded near Lerik (Satunin, 1907), andprobably more widespread.

360. Common Rosefinch - Carpodacus erythrinus Pallas, 1770

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360. Common

Rosefinch -

Carpodacus erythrinus

361. Great Rosefinch -

Carpodacus rubicilla



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HABITAT: NESTING: Bush thickets (blackberry, raspberry, wildrose, etc.), forest edge and woodlots in montane valleys at 900-2,500 m, although sometimes as low as 600 m (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Late migrant: Late April tomid May.

COASTAL: Passes through Lenkoran Lowland, southern Muganand southeastern Shirvan from late April to mid May (Radde,1884; Satunin, 1907, 1912b; Patrikeev, 1991a). A male recordedon Mount Beuk-Dash, Gobustan Upland on May 11 th (MP).INTERIOR : Arrives at breeding grounds in Zakatali District fromMay 3rd (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985). Recorded near Agsuon May 12th (Satunin, 1907).

STATUS: Insufficiently known. Probably uncommon residentrestricted to alpine zone of Greater Caucasus Mountains. Sub-

species C. r. rubicilla Güldenstadt, 1775.

DISTRIBUTION: GREATER C AUCASUS: Two summer records fromZakatali Reserve, e.g. on Mount Beuk-Gudor (Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985). Also alpine zone of Mounts Bazar-Duzu and Shahdag (MP).


POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Common inGreater Caucasus Mountains at 1,200-2,500 m, e.g. 14/km2 insub-alpine zone of Zakatali District (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov,1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: In mountains of Zakatali District, pairs from lateMay-early June. One clutch/year (Alekperov & Mustafaeva,1985). In Kuba District, a nest with 5 eggs on June 16th (Satu-nin, 1907). Singing ceases by early August (Gambarov, 1954).

DIET: Stomachs of collected birds contained elm seed (Gam-barov, 1954).

361. Great Rosefinch - Carpodacus rubicilla Güldenstadt, 1775

HABITAT: Montane slopes at c. 3,000 m (Alekperov & Mus-tafaeva, 1985).

MOVEMENT: Probably descends from alpine zone in winter(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).


STATUS: Uncommon migrant and wintering species. Possibly nests. Subspecies L. c. caucasica Buturlin, 1907.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Probably records of wanderers,

but may nest occasionally.LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed in headwaters of Akstafa-chai(Radde, 1884). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Unconfirmed nesting record in pineplantations in Baku (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

362. Common Crossbill - Loxia curvirostra Linnaeus, 1758

Winter: Absheron Peninsula (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.).

HABITAT: W INTER : Orchards and pine plantations (Gambarov

& Gazanchian, 1958).

MOVEMENT: Arrives at Absheron Peninsula in cold win-ters, e.g. in 1942 (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958; Y. Guseinov,pers. comm.).

STATUS: Uncommon resident undertaking some altitudinalmovements. Subspecies P. p. rossikovi Deryugin et Bianchi, 1900.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Southern slope

in Zakatali (e.g. on Mounts Rochigel, Verketel, Ahkemal, Pichigeland Alibek), Kah (e.g. Ilisu Reserve), Kutkashen and Kuba districts(Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Murovdag Ridge (including Mardakert Dis-trict of Nagorno-Karabakh Region and Geigel Reserve) andheadwaters of Shamkhorchai, Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884;Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: May nest, but no factual records.Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Mostly descends to foothills, butsome remain in the mountains, e.g. on Mount Alibek (Gam-barov, 1954).

363. Bullfinch - Pyrrhula pyrrhula Linnaeus, 1758

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LESSER C AUCASUS: Remained at the headwaters of Shamkhor-chai in November (Radde, 1884).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Observed in Lenkoran Lowland during cold winters (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

HABITAT: NESTING: Upper montane forests (Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No information. Commonalong the southern slope of Greater Caucasus Mountains (Gam-barov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

BREEDING: In Greater Caucasus Mountains, pairs from mid April (Gambarov, 1954). A brood recorded in Mardakert Dis-trict of Nagorno-Karabakh Region, Murovdag Ridge on June

20th

(Laister & Sosnin, 1942).

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species. Sub-species C. c. nigricans Buturlin, 1908 nests in Azerbaijan, and C. c.

coccothraustes Linnaeus, 1758 occurs during migration and in winter.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Zakatali (e.g. Tsilbanchai Gorge), Kah (Ilisu Reserve), Sheki, Kutkashen, Kubaand Kusari districts (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1962; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded at headwaters of Shamkhor-chaiand vicinity of Kedabek, Shahdag Ridge (Radde, 1884; Mus-tafaev, 1969a), but probably more widespread. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: In foothills and mountains (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan (Satunin, 1912b).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: Samur Delta (Drozdov, 1965).Winter: GREATER C AUCASUS: Some remain at higher elevationsin Zakatali District (Gambarov, 1954).

LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed in the vicinity of Kedabek (Shah-dag Ridge) in early November (Radde, 1884). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Observed in montane forests (Mus-tafaev, 1968b).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Kura Valley including Karayasi area(Radde, 1884).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Lenkoran Lowland andSara Peninsula (Satunin, 1912b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya,1965a; Mustafaev, 1972).

364. Hawfinch - Coccothraustes coccothraustes Linnaeus, 1758

ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Absheron Peninsula (Gam-barov, 1960).

HABITAT: NESTING: Orchards, parks, gardens and broad-leavedforests in lowlands, foothills and mountains up to 1,400 m andhigher (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev, 1962). W INTER : Montaneforests, juniper woodlands, orchards, etc. (Gambarov, 1954; Vi-

nogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Observed in Sara Peninsula as early as Septem-ber 27th (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). Collected inBinagadi near Baku on November 21st (Gambarov, 1960). Presentin Kura Valley from late September to late April (Radde, 1884).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Average of 0.2nests/ha in orchards of Kusari District (Mustafaev, 1962).

Winter: No estimate. Common in Kura Valley near Karayasi(Radde, 1884). In Turianchai Bosdag Mountains, fluctuates from0.07-0.1/km to 12.5/ha (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b;Gasanov, 1990).

BREEDING: Late April to late July. In the northeast, 11 of 14 nests found were in apple trees, 2 in pear trees and 1 in oak,1.6-6 m above the ground. Sometimes nests close to roadsand human dwellings. The nest is a loose construction of dry twigs lined with a few rootlets. Two clutches a year: in May and late June-early July; 3-5 eggs/clutch. Incubation lasts 13-14 days, and the young remain in nests 11-14 days. Nesting success is lower in settlements where only c. 50% of the young survive to fledge while 68% fledge in other habitats (Mus-tafaev, 1962, 1969, 1971a).

DIET: Consumes large amounts of hazelnuts in fall and winter

(Gambarov, 1954).

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Azeri name: Valamirgushu (all buntings)

STATUS: Common resident, migrant and wintering species.Subspecies E. c. calandra Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lower slopesin Zakatali, Sheki, Kuba and Kusari districts; also in ShemakhaUpland e.g. between Shemakha and Alti-Agach (Satunin, 1907;Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded in Terter Valley in Mardakert Dis-trict, Nagorno-Karabakh Region (Laister & Sosnin, 1942). Prob-ably widespread.N AKHICHEVAN: Western part of the region (MP).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Kalvas, Kus-Yurdi, Zuvand Upland (Rad-de, 1884; Drozdov, 1963, 1965; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968;Mustafaev, 1968b) and probably elsewhere.BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi, Shirvan, Mil and Mugan steppes;also in Gandja and its vicinity (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b;Mustafaev, 1971a, 1973b; Gambarov, 1975; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Northern part of Kizil Agach Re-serve (Vinogradov et al., 1990) and southeastern Shirvan(Patrikeev, 1991a).S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND: No records, but probably present. ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: Northern part of Gobustan Up-

land, e.g. in Sumgait-chai Valley near Pirkishkul (Gambarov,1960; MP).

Winter: Mostly remains within breeding range in foothills andlowlands, but also occurs in Sara Peninsula, Little Kizil AgachBay (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov,1963), Lenkoran Lowland (Mustafaev, 1972) and Absheron Pen-insula (Gambarov, 1960; MP).

HABITAT: NESTING: Grasslands, semi-desert, fields and scrubin lowlands and foothills, but also mountains up to 2,100 m

FAMILY EMBERIZIDAE - BUNTINGS

365. Corn Bunting - Emberiza calandra Linnaeus, 1758

(Radde, 1884; Drozdov, 1963, 1965; Tarasov, 1974; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a). W INTER : Open areas including fields, orchards, villages, pastures and clearings in lowlands, foot-

hills and mountains (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev,1968b, 1972), sometimes in reeds (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Migrants arrive atKizil Agach Reserve from 12-27 March (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965a) and to southeastern Shirvan from April 25 th

(Patrikeev, 1991a).

Fall passage: COASTAL: In Sara Peninsula from early Decem-ber (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. 0.5 nests/hain orchards near Kusari (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

Common in Shemakha Upland and uncommon in Zakataliand Sheki districts and southeastern Shirvan (Gambarov, 1954;Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).Winter: No estimate. In Shirvan Steppe, 11.7/km in semi-desertpastures, 2.9/km in ungrazed semi-desert, and 1.7/km in bush-es and tugai in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963). Common inMingechaur District (Gambarov, 1975).

BREEDING: Singing from late March and pairs from early April (Satunin, 1907). Nesting season from late April to late July. Nests usually on the ground, but sometimes in a bush0.1-0.4 m above the ground (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov,1968; Mustafaev, 1969a, 1971a). Two clutches/year (late April-

early May and early June); 3-6 eggs/clutch (av. 5). Egg mea-surements (n=15): 21.0-27.5 x 15.0-17.7 mm (av. 23.6 x 16.6mm). The young remain in nests 8-11 days. Survival to fledgeis c. 45% in natural habitats and c. 35% in settlements (Satu-nin, 1907; Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Examined stomachs contained insects, wheat, barley and weed seed (Satunin, 1912b; Mustafaev & Khanmamme-dov, 1968).

MORTALITY: Occasionally perishes in oil (Verestchagin, 1946).

REMARKS: In winter, often roams in mixed f locks with Crest-

ed Larks (Gambarov, 1975).

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Azeri name: Valamirgushu (all buntings)

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. Two sub-species occur: E. c. erythrogenus C. L. Brehm, 1855 and E. c. cit-

rinella Linnaeus, 1758.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Old summer records from Len-koran Lowland and the vicinity of Gandja (Bogdanov, 1879).Winter: LESSER C AUCASUS: Recorded near Kedabek in the foot-hills of Shahdag Ridge in November (Radde, 1884).

366. Yellowhammer - Emberiza citrinella Linnaeus, 1758

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland and open areas elsewhere in the mountains (Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mus-tafaev, 1968b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi, Mugan and Shirvan steppes andthe vicinity of Mingechaur (Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; Sul-

tanov & Musaev, 1989; MP). Probably elsewhere.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Southern Mugan, Sara Peninsula andLenkoran Lowland (Satunin, 1912b; Tugarinov & Kozlova-Push-kareva, 1938; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972).

HABITAT: W INTER : Fields, pastures, abandoned land and vil-lages in lowlands, foothills and Zuvand Upland; occasionally in wetlands (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968; Mustafaev, 1968b, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Migrants recordedin Lenkoran Lowland on April 24th (Radde, 1884).Fall passage: COASTAL: In 1958, arrived at Sara Peninsula on

November 27th

, but not until January 30th

in 1959 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a).INTERIOR : Two small flocks in Turianchai Bosdag Mountains on19 October 1961 (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: No estimate. In Shirvan Steppe,1.9/km in bushes and tugai in January 1961 (Zlotin, 1963). Very common near Mingechaur (Gambarov, 1975).

STATUS: Common resident undertaking some winter move-ments. Subspecies E. c. prageri Laubmann, 1915.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Throughoutthe southern slope, e.g. in Zakatali District, Ilisu Reserve (KahDistrict), vicinity of Laza (Kutkashen District) and headwa-ters of Girdimanchai (Ismailly District). In Shemakha Upland,recorded near Pirgulu and Alti-Agach (Gambarov, 1954;

367. Rock Bunting - Emberiza cia Linnaeus, 1766

Drozdov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990;

Patrikeev, 1991d).LESSER C AUCASUS: Observed near Lake Geigel, Murovdag Ridge(Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990), probably occurs elsewhere.N AKHICHEVAN: No records, but probably present. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Zuvand Upland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907;Drozdov, 1965).BOSDAG: Turianchai Bosdag Mountains (Vinogradov & Tcher-niavskaya, 1965b; MP).Winter: In winter many descend from mountains to foothillsor even lowlands.GREATER C AUCASUS: Observed on Mount Alibek and other moun-tains of Zakatali District in January (Gambarov, 1954; Alekper-ov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Winters in the mountains and Zuvand Up-land (Mustafaev, 1968b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).BOSDAG: Remains in Turianchai Bosdag in winter (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b).K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Deep snow in the mountains may forcethese buntings into Kura Valley (Radde, 1884).

HABITAT: NESTING: Scrub on clayey and rocky slopes, mon-tane meadows, cereal fields, juniper woodlands and edge of montane forest at 400-2,100 m (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907;

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Gambarov, 1954; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP). W IN-TER : Clearings, orchards, fields, villages, pastures and rocky slopes in foothills and mountains (Mustafaev, 1968b; Mustafaev & Agaeva, 1968).


BREEDING: In Zakatali Reserve, fledglings observed in June(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985).

STATUS: Common migrant and wintering species. Possibly nests. Subspecies E. s. caspia Menetries, 1832.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: Status is unclear. Nesting suspectedin the past, but no factual records.K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Recorded near Gandja in the mid 19thcentury (Bogdanov, 1879). No other records.SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Nesting suspected in southern Mugan andLenkoran Lowland (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b). A pair observed

at Kalinovsky Liman, Kizil Agach Reserve on March 25th

(Vino-gradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a). No recent sightings.Winter: K URA-ARAS LOWLAND: Karayasi Steppe (e.g. Lake Djan-dargel and small wetlands in Karayasi Forest), Mingechaur Dis-

368. Reed Bunting - Emberiza schoeniclus Linnaeus, 1758

trict, wetlands of Shirvan, Mil and Mugan steppes (Radde, 1884;Satunin, 1912b; Zlotin, 1963; Gambarov, 1975; Sultanov &Musaev, 1989; MP).SOUTHEAST LOWLANDS: Kizil Agach Reserve and Lenkoran Low-land (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Tugarinov, 1950;Dobrokhotov, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972). ABSHERON: Shah Spit (Bannikova et al., 1984).

HABITAT: W INTER : Reed stands at wetlands, wooded reservoirs,tugai , Juncus , wormwood and blackberry thickets, fields, pastures andsemi-desert (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Tugarinov,1950; Dobrokhotov, 1963; Zlotin, 1963; Mustafaev, 1972).

MOVEMENT: Spring passage: COASTAL: Recorded in Absh-eron Peninsula in late March (Gambarov & Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: Arrives at Lenkoran Lowland fromNovember (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1907).

POPULATION SIZE: Winter: No estimate. 100/km in reedsof Little Kizil Agach Bay in 5 February 1959, and 6.2/km in Juncus thickets in February 1962 (Dobrokhotov, 1963). In midKura: 3.6/km in wetlands, 1/km in tugai , 0.3/km in semi-desertpastures, and 0.2/km in ungrazed semi-desert in January 1961(Zlotin, 1963). In January 1991, 200/km in coastal reeds of Lake Aggel, Mil Steppe (MP).

REMARKS: In winter this species often occurs in mixed f locks with other buntings, but also Linnets, Chaffinches and even tits(Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938).


MOVEMENT: Fall passage: COASTAL: In 1989 one recordedat Lake Karakush on November 28th, a flock of 15 between

369. Rustic Bunting - Emberiza rustica Pallas, 1776

Sbrosnoyi and Avarinyi channels on November 29 th (both inKizil Agach Reserve) and another one in Shah Spit, AbsheronPeninsula on December 13th (MP).


DISTRIBUTION: Summer: GREATER C AUCASUS: Lowlandsadjacent to the southern slope in Zakatali and Kutkashen dis-tricts, but up to 1,000 m in Sheki District, and up to 1,800 m inGirdimanchai Valley, Ismailly District. Also in Shemakha Up-land, e.g. vicinity of Shemakha and Kirovka (Gambarov, 1954;Gambarov & Bagirova, 1957).

370. Black-headed Bunting - Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli, 1769

LESSER C AUCASUS: Vicinity of Agdam and adjacent districtsof Nagorno-Karabakh Region. Also in Murovdag Ridge (e.g.Umutli) up to 1,500 m (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Bagiro- va, 1957).N AKHICHEVAN: At low and mid elevations throughout the re-gion (Satunin, 1907; Gambarov & Bagirova, 1957; MP). T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Vicinity of Lerik and Kalvas, and ZuvandUpland (Satunin, 1907; Drozdov, 1965).

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MOVEMENT: Spring passage: Mid April to mid May.COASTAL: In Lenkoran Lowland and southern Mugan from April18th (Radde, 1884; Satunin, 1912b), Cape Pirsagat on April 29th

and Mount Beuk-Dash on May 1st (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP). Pass-

es through Absheron Peninsula until mid May (Gambarov &Gazanchian, 1958).Fall passage: COASTAL: Leaves in late August. One collectedin Absheron Peninsula on September 12th (Gambarov & Ga-

zanchian, 1958), and in mid September in Kuba District (Shel-ton, 2001).

POPULATION SIZE: Breeding: No estimate. Common inShemakha Upland (Gambarov, 1954) and Kusari District (Mus-tafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968).

BREEDING: Nesting season from mid May to late July. Nestson the ground, usually among grasses. Nest measurements: di-ameter 10-14 cm, height 7-8 cm, nest-cup 6.5-8 cm, depth 3-4.5cm (Mustafaev & Khanmammedov, 1968). One clutch/year, 4-5eggs/clutch, but sometimes 3 or 6 (Gambarov, 1954; Mustafaev,1971a). In the vicinity of Kusari, egg-laying from mid May, butnests with freshly-laid eggs to early July. Egg measurements (n=13):19.4-19.9 x 14.7-16.5 mm, av. 19.7 x 15.5 mm (Mustafaev & Khan-mammedov, 1968). The young remain in nests 7-10 days. In the vicinity of Kirovka (Shemakha Upland), fledglings recorded 11-18 July (Gambarov, 1954). Up to 50% of young survive to fledgein natural habitats, and c. 42% in villages (Mustafaev, 1971a).

DIET: Stomachs of specimens collected in Greater CaucasusMountains contained grasshoppers ( Tettigonia viridissima, Platypter-

na kazaca, Acrida turrita, Locusta migratoria ), a dragonfly, a waspVespa media and weed seed (Gambarov, 1954).

STATUS: Uncommon nesting species and migrant restrict-ed to the southwest and southeast. Subspecies E. b. cerrutii de

Filippi, 1863.

DISTRIBUTION: Summer: N AKHICHEVAN: Negram Moun-tains, Mount Ilandag and vicinity of Djemaldin (Laister & Sos-nin, 1942; MP). Possibly elsewhere. T ALISH MOUNTAINS: Two collected in Zuvand Upland on 24 May 1969 and 9 June 1971, and a nest found on 11 June 1971 (Agae- va & Mustafaev, 1973). ABSHERON AND GOBUSTAN: A pair of probably this species onMount Beuk-Dash, Gobustan Upland in late April-early May 1989 (MP).

372. Grey-headed Bunting - Emberiza buchanani Blyth, 1844

HABITAT: NESTING: Rocky slopes in semi-desert mountains(Laister & Sosnin, 1942; Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973).

MOVEMENT: Fall passage: COASTAL: Occurred along theCaspian shore (Satunin, 1911).

INTERIOR : Three observed in Turianchai Bosdag Mountainson October 9th; one male collected (Vinogradov & Tcherni-avskaya, 1965b).


BREEDING: An almost completed nest in a hawthorn bushnear Kalvas (Zuvand Upland) on 11 June 1971. Nest mea-surements: diameter 171 mm, height 53.7 mm, nest-cup 63.5mm, depth 40 mm. Eggs (5) laid 14-18 June, measurements19.7 x 15.7 mm (Agaeva & Mustafaev, 1973). A brood ob-served in Negram Mountains on 9 June 1929 (Laister &Sosnin, 1942).

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Plates



01. Alfalfa fields near Khaladz:secondary habitat of Black

Francolin ( Francolinus francolinus )

and Corn Bunting ( Emberiza

calandra ). Saliani district, April

1990. As many other bird

species in Azerbaijan, these two

had to adapt to man-modified

habitats and even benefited

from the spread of those.

03. Artemisia semi-desert:

habitat of Calandra Lark

( Melanocorypha calandra ). South

of Cape Pirsagat. April 1989.

02. Floating algae mats provide

nesting sites for Whiskered Terns

( Chlidonias hybridus ). Mahmud-

chala, Djalilabad

district. June 1990.



04. Artemisia semi-desert in

coastal part of Shirvan Reserve.

Saliani district, May 1990.

06. Mosaic of forest fragments

and fields are characteristic of

Shemakha Upland where

species such as Common Quail

( Coturnix coturnix ), Corncrake( Crex crex ) and Skylark ( Alauda

arvensis ) mostly occur in

agricultural habitats.

05. Flooded tamarisk thickets at

Mahmud-chala provide

nesting habitat for Turtle Doves( Streptopelia turtur ). Djalilabad dis-

trict, June 1990. Elsewhere,

flooded tamarisk thickets like this

support diverse mixed colonies

of herons, egrets, ibises and

cormorants.



07. Rocky outcrops and

remains of ancient fortresses

often provide nesting habitat to

Raven ( Corvus corax ). Shemakha

district, September 1989.

09. Montane broad-leaved

forests. Shemakha Upland,

September 1989

08. Forested gorge in Shemakha

Upland. Pirgulu Reserve, Shema-

kha district, September 1989.



10. Semi-desert slopes of

Gobustan Upland: habitat of

Finch’s Wheatear ( Oenanthe

finschii ) and Black-eared

Wheatear ( O. hispanica ).

Gobustan Reserve, April 1990.

12. Mud volcanoes are typical

landmarks of Absheron

Peninsula and adjacent parts of

Caspian Lowland. Khamamdag,

Cape Pirsagat, April 1989.

11. Karayasi Forest: one of the

very few remaining mature tugai

forests in Azerbaijan. Akstafa dis-

trict, July 1989.



13. Kobls (thick reed clusters

growing from the common

root) are typical of lakes and

other wetlands in lowlands of

Azerbaijan. Mahmud-chala,

Djalilabad district,

November 1989.

15. Reedbeds provide nesting

and staging habitats for many

species of waterbirds including

Purple Gallinule ( Porphyrio

porphyrio ) and Common Coot( Fulica atra ). Lake Kichik-

Shorgel, Shirvan Reserve,

Saliani district, April 1990.

14. Little Ring Plovers ( Charadri-

us dubius ) frequently nest in peb-

ble beds in Kura Valley.

Near Karayasi, Akstafa district,

July 1989.



16. Kobls and reed thickets of

Mahmud-chala are very

important for nesting and

staging ducks including Red-

crested Pochard ( Netta rufina )

and Ferruginous Duck

( Aythya nyroca ). Djalilabad

district, June 1989.

18. Montane broad-leaved

forest. Mount Pirgulu, Shema-

kha upland, September 1989.

17. Long-legged Buzzard ( Buteorufinus ), wild Rock Doves ( Colum-

ba livia ) and Red-billed Chough

( Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax ) often

build their nests in low cliffs of

Gobustan Upland. Mount Beuk-

Dash, April 1990.



19. Nesting habitat of Bearded

Reedling ( Panurus biarmicus ) at

Shorgel lakes. Lake Kichik-



21. Islands of Baku Archipela-

go are susceptible to oil

pollution. Pirsagat Islands,

Caspian Sea. April 1989.

20. Pirsagat Islands are home to

the most diverse nesting colonies

of gulls and terns in Azerbaijan:

seven species nested in the late

1980s. Baku Archipelago, Caspi-

an Sea, June 1989.



22. Kentish Plover ( Charadrius

alexandrinus ) and Collared

Pratincole ( Glareola pratincola )

frequently nest in saltpans.

Shirvan Reserve, Saliani district,

May 1989.

24. Salsola semi-desert: typical

habitat of Lesser Short-toed

Lark ( Calandrella rufescens ) and

Crested Lark ( Galerida cristata )

in southeastern Shirvan. April 1989.

23. Channels dug across Kizil

Agach Reserve for enhancing lo-

cal fisheries draw large numbers

of cormorants and grebes. Sbros-

noyi Channel, Kizil Agach Re-

serve, November 1989.



25. Semi-desert slopes of low

hills in Caspian Lowland.

Khamamdag, June 1989.

26. Almost impassable tamarisk

thickets shelter Black Fran-

colins ( Francolinus francolinus )

and nests of Magpie ( Pica pica ).

Shirvan Reserve, Saliani

district, April 1989.

27. Turianchai Reserve, Agdash

district, May 1991.



Male Bearded Reedling ( Panurus

biarmicus ) at the nest. This

species nests in thick reed

kobls throughout wetlands of

Azerbaijan. Lake Kichik-



Blue-cheeked Bee-eater ( Merops

persicus ) excavating nesting

burrow. Vicinity of Cape

Pirsagat, Caspian Lowland,

May 1989.

Although Blue-cheeked Bee-

eaters ( Merops persicus ) usually

excavate their burrows in flats,

some nest in low clayey cliffs.

Vicinity of Cape Pirsagat,Caspian Lowland, May 1989.



Large nestlings of Calandra

Lark ( Melanocorypha calandra )

blend perfectly with the

surroundings becoming almost

invisible to human eye. South

of Cape Pirsagat, Caspian

Lowland, May 1989.

Incubating Collared Pratincole

( Glareola pratincola ). Pervaya

Grada Island, Pirsagat Islands

of Baku Archipelago, Caspian

Sea, May 1989.

Third largest mixed colony of

wading birds and cormorants is

found in kobls and impassable

reedbeds of Mahmud-chala.

Djalilabad district. June 1990.



Common Kingfisher

( Alcedo atthis ). Karayasi Forest,

Akstafa district, June 1989.

Common Terns

( Sterna hirundo ) on Baburyi

Island. Pirsagat Islands of

Baku Archipelago. June 1989.

Crested Lark ( Galerida cristata ).


district, April 1990.



Fledgling of Crested Lark

( Galerida cristata ). Shirvan

Reserve, Saliani district,

May 1990.

Nest of Eurasian Spoonbill

( Platalea leucorodia ) with eggs.

Mahmud-chala, Djalilabad


Eurasian Spoonbill ( Platalea

leucorodia ) in colony of Mah-

mud-chala. Djalilabad district,

June 1990.



Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis falcinellus ).



Nest of Glossy Ibis ( Plegadis

falcinellus ) with young.



Gull-billed Tern

( Gelochelidon nilotica ). Pelikanyi

Island, Pirsagat Islands of

Baku Archipelago,

Caspian Sea, May 1989.



Isabelline Wheatear ( Oenanthe

isabellina ) with food. Shirvan


May 1990.

Isabelline Wheatear

( Oenanthe isabellina ) near nesting

burrow. Vicinity of Cape


May 1989.

Nest of Kentish Plover

( Charadrius alexandrinus ) with

three eggs. Shirvan Reserve,




Female Kentish Plover

( Charadrius alexandrinus ) at nest.

Zavvar, Djalilabad district,

June 1990.

Lesser Short-toed Lark

( Calandrella rufescens ) near nest

with young. Vicinity of Cape


May 1989.

Nest and eggs of Lesser

Short-toed Lark ( Calandrella

rufescens ). Shirvan Reserve,




Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta )

at Mahmud-chala. Two Cattle

Egrets ( Bubulcus ibis ) on the

background. Djalilabad


Little Egret ( Egretta garzetta )

and Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis )

in mixed colony at

Mahmud-chala. Djalilabad


Little Ringed Plover ( Charadrius

dubius ) over nest with eggs.

Kura Valley at Karayasi,




Unlike other Sterna terns,

Little Terns ( Sterna albifrons )

often nest on mainland,

especially beaches. Vicinity of

Cape Pirsagat, Caspian

Lowland, May 1989.

Mediterranean Gulls

( Larus melanocephalus ) were first

found nesting on the Caspian

Sea in 1989. Pelikanyi Island,

Pirsagat Islands of Baku

Archipelago, May 1989.

Mediterranean Gulls ( Larus

melanocephalus ) were first found

nesting on the Caspian Sea

in 1989. Pelikanyi Island,

Pirsagat Islands of Baku Archipelago, May 1989.



Male Menetries’ Warbler

( Sylvia mystacea ) attending nest.

Vicinity of Cape Pirsagat,

Caspian Lowland, May 1989.

Nest of Menetries’ Warbler

( Sylvia mystacea ) with eggs.


district, May 1990.

Nest of Common Coot

( Fulica atra ) with eleven eggs.

Lake Kichik-Shorgel, Shirvan


April 1990.



Nest of Hooded Crow

( Corvus cornix ). Although this

species usually builds nests

in trees, nesting in reedbeds is

not unusual in wetlands of

Azerbaijan. Lake Kichik-



Nest of Imperial Eagle ( Aquila

heliaca ). In tugai forests, this

species builds its nests in large

Populus trees. Karayasi Forest,


In semi-deserts of Azerbaijan,

nests of Magpie ( Pica pica )

are often hidden in tamarisk

thickets. Shirvan Reserve,




Stone Curlew ( Burhinus

oedicnemus ) lays eggs on bare

grounds, with only few smallrocks and seashell fragments

added to create likeness of a

nest. Complete clutch of this

species contains two eggs.

Vicinity of Cape Pirsagat,


Nest of Whiskered Tern

( Chlidonias hybridus ) is a loose

construction of grass and twigs

on the top of floating algae

mats. Mahmud-chala, Djalila-bad district, June 1990.

Nest of Rock Nuthatch ( Sitta

neumayer ) is a massive mud

structure attached to a rock

surface. Mount Beuk-Dash,

Gobustan Upland, April 1990.



Slender-billed gulls ( Larus genei )

nest in close proximity of each

other. Pelikanyi Island, Pirsagat

Islands of Baku Archipelago,


Nightingale ( Luscinia

megarhynchos ) removing a fecal

sac from the nest with young.

Karayasi Forest, Akstafa


Male Penduline Tit ( Remiz

pendulinus ) in unfinished nest

hanging from tamarisk.





Pygmy Cormorants

( Phalacrocorax pygmaeus ).



Rafts of Common Coots

( Fulica atra ) off Kulagin

Lookout. Kizil Agach Reserve,

Lenkoran Lowland,

November 1989.

Pygmy Cormorants

( Phalacrocorax pygmaeus ) in the

mixed colony at Mahmud-

chala, Djalilabad district,

June 1990.



Rufous Bushchat

( Cercotrichas galactotes ) is a

common bird in lowlands

throughout Azerbaijan. Vicinity

of Cape Pirsagat, Caspian

Lowland. June 1989.

A colony of Sandwich Terns

( Thalasseus sandvicensis ) on

Pelikanyi Island. Pirsagat



A colony of Sandwich Terns

( Thalasseus sandvicensis ) on

Pelikanyi Island. Pirsagat





Slender-billed Gulls( Larus genei ) always nest in

dense colonies, probably to

avoid predation by larger gulls.

Pelikanyi Island, Pirsagat



Squacco Heron

( Ardeola ralloides ) in the mixed

colony of Mahmud-chala.

Djalilabad district, southern

Mugan, June 1990.

Lake Karakush at the north

end of Kizil Agach Reserve is

teeming with waterbirds and

waders. Kizil Agach Reserve,

November 1989.



A large fledgling Turtle

Dove ( Streptopelia turtur ).

Karayasi forest, Akstafa

district, July 1989.

A pair of Woodchat Shrikes

( Lanius senator ) at nest. In the

vicinity of Cape Pirsagat, this

species almost invariably builds

nests in Eleagnus bushes.


Yellow-legged Gull

( Larus cachinnans ) nests on

islands of Baku and Absheron

archipelagos. Pelikanyi Island,

Pirsagat Islands, Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan.



Rock Nuthatch ( Sitta neumayer )

at nest with young. Mount

Beuk-Dash, Gobustan Upland,

May 1991

Nestling of Black Vulture

( Aegypius monachus ). Turianchai

Reserve, May 1991



Appendixes



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No. Species Resident Summer Migration Winter

1 Red-throated Diver – Gavia stellata r r2 Black-throated Diver – Gavia arctica r r

3 Little Grebe – Tachybaptus ruficollis c c

4 Black-necked Grebe – Podiceps nigricollis uc c

5 Slavonian Grebe – Podiceps auritus uc

6 Red-necked Grebe – Podiceps griseigena uc

7 Great Crested Grebe – Podiceps cristatus c c c

8 Great White Pelican – Pelecanus onocrotalus r r

9 Dalmatian Pelican – Pelecanus crispus ex? r r

10 Great Cormorant – Phalacrocorax carbo uc c c

11 Pygmy Cormorant – Phalacrocorax pygmaeus uc c uc

12 Eurasian Bittern – Botaurus stellaris uc uc uc uc

13 Little Bittern – Ixobrychus minutus c c

14 Night-Heron – Nycticorax nycticorax c c ir15 Squacco Heron – Ardeola ralloides c c ir

16 Cattle Egret – Bubulcus ibis c r r

17 Great White Egret – Egretta alba r c c

18 Little Egret – Egretta garzetta c c uc

19 Grey Heron – Ardea cinerea c c c

20 Purple Heron – Ardea purpurea c c

21 White Stork – Ciconia ciconia c uc r

22 Black Stork – Ciconia nigra r r r

23 Eurasian Spoonbill – Platalea leucorodia uc uc r

24 Glossy Ibis – Plegadis falcinellus c c vr

25 Sacred Ibis – Threskiornis aethiopicus ex a

26 Greater Flamingo – Phoenicopterus ruber uc c c

27 Mute Swan – Cygnus olor r c c28 Whooper Swan – Cygnus cygnus c c

29 Bewick’s Swan – Cygnus bewickii a a

30 Red-breasted Goose – Rufibrenta ruficollis r r

31 Greylag Goose – Anser anser uc (-) c (-) c (-)

32 Greater White-fronted Goose – Anser albifrons c c

33 Lesser White-fronted Goose – Anser erythropus c c

34 Bean Goose – Anser fabalis a a

35 Snow Goose – Chen caerulescens a a

36 Common Shelduck – Tadorna tadorna uc c c

37 Ruddy Shelduck – Tadorna ferruginea c c uc

38 Mallard – Anas platyrhynchos c vc vc

39 Common Teal – Anas crecca ir vc vc

40 Gadwall – Anas strepera uc c c41 Eurasian Wigeon – Anas penelope ir vc vc

42 Northern Pintail – Anas acuta c c

43 Northern Shoveler – Anas clypeata r? c c

44 Garganey – Anas querquedula r? c uc

45 Marbled Teal – Marmaronetta angustirostris r r ir

46 Red-crested Pochard – Netta rufina uc (-) c (-?) c (-?)

47 Common Pochard – Aythya ferina vc vc

48 Ferruginous Duck – Aythya nyroca ? uc c c

49 Tufted Duck – Aythya fuligula ? vc (-) vc (-)

50 Greater Scaup – Aythya marila c c

Appendix 1 A LIST OF BIRDS OF AZERBAIJAN





51 Common Scoter – Melanitta nigra a

52 Velvet Scoter – Melanitta fusca r r

53 Long-tailed Duck – Clangula hyemalis r r

54 Common Goldeneye – Bucephala clangula c (-?) c (-)

55 Smew – Mergus albellus uc uc

56 Red-breasted Merganser – Mergus serrator r r

57 Goosander (Common Merganser) – Mergus merganser uc uc58 White-headed Duck – Oxyura leucocephala uc uc

59 Osprey – Pandion haliaetus ex r ?

60 Honey Buzzard – Pernis apivorus uc uc

61 Red Kite – Milvus milvus ik ?

62 Black Kite – Milvus migrans c c r

63 White-tailed Sea Eagle – Haliaeetus albicilla r r r r

64 Pallas’s Sea Eagle – Haliaetus leucoryphus a

65 Goshawk – Accipiter gentilis uc

66 Sparrowhawk – Accipiter nisus uc c uc uc

67 Levant Sparrowhawk – Accipiter brevipes r r

68 Shikra – Accipiter badius ik

69 Rough-legged Buzzard – Buteo lagopus uc uc

70 Long-legged Buzzard – Buteo rufinus uc71 Common Buzzard – Buteo buteo uc c c c

72 Booted Eagle – Hieraaetus pennatus uc uc

73 Bonelli’s Eagle – Hieraaetus fasciatus a?

74 Steppe Eagle – Aquila nipalensis c (-) r

75 Greater Spotted Eagle – Aquila clanga ? c c

76 Lesser Spotted Eagle – Aquila pomarina uc uc r

77 Imperial Eagle – Aquila heliaca r r r

78 Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos r r

79 Egyptian Vulture – Neophron percnopterus r uc uc uc

80 Lammergeier – Gypaetus barbatus r

81 Black Vulture – Aegypius monachus uc

82 Griffon Vulture – Gyps fulvus uc

83 Short-toed Eagle – Circaetus gallicus r r84 Hen Harrier – Circus cyaneus ex? uc uc

85 Pallid Harrier – Circus macrourus ex? r r

86 Montagu’s Harrier – Circus pygargus uc uc r

87 Marsh Harrier – Circus aeruginosus c c c

88 Kestrel – Falco tinnunculus c c c c

89 Lesser Kestrel – Falco naumanni c c r

90 Merlin – Falco columbarius uc uc

91 Red-footed Falcon – Falco vespertinus r

92 Hobby – Falco subbuteo c c r

93 Saker – Falco cherrug r r

94 Lanner – Falco biarmicus ex?

95 Peregrine – Falco peregrinus r r r

96 Caucasian Black Grouse – Tetrao mlokosiewiczi uc97 Caucasian Snowcock – Tetraogallus caucasicus uc

98 Caspian Snowcock – Tetraogallus caspius r

99 Chukar – Alectoris chukar vc (-)

100 See-see Partridge – Ammoperdix griseogularis r

101 Black Francolin – Francolinus francolinus uc/c (-)

102 Grey Partridge – Perdix perdix c

103 Common Quail – Coturnix coturnix ? c c r

104 Common Pheasant – Phasianus colchicus c (-)

105 Common Crane – Grus grus ? uc

106 Siberian Crane – Grus leucogeranus r ex





107 Demoiselle Crane – Anthropoides virgo r

108 Water Rail – Rallus aquaticus c c c

109 Spotted Crake – Porzana porzana c c c

110 Little Crake – Porzana parva uc uc r

111 Baillon’s Crake – Porzana pusilla ik ik

112 Corncrake – Crex crex ex? uc

113 Common Moorhen – Gallinula chloropus c c c c114 Purple Gallinule – Porphyrio porphyrio c (+) uc

115 Common Coot – Fulica atra c c vc (-) vc (-)

116 Great Bustard – Otis tarda ex r r

117 Little Bustard – Tetrax tetrax ex? c c

118 Houbara Bustard – Chlamydotis undulata ik

119 Stone Curlew – Burhinus oedicnemus c c

120 Grey Plover – Pluvialis squatarola c c

121 Golden Plover – Pluvialis apricaria uc r

122 Pacific Golden Plover – Pluvialis fulva a

123 Ringed Plover – Charadrius hiaticula c c

124 Little Ringed Plover – Charadrius dubius c c

125 Greater Sand Plover – Charadrius leschenaultii r r

126 Caspian Plover – Charadrius asiaticus r127 Kentish Plover – Charadrius alexandrinus uc uc r

128 Dotterel – Eudromias morinellus r

129 Sociable Plover – Chettusia gregaria r

130 White-tailed Plover – Chettusia leucura r r r

131 Lapwing – Vanellus vanellus uc c c

132 Red-wattled Lapwing – Vanellus indicus a

133 Black-winged Stilt – Himantopus himantopus c c uc

134 Avocet – Recurvirostra avosetta uc c c

135 Oystercatcher – Haematopus ostralegus ex? uc r

136 Green Sandpiper – Tringa ochropus ? c uc

137 Wood Sandpiper – Tringa glareola ? c ?

138 Greenshank – Tringa nebularia uc uc

139 Redshank – Tringa totanus uc c c140 Spotted Redshank – Tringa erythropus uc r

141 Marsh Sandpiper – Tringa stagnatilis ? c uc

142 Common Sandpiper – Actitis hypoleucos c c r

143 Terek Sandpiper – Xenus cinereus ? c r

144 Red-necked Phalarope – Phalaropus lobatus ? c ?

145 Ruff – Philomachus pugnax c ?

146 Little Stint – Calidris minuta c uc

147 Temminck’s Stint – Calidris temminckii ik ?

148 Curlew Sandpiper – Calidris ferruginea c ?

149 Dunlin – Calidris alpina c c

150 Sanderling – Calidris alba uc r

151 Knot – Calidris canutus r

152 Pectoral Sandpiper – Calidris melanotus a153 Broad-billed Sandpiper – Limicola falcinellus r r

154 Ruddy Turnstone – Arenaria interpres r ir

155 Jack Snipe – Lymnocryptes minimus uc uc

156 Great Snipe – Gallinago media uc r

157 Common Snipe – Gallinago gallinago ? c c

158 Woodcock – Scolopax rusticola ? c c

159 Eurasian Curlew – Numenius arquata ? c c

160 Whimbrel – Numenius phaeopus c uc

161 Slender-billed Curlew – Numenius tenuirostris r

162 Black-tailed Godwit – Limosa limosa ? c uc





163 Bar-tailed Godwit – Limosa lapponica r ?

164 Collared Pratincole – Glareola pratincola c c

165 Black-winged Pratincole – Glareola nordmanni r r

166 Cream-coloured Courser – Cursorius cursor a? a?

167 Pomarine Skua – Stercorarius pomarinus a

168 Arctic Skua – Stercorarius parasiticus a

169 Great Black-headed Gull – Larus ichthyaetus ex uc uc170 Mediterranean Gull – Larus melanocephalus r r

171 Little Gull – Larus minutus ? c c

172 Black-headed Gull – Larus ridibundus r c c

173 Slender-billed Gull – Larus genei uc c uc

174 Lesser Black-backed Gull – Larus fuscus a

175 Yellow-legged Gull – Larus cachinnans c c c

176 Great Black-backed Gull – Larus marinus r

177 Common Gull – Larus canus ex uc uc

178 Black-legged Kittiwake – Rissa tridactyla a a

179 Black Tern – Chlidonias niger ? r

180 White-winged Tern – Chlidonias leucopterus uc c

181 Whiskered Tern – Chlidonias hybridus uc uc r

182 Gull-billed Tern – Gelochelidon nilotica r uc183 Caspian Tern – Hydroprogne caspia ex r r

184 Sandwich Tern – Thalasseus sandvicensis uc uc

185 Common Tern – Sterna hirundo c c

186 Little Tern – Sterna albifrons uc uc

187 Black-bellied Sandgrouse – Pterocles orientalis uc uc

188 Pin-tailed Sandgrouse – Pterocles alchata ex? ? ?

189 Pallas’s Sandgrouse – Syrrhaptes paradoxus a a

190 Rock Dove – Columba livia vc c

191 Stock Dove – Columba oenas uc uc

192 Wood Pigeon – Columba palumbus c uc

193 Turtle Dove – Streptopelia turtur vc vc

194 Collared Dove – Streptopelia decaocto r

195 Laughing Dove – Streptopelia senegalensis uc196 Eurasian Cuckoo – Cuculus canorus c c

197 Scops Owl – Otus scops c c

198 Eagle Owl – Bubo bubo r

199 Little Owl – Athene noctua c

200 Tawny Owl – Strix aluco uc

201 Long-eared Owl – Asio otus c c c

202 Short-eared Owl – Asio flammeus ? uc uc

203 European Nightjar – Caprimulgus europaeus c c

204 Alpine Swift – Tachymarptis melba uc uc

205 Common Swift – Apus apus c c

206 Little Swift – Apus affinus ik

207 European Roller – Coracias garrulus c c

208 Common Kingfisher – Alcedo atthis c c209 White-breasted Kingfisher – Halcyon smyrnensis a a

210 European Bee-eater – Merops apiaster c c

211 Blue-cheeked Bee-eater – Merops persicus c c

212 Hoopoe – Upupa epops c c r

213 Wryneck – Jynx torquilla uc uc

214 Green Woodpecker – Picus viridis c

215 Grey-headed Woodpecker – Picus canus a? a? a? a?

216 Black Woodpecker – Dryocopus martius uc

217 Great Spotted Woodpecker – Dendrocopos major c

218 Syrian Woodpecker – Dendrocopos syriacus c





219 Middle Spotted Woodpecker – Dendrocopos medius c

220 White-backed Woodpecker – Dendrocopos leucotos ik

221 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker – Dendrocopos minor r

222 Sand Martin – Riparia riparia c vc

223 Crag Martin – Hirundo rupestris uc uc

224 Barn Swallow – Hirundo rustica vc vc

225 House Martin – Delichon urbica c c226 Skylark – Alauda arvensis c c c

227 Small Skylark – Alauda gulgula a

228 Woodlark – Lullula arborea uc uc uc

229 Crested Lark – Galerida cristata vc

230 Short-toed Lark – Calandrella brachydactyla uc c c uc

231 Lesser Short-toed Lark – Calandrella rufescens c

232 Calandra Lark – Melanocorypha calandra c c

233 Bimaculated Lark – Melanocorypha bimaculata c

234 White-winged Lark – Melanocorypha leucoptera ir ir

235 Black Lark – Melanocorypha yeltoniensis ir

236 Shore Lark – Eremophila alpestris uc

237 Richard’s Pipit – Anthus richardi a

238 Tawny Pipit – Anthus campestris uc uc ?239 Tree Pipit – Anthus trivialis uc uc ?

240 Meadow Pipit – Anthus pratensis c c

241 Red-throated Pipit – Anthus cervinus a

242 Water Pipit – Anthus spinoletta c c c

243 Yellow Wagtail – Motacilla flava c vc r

244 Citrine Wagtail – Motacilla citreola uc

245 Grey Wagtail – Motacilla cinerea c

246 White Wagtail – Motacilla alba uc vc c uc

247 Red-backed Shrike – Lanius collurio c c

248 Woodchat Shrike – Lanius senator uc uc

249 Lesser Grey Shrike – Lanius minor c c

250 Great Grey Shrike – Lanius excubitor ? uc r

251 Waxwing – Bombycilla garrulus ir252 Golden Oriole – Oriolus oriolus c c

253 Common Starling – Sturnus vulgaris vc vc vc

254 Rose-coloured Starling – Pastor roseus c c

255 Eurasian Jay – Garrulus glandarius c

256 Magpie – Pica pica c

257 Red-billed Chough – Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax uc

258 Alpine Chough – Pyrrhocorax graculus r

259 Jackdaw – Corvus monedula uc uc uc

260 Rook – Corvus frugilegus c c c

261 Hooded Crow – Corvus cornix vc c

262 Carrion Crow – Corvus corone ik

263 Raven – Corvus corax uc

264 Common Dipper – Cinclus cinclus uc265 Wren – Troglodytes troglodytes c c

266 European Dunnock – Prunella modularis c c c

267 Alpine Accentor – Prunella collaris uc

268 Radde’s Accentor – Prunella ocularis r

269 Whinchat – Saxicola rubetra uc uc r

270 Stonechat – Saxicola torquata uc c r

271 European Wheatear – Oenanthe oenanthe c c r?

272 Pied Wheatear – Oenanthe pleschanka uc uc

273 Black-eared Wheatear – Oenanthe hispanica c c

274 Finch’s Wheatear – Oenanthe finschii c? c





275 Desert Wheatear – Oenanthe deserti a? a?

276 Red-tailed Wheatear – Oenanthe xanthoprymna uc uc

277 Isabelline Wheatear – Oenanthe isabellina uc vc vc

278 Rufous Bushchat – Cercotrichas galactotes c c

279 Common Redstart – Phoenicurus phoenicurus c c

280 Black Redstart – Phoenicurus ochruros c uc

281 Güldenstadt’s Redstart – Phoenicurus erythrogaster uc282 Eversmann’s Redstart – Phoenicurus erythronotus a? a?

283 Robin – Erithacus rubecula uc c uc

284 Nightingale – Luscinia megarhynchos c c

285 Sprosser – Luscinia luscinia a a

286 Bluethroat – Luscinia svecica uc

287 White-throated Robin – Irania gutturalis uc ?

288 Rock Thrush – Monticola saxatilis uc uc

289 Blue Rock Thrush – Monticola solitarius uc

290 Black-throated Thrush – Turdus ruficollis c c

291 Fieldfare – Turdus pilaris c c

292 Ring Ouzel – Turdus torquatus c

293 Blackbird – Turdus merula c vc c

294 Redwing – Turdus iliacus uc uc295 Song Thrush – Turdus philomelos c c c

296 Mistle Thrush – Turdus viscivorus c c c

297 Cetti’s Warbler – Cettia cetti uc ?

298 Western Grasshopper Warbler – Locustella naevia ik ?

299 River Warbler – Locustella fluviatilis r

300 Savi’s Warbler – Locustella luscinoides a

301 Moustached Warbler – Lusciniola melanopogon c uc ? c

302 Sedge Warbler – Acrocephalus shoenobaenus uc uc

303 Marsh Warbler – Acrocephalus palustris c c

304 Reed Warbler – Acrocephalus scirpaceus c c

305 Great Reed Warbler – Acrocephalus arundinaceus c c r

306 Icterine Warbler – Hippolais icterina ? a?

307 Booted Warbler – Hippolais caligata c308 Olivaceous Warbler – Hippolais pallida c c

309 Upcher’s Warbler – Hippolais languida uc? uc?

310 Barred Warbler – Sylvia nisoria uc uc

311 Orphean Warbler – Sylvia hortensis ik ik

312 Blackcap – Sylvia atricapilla c c

313 Garden Warbler – Sylvia borin ? r

314 Lesser Whitethroat – Sylvia curruca uc uc

315 Common Whitethroat – Sylvia communis c uc

316 Menetries’ Warbler – Sylvia mystacea c c

317 Desert Warbler – Sylvia nana a

318 Willow Warbler – Phylloscopus trochilus uc c

319 Chiffchaff – Phylloscopus collybita ? c r

320 Caucasian Chiffchaff – Phylloscopus lorenzii ? uc uc321 Greenish Warbler – Phylloscopus trochiloides c c

322 Scrub Warbler- Scotocerca inquieta a? a?

323 Goldcrest – Regulus regulus ? c

324 Pied Flycatcher – Ficedula hypoleuca r

325 Semi-collared Flycatcher – Ficedula semitorquata uc uc

326 Red-breasted Flycatcher – Ficedula parva c c r

327 Spotted Flycatcher – Muscicapa striata c c

328 Bearded Reedling – Panurus biarmicus c

329 Long-tailed Tit – Aegithalos caudatus c

330 Penduline Tit – Remiz pendulinus c





331 Sombre Tit – Parus lugubris uc

332 Coal Tit – Parus ater uc

333 Crested Tit – Parus cristatus a?

334 Blue Tit – Parus caeruleus c c

335 Great Tit – Parus major c

336 Common Nuthatch – Sitta europaea c

337 Rock Nuthatch – Sitta neumayer c338 Eastern Rock Nuthatch – Sitta tephronota ik

339 Wallcreeper – Tichodroma muraria uc

340 Eurasian Treecreeper – Certhia familiaris c

341 Short-toed Treecreeper – Certhia brachydactyla ik

342 House Sparrow – Passer domesticus vc (+)

343 Spanish Sparrow – Passer hispaniolensis vc (-)

344 Tree Sparrow – Passer montanus vc

345 Pale Rock Sparrow – Carpospiza brachydactyla uc

346 Rock Sparrow – Petronia petronia c

347 Snowfinch – Montifringilla nivalis uc

348 Chaffinch – Fringilla coelebs uc c c c

349 Brambling – Fringilla montifringilla c c

350 Red-fronted Serin – Serinus pusillus uc351 Greenfinch – Chloris chloris c c c

352 Siskin – Spinus spinus uc uc

353 Goldfinch – Carduelis carduelis c c c

354 Linnet – Acanthis cannabina c c c

355 Twite – Acanthis flavirostris uc

356 Common Redpoll – Acanthis flammea a

357 Crimson-winged Finch – Rhodopechys sanguinea uc

358 Trumpeter Finch – Bucanetes githagineus uc

359 Mongolian Trumpeter Finch – Bucanetes mongolicus uc

360 Common Rosefinch – Carpodacus erythrinus c c

361 Great Rosefinch – Carpodacus rubicilla ik

362 Common Crossbill – Loxia curvirostra ? uc uc

363 Bullfinch – Pyrrhula pyrrhula uc364 Hawfinch – Coccothraustes coccothraustes c c c c

365 Corn Bunting – Emberiza calandra c c c

366 Yellowhammer – Emberiza citrinella c c

367 Rock Bunting – Emberiza cia c

368 Reed Bunting – Emberiza schoeniclus ik c c

369 Rustic Bunting – Emberiza rustica r

370 Black-headed Bunting – Emberiza melanocephala c c

371 Ortolan Bunting – Emberiza hortulana c c

372 Grey-headed Bunting – Emberiza buchanani uc uc

LEGEND:

a – accidental; c – common; ex – extirpated in Azerbaijan; ik – insufficiently known; ir – irregular; r – rare; vc – very common; uc

– uncommon; (-) –declining; (+) – increasing.




Appendix 2

Below is a short review of important bird areas of Azerbaijan. A total of 51 have been identified so far. The best known and most

important wintering areas (Kizil Agach Reserve, Lake Aggel, etc.) are described in detail. Some formerly important areas and sitesthat are worthy of further investigation or/and restoration are not numbered and are printed in a smaller font.

A. WETLANDS AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS

C ASPIAN LOWLAND

Lenkoran Lowland and southern Mugan:

1. Kizil Agach Reserve(Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach bays, Kalinovsky Liman, Lopatinsky Marsh, Akusha Marsh, Lake Karakush)

The Greater and Lesser Kizil Agach Bays (formerly known as the Kirov bays) are situated in the southwest corner of the CaspianSea in Lenkoran and Neftechala Districts. Prior to the early 1930s this was a single water body - Kizil Agach Bay - with several largeislands. Sometime between 1934 and 1939 the water level dropped, so connecting Kulagin, Burunki and Sobachyi-Zub islands with

IMPORTANT BIRDS AREAS OF AZERBAIJAN

Tbilisi

A r a s R i v e r

K

u r a R i v e r

Stepanakert

I R A N

C A S P I A N S E A

G E O R G I A

A R M E N I A


Lenkoran

A r a s R

i v e r

45

1

13

6

9 8

7

12

11

10

26

27

28

51

23

49

50

48

46

4735

36

37

22

29

25

20 33

24

32

31

21

30

34

14

15

1617 18

19

2

3

4

43

41

44

42

38

39

40




the mainland and converting Sara Island into the Sara Peninsula. In 1956 a dam connected the southern tip of the peninsula to themainland cutting Lesser Kizil Agach Bay off from the sea and eventually turning it into a large freshwater lagoon. Several shallow wetlands lie on the west shore of Greater Kizil Agach Bay: Kalinovsky Liman, Lopatinsky and Akusha marshes. Other coastal areasconsist of wet meadows and semi-desert. A total of 88,360 ha are protected in the nature reserve; the southern half of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay (10,700 ha) is unprotected (Verestchagin, 1950; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Kizil Agach Reserve is 28.5 m below sea level. Water depth in the bays varies from 0.4 to 2.5 m. Winters are usually mild, but cold

winters occur every 8-11 years. Inclement weather has a significant impact on wintering birds (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990; see also Appendix 5). The hydrological regime of the bays underwent significant changes in the 20th century. In the past,coastal wetlands were fed by the Vilajchai, Kumbashi, Armianka and Akusha rivers, but presently all wetlands receive water throughirrigation channels. The water flow is controlled and, twice a year, water is dumped into Kizil Agach Bays. In the mid 1970s, water levelin Greater Kizil Agach Bay reached a record low due to natural lowering of the Caspian Sea. This resulted in changes in water salinity,plankton and algae distribution and consequently also in numbers and species of wintering birds. However, a rise in level of theCaspian Sea has been recorded from 1978. By 1982, seawater burst through the narrow part of Kura Spit (Zeinal Kurusy) creating another connection between Greater Kizil Agach Bay and the sea, and stabilizing salinity at c.10% (Tuaev, 1970; Skokova & Vinogradov,1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Continuing rise of the Caspian Sea at least halved the terrestrial area of Kizil Agach Reserve. Many remaining areas are becoming overrun by reeds and other semi-aquatic plants (Tkachenko, 1997).

Emergent vegetation of Kizil Agach Bays is represented by extensive stands of reeds ( Phragmites ), Bolboschoenus maritimus and Juncus

acutus . Submerged vegetation includes algae (e.g. Chara sp. ) and Zostera sp. Underwater carpets of Zostera extended up to 3 km

offshore in the past, but Potamogeton pectinatus had replaced Zostera along the shores of Greater Kizil Agach Bay by the 1970s. SomeZostera recovery was recorded in the 1980s (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990). Coastal vegetation has alsochanged. During the last 20 years, many parts of Artemisia and Salsola semi-desert has been consequently replaced by reeds and Juncus acutus . Flooded tamarisk ( Tamarix ) thickets at Kalinovsky Liman and Lopatinsky Marsh were severely affected by agriculturalpollutants brought through the irrigation channels feeding the wetlands. A few trees growing in the reserve were planted by man.Since 1968 staff of the reserve regularly sow barley for wintering geese (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1960, 1970; Litvinov et al.,1984; Litvinov, 1986; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990)

Kizil Agach Reserve is the most important stopover and wintering site for many waterbirds in the Caspian Sea. The abundant wintering waterfowl in Kizil Agach Bay drew the attention of early explorers and naturalists. In the early 20th century severalRussian scientists including K.A. Satunin, N.A. Dinnick and N.M. Kulagin proposed a nature reserve in Kizil Agach Bay. But it wasnot until 1929 that the bay and the adjacent area (a total of 180,000 ha) were finally declared a reserve. Unfortunately the southernpart of Lesser Kizil Agach Bay was not included. At the beginning the role of the reserve was somewhat controversial and 78,000

waterfowl were officially harvested there in 1931-1933 alone (Verestchagin, 1950). Commercial fishing also continued in the new reserve. Later, hunting was banned and even visiting without a permit prohibited, at least on paper. As the Caspian Sea wasreceding, many dried areas of Kizil Agach Reserve were given to local state farms in 1951. In 1961 an additional 4,600 ha weretaken from the reserve leaving only 88,360 ha under formal protection (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1960, 1970; Skokova & Vinogradov,1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Wintering bird species include all 5 species of grebes, Great White and Dalmatian Pelican, Great Cormorant and Pygmy Cormorant, Grey Heron, Great White and Little Egret, Eurasian Bittern, Greater Flamingo, swans (Mute and Whooper), geese (Greylag, Greater White-fronted and Lesser White-fronted; also Red-breasted in the past), dabbling ducks (Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon,Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler and Marbled Teal), diving ducks (Common and Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, White-headed Duck), raptors (White-tailed Sea-Eagle, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine), rails (Water Rails, Common and Purple Gallinule andCommon Coot), Little Bustard, shorebirds (plovers, Avocet, Greenshank, stints, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit),etc. (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Paynter et al., 1996b).

Past numbers of waterbirds wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve are unknown, but probably remarkable. The first quantitative estimates were made only in the 1930s (c. 10,000,000). In the 1940s, c. 7,500,000 wildfowl wintered in Kizil Agach bays and marshes, >5,000,000in the early 1950s and 6,800,000-7,800,000 in the late 1950s. These numbers comprised mostly Common Coot and dabbling anddiving ducks (Tugarinov & Kozlova-Pushkareva, 1938; Verestchagin, 1950; Gazanchian, 1951; Tuaev, 1960; Grekov, 1962, 1965b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a; Vinogradov et al., 1990). In the late 1960s the number of wintering birds varied from <1,000,000to 1,200,000. Through the early 1970s wintering birds already numbered only 145,000-759,300 (Mikheev & Orlov, 1972; Krivonosov & Morozkin, 1984). In the 1980s, 20,000-30,000 shorebirds passed through in August, and 122,200-842,240 wildfowl remained throughthe winter. Greater numbers were recorded in winters with higher precipitation (Tkachenko & Litvinov, 1984; Shubin, 1991a). Acensus conducted in January 1991 (a warm and rainy winter) yielded 628,370 waterbirds: 210,800 dabbling ducks (e.g. 66,200 teal and61,900 Eurasian Wigeons), 141,530 diving ducks (93,300 Pochard, 37,400 Tufted Ducks and Greater Scaup combined, and 520 White-




W i n t e r

P e l i c a n s

F l a m i n g o

S w a n s

G e e s e

D a b b l i n g

D u c k s

D i v i n g D u c k s

C o o t s

T o t a l

S o u r c e

1 9 3 5 / 3 6

?

2 0 , 0

0 0

m i l l i o n s o f w a t e r f o w l

1 7 0 , 0

0 0

m i l l i o n s

c . 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

T u g a r i n o v & K o z l o v a - P u s h k a r e v a , 1 9 3 8

1 9 3 8 / 3 9

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3 , 5

0 0 , 0

0 0 - 4 , 0

0 0 , 0

0 0

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V i n o g r a d o v e t a l . , 1 9 9 0

1 9 4 0 / 4 1

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1 5 , 8

5 0 - 2

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4 0 0 , 0

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V e r e s t c h a g i n ,

1 9 5 0

1 9 4 2 / 4 3

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V e r e s t c h a g i n ,

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1 9 4 9 / 5 0

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1 5 , 0

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> 3 0 , 0

0 0

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> 1 , 0

0 0 , 0

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G a z a n c h i a n ,

1 9 5 1

1 9 5 2 - 5

5

8 8

3 , 0

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0

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0 0

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s e v e r a l h u

n d r e d

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4 , 5

0 0 , 0

0 0

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T u a e v , 1 9 6 0 ; V i n o g

r a d o v & T c h e r n i a v s k a y a ,

t h o u s a

n d

1 9 6 5 a ; G r e k o v , 1 9 6

2 ,

1 9 6 5 b

1 9 5 5 - 1

9 5 9

?

2 , 0

0 0 - 4 , 5 0

0

> 3 5 0

> 2 , 5

0 0

3 , 9

0 0 , 0

0 0

8 5 0 , 0

0 0

2 , 0

0 0 , 0

0 0 - 3 , 0

0 0 , 0 0

0

6 , 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 - 7 , 8 0 0 , 0 0 0

G r e k o v , 1 9 6 2 ,

1 9 6 5

b

V i n o g r a d o v & T c h

e r n i a v s k a y a , 1 9 6 5 a

1 9 6 4 / 6 5

1 , 5

0 0

1 , 0

0 0 - 2 , 5 0

0

6 0 0 - 1 , 2

0 0

8 0 , 0

0 0 - 1

2 0 , 0

0 0

1 5 0 , 0

0 0 - 5

0 0 , 0

0 0

2 0 0 , 0

0 0

c . 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

G a z a n c h i a n ,

1 9 6 5

1 9 6 6 / 6 7

?

?

?

?

?

?

?

1 , 2 0 0 , 0 0 0

M i c h e e v & O r l o v , 1 9 7 2

L a t e 1 9 6 0 s

2 , 0

0 0

1 , 5

0 0 - 2 , 0 0

0

1 , 5

0 0 - 5 , 3

0 0

8 , 0

0 0 - 4

0 , 0

0 0

7 0 , 0

0 - 2 2

0 , 0

0 0

1 7 0 , 0

0 0 - 5

0 0 , 0

0 0

5 0 , 0

0 0 - 4

0 0 , 0

0 0

< 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

K r i v o n o s o v & M o r o z k i n ,

1 9 8 4

1 9 7 1 / 7 2

?

7 5 9 , 3 0 0


1 9 8 4

1 9 7 2 / 7 3

?

7 1 4 , 4 0 0


1 9 8 4

1 9 7 3 / 7 4

?

1 4 7 , 2

0 0

3 0 3 , 0 0 0

K r i v o n o s o v e t a l . , 1

9 7 7


1 9 8 4

1 9 7 4 / 7 5

?

3 4 5 , 5

0 0

3 7 0 , 0 0 0


9 7 7


1 9 8 4

1 9 7 5 / 7 6

4 8

?

1 4 5 , 0 0 0

B a b a e v , 1 9 8 4 K r i v o n o s o v & M o r o z k i n ,

1 9 8 4

1 9 7 5 / 7 6

?

?

?

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1 7 3 , 8 0 0


1 9 8 4

1 9 7 7 / 7 8

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1 5 7 , 0

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9 7 7

1 9 7 8 / 7 9

8 0 0

2 , 3

0 0

5 , 2

0 0

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?

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?

?

T k a c h e n k o & L i t v i n o v , 1 9 8 4 ;

L i t v i n o v e t a l . ,

1 9 8 4 ; B a b a e v , 1 9 8 4 ;

K r i v o n o s o v , 1 9 8 7

1 9 8 1 / 8 2

?

6 0 0

?

3 9 , 3

0 0

?

1 5 8 , 0

0 0

2 2 1 , 5

0 0

6 0 8 , 0 0 0

T k a c h e n k o & L i t v i n o v , 1 9 8 4

1 9 8 2 / 8 3

?

6 0 0 - 9

0 0

2 2 0 - 3

0 0

2 3 , 4

0 0 - 3

8 , 0

0 0

1 2 2 , 2

0 0 - 2 4 7 , 5

0 0

6 8 , 0

0 0 - 2

9 3 , 7

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5 1 , 4

0 0 - 2

6 3 , 0

0 0

1 2 2 , 2 0 0 - 8 4 2 , 2 4 0

T k a c h e n k o & L i t v i n o v , 1 9 8 4

1 9 8 3 / 8 4

3 4 2

2 , 0

0 0 - 1 , 3 0

0

< 1 0 0

1 4 , 3

0 0 - 1

7 , 9

0 0

1 2 6 , 5

0 0 - 2 0 9 , 7

0 0

4 4 , 0

0 0 - 1

0 5 , 8

0 0

4 5 , 8

0 0 - 5

0 , 4

0 0

2 2 9 , 6 1 0 - 3 8 5 , 1 9 0

T k a c h e n k o & L i t v i n

o v , 1 9 8 4 ; L i t v i n o v a , 1 9 8 9 a

1 9 8 4 / 8 5

1 1 5

1 3 , 5

0 0

9 , 2

0 0

1 9 , 4

0 0 - 2

6 , 2

0 0

?

?

5 0 , 4

0 0

?

L i t v i n o v , 1 9 8 6 ; T k a c h e n k o & L i t v i n o v , 1 9 8 6 ;

L i t v i n o v a , 1 9 8 9 a ; V

i n o g r a d o v e t a l . ,

1 9 9 0

1 9 9 0 / 9 1

1 , 7

5 0

1 2 , 9

7 0

8 , 5

1 0

9 , 5

6 0

2 1 0 , 8 0 0

1 4 1 , 5

3 0

2 4 3 , 2

5 0

6 2 8 , 3 7 0

L i t v i n o v & L i t v i n o v a , 1 9 9 1

1 9 9 4 / 9 5

> 3 , 0

0 0

> 8 , 9

0 0

1 7 , 6

0 0

1 8 , 4

0 0

3 4 0 , 9 8 5

3 0 1 , 0

5 0

2 4 0 , 5

0 0

9 4 0 , 4 7 0

P a y n t e r e t a l . 1 9 9 6 a

1 9 9 5 / 9 6

4 6 0 - 1 , 1

5 0

4 , 7

8 0 - 5 , 2 0

0

5 , 0

5 0

3 , 7

0 0 - 1

2 , 3

0 0

1 8 2 , 3

5 0 - 2 4 2 , 9

5 0

1 6 6 , 1

0 0 - 9

6 0 , 5

0 0

3 8 , 0

0 0 - 1

9 0 , 8

0 0

4 5 6 , 0 0 0 - 1 , 3 5 7 , 3 5 0

N u m b e r o f w a t e r b i r d s w i n t e r i n g i n K i z i l A g a c h R e s e r v e i n 1 9 3 5 - 1 9 9 1




headed Ducks), 9,560 geese, 8,510 swans (8,500 Mute Swans), 243,250 Coots, 12,970 flamingo and 1,750 pelicans (Litvinov & Litvinova,1991). The majority of wintering species still migrate through the reserve in even greater numbers.

Apart from waterbirds, Kizil Agach Reserve is very important for wintering Little Bustards. In winters 1972-1984 this speciesnumbered 7,500-30,000 (more in colder winters). In the late 1980s a large part of the wintering population probably moved toMugan Steppe, but flocks of several hundred were still fairly common in the reserve (Vorobieva, 1986; Babaev, 1991). At least 16species of raptors also winter in Kizil Agach Reserve (Shubin, 1983).

In spring and summer Kizil Agach Reserve hosts the largest mixed colony of wading birds and cormorants in Transcaucasia. Thecolony was originally situated in flooded tamarisk thickets of Kalinovsky Liman, but moved to Lopatinsky Marsh in the mid 1980safter almost all tamarisks in the liman died off because of pollution (Litvinova, 1986). In 1957, c. 225,000 pairs of 10 species nestedin the colony (Grekov, 1965b; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965a), but by the early 1970s the colony decreased many-fold(Morozkin, 1975) with only c. 40,000 pairs by the mid 1980s: 8,000-9,600 pairs of Squacco Heron, 3,000-5,000 pairs of Little Egret,1,400-4,800 pairs of Cattle Egret, 6,000-7,200 pairs of Night Heron, 900-3,000 pairs of Glossy Ibis, 1,400-2,000 pairs of Pygmy Cormorants and 200 pairs of Great Cormorant (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986). (See also Appendix 3.) Black Francolin occurs inthe reserve throughout the year and its population (c. 2,000 individuals) is probably the largest remaining in Azerbaijan. Othernesting birds include Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill, MarshHarrier, Purple and Common Moorhen, Common Coot, Water Rail, Black-winged Stilt, Redshank, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Common Kingfisher, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, larks (Calandra, Lesser Short-toed and Short-toed), Isabelline Wheatear, RufousBushchat, Menetries’ Warbler, Corn Bunting, Spanish Sparrow, etc. Greater Flamingo have irregularly nested in the reserve since

1982 (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Despite its status, Kizil Agach Reserve does not function very well. Disturbance and poaching continue to affect migrants and wintering birds. In 1989-1990, 600-700 poachers hunted there (3-5 shots/minute could be heard from anywhere in the reserve). In January-February 1996, c. 21 shots/min were heard in the reserve (Paynter et al., 1996a) signalling an increase in hunting pressure. This is not merely subsistence hunting as Paynter et al. (1996a) tend to think, but a well organized commercial operation allegedly including top reserve officials and some wardens. Commercial fishing is still allowed on Greater Kizil Agach Bay and up to 10,000cattle graze within the reserve’s boundaries (Gazanchian, 1965; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990; MP).In my opinion, a very radical change in the reserve management is required including a sound plan to combat poaching whichotherwise will go unchecked leading to further deterioration of these remarkable wintering grounds.

Kizil Agach Reserve is a Ramsar site and also merits recognition as a World Heritage site. Its future depends on the willingness of the government of Azerbaijan to preserve this remarkable place. However, it is unlikely that the government - entangled as it is in

economic difficulties and the consequences of the war with Armenia - will accomplish this task without financial help frominternational conservation organizations and other donors.

2. Coastal waters between towns Lenkoran and Astara

In the 1930s-1940s up to 50,000 waterbirds wintered along this shore. Mallard accounted for 50-80% of all waterfowl, CommonPochard 10-30%, Tufted Duck 8-10%, and Coot 2-10%. Smew and Common Goldeneye were also present (Verestchagin, 1950). Inthe 1ate 1980s, only 10,000-15,000 wildfowl wintered between Lenkoran and Astara (MP).

3. Lake Mahmud-chala- Lake Novogolovka-chala Complex

Two shallow lakes situated in Masalli, Djalilabad and Astrakhanbazar districts adjoin wetlands of the Kizil Agach Reserve in thenorthwest. The area of Mahmud-chala is c. 4,000 ha and Novogolovka-chala c. 2,500 ha. In the past, both lakes contained fresh water, but currently receive only brackish water from irrigation channels. The depth of water in Mahmud-chala averages 0.5 m; c.50% is covered with reeds. Novogolovka-chala is shallower and its reedbeds are more extensive. Flooded tamarisk ( Tamarix ) standsare present on Mahmud-chala. Saltwort ( Salsola ) semi-desert and cotton fields surround both lakes. Mahmud-chala is leased to the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters and hunting is intensive in autumn and winter. Runoff pollution from the adjacent cotton fieldsmay present a serious threat (Verestchagin, 1950; MP).

Wintering species include Great Crested Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant (up to 300-400), Greater White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon (thousands), Northern Shoveler (thousands), Marbled Teal (rare), Red-crested Pochard, CommonPochard (thousands), Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, White-headed Duck (rare) and Common Coot (thousands). The lakes are also




very important feeding grounds for dabbling ducks wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve (Verestchagin, 1950: Paynter et al., 1996a; MP).In 1979-1986, up to 21,100 waterfowl wintered at both lakes, e.g. 18,500 dabbling ducks, 1,600 geese and c. 1,000 Coots (Tkachenko,1986). In 1988-1990, 10,000-15,000 (mostly dabbling ducks and coots) occurred at Mahmud-chala, and similar numbers at Novogolovka-chala (MP), but >40,000 ducks recorded in February 1996 at Mahmud-chala alone (Paynter et al., 1996a). In the past, large flocks of geese (Greater White-fronted, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted) fed in wheat fields and semi-desert around Novogolovka-chala, e.g. near villages Novogolovka, Pokrovka, Andreevka, Privolnoie, Khirmandalli, Kasumlu and Khilli, e.g. 15,000-20,000 Greater White-fronted Geese in early March 1943 (Verestchagin, 1950). When cotton fields replaced wheat and barley, the majority of wintering

geese moved to the barley fields sown for geese in Kizil Agach Reserve (Litvinov, 1986; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).

In spring-summer, Lake Mahmud-chala houses an important mixed colony of wading birds and cormorants of 12,000-18,000 pairs(the third largest colony in Azerbaijan). The colony is formed by 500-800 pairs of Pygmy Cormorant, >1,000 pairs of SquaccoHeron, 3,000 pairs of Little Egret, 1,000-1,500 pairs of Cattle Egret, 5,500-6,000 pairs of Glossy Ibis and >200 pairs of EurasianSpoonbill (Patrikeev, 1991e; MP). Other nesting birds include Little Bittern, Night Heron, Red-crested Pochard, FerruginousDuck, Marsh Harrier, Black Francolin (very few), Purple Gallinule, Common Moorhen, Kentish Plover, White-tailed Plover, Black- winged Stilt, Whiskered and Little Terns, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Penduline Tit, etc. (Patrikeev, 1991c). Another colony of wading birds may exist at Lake Novogolovka-chala. At least Squacco Herons, Night Herons and Glossy Ibises occurred there in summer.Purple Heron, Marsh Harrier and Purple Gallinule nest in Novogolovka-chala (MP). Marbled Teal have been observed at bothlakes in summer, but nesting is not yet confirmed (MP).

The Mahmud-chala-Novogolovka-chala complex is an important nesting and wintering site for many species of waterbirds and

merits complete protection. A strict nature reserve is desirable, Ramsar site status is recommended.

Kura Delta and Southeastern Shirvan:

4. Kura Delta

The Kura River empties into the Caspian Sea north of Kizil Agach Reserve in Neftechala District. The delta consists of amaze of islands, sandspits, channels, natural ponds and fishponds. Tamarisk ( Tamarisk ) and reed ( Phragmites ) grow on many islands. The total area of the delta is c. 10,000 ha (MP). The delta remains poorly known ornithologically, although themajority of waterbird species present in Azerbaijan were seen there during migration (Tuaev, 1975). In the early 1980s, largeflocks of wintering pelicans were discovered in the delta. In 1986, 60-400 Dalmatian Pelicans wintered there, and 1,118 in1988 as well as 10-200 Great White Pelicans (Litvinova, 1987a). In 1989-1991, 800-1,000 pelicans wintered in the delta (80%

were Dalmatian Pelicans). Other wintering species include Great Cormorant, Mallard, Gadwall, Common Pochard, CommonCoot and Yellow-legged Gull (Tuaev, 1975).

In spring-summer, a large mixed colony of wading birds and cormorants (3,000-3,200 pairs) is present in the delta. The colony includes large numbers of Pygmy Cormorants (1,300 pairs), Squacco Herons (800-1,000 pairs) and Little Egrets (800 to 1,000pairs). Several pairs of Great White Egret and Eurasian Spoonbill are also present (Litvinova, 1987b). Other nesting species includeGreat Crested Grebe, Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Marsh Harrier (MP).

In 1991 Kura Delta lacked any official protection. A nature reserve is recommended to protect the mixed colony and wintering pelicans.

5. Lakes Beuk-Shorgel and Kichik-Shorgel

Shorgel Lakes are shallow brackish lakes lying in the northern part of Shirvan Nature Reserve (26,000 ha) and the adjacent part of Bandovan Game Preserve (southeastern Shirvan). These lakes appeared in the 1950s after the Shirvan Collector Channel burst, soflooding adjacent saltpans. By the early 1990s, the lakes covered c. 4,000 ha. Extensive reedbeds were present throughout the lakes.Semi-desert with wormwood ( Artemisia ) and saltwort ( Salsola ) surrounding the lakes supports the largest population of GoitredGazelle ( Gazella subgutturosa ) in Azerbaijan (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; MP).

In the late 1980s-1990s, 150,000-200,000 waterfowl passed through the lakes, but only c. 6,000-30,000 wintered (Paynter et al.,1996a; MP). Wintering species include Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans (50-100, 2 species), Greater Flamingo (200-600),Greylag, White-fronted and Lesser White-fronted Geese (2,000-3,000 geese), Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon,Northern Shoveler (10,000-20,000 dabbling ducks), Marbled Teal (240 in 1996), Common Shelduck (c. 750), Common Coot(2,500-3,000), Little Bustard (900-1,000) and shorebirds (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; Paynter et al. 1996a; MP).




Throughout the year lakes Beuk-Shorgel and Kichik-Shorgel house a large population of Purple Gallinule (c. 4,000 pairs). Other nesting species include Great Crested Grebe, Common and Ruddy Shelduck, Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Marsh Harrier, Black Francolin,Common Coot, Stone Curlew, Kentish Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Collared Pratincole, Gull-billed and Little Tern, Blue-cheekedBee-eater, larks (Lesser Short-toed, Short-toed, Calandra and Crested), Isabelline Wheatear, Menetries’ Warbler, Bearded Reedling andPenduline Tit. A small mixed colony of herons, egrets and cormorants were found at Lake Beuk-Shorgel in 1990: c. 50 pairs of Pygmy Cormorant and 300-400 pairs of herons and egrets including Great White Egret (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Patrikeev, 1991a).

Large numbers of sheep graze in the adjacent semi-desert, destroying pasture and disturbing wintering geese, Little Bustards andGoitred Gazelle. This problem apparently grew more intense in the mid 1990s after refugees from Armenia were settled close tothe reserve’s borders (Paynter et al., 1996a). Irrigation channels feeding the lakes probably carry agricultural pollutants. Poaching was uncommon in the late 1980s-early 1990s because of poor road access and remoteness from villages. After rains, saturatedsaltpans are often inaccessible even to 4x4 vehicles (MP).

Removing sheep from the nature reserve has been a standing problem for over a decade. As long as 100,000-200,000 sheep arepresent in the reserve, protection of the gazelle, wintering birds and wetlands is compromised.

Absheron Peninsula:

6. Sangachal Bay

This is a bay (c. 1,000 ha) of the Caspian Sea between Karadag and Cape Sangachal. Shores of the bay are mostly overgrown with reeds,but some sandy beaches were still present in the early 1990s. Several settlements lie in saltwort semi-desert on or near the shore. Scores of oilrigs and offshore platforms are scattered throughout the bay and adjacent Caspian Sea. Some of the facilities are still in use and localizedoil spills were not uncommon. The Azerbaijani Society of Hunters owned hunting rights and maintained a lodge there (MP).

Sangachal Bay is a very important staging and wintering site for waterfowl, especially Whooper Swan (>1,000 in autumn and 200-400 in winter), Red-crested Pochard (>5,000 in autumn and >1,000 in winter), Tufted Duck (up to 10,000 in autumn, 2,000-3,000in winter) and Common Coot (up to 30,000 in autumn; >5,000 in early winter). Great White Pelican (200-300) and Glossy Ibis(>500) recorded during migration (MP).

Proximity to Baku and reasonable access and accommodation make this site a prime candidate for a migratory-bird observatory.

7. Artem Bay

Artem Bay (c. 1,000 ha) lies in the northeast of Absheron Peninsula. Once a strait, it became a bay after the construction of a widedike connecting Artem (Sviatoyi) Island to Absheron Peninsula. There are reed stands along the shore and several small islands inthe bay. Artem Bay is heavily hunted. The Azerbaijani Society of Hunters maintains a hunting lodge by the bay. Small oil spills andindustrial pollution are not uncommon.

During migration dabbling and especially diving ducks and Common Coot feed and rest in Artem Bay. Wintering species includeGreat Crested Grebe, Whooper Swan (c. 300), Mallard, Red-crested Pochard (100-200), Common Pochard, Tufted Duck (2,000-3,000), Greater Scaup, Goldeneye (a total of 3,500-5,000 diving ducks), Common Coot (>3,000) and shorebirds (MP).

8. Shah Spit (Shahdili, Shakhova Kosa)

Shah Spit lies at the tip of Absheron Peninsula: a 9-km long and 0.7 km wide sandy spit with reed stands in lagoons and along theshores. Reed encroachment was not recorded until the early 1980s, during the renewed rise of the Caspian Sea. Since then land areahas been reduced from 815 to c. 500 ha. Although Shah Spit has the status of game preserve (since 1973), poaching (including by preserve wardens) is a major problem (Bannikova et al., 1984; MP).

In autumn 10,000 Tufted Ducks, 3,000 Greater Scaup and 40,000 Common Coots migrated through the area. Up to 50 species winter. c. 50,000 wintered in 1971/72 (Tuaev, 1977), but only c. 15,000 in 1989-1990. Wintering species include Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, Pygmy Cormorant (rare), Great White Pelican (rare), Grey Heron, LittleEgret, Whooper Swan (250-300), Mute Swan (50-100), Mallard (<500), Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard




(200-300), Common Pochard (>300), Tufted Duck (2,000-3,000), Greater Scaup (500-1,000), Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier (10-15),Common Moorhen, Common Coot (10,000-12,000), Common Snipe (common), Yellow-legged Gull and Little Gull, Short-earedand Little Owl, Skylark, Crested Lark, Bearded Reedling, Blackbird, Fieldfare and Reed Bunting. Purple Gallinules (5-10 pairs) arepresent in reed stands the year round. Several Goitred Gazelles ( Gazella subgutturosa ) occurred on the spit in the late 1980s-early 1990s (Bannikova, 1984; MP).

The presence of large number of wildfowl and also Goitred Gazelle offers excellent viewing and educational opportunities. A

hunting ban must be enforced.

9. Baku Bay

Large flocks of wintering Whooper and Mute Swans (>1,000 swans) and Common Coot (>5,000) occur well offshore south of Baku. This wintering area is very poorly known. Divers, grebes and diving ducks are probably present. Oil pollution and intensivepoaching (from powerboats) are major threats (G. Bairamov, pers. comm.). Merits annual waterfowl censuses.

* * *L AKE K RASNOE ( FORMERLY PUTA B AY ): Relatively small lake in Yasamal Valley southwest of Baku; close to Baku-Alat highway.Formerly a bay of the Caspian Sea (Puta Bay), it was cut off with a dike in the 1930s. In the early 1940s, when stands of Typha sp. were still present in the lake, Mallard, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, Common Coot and Greater Flamingo wintered there.

Heavily polluted: several industrial facilities are situated close to the lake (Verestchagin, 1946, 1950; MP). In the 1980s-early 1991small numbers of dabbling ducks were seen on the lake from the highway (MP). Surprisingly enough 120 White-headed Ducks(Cranswick et al., 1998) and a good selection of other species turned up at the lake in the late 1990s (Shelton, 2001).

Samur-Divichi Lowland:

10. Divichi Liman (Lake Ah-Zibir)

Lies east of Divichi, northeastern Azerbaijan. The area covered by the wetland varies from 1,600-2,000 ha in drier years to 7,000 hain wetter winters. Water depth: 0.5-1.2 m. Emergent vegetation represented by reeds ( Phragmites communis ), Bolboschoenus maritimus ,Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani and Typha sp. and submergent vegetation by Potamogeton pectinatus and Myriophyllum spicatum . Ponds of open water (c. 200 ha) were present in the northern part. Saltwort semi-desert and fields surround the wetland. Adjacent fish

nurseries affect water level in the liman by periodically dumping water through a lock into the Caspian Sea. Several nutria farms alsooperate in the area (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965; Karabanova, 1984).

In the late 19th-early 20th century Divichi Liman was a private hunting reserve of the Russian Royal Family. Now this wetland is a very popular hunting destination. The Azerbaijani Society of Hunters owns a hunting lodge at the liman. According to officialrecords 50,000-150,000 waterfowl/year were taken at the liman in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950). In the early 1960s anaverage of 225,000 shots/season were fired there, e.g. some hunters spent up to 100 kg of lead pellets/month at the liman (Tuaev,1965). In the early 1980s 51,360 coots, 600 ducks and 120 geese were bagged at the liman within 28 days of one hunting season(Karabanova, 1984).

Wintering species include Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Mallard, Common Teal, NorthernPintail (irregularly), Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Common Coot (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev,1965). In the 1930s-1940s hundreds of Greylag Geese and thousands of Mallard were recorded at the liman (Verestchagin, 1950). In

the early 1960s the number of wintering waterfowl did not exceed 5,000 (Tuaev, 1965). In 1979-1986 an average of 6,700 wintered atDivichi Liman: 3,200 dabbling ducks, 3,200 coots, 300 geese and 200 swans (Tkachenko, 1986). In December 1981, 82,500 waterfowl(mostly Coot, dabbling and diving ducks) were present at the liman, but most fled after 2 days of intensive shooting (12-13 December)leaving only 6,000 coots and ducks by December 14th. During the next two days c. 1,000 were shot and the remaining birds completely abandoned Divichi Liman for several days (Karabanova, 1984). Unlike wetlands in the southeast, Divichi Liman often freezes over in winter (from a few days to a month) forcing wintering waterbirds elsewhere (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1965).

Nesting species include Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Ferruginous Duck (>5 pairs), MarshHarrier, Little Crake, Common Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Common Coot, Rook, etc. (Tuaev, 1965; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.,MP). A new colony of herons, egrets, Eurasian Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis was discovered by E. Sultanov in the late 1990s (Patrikeev & Wilson, 2000).




A popular hunting location, Divichi Liman is unlikely to receive less hunting pressure. However, some conservation measuresshould be considered, e.g. rehabilitation of adjacent wetlands and perhaps creation of new ones to ease the existing pressure.

ISLANDS OF THE C ASPIAN SEA

11. Yashma Island

A low island of volcanic origin (c. 200 ha) southeast of Kilazi Spit. Sandy beach and semi-desert vegetation. A popular shorebirdand waterfowl hunting location. The Azerbaijani Society of Hunters maintained a hunting lodge on the island. Netting of diving ducks in the sea with gill-nets still occurs. Localized oil spills are not uncommon.

In autumn sandy bars of the island are frequented by migrating shorebirds (up to 20,000-30,000/year) including Curlew Sandpiper,Marsh Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Black-winged Stilt and Avocet. In 1988 aSlender-billed Curlew was shot on the island. According to local hunters this species may occur on the island almost every year. Atleast, hunters distinguished between “greater”, “middle” and “lesser” curlews, i.e., possibly Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel and Slender-billed Curlew respectively (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP). In 1989-1991, >15,000 Tufted Ducks, Greater Scaup and Coots recordednear the island during autumn migration; 5,000-10,000 Tufted Ducks and >2,000 Greater Scaup occurred between Yashma Islandand Kilazi Spit in early winter. Other wintering species include Common Goldeneye, Velvet Scoter (rare) and Goosander (MP).

Yashma Island is probably the most important stopover for migrating shorebirds in Azerbaijan. Full protection of the island ishighly desirable (if only for the sake of Slender-billed Curlew). A good site for a bird observatory.

12. Absheron Archipelago

A group of islands east of Absheron Peninsula. Volcanic and rocky islands. The largest island (Zhiloyi or Chilov) is populated.Offshore oil extraction occurs in some areas and oil spills and industrial pollution are not uncommon. Some areas are hunted for wildfowl.

The archipelago is poorly known ornithologically and may hold greater number of wintering wildfowl than suspected. Several thousand waterbirds were present there in autumn-winter 1989 and 1990. Wintering species include Great Cormorant, Mute Swan, WhooperSwan (100-200), Mallard, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Common Goldeneye and Common Coot. In summer:

Ruddy Shelduck (>10 pairs), Yellow-legged Gull (100-200 pairs), Common Tern (c. 100 pairs) and possibly Sandwich Tern (MP).

13. Glinanyi Island

A volcanic island (>200 ha) in the Caspian Sea belonging to Baku Archipelago. The island, situated 3 km from Cape Alat, is almostcompletely devoid of vegetation because of a large population of feral rabbits. In 1973 the island was declared a seasonal birdpreserve with no access during nesting season. However, illegal egg-collection (for food) still occurs from time to time. Disturbancefrom passing boats probably affects nesting gulls. Oil pollution is not a major threat, but some small spills have happened in thepast; some oil might have been brought to the surface through mud-volcano eruption.

Glinanyi Island is home to the largest colony of Yellow-legged Gulls in Azerbaijan. 1,500 pairs nested there in 1965, 3,000 pairs in1966 (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1969) and 10,000-11,000 pairs by the late 1980s. Other nesting species include Ruddy Shelduck (50 pairs),

Common Shelduck, Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, Common Tern (c. 500 pairs) and Little Tern (MP). In winter Little Grebe,Red-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Great Cormorant, pelicans (reported), Mute Swans, Whooper Swans (300-500), CommonPochard and several thousand of Tufted Duck and Common Coot occur in the Caspian Sea around the island. Winter concentrationsof swans and diving ducks are probably greater than previously thought (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP).

14. Pirsagat Islands and Los’ (Karasy) Island

Pirsagat Islands (c. 250 ha): Pervaya Griada, Baburyi (Vtoraya Griada), Pelikanyi, Tashkent, Baklanyi and Rakyshechnyi are a chainof low-lying rocky islands in the Caspian Sea southeast of Cape Pirsagat. Los’ Island is a volcanic island lying further east. All theseislands are a part of the Baku Archipelago. Pirsagat Islands are a popular hunting and fishing destination and the Azeri Society of




Hunters maintains a hunting lodge on the mainland (south of Cape Pirsagat). Fishermen’s camps are built on all islands exceptLos’. Some egg-collection (by fishermen) and associated disturbance of seabird colonies occurs. Oil drilling took place on and nearLos’ Island in the past (structures remain) and traces of oil pollution were observed in the late 1980s. The rising Caspian Sea mighthave flooded low-lying parts of the islands.

Three islands (Pelikanyi, Baburyi and Los’) are home to the largest and most diverse seabird colonies in Azerbaijan. Pelikanyi Islandis the only nesting site of Mediterranean Gull on the Caspian Sea (28 pairs in 1989). Other nesting species include Slender-billed

Gull (>500 pairs), Yellow-legged Gull (300 pairs), Gull-billed Tern (70-80 pairs), Sandwich Tern (c. 4,000 pairs), Common Tern(450-500 pairs) and Little Tern. Colonies of Collared Pratincole found on Baburyi and Pervaya Griada. Ruddy Shelduck, CommonShelduck, Mallard, Gadwall and Lesser Short-toed Lark also nest on the islands (Patrikeev, 1990b; 1991a; MP).

Large numbers of waterbirds (5,000-10,000) winter around Pirsagat Islands. Wintering species include Little Grebe, Great CrestedGrebe, Great White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Great Cormorant, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan (500-1,000), Mallard, Red-crestedPochard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck (several thousand) and Common Coot (thousands). Rafts of diving ducks and coots areprobably greater than reported (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP).

Islands Pelikanyi, Baburyi and Los’ (especially the former two) deserve complete protection, at least during breeding season. Fishfauna is very diverse and includes several species of sturgeon. Caspian Seal ( Phoca caspica ) and large population of Diced Snake( Natrix tesselata ) are also present. Perhaps a marine nature reserve or marine park should be considered for protection of theseislands and surrounding sea.

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND

Shirvan Steppe

In the past, extensive marshes and akhmas (oxbow lakes) were found on the left bank of the Kura in Shirvan Steppe. During thefirst half of the 20th century many of these wetlands were drained to make way for agriculture. Several remaining marshes(including Karasy and Shilian) have dwindled and may completely dry out in some years. Wetland rehabilitation should be seriously considered to restore these formerly important staging and wintering sites.

15. Lake Hadjikabul

A large lake (c. 2,500 ha) in Kura Valley north of Ali-Bairamli. Poorly known ornithologically. Proximity to a large town (Ali-Bairamli) causes disturbance and pollution. There is a hunting lodge at the northwest corner and a fish nursery in the southwest. The Baku-Evlakh Highway and other roads encircle the lake. Oil extraction takes place west of Hadjikabul. Emergent vegetationis scarce with the exception of fishponds. In the past good numbers of Greylag, White-fronted, Lesser White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese rested on Lake Hadjikabul after feeding in Shirvan Steppe (Verestchagin, 1950). The first three species stilloccurred on the lake in the late 1980s, but in very small numbers (MP). Wintering species include Pygmy Cormorant, Mallard,Shoveler, Ferruginous Duck (12 in February 1998), Tufted Duck, Smew (rare), White-headed Duck (620 in February 1998),Common Coot and White-tailed Plover (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Cranswick et al., 1998). Among species nesting at ornear the lake are Great Crested Grebe, Little Bittern, Common Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, Purple Gallinule (rare) and EuropeanBee-eater. Lake Hadjikabul merits further studies to determine the status of wintering White-headed Ducks, geese and other wildfowl. Perhaps this site is more important for staging and wintering wildfowl than previously thought. Good access to LakeHadjikabul may make bird monitoring easier.

K ARASY M ARSH: Formerly stretched for over 30 km from Elchubeily to Kazi-Magomed. It was a maze of ponds and channels overgrown with

Phragmites , Typha, Carex , Potamogeton and Myriophyllum . Depth of water varied from 1 to 2 m. In mid February, seeds of Potamogeton and

Myriophyllum were abundant, attracting waterfowl. In 1962-1963 the water level dropped dramatically after water was diverted for irrigation. By

October 1963 the average depth did not exceed 20-30 cm, but from time to time heavy rains fill remaining ponds (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev,

1975). In the late 1980s ponds with emergent vegetation remained only north of Agsiha and west of Kazi-Magomed. Current status of the

marsh requires investigation.

Great and Pygmy Cormorants, Eurasian Bittern, Great and Little Egrets, Greater White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall,

Eurasian Wigeon, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Common Goldeneye

(uncommon), Smew and Common Coot wintered at Karasy Marsh (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975). Nesting species included Little Grebe,




Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail, Common

Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Common Coot and probably Spotted Crake (Tuaev, 1975; MP). Karasy Marsh was a very important stopover and

wintering si te for wildfowl. Restoration work should be seriously considered.

SHILIAN M ARSH: This was a freshwater marsh (1.5-2.1 m deep) overgrown with reeds, bulrushes and sedges in Zardob and Kurdamir

districts. The marsh was sustained by rivers Turianchai and Gekchai (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975). In the 1950s water was diverted to

irrigate fields, turning Shilian Marsh into a system of drying ponds with average depth less than 1 m. However, water level may partly

recover after heavy rains. Shilian Marsh usually freezes over for 1-2 weeks in winter (Tuaev, 1975). The present status of the wetlandrequires investigation. Wintering species included Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Eurasian Bittern, Grey Heron,

Common Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted

Duck, Purple Gallinule and Common Coot (Verestchagin, 1950). Coots wintering in Kizil Agach Reserve would often move to Shilian

Marsh in March (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975). Nesting species include Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Little

Bittern, Purple Heron, Ferruginous Duck, Marsh Harrier, Water Rail and Common Moorhen (Tuaev, 1975). Another good candidate for

wetland restoration.

Mil Steppe

16. Lake Aggel

Extensive lake-marsh system south of Kura River and east of Agjabedi (Agjabedi District). The second most important wetland in Azerbaijan. Until the early 1980s Lake Aggel covered 4,400-5,000 ha, but rising ground waters flooded adjacent semi-desertincreasing the area to 9,000 ha (Gasanov, 1990; MP). The lake consists of several large ponds of open water (such as Beuk-Aggel,Gushy and Baklan), many small ponds and channels, and extensive reedbeds. Water depth: 0.5-1.5 m reaching 3 m in Beuk-Aggel.Formerly fresh water, the lake turned brackish in the 1960s when collector channels became the only source of water. Winters inMil Steppe are relatively warm (average January temperature is +1.8oC) and Lake Aggel is usually free of ice (may freeze overduring an occasional severe winter). The average number of days with snow does not exceed 12/year. In the 1930s-1940s Aggelapparently lacked emergent vegetation, but was overgrown with Phragmites , Typha and Scirpus by the early 1960s. Submergent

vegetation is represented by Potamogeton and algae. Semi-desert ( Caragana and Salsola ) surrounds the lake. Aggel is rich in fishalthough fish population dwindled after important spawning areas (Kichik Aggel and Shorgel) were cut off from the rest of Aggeland partly drained (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1970, 1975; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

The central and eastern parts of the lake were declared a nature reserve in 1978. The western part is unprotected. Commercial

fishing is still allowed in Aggel in spite of the nature-reserve status. In the early 1990s poaching was common, but mostly undercontrol unlike in Kizil Agach Reserve. The present situation is unknown, but food shortages in rural areas in the mid and late1990s might have led to increased poaching and other illegal activities in the reserve. However, Lake Aggel is not alwaysaccessible in winter. Even a light drizzle will transform dirty roads around Aggel into a quagmire, and after heavy rains roadsremain impassable for days. Irrigation channels feeding the lake probably carry agricultural pollutants, but the level of pollutionhas not been investigated (Tuaev, 1975; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

Wintering species include Little, Black-necked and Great Crested Grebes, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy and Great Cormorants,Eurasian Bittern, Great White Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Greylag and Greater White-fronted Goose, Whooper and MuteSwans, Common and Ruddy Shelducks, Mallard, Common Teal, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Marbled Teal(rarely), Common Teal, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted duck, Common Goldeneye, White-headed Duck, White-tailed Sea-Eagle, Hen and Marsh Harriers, Common Moorhen, Purple Gallinule, Common Coot, White-tailed Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Great Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Eurasian Curlew, Great Black-headed Gull, Common

Starling, Cetti’s Warbler, Bearded Reedling and Reed Bunting.

In winter 1941/1942, 20,930 Coots and diving ducks were harvested at Aggel and 25,000-30,000 in the following winter (1942/1943). However, in summer 1944 the lake almost dried out after its water was diverted to cotton fields (Verestchagin, 1950). During the 1950s, c. 72,000 coots were shot at the lake annually. In the early 1960s only 30,000 to 60,000 wildfowl wintered at Lake Aggel(Vinogradov, 1967). In the 1970s the lake lost its Red-breasted Goose: this species abandoned all of its wintering grounds in Azerbaijan and moved to the Black Sea region (Tuaev, 1975; Gasanov, 1990). In the 1980s, 80,000-100,000 wildfowl wintered at Aggel and 110,550 waterbirds were recorded in January 1991: 50-60 Dalmatian Pelicans, <100 herons and egrets, 170 flamingo,1,000 swans, 1,500 geese, 800 shelducks, >14,000 dabbling ducks, 15,000 diving ducks (including c. 3,000 White-headed Ducks),17,000 unidentified ducks, 8,000 Purple Gallinules, c. 50,000 Coots and 1,800 shorebirds (MP).




In summer Lake Aggel is the most important nesting site for the rare Marbled Teal in Azerbaijan (50-60 pairs), Mute Swan, Greylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Purple Gallinule (6,000 pairs) and White-tailed Plover; and an important nesting site for Black-

winged Stilt and Avocet. Reedbeds of the lake house the second largest colony of wading birds and cormorants in Transcaucasia(20,000-25,000 pairs): 6,000-8,000 pairs of Glossy Ibis, 10,000-15,000 pairs of herons and egrets (Squacco Herons, Night Herons,Little and Cattle Egrets), 600-700 pairs of Eurasian Spoonbills and 1,500 pairs of Pygmy Cormorants (Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev,1975; Gasanov, 1990; MP). [For more information on this colony see Appendix 3].

Lake Aggel clearly deserves Ramsar-site status and better protection. All coastal areas (perhaps 0.5-1 km wide) should be includedin the existing nature reserve, and the western part of the lake should be rehabilitated and returned to the reserve.

17. Lakes Bos-Koba and Shorbet-Koba

Bos-Koba and Shorbet-Koba (c. 3,500-4,000 ha) are a system of deep natural channels and extensive reedbeds connecting lakes Aggeland Sarisu. Altogether these four lakes form the largest wetland in Kura-Aras Lowland. Bos-Koba and Shorbet-Koba received little

ornithological coverage in the past. Access to both lakes is poor, but there are a hunting lodge and several oil rigs south of Bos-Koba;the village of Mamedli is adjacent to Shorbet-Koba from the north. Both lakes are brackish (Vinogradov, 1967; MP).

Bos-Koba was the last known nesting site for Dalmatian Pelicans in Azerbaijan (5-15 pairs in the early 1980s). Over 1,000-2,000pairs of wading birds (Night Heron, Squacco, Heron, Little and Great White Egrets, Purple Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis) nested in Bos-Koba; other nesting species include Greylag Geese, Marbled Teal (possibly), Purple Gallinule and White-tailedPlover. In late 1980s 5,000-20,000 wildfowl wintered on both lakes (MP). Studies of summer and winter avifauna on both lakes areurgently needed in order to determine their status. Protection of the entire wetland complex from Aggel through Bos-Koba,Shorbet-Koba and Sarisu is highly desirable.

18. Lake Sarisu

A large reed-overgrown lake on the right bank of Kura River west of Saatli. Sarisu is a complex of large ponds, channels andextensive reedbeds with a total area of c. 15,000 ha. Water depth varies from 0.1 to 1.4 m throughout the year, but is generally low from January through March. The water is brackish (8%) and supplied by irrigation collector channels (formerly, it was a freshwaterlake connected to Kura). It may freeze over for up to 10-15 days (usually in January), but not every winter. In fair weather the lakeis accessible via several causeways. Despite poor access Lake Sarisu is heavily hunted. In the early 1990s the Azerbaijani Society of Hunters maintained three hunting lodges at the lake. Hunting is intensive: up to 173 shots/5 min in 1996 and perhaps as many as130,000-427,000 birds bagged each year. The wildfowl are harassed continuously and find no refuge on this lake. Pesticide pollutionis probable, considering the proximity to cotton fields (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1975; Paynter et al., 1996a).

Wintering species include Black-necked Grebe, Great and Pygmy Cormorants, Dalmatian Pelican, Great White Egret, Grey Heron,Greater Flamingo, Greylag, Greater White-fronted and Lesser White-fronted Geese, Common and Ruddy Shelducks, Mallard,

Winter Pelicans Herons and Swans Geese Shelducks Dabbling Diving Coots Purple Total Source

Egrets Ducks Ducks Gallinule

1941/42 ? ? ? ? ? ? 20,930 harvested ? ? Verestchagin,

1942/43 ? ? ? ? ? ? 25,000-30,000 harvested ? ? 1950

1950s ? ? ? ? ? ? ? c. 72,000 ? ?

harvested

annually 1960/61 ? 820 15,540 1,120 6,380 1,800 1,100 960 27,620 Vinogradov,

1961/62 ? 2,530 17,850 1,880 26,100 3,120 6,520 340 58,340 1967

1962/63 ? 2,660 50-154 13,300 1,700 10,190 1,080 20,400 550 49,960

1963/64 ? 2,120 7,600 120 8,990 1,140 2,630 260 22,886

(cold

winter)

Mid 200 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 80,000- S. Gasimov,

1980s 100,000 pers. comm.

1990/91 50-60 100< 1,000 1,500 800 >14,000 15,000 c.50,000 8,000 110,550 MP

Number of waterbirds wintering on Lake Aggel from 1941 to 1991




Common Teal, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeons, Northern Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested and Common Pochard, FerruginousDuck, Common Goldeneye (uncommon), Smew (rare), Goosander (uncommon), White-headed Duck (uncommon), Purple Gallinuleand Common Coot (Tuaev, 1975; Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP). c. 20,000 waterfowl wintered at Lake Sarisu in the early 1960s(Vinogradov, 1967), 40,000-80,000 in early winter in the late 1980s (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP) and >300,000 reported inFebruary 1996 including 151,250 Red-crested Pochard (Paynter et al., 1996b).

During breeding season, 1,000-2,000 pairs of wading birds and cormorants (Pygmy Cormorant, Night and Squacco Herons, Little

Egret and Glossy Ibis) nested in several small colonies at Sarisu. Other nesting species include Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern,Purple Heron (20-25 pairs), Greylag Goose, Mallard, Marbled Teal (c. 20 pairs), Ferruginous Duck (20-30 pairs), Marsh Harrier (8-10 pairs), Water Rail, Purple Gallinule (800-1,000 pairs), Common Coot, White-tailed Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Common Tern, etc. (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP).

Lake Sarisu is a very important wintering and staging area possibly matching Lake Aggel. Ramsar-site status is recommended. Theentire Aggel-Bos-Koba-Shorbet-Koba-Sarisu wetland complex should be considered a World Heritage site. At least a part of thelake should receive complete protection during the hunting season.

19. Lake Mekhman

A periodically flooded shal low depression on the right bank of the Kura to the northwest of Aggel; often dries up

completely in summer. White-tailed Plover, Black-winged Stilt, Black-headed Gull, Common Tern and Collared Pratincolenested at this lake (Gambarov, 1956). In winter 2,500-3,500 waterfowl (Greylag, Greater White-fronted and Lesser White-fronted Geese, Mallards and Gadwall) wintered at Mehman. Flocks of Bar-ta iled Godwits and Avocets occurred in years with low water level (Verestchagin, 1950; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev, 1975; MP). Poorly known ornithologically and meritsan annual waterfowl census.

Reservoirs of Kura Valley

20. Varvara Reservoir

Built on Kura River in 1956 in Mingechaur District. Relatively small (400 ha). Phragmites , Typha and sedges grow along the shoresand there is a partly flooded island with Phragmites and Tamarix in the middle. Shortly after the completion of the reservoir,

cormorants and herons nested in treetops in flooded tugai forest, but later moved to reed stands (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev,1975). In the late 1980s a mixed bird colony (c. 350-400 pairs) was still present at the reservoir: Pygmy Cormorant (40-50 pairs),Squacco Heron (c. 100 pairs), Night Heron (>100 pairs), Little Egret (40-50 pairs), Cattle Egret (>20 pairs), Grey Heron, Glossy Ibis (>50 pairs). Other nesting species include Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Purple Heron, Spotted Crake, Purple Gallinule,Common Coot, Common Tern and Common Kingfisher (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; MP). Wintering species include Little Grebe,Pygmy Cormorant, Great White Egret, Ferruginous Duck, Common Goldeneye, Smew, other ducks and occasionally Great WhitePelican (perhaps 7,000-12,000 waterbirds in total). An extensive shallow area west of the reservoir attracts wading birds, ducks andshorebirds (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1975, 1977).

21. Mingechaur Reservoir

A large freshwater reservoir built in 1953 at the confluence of the rivers Kura, Iori and Alazani. The reservoir is approximately

75 km long and 25 km wide; the depth reaches 60 m. It lacked emergent vegetation in the 1970s. In the 1950s flooded tugai forests remained in shallower areas along former riverbeds of the Kura, Iori and Alazani, but the trees eventually fell down.Great Cormorants, herons, egrets, Black Kites and White-tailed Sea Eagles nested in treetops of flooded tugai . Small numbersof Ruddy Shelducks nest around the reservoir (Tuaev & Vasiliev 1972; Tuaev, 1975; Gambarov, 1975). Migrating and wintering wildfowl concentrate in the Khanabad area. Wintering species include Little Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Great CrestedGrebe (up to 5,000), Great Cormorant (up to 400), Pygmy Cormorant, Great White and Dalmatian Pelican, Great WhiteEgret, Grey Heron, Greylag Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Common and Ruddy Shelducks, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Red-breasted Merganser, Goosander and Great Black-headed Gull (up to 300).17,000-18,000 wildfowl wintered on Mingechaur Reservoir in the early 1960s and 8,000-15,000 in the 1970s-1980s (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Tuaev, 1977; MP).




Karayasi Steppe

22. Lake Djandargel

A lake on the border between Georgia and Azerbaijan (c. 1,500 ha of the lake is in Azerbaijan) with some stands of emergent vegetation ( Typha ). Poorly known ornithologically. Nesting species include Pygmy Cormorant (a pair in 1997), Great CrestedGrebe, Common Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck and Purple Gallinule. Wintering species include Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant

(400 in February 1998), Greater White-fronted Goose, Mallard, Smew (400 in February 1998) and Common Coot (Tuaev, 1975;Cranswick et al., 1998). Further studies desirable.

B. FOREST, MONTANE AND SEMI-DESERT ENVIRONMENTS

GREATER C AUCASUS MOUNTAINS

The Watershed and Lateral Ridges

23. Zakatali Nature Reserve

Zakatali Nature Reserve (23,844 ha) is situated on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus Mountains (Watershed Ridge)across the border from Georgia and Dagestan (in the Russian Federation). It was established in 1930 and consists of two separateareas in Belokani and Zakatali districts at 630-3,648 m (Mount Guton). The terrain is very rugged with many gorges and chasms. Average temperature varies from –3.8oC in January to +15.6oC in July. Precipitation: from c. 600 mm in the foothills to 1,400 mmin high mountains (only c. 25% of precipitation falls as snow). At the higher elevations snow remains for up to 4.5 months/year(Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).

Forest covers c. 67.4% (16,068 ha) of the reserve. Broad-leaved forests of beech, hornbeam, oak and maple occur on the lower andmiddle slopes up to 1,500-1,800 m, gradually changing into mixed forest (oak, maple, birch and pine) at higher altitudes. Sub-alpine woodlands (oak, birch and maple), rhododendron and juniper thickets occur at 2,000-2,400 m. Sub-alpine (1,900-2,600 m) andalpine (2,200-3,000 m) meadows cover 5,810 ha (Gasanov, 1990).

The bird fauna consists of 104 species including Black Kite, Goshawk, Levant Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Golden Eagle,

Lammergeier, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Hobby, Peregrine, Caucasian Black Grouse, Caucasian Snowcock, Chukar, CommonQuail, Stock Dove, Eurasian Cuckoo, Eagle Owl, Common Swift, Common Kingfisher, Black Woodpecker, Shore Lark, Grey Wagtail, Red-billed and Alpine Choughs, Common and Isabelline Wheatears, Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Marsh Warbler, Wallcreeper,Red-fronted Serin, Twite, Great Rosefinch, Snowfinch, etc. In addition, the nature reserve supports large numbers of ungulatesincluding East Caucasian Tur ( Capra cylindricornis ), Chamois ( Rupicapra rupicapra ), Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus ), and also Wild Boar ( Sus

scrofa ) and Brown Bear ( Ursus arctos ) (Popkova & Popkov, 1965; Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; Gasanov, 1990).

In the early 1990s Zakatali Nature Reserve was one of the best-protected and largest nature reserves in Azerbaijan with ecosystemsrepresentative of the Greater Caucasus Mountains. A Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site status are recommended. Aprotected corridor between the two sections of the reserve was proposed, and negotiations were under way in 1990-1991. Although poaching has occurred, it was not a serious problem in the late 1980s-early 1990s, but encroachment of sheep flockscaused degradation of some protected sub-alpine and alpine meadows. Thus, protection of sub-alpine and alpine meadowsadjacent to the reserve is highly desirable. Non-organized tourism caused some damage to the marginal areas on the lower

slopes (Gasanov, 1990; MP).

24. Ilisu Nature Reserve

Created on the southern slope of the Watershed Range in Kah District in 1987 (9,345 ha). Altitude 700-2,100 m. The terrain isrugged with gorges and deep river valleys. Average temperatures: –3 to +1oC in January, +14 to +24oC in July, at higher and loweraltitudes respectively. Annual precipitation: 950-1,400 mm. Forest covers c. 92% (8,590 ha) of the Reserve. Broad-leaved and mixedforests of beech and oak occur up to 1,800-2,000 m and sub-alpine forests (oak, beech, hornbeam, birch and ash) at 1,800-2,100 m.Sub-alpine meadows are present at 1,800-2,100 m (Gasanov, 1990).






Shemakha Upland

29. Pirgulu Nature Reserve

Established in 1968 in Shemakha District. Four mountains in three sections at altitudes 800-1,900 m (1,520 ha). Two of the threesections are partly surrounded with fields, orchards, secondary upland steppe (on steep slopes) and villages. Average temperature: –4oC in January and +19.7oC in July. Annual precipitation: 780-1,000 mm. Forest covers c. 89.5% (1,362 ha) of Pirgulu Reserve and

secondary sub-alpine meadows c. 8%. Oak, hornbeam and beech are dominant tree species; yew is also present. All forests wereselectively logged before the 1960s (Gasanov, 1990). The avifauna is poorly known. Nesting species include Honey Buzzard,Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Booted Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Grey Partridge, Wood Pigeon, European Nightjar,Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Grey Wagtail, Eurasian Jay, Raven, Wren,Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Long-tailed Tit, Blue and Great Tits, Spotted Flycatcher, Chaffinch, Goldfinch.Imperial Eagle, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture and Caucasian Black Grouse recorded at higher elevations - the Girkhbulak section(Patrikeev, 1991d; MP).

30. Alti-Agach Nature Reserve

Declared in eastern part of Shemakha Upland in 1990 (5,500 ha). Includes montane forest, upland steppe and scores of small lakesat 800-2,205 m (Mount Dubrar) in Khizi District (MP). No detailed ornithological studies have been conducted in the area. Species

recorded during several short visits include Grey Heron, Black Kite, Sparrowhawk, Imperial Eagle, Booted Eagle, Short-toedEagle, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Black Vulture, Lesser Kestrel (status unclear), Caucasian Black Grouse, Chukar (very common), Eagle Owl, Scops Owl and many passerines (Gambarov, 1954; MP).

Sheki Upland

31. Sheki Game Preserve

Established in 1963 in forested hills south of Sheki and north of Beuk-Dakhna (10,400 ha). Broad-leaved forests and shrubthickets in Agrichai Valley, fields and semi-desert. No ornithological coverage. Species observed during a short visit included Black Kite, Levant Sparrowhawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, CommonPheasant, Black Francolin, Turtle Dove, Skylark and Crested Lark. Further studies are strongly encouraged (MP).

32. Hadjinour Steppe

Extensive upland semi-desert between Dashyuz and Akharbakhar ridges south of Sheki with Lake Hadjinour in the middle.Formerly a Caragana and Salsola semi-desert, but many areas were turned into arable land and cattle range during the second half of the 20th century. Greylag and Greater White-fronted Geese numbered thousands in the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1950), butonly a few hundred in the late 1980s. Little Bustard (200-300) and Great Bustard also winter in this area. Black-bellied Sandgrousehas been recorded in the summer. Hadjinour Steppe is very poorly known ornithologically and requires thorough study (MP).

Bosdag Mountains

A chain of low (400-650 m) clayey semi-desert mountains stretching from Mingechaur to Agsu.

33. Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains

Extend for c. 50 km (west to east) in Agdash, Evlakh and Kutkashen districts: the Turianchai Bosdag has been protected in Turianchai Nature Reserve (12,634 ha) since 1958; the Gekchai Bosdag is unprotected. Climate is warm and dry: annual precipitationis c. 500 mm; average temperature: from +1.9oC in January to +26.4oC in July. Juniper woodlands grow on northern slopes of themountains, e.g. covering 7,504 ha (c. 60.8%) in Turianchai Reserve. The southern slopes are steep and eroded. Patches of tugai

forest are found in river valleys (Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Gasanov, 1990; MP).




The avifauna of Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains includes 112 species. The area is notable for nesting raptors: Black Kite, Goshawk, Sparrowhawk, Long-legged and Common Buzzards, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Short-toed Eagle,Egyptian Vulture (>7 pairs), Black Vulture (6-8 pairs), Griffon Vulture (15-20 pairs in several colonies), Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel andprobably Lammergeier. A pair of Bonelli’s Eagles observed in 1991. Other nesting species include Chukar (6,000-8,000), CommonPheasant (only in Turianchai Valley), Eurasian Cuckoo, Eagle Owl, Scops Owl, Common Nightjar, Alpine Swift, Eurasian Roller,European and Blue-cheeked Bee-eaters, Woodlark, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Eurasian Jay, Magpie, Raven, GoldenOriole, Nightingale, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Rock Nuthatch, Common Starling, Rock and Black-headed Buntings, Greenfinch,

etc. Large number of thrushes (Black-throated, Fieldfare, Blackbird, Redwing, Song and Mistle Thrushes) winter in juniper forests(Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1965b; Gasanov, 1990; MP).

Gobustan Upland

Despite its proximity to Baku, Gobustan Upland remains virtually unstudied because of poor access.

34. Mount Kargabazar and Mount Gush-gaya

Low semi-desert mountains (up to 284 m) in the east of Gobustan Upland (Maraza District). Mount Kargabazar was the only known nesting site for Lanner in Azerbaijan (last nesting record in the late 1940s). Other nesting species include Ruddy Shelduck,Long-legged Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture, Kestrel, Lesser Kestrel, Chukar, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse (possibly), Alpine

Swift, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Crested and Calandra Larks, Finch’s and Isabelline Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, etc. Accessis poor (dirt roads). Large flocks of sheep observed around Mount Kargabazar. Poaching is widespread (Burchak-Abramovich &Gambarov, 1961; MP).

LESSER C AUCASUS MOUNTAINS

The Lesser Caucasus Mountains is one of the least studied regions of Azerbaijan as far as birds are concerned. Almost the entire

Shahdag Ridge, extensive areas in Murovdag and Karabakh ridges, and Karabakh Upland have probably never been visited by

ornithologists and naturalists. After the Karabakh war (1991-1994) almost the entire area fell into the hands of the Armenians.

Murovdag Ridge

35. Geigel Nature Reserve and Mount Giamish

Geigel reserve (6,739 ha) and Mount Giamish (8,000 ha) situated in the central part of Murovdag Ridge. The nature reserve lies at1,100-3,065 m (Mt. Kapaz) in Khanlar District. Mount Giamish (the highest peak of the Lesser Caucasus Mountains, 3,724 m) falls within Khanlar, Gulistan and Kelbadjar districts of Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region. In the vicinity of Lake Geigel (1,612 m) absolute temperature varied from –18.5oC to +30oC (average +7oC). Annual precipitation is c. 675 mm.Snow cover remains for the average of 82 days (Gasanov, 1990; MP)

In Geigel reserve, 52.3% (3,524 ha) is covered in broad-leaved and mixed montane forests (up to 2,000 m); sub-alpine meadowsoccur on 32.7% (2,210 ha) and alpine meadows on 2.9% (201 ha). The rest consists of rocky outcrops, cliffs, deep ravines andmontane lakes (Geigel, Maralgel, etc.). Beech, oak and hornbeam are dominant species in montane forest; maple, birch and pineoccur near the upper forest limits. On Mount Giamish, forests grow only on the lower slopes (Gasanov, 1990; MP).

Over 50 species of birds nest in Geigel reserve including Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Caspian Snowcock, Chukar, Little Owl, Tawny Owl, Green Woodpecker, Water Pipit, Alpine Chough, Alpine Accentor, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit,Coal and Great Tits, Rock Bunting, Chaffinch, Siskin, Twite, Red-fronted Serin, Greenfinch, etc. Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture,Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture and Black Vulture also occur and may nest in the reserve (Drozdov, 1965; Gasanov, 1990). MountGiamish is less accessible and its avifauna poorly known. However, Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Black Vulture,Griffon Vulture, Caspian Snowcock (50-80) and Caucasian Black Grouse (up to 150) were recorded on the mountain (MP).

In the late 1980s-early 1990s the area around Lake Geigel was under considerable anthropogenic pressure due to drawing waterfrom the lake, tourist lodges, free access and poaching. Twice a year a large herd of cattle and sheep was driven through the reserveto and from the summer pastures. An addition of 3,500 ha to the reserve and relocation of the tourist lodges were considered in




the late 1980s. Inclusion of Mount Giamish in the reserve is also desirable. However, in the early 1990s, the area was inaccessibledue to the armed conflict between Azerbaijani troops and the Armenian rebels from the Nagorno-Karabakh Region (MP).

Karabakh Upland and Karabakh Ridge

36. Mount Dalidag

Mount Dalidag (3,616 m) lies in the central part of Karabakh Upland and covers c. 10,000 ha in Kelbadjar and Lachin districts of Azerbaijan. The slopes are barren with numerous rocky outcrops, cliffs and upland steppe; arboreal vegetation is scarce. Northwesternand northern slopes are accessible from Istisu and Bashlibel. In the late 1980s-early 1990s Mount Dalidag supported the largestpopulation of Caspian Snowcock in Azerbaijan (100-150 individuals). Other recorded species included Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Peregrine, Chukar and Eagle Owl. A large population of the BeardedGoat ( Capra aegargus ) was also present. The mountain is virtually unstudied and further surveys of Caspian Snowcock and otherspecies are required. A strict nature reserve was proposed in the late 1980s. However, Lachin and Kelbadjar Districts have beenoccupied by Armenian troops since the early 1990s (MP).

37. Lachin Game Preserve

A game preserve (c. 20,000 ha) at 500-2,000 m in the east part of Karabakh Upland and western slopes of Karabakh Ridge (LachinDistrict). Gazetted in 1963 to protect game mammals (Wild Boar, Roe Deer). The terrain is rugged and access to many parts of thepreserve is difficult. Habitats include juniper woodlands, montane forests, upland steppe, sheep range, fields and villages. Poorly known ornithologically. Black Kite, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Egyptian, Black and Griffon Vulture occur and probably nestin the preserve. The status of Imperial Eagle, Lammergeier and Lesser Kestrel is less clear. Other recorded species included WhiteStork, Red Kite (one record), Caucasian Black Grouse, Chukar and Eagle Owl (MP). In 1991-1992 Lachin District was a battlegroundbetween Azerbaijani and Armenian troops for the so-called Lachin Corridor connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh Region.Eventually the area was overrun by the Armenians (MP).

Two other large game preserves have existed in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan: Kubatli Game Preserve (20,000 ha) in Kubatli

and Lachin districts, and Kizildjar Game Preserve (c. 8,000 ha) in Kedabek District. The bird fauna of these game preserves is virtually

unknown. From the early 1990s the area was occupied by the Armenians.

N AKHICHEVAN R EGION

38. Negram Mountains and Mount Ilandag

Low semi-desert mountains (500-1,300 m) with numerous cliffs, gorges and ravines adjacent to Aras Valley (c. 7,500 ha in Babek and Julfa districts of Nakhichevan Region). Habitats include Artemisia semi-desert and upland steppe; some shrub thickets onslopes. Heavily grazed by sheep; poaching of large birds and ungulates is common. A nature reserve was planned in NegramMountains in the early 1990s but the outcome is unknown. The following bird species have been recorded during the nesting season: Long-legged Buzzard, Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Egyptian and Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagle, Lesser Kestrel,Chukar, Houbara Bustard (anecdotal report), Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Little Swift (status unclear), Red-billedChough, Red-tailed Wheatear, White-throated Robin, Crimson-winged Finch, Trumpeter Finch, Pale Rock and Rock Sparrows.Little Bustards winter in the vicinity of Mount Ilandag. In addition some uncommon mammal species such as Leopard ( Panthera

pardus tulliana ), Bearded Goat and Transcaucasian Moufflon ( Ovis orientalis cycloceros ) occur in the mountains (MP).

Zangezur Ridge

39. Ordubad Game Preserve

Southwestern slopes of Zangezur Ridge in Ordubad District of Nakhichevan Region: 1,000-3,904 m including the highestmountains of Zangezur Ridge: Mount Kapudjik (3,904 m) and Mount Soukh (3,146 m). Declared in 1973 (c. 40,000 ha). Habitatranges from Artemisia semi-desert to upland steppe and alpine meadows. The terrain is rugged with many steep gorges andcliffs. Snow covers the highest peaks in winter sometimes remaining on Kapudjik throughout the summer. Protection was not




strictly enforced in the 1980s. Large flocks of sheep grazed throughout the preserve, so degrading the habitat of CaspianSnowcock and wild ungulates, some mining has occurred and poaching was not uncommon. A strict nature reserve was plannedon c. 10,000 ha in the late 1980s, but never gazetted. In the early 1990s the area was inaccessible because of the Karabakh war.Black Kite, Imperial and Golden Eagles, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Black and Griffon Vultures, Short-toed Eagle, CaucasianBlack Grouse, Caspian Snowcock (c. 50 birds on Mount Kapudjik) and Eagle Owl have been recorded at the higher elevations;Lesser Kestrel, Chukar, Stone Curlew, Red-tailed Wheatear, White-throated Robin and Trumpeter Finch occurred on the lowerslopes. Ordubad game preserve is also notable for presence of Leopards (10-15 individuals) and large populations of Bearded

Goat and Transcaucasian Moufflon (Baziev, 1978; MP).

40. Mount Kukudag and Bichenek Pass

Mount Kukudag (3,120 m) and Bichenek Pass (c. 2,000 m) situated in Zangezur Ridge (Shahbuz District) on the border with Armenia.Habitats include upland steppe and alpine meadows on Kukudag. A montane forest of oak, maple and elm near Bichenek is unusualfor Nakhichevan Region. A nature reserve was proposed on c. 7,000 ha, but the Karabakh war interfered with this plan. Known speciesinclude Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier, Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Caspian Snowcock, Eagle Owl and many passerines (MP).

T ALISH MOUNTAINS AND LENKORAN LOWLAND

41. Girkan Nature Reserve

Established in 1936 to protect sub-tropical broad-leaved forests of southeastern Azerbaijan (Lenkoran and Astara districts). Twosections (2,906 ha): the montane section (2,815 ha, up to 980 m) is on the slopes of Ulasi Ridge (Talish Mountains) and the lowlandsection (91 ha, altitudes 15-20 m) encompasses the last remains of lowland sub-tropical forests once covering the entire LenkoranLowland. The climate is mild and humid. Average temperature in January varies from +1oC to +3.7oC and July +22 to +24.5oC. Annual precipitation: 900-1,400 mm. Snow is rare. The rich flora includes several species and subspecies of oak, Caucasian Hornbeam,Ironwood, beech, date plum, yew, lianas and other creepers. Forest covers 96.9% of the reserve (Gasanov, 1990). In the late 1980sthere were plans to increase Girkan Reserve to c. 10,000 ha.

The avifauna is poorly known: only 40 species recorded so far including Black Stork, Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Goshawk,Sparrowhawk, Booted Eagle, Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, woodpeckers and passerines (including Short-toed Treecreeper). Eurasian

Treecreeper, Common Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Great and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers are represented by subspecies endemic to Talish Mountains and adjacent parts of Iran. A few possible sightings of Red Kite (Drozdov, 1965;Gasanov, 1990; MP).

42. Zuvand Upland

A semi-desert plateau adjacent to the Iranian border (altitudes 500-2,492 m). Habitats include upland steppe, semi-desertslopes, orchards, fields and villages. A large rural population. Sheep grazing and agriculture are widespread. A game preserve was gazetted on c. 15,000 ha in 1973, but protection is ineffective. Bird species: Red Kite (one record), Long-legged Buzzard,Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Lammergeier (very rare), Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Peregrine, Grey Partridge, Chukar(very common), Eagle Owl, Syrian Woodpecker, Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Red-billed Chough, Pale Rock Sparrow, Grey-headedBunting, etc. (Agaeva, 1972, 1973; I. Babaev, pers. comm.).

43. Vilajchai Valley

Vilajchai flows from Talish Mountains onto Lenkoran Lowland where it is diverted for irrigation. Only one area (c. 1,000 ha) in thefoothills is of ornithological importance (at the junction of Yardimli, Lerik and Lenkoran districts). Habitats include dense riverinethickets and adjacent broad-leaved forests. The area is very important for endangered Talish subspecies of Common Pheasant ( P.

c. talischensis ). Other birds species include Black Stork (1-2 pairs), Black Kite, Goshawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle,Common Kingfisher, European Roller, Syrian Woodpecker, etc. Records of Red Kite and Saker Falcon. Illegal logging, burning,poaching and overgrazing were common in the late 1980s. The population of P. c. talischensis in the valley is on the brink of extinction and requires immediate attention (Musaev & Babaev, 1989; I. Babaev, pers. comm.).




44. Astara-chai Valley

Astara-chai is a short fast-f lowing river dividing Azerbaijan from Iran. The Azerbaijani side of the valley is covered with densebroad-leaved forests. Restricted access until the early 1990s (due to the border zone regulations). Birds: Black Stork, Goshawk,Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle and the Talish subspecies of Common Pheasant P. c. talischensis (100-150 individuals),Common Kingfisher, European Roller and Middle Spotted Woodpecker, etc. A nature reserve for protection of P. c. talischensis

is highly recommended (MP).

K URA-ARAS LOWLAND

Semi-Desert

45. Mugan Steppe

A vast area (c. 100,000 ha) of semi-desert pastures and cotton fields with an extensive network of irrigation channels. The centralpart of Mugan Steppe is the most important wintering area for Little Bustards in Transcaucasia: 10,000-30,000 in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Great Bustard is rare. Nesting species include White Stork, Black Francolin (shrub thickets along irrigation channels),Stone Curlew, Little Owl, Black-bellied Sandgrouse (possibly), Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, larks, Rose-coloured Starling, etc. SteppeEagle, Common and Demoiselle Crane occur during migration. Poaching of Little Bustards is common and effective conservation

measures are a priority (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP).

46. Korchai Game Preserve

15,000 ha of semi-desert plain south of Mingechaur Reservoir, low mountains of Mingechaur Bosdag Mountains and shrubthickets along Gandjachai (Kasum-Ismail District). Gazetted in 1963 to protect one of a few remaining herds of Goitred Gazelle( Gazella subgutturosa ) in Azerbaijan. Nesting species include Ruddy Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture (rare), LesserKestrel, Chukar (c. 300), Black Francolin (c. 250), Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse (possibly) and larks. Little Bustards (300-600) and occasionally Great Bustards (2-5) winter in the preserve. Steppe Eagle occurs during migration. Unlike many other gamepreserves of Azerbaijan, Korchai Preserve was well protected in the late 1980s (MP).

Tugai Forest

47. Barda Tugai Forest

One of the last sizeable tugai forests in Azerbaijan (4,000 ha) lying on the banks of Kura River in Barda District. Main tree speciesinclude Populus , Morus and Salix ; lianas and dense shrub thickets in the understorey. Also akhmas (oxbows) and agricultural fields(some abandoned). Illegal logging and cattle overgrazing are common. A nature reserve encompassing all of the remaining tugai

was planned in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Nesting species include Grey Heron, Black Stork (2-3 pairs), Black Kite, LevantSparrowhawk, Imperial Eagle, Scops Owl, Long-eared Owl, Black Francolin (100-150), Common Pheasant (>200), EuropeanRoller, Syrian and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, etc. Lesser Kestrel nests in the adjacent villages (MP).

48. Shamkhor Game Preserve

Tugai forests (polar, mulberry, willow) on both sides of Kura from Dzegamchai to Mingechaur Reservoir, semi-desert pastures andthe last remaining patches of tugai in the mouth of the Iori (Shamkhor and Khanlar districts). Total area c. 10,000 ha. Large patchesof tugai still remain, but some illegal small-scale logging and sheep grazing are not uncommon. Nesting species include GreatCormorant (15-20 pairs in the mouth of the Iori), Grey Heron, Black Stork (possibly), Lesser Spotted Eagle (2-3 pairs), ImperialEagle (1-2 pairs), Black Francolin (150-200), Common Pheasant, Common Kingfisher, European Roller, Middle Spotted andSyrian Woodpeckers, etc. (Gambarov, 1975; MP).




49. Alazani Valley

Alazani (Ganikh) River separates Azerbaijan from Georgia. A narrow belt of tugai forest remnants and open habitats (5,000 ha) inBelokani, Zakatali and Kah districts of Azerbaijan are of ornithological importance. Birds include Black Stork (5-6 pairs), LesserSpotted Eagle (12-15 pairs on both sides of the river), Imperial Eagle (8-10 pairs on both sides) and Common Pheasant. White-tailed Sea Eagles nested in the past (Alekperov & Mustafaeva, 1985; MP).

50. Karayasi Forest

A belt of tugai forest (0.3-3 km wide) on the left bank of the Kura extending for 32 km from the Georgian border to Poily railway bridge (Akstafa District). Dominant tree species include poplar, mulberry, willow, also oak and pistachio on drier grounds. Standsof mature tugai with huge poplars (35-40 m in height and 2.5 m in diameter) mostly remain in western and eastern parts of theforest. Impassable thickets of blackberry, other shrubs and creepers are common in the understorey and along the river. Abandonedcotton fields and wetlands in the central part of the forest. Pebble beaches and islands along the Kura. The western and centralparts of the forest were declared the Karayasi Nature Reserve (4,855 ha) in 1978. Unfortunately the oldest stands of tugai in theeastern part were not included. The climate is moderate and dry. Average temperature: –0.1oC in January, +24.3oC in July. Annualprecipitation: c. 400 mm (Gasanov. 1990; MP).

The avifauna of Karayasi Forest includes 87 species, e.g. Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Black Stork (at least 3-4 pairs), Mallard, Honey

Buzzard, Black Kite, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle (2-3 pairs), Imperial Eagle (3-4 pairs), Montagu’sHarrier, Kestrel, Hobby, Common Pheasant, Little Ringed Plover, Little Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, EurasianCuckoo, Scops Owl, Tawny Owl, European Nightjar, Common Swift, Common Kingfisher, Eurasian Roller, European Bee-eater,Hoopoe, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Jay,Magpie, Red-backed Shrike, Common Starling, Golden Oriole, Nightingale, Blackbird, Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, SpottedFlycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Blue and Great Tits, Common Nuthatch, Goldfinch, etc. Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus ) is also present(Sultanov & Musaev, 1989; MP).

S AMUR -DIVICHI LOWLAND

51. Samur Delta

The Samur River flows into the Caspian Sea in the extreme northeast of Azerbaijan. East of the town of Samur the river createsthe extensive Samur Delta with numerous fast-flowing streams. The Azerbaijani part of the delta covers c. 6,000 ha. Once theentire delta was covered with lowland broad-leaved forest of oak, elm and beech, but large tracts were cleared for agriculture in the1950s-1960s and the forest highly fragmented by the 1980s-early 1990s. Conspicuous bird migration occurs through the delta: 302species have been recorded, e.g. 25 species of raptors. The delta is an important stopover for many land- and water-birds. Goodnumbers of waterbirds (e.g. pelicans) and gulls are observed in the Caspian Sea off the delta (Verestchagin; Butiev et al., 1983, 1989,1990a, b). Nesting species include Great Cormorant (a small colony of 5-10 pairs), Black Stork, Black Kite, White-tailed Sea Eagle(the last known nesting site in Azerbaijan), Sparrowhawk, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hobby, Common Pheasant (common), CommonMoorhen, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Turtle Dove, Tawny Owl, Common Kingfisher, European Roller, Green Woodpecker,Hoopoe, Eurasian Jay, Red-backed Shrike, Nightingale, Common Redstart, Blackbird, Blue and Great Tits, Common Nuthatch,etc. (Butiev, 1989, 1990b; Butiev & Lebedeva, 1991; MP).

Samur Delta is a popular tourism destination and a national park should be considered to preserve the remaining lowland forests.




Site name No Size (ha) Altitude (m) Status

Absheron Archipelago 12 ? c. –10 to 0 unprotected

Aggel, Lake 16 c. 9,173 c. 0 c. 9,000 in Nature Reserve

Alazani Valley 49 c. 5,000 100-500 unprotected

Alti-Agach Nature Reserve 30 5,500 800-2,205 Nature Reserve

Artem Bay 7 c. 1,000 c. -29 unprotected

Astara-chai Valley 44 >2,000 - 20 to 500 unprotectedBabadag, Mount 27 c. 9,000 1,000-3,629 north: unprotected; south in

Ismailly Game Preserve

Baku Bay 9 ? c. - 29 unprotected

Barda Tugai Forest 47 4,000 0-50 unprotected

Bazar-Duzu and Shahdag, Mounts 25 7,000-7,500 1,500-4,466 unprotected

Beuk-Shorgel and Kichik- Shorgel, lakes 5 c. 4,000 -25 to -20 protected in Shirvan Nature Reserve and

Bandovan Game Preserve

Bos-Koba and Shorbet Koba, lakes 17 3,500-4,000 c. 0 unprotected

Dalidag, Mount 36 c. 10,000 1,500-3,616 unprotected

Divichi Liman 10 1,600-2,000 c. –20 unprotected

Djandargel, Lake 22 c. 1,500 100-200 unprotected

Geigel Nature Reserve and Giamish, Mount 35 c. 15,000 1,100-3,724 7,130 in Geigel Nature reserve

Girkan Nature Reserve 41 2,906 15-981 Nature ReserveGlinanyi Island 13 >200 -20 to 10 Game preserve

Hadjikabul, Lake 15 c. 2,500 c. 50 unprotected

Hadjinour Steppe 32 >30,000 100-300 unprotected

Ilisu Nature Reserve 24 9,345 700-2,100 Nature Reserve

Ismailly Nature Reserve 26 5,778 600-2,250 Nature Reserve

Karayasi Forest 50 c. 6,000 100-200 4,700 ha in Karayasi Nature Reserve

Kargabazar andGush-gaya, Mounts 34 2,800-3,000 200-284 unprotected

Kizil Agach Bays 1 99,060 -29 to - 24 88,360 in Nature Reserve

Korchai Game Preserve 46 15,000 100-500 Game Preserve

Kukudag, Mount and Bichenek Pass 40 >7,000 1,500-3,120 unprotected

Kura Delta 4 c. 10,000 -29 to -20 unprotected

Kusari Game Preserve 28 15,000 200-1,500 Game Preserve

Lachin Game Preserve 37 20,000 500-2,000 Game PreserveLenkoran to Astara, coastal waters 2 ? c. -29 unprotected

Mahmud-chala and Novogolovka-chala 3 c. 6,500 c. -20 unprotected

Mekhman, Lake 19 c. 2,000? c. 0 unprotected

Mingechaur Reservoir 21 c. 50,000 c. 50 unprotected

Mugan Steppe 45 >100,000 0-100 unprotected

Negram Mountains and Ilandag, Mount 38 c. 7,500 500-1,300 unprotected

Ordubad Game Preserve 39 c. 40,000 1,000-3,904 Game Preserve

Pirgulu Nature Reserve 29 1,520 800-1,900 Nature Reserve

Pirsagat Islands and Los’ Island 14 300 -27 to -10 unprotected

Samur Delta 51 6,000 -20 to 100 unprotected

Sangachal Bay 6 c. 1,000 -29 unprotected

Sarisu, Lake 18 c. 15,000 c. 0 unprotected

Shah Spit 8 c. 500 c. -20 Game preserveShamkhor Game Preserve 48 c. 10,000 50-200 Game Preserve

Sheki Game Preserve 31 10,400 200-600 Game Preserve

Turianchai and Gekchai Bosdag Mountains 33 >20,000 400-650 12, 350 in Turianchai Nature Reserve

Varvara Reservoir 20 400 c. 50 unprotected

Vilajchai Valley 43 c. 1,000 100-500 unprotected

Yashma Island 11 c. 200 c. -20 unprotected

Zakatali Nature Reserve 23 23,844 630-3,648 Nature Reserve

Zuvand Upland 42 15,000 500-2,492 Game Preserve

Summary of Important Bird Areas in Azerbaijan




Lowlands of Azerbaijan formerly housed enormous numbers of colonial waterbirds. The largest and most diverse colonies werefound in broad-leaved swamp forests of Lenkoran Lowland. Those colonies consisted of Great and Pygmy cormorants, Little andCattle egrets, Squacco, Night and Grey herons. Great Cormorant and Grey Herons usually nested in the treetops, Pygmy Cormorantsand Night Herons in the middle level and other egrets and herons in the lower branches. When Spangenberg (1951) visited thelowland in the late 1920s, he found a colony c. 5-km long! In the 19 th century, several millions of pairs likely nested in LenkoranLowland alone and 500,000 to 2,000,000 pairs in the 1900s-1930s (Sudilovskaya, 1951; Spangenberg, 1951, 1987). In Mingechaurdistrict (Kura Valley), a vast colony of Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Squacco and Night herons existed in a woodlot and largenumbers of Glossy Ibises nested in reedbeds (Satunin, 1907).

In the 1930s-1940s, the forests of Lenkoran Lowland were almost completely cleared and colonies displaced. The woodlot of Mingechaur district also disappeared. However, mixed colonies re-established in other habitats: flooded tamarisk thickets in Kalinovsky Liman (Kizil Agach Reserve) and extensive reedbeds elsewhere (Verestchagin, 1947; Grekov, 1965a).

In the 1950s-1960s, c. 238,500 pairs of waterbirds nested in mixed colonies in Azerbaijan, 95,000-115,000 pairs in the 1970s and70,000-100,000 pairs in the late 1980s-early 1990s. The largest colonies found in Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh (Kizil AgachReserve), Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe) and Lake Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan), and other important colonies in Kura delta, lakesBos-Koba and Sarisu (Mil Steppe). Small colonies exist on Lake Beuk-Shorgel (southeastern Shirvan), Varvara Reservoir (Mingechaurdistrict) and Novogolovka-chala (southern Mugan). In addition, there are unconfirmed reports of colonies in the mid-Kura andsouthern Azerbaijan (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a; Vinogradov, 1967; Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972; Skokova & Vinogradov,1986; Litvinova, 1989b; Vinogradov et al., 1990; Patrikeev, 1991a, e, MP).

The most important colonies are described below.

1. Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh (Kizil Agach Reserve)

This colony (the largest in Azerbaijan) discovered in Kalinovsky Liman in 1952, but most likely existed there since 1948-1949(Grekov, 1965a). The colony is situated in flooded tamarisk thickets and only a small part in reeds. Location and shape of thecolony changed a few times after its discovery. Prior to 1956, there were actually two colonies in the liman (5.4 ha and 1.75 ha insize). In 1956, the colonies merged into one (12 ha). In 1957, another huge colony was found at the liman. Five colonies existed in1958, three in 1964, and only one in 1965 (Grekov, 1965a; Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, 1966a). Frequent relocations might havebeen caused by annual visits to band chicks. However, shifting also occurred in unvisited colonies (Grekov, 1965a). The maincolony remained in the same general area from the late 1960s until 1985. In the 1970s, serious water pollution recorded in theliman: agricultural runoffs from fields outside Kizil Agach Reserve. In 1981-1985, the pollution killed almost all tamarisks andother emergent vegetation including reeds reducing the colony size from 12 to 0.9 ha. Pollutants also were found in chick tissue andeggshells. In 1985, the colony moved to the adjacent Lopatinsky Marsh. However, both wetlands are connected and die-off of tamarisk recorded in Lopatinsky Marsh as well (Litvinova, 1986).

Water depth in the colony fluctuates from 0.6 to over 1.3 m in spring. The breeding birds seem to prefer deeper areas, because

water level decreases by 50% in June, and may run completely dry by July-August. Nesting success in the colony depends on weather conditions. For example, during a drought in May 1955, the majority of nesting birds abandoned nests with partly incubatedclutches. On the other hand, in rainy summers of 1956 and 1957, nesting was recorded until August. In June-July, when water leveldrops to 0.2-0.3 m, Wolves, Golden Jackals and Jungle Cats often raid the colony. Hooded Crows nesting in the marginal areas stealeggs from other species nests. Marsh Harriers also visit the colony killing some nestlings especially Glossy Ibises’ (Grekov, 1965a;Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986).

In the 1950s, the colony was formed by the following species: Great Cormorant Pygmy Cormorant, Night Heron, Squacco Heron,Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis. Great and Pygmy Cormorantsusually nested close to tamarisk tops. Night, Squacco and Grey herons, and Great White Egrets took the middle level. Finally, someSquacco Herons and majority of Glossy Ibises nested in the lower level 0.1-1.9 m above water. The herons, egrets and ibises usually

Appendix 3MIXED COLONIES OF CORMORANTS, HERONS,

EGRETS AND IBISES IN AZERBAIJAN




avoided bushes with cormorant nests (Grekov, 1965b). Every morning and shortly after sunset, large flocks of Pygmy Cormorants,Squacco Herons, Little and Cattle egrets and Glossy Ibises leave the colony and head to feeding areas. A noise from the colony could be heard for >1 km (Vinogradov et al., 1990).

Estimates of birds nesting in the mixed colony in the 1950s varied from the conservative 225,000 pairs (Vinogradov et al., 1990) to4,000,000-5,000,000 individuals (Grekov, 1965b). In 1964, c. 153,500-200,000 pairs nested in flooded tamarisks and 1,500 pairs inreeds (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, b, 1966a; Vinogradov et al., 1990), 80,000-100,000 pairs in the 1970s, 20,000-40,000 pairs in

early 1980s and 48,200 pairs in 1987 (Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990). As the number of nesting birds in the colony gradually decreased, the structure of colony has changed significantly. In the 1950s,Glossy Ibis, Little and Cattle egrets were overwhelming majority. However, Squacco and Night herons outnumbered other speciesin the colony from the early 1960s. Glossy Ibises experienced the most dramatic decline dropping by 96%. Apart from environmentalfactors poaching is likely responsible for this decline. These ibises feeding primarily outside Kizil Agach Reserve often shot forfood outside the reserve. In 1985, c. 50% of Glossy Ibis nests in the colony failed because the adults have disappeared (likely shot).Great Cormorants and Great White Egrets abandoned the mixed colony in 1964, and Eurasian Spoonbills in 1965. After 1975, thetwo former species returned to the Kalinovsky Liman, but have been nesting in small separate colonies. Eurasian Spoonbillsestablished a separate colony recently (Mustafaev & Kiazimov, 1965a, 1966a; Skokova & Vinogradov, 1986; Litvinova, 1986; Vinogradov et al., 1990).

The mixed colony of Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh remains the largest and most diverse in Azerbaijan and the Transcaucasia.Strong actions are urgently needed to preserve this unique colony of waterbirds.

Average number and composition of colonial waterbird species nesting in the colony of Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky

Marsh (Kizil Agach Reserve) in the 1950s-1980s

Species Late 1950s Mid-1980s

Average No % of total Average No % of total

Great Cormorant 450 0.2 200 0.7

Pygmy Cormorant 14400 6.4 1700 6.5

Night Heron 24750 11 6,600 25

Squacco Heron 36000 16 8,800 33.4

Little Egret 45000 20 4,000 15.2

Cattle Egret 42750 19 3,100 11.8

Great White Egret 6750 3 ? 0

Grey Heron 5355 2.38 ? 0

Eurasian Spoonbill 45 0.02 ? 0Glossy Ibis 49500 22 1950 7.4

Total 225,000 100 26,350 100

Changes in number of waterbirds nesting in the colony of Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh (Kizil Agach Reserve)

in the 1950s-late 1980s (mean numbers per decade).

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

Mid-1980s

Late 1950s

Glossy

Ibis

Eurasian

Spoonbill

Grey

Heron

Great

White Egret

Cattle

Egret

Little

Egret

Squacco

Heron

Night

Heron

Pygmy

Cormorant

Great

Cormorant




2. Lake Aggel (Mil Steppe)

Aggel houses the second largest waterbird colony in Azerbaijan.

In the early 1960s, the colony was situated in dense reedbeds and the kobl near the large pond known as Beuk-Aggel (Vinogradov,1967). In the late 1970s-early 1980s, it moved 1-1.5 km to the east (S. Gasimov, pers. comm.).

The colony comprised of Pygmy Cormorants, Night Herons, Squacco Herons, Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Eurasian Spoonbillsand Glossy Ibises. Grey Herons and Great White Egrets nested in small separate colonies nearby (Vinogradov, 1967).

In the mid-1960s, 3-4 large colonies with 6,000-11,000 nests each. On 15 May 1964, 6,160 nests recorded in the accessible part of the main colony; impassable reed thickets were not surveyed (Vinogradov, 1967; Vinogradov & Tcherniavskaya, 1969). In the late1960s, total of waterbirds in the colony estimated in 13,470 pairs (Vasiliev, 1968) and 20,000-25,000 pairs in the 1970s-late 1980s(Mustafaev, 1975; S. Gasimov, pers. comm.; MP).

The Mixed Colony of Kalinovsky Liman-Lopatinsky Marsh: Changes in species composition, 1950s to 1980s (mean

number per decade; thousands of pairs)

Average number and composition of waterbird species nesting in the colony of Lake Aggel in the 1960s-early 1990s

Species Late 1950s Late 1980s-early 1990s

Average No % of total Average No % of totalPygmy Cormorant 900 6.7 1,500 7

Herons and Egrets 2070 15.4 12,500 58.4

Eurasian Spoonbill 2,200 16 400 1.85

Glossy Ibis 8,300 62 7,000 32.7

Total 13,470 100 21,400 100

Changes in number of waterbirds nesting in the colony of Lake Aggel in the 1960s-early 1990s (mean numbers per decade)

0

3000

6000

9000

12000

15000

Late1980s-early 1990s

Late 1960s

Glossy IbisEurasian SpoonbillHerons and EgretsPygmy Cormorant




In early 1960s, Glossy Ibises and Eurasian Spoonbills were the most numerous species in the colony (8,300 and 2,200 pairs,respectively). Squacco Herons numbered 1,400 pairs, Pygmy Cormorants 900 pairs, Little Egrets 540 pairs, Cattle Egrets 80 pairsand Night Herons 50 pairs (Vasiliev, 1968). In the early 1990s, Glossy Ibis remained the most common species (6,000-8,000 pairs),but the number of Eurasian Spoonbills fell to 600-700 or perhaps 150-200 pairs. Squacco Herons, Little Egrets and Pygmy Cormorants increased during the 1980s (S. Gasimov, pers. comm.; MP).

The colony of Aggel lies well offshore and out of reach of terrestrial predators, but Hooded Crows (and possibly Rooks) nesting nearby steal eggs from unattended nests (Vinogradov, 1967; S. Gasimov, pers. comm.). The colony was fully protected in AggelNature Reserve. However, poachers might shoot Glossy Ibises feeding outside the reserve. Irrigation channels connected to thelake likely carry agricultural chemicals, but level of water pollution in Aggel is unknown.

3. Lake Mahmud-chala (southern Mugan)

In the early 20th, Glossy Ibises nested on this lake, but abandoned it the 1940s (Verestchagin, 1947). A mixed colony established inMahmud-chala in 1988 (M. Kasumov, pers. Comm.). In the same year, Litvinova (1989b) conducted an aerial survey of the colony. The colony occupies c. 3 ha in the south section of Mahmud-chala. All nests are built in reed thickets and the kobls surrounded by open water (Patrikeev, 1991e).

Nesting species include Pygmy Cormorants, Night Herons, Squacco Herons, Cattle Egrets, Little Egrets, Eurasian Spoonbillsand Glossy Ibises. It is possible that the lake was colonized by birds from Kizil Agach Reserve where nesting conditionsdeteriorated in the 1980s.

In 1988-1990, 12,000-18,000 pairs nested in the colony: Glossy Ibis (5,500-6,000 pairs), Little Egret (3,000 pairs), Cattle Egret(1,000-1,500 pairs), Squacco Herons (> 1,000 pairs), Pygmy Cormorants (500-800 pairs), Eurasian Spoonbills (200-360 pairs) andNight Herons (20-30 pairs) (Litvinova, 1989b; Patrikeev, 1991e; MP).

Changes in species composition in the colony of Lake Aggel, 1960s to early 1990s (mean number per decade, thousands

of pairs)

Species composition in the colony of Lake Mahmud-chala, 1990

The colony lies offshore and inaccessible to most of four-legged predators whereas number of Marsh Harriers and Hooded Crows was low. Lake Mahmud-chala was not officially protected, but access to the colony strictly controlled by game wardens. Glossy Ibises feeding outside the colony might be shot for food by poachers.




Level of water pollution in the lake is undetermined, but likely serious (runoffs from cotton fields carried into the lake throughirrigation channels). Several birds (including Little Egrets) found dead on their nests in 1990 (MP).

* * * Another large colony (c. 3,200 pairs) and several small colonies (5-15 pairs each) found in flooded thickets of Kura Delta in 1986(Litvinova, 1989b). The large colony mostly consisted of Pygmy Cormorants (1,300 pairs), Squacco Herons and Little Egrets (800-1,000 pairs each), Grey Herons and Eurasian Spoonbills (several nests each). Squacco Herons, Little Egrets, Great White Egrets,

Grey and Purple Herons nested in the small colonies (Litvinova, 1989b; MP).

In late 1980s, c. 1,000-2,000 pairs of colonial water birds nested in reedbeds of Lakes Bos-Koba and Sarisu each. Both coloniesremain unsurveyed. In Bos-Koba, the colony consisted of Night Heron, Squacco, Heron, Little and Great White Egrets, PurpleHeron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Glossy Ibis. In Sarisu, the mixed colony included Pygmy Cormorants, Night Herons, SquaccoHerons, Little Egrets and Glossy Ibises (Y. Guseinov, pers. comm.; MP).

Another colony of 350-500 pairs exists in reedbeds of Varvara Reservoir (Mingechaur district, Kura Valley). Prior to 1965,colonial waterbirds nested there in tops of flooded trees, but later moved to reedbeds (Tuaev & Vasiliev, 1972). Squacco and Nightherons were the most common species in the colony. Other species included Pygmy Cormorant, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Grey Heron and Glossy Ibis (Mustafaev, 1975; Tuaev, 1975; MP).

A colony of 350-400 pairs (Pygmy Cormorants, Night Herons, Squacco Herons, Little and Great White Egrets) found in reedbeds

of Lake Beuk-Shorgel, southeastern Shirvan in 1990 (Patrikeev, 1991a; MP).

A small colony of Lake Novogolovka-chala, southern Mugan was not surveyed properly. According to local people, NightHeron, Squacco Heron and Glossy Ibises nested on the lake. A total number of nesting waterbirds likely does not exceed 200-300pairs (MP).

Hunters, game wardens, teachers and others who responded to my questionnaires reported two large colonies of waterbirds (e.g.,large numbers of Eurasian Spoonbills) in Fisuli district (southern Azerbaijan) and small colonies in Zardob and Udjari districts(mid-Kura). However, no field visits were made and the information remains unverified (MP).




Appendix 4

Wildfowl have always been an important source of food for people living in the lowlands of Azerbaijan. Hunting occurred

throughout the lowlands, although the Divichi Liman was protected as a hunting reserve of the Russian Royal Family in the late19th-early 20th century. At the beginning of the 20th century a few local hunters used firearms to hunt waterfowl, and the rest hadto rely on traditional hunting methods described by Verestchagin (1950): netting (gill-nets, curtain nests cover nests), night hunt with torches, boat chase of “flightless” coots, etc. However, by 1930, 28,000 officially registered hunters possessed shotguns(Verestchagin, 1950).

In 1931 commercial centralized harvesting of wildfowl began at Divichi Liman, Karasy Marsh and Lenkoran Lowland and laterspread to Sangachal Bay, Mahmud-chala, Mortzo, Aggel and Sarisu. In 1931-1939 wildfowl were mostly harvested by sportsmenand occasional hunters delivering shot birds to government storing facilities, but teams of professional hunters were hired in 1939.In addition oilrig keepers collected oiled waterfowl for the government trade. In 1931 government facilities received c. 193,500 waterfowl, 201,000 in 1932, 70,500 in 1933, 37,000 in 1934, 21,000 in 1935, 148,000 in 1941 and 297,500 in 1942. However, Verestchagin (1950) suspected that 459,000 to 750,000 000 were harvested in the winter of 1942/1943 alone. It is very probableconsidering that each of 600 professional hunters was taking up to 1,000 ducks/year. In winter 1942/1943 two hunters harvested

7,000 coots per 15,000 shots at Divichi Liman (Verestchagin, 1950). Commercial wildfowl harvest persisted through the 1950s. Inthe early 1960s up to 70,000 coots were shot annually at Lake Aggel, and fewer at lake Sarisu (Vinogradov, 1967). Also in the early 1960s c. 225,000 shots a year were fired at Divichi Liman. At the liman coots accounted for c. 80% of the kill, 10% were diving ducks, 5% dabbling ducks and the remaining 5% were Great Crested Grebes, cormorants and geese (Tuaev, 1965).

In the early 1970s 43,000 hunters were registered in Azerbaijan (Vinogradov, 1974), but the present number is unknown. In 1989-1990 - i.e. at the beginning of civil disorders - all hunters were ordered to surrender their weapons to the authorities, but someprobably kept their guns. On the other hand poaching flourished. Poorly paid and equipped reserve staff and game wardens couldnot cope or were unwilling to fight poaching. In the early 1990s a reserve warden earned 80 roubles/month (which is less thanUS$1). Thus some of them turned to illegal hunting and fishing in protected areas or collected payoffs from poachers. However,large-scale poaching supplying food markets was a major threat to wintering wildfowl. In 1989-1990 at least 600-700 poachershunted in Kizil Agach Reserve alone killing thousands of wildfowl. In December 1990 a slaughter of coots took place in Shah SpitGame Preserve, Absheron Peninsula. On 13 December 1990 a big truck completely loaded with coots was spotted there. The

preserve guards were paid off and allowed poachers through (the preserve was gated). Shooting coots and swans from powerboats was widespread in the coastal waters of Absheron Peninsula. In the early 1990s poaching probably increased due to food shortagesin rural regions. Perhaps all wintering areas (including formerly protected sites) are heavily hunted these days (MP).

Urgent action is required to stop large-scale poaching in important bird areas (notably Kizil Agach Reserve) and protect unique wildfowl wintering grounds in Azerbaijan. Hunting pressure should also be decreased at Divichi Liman and Lake Sarisu. Thoroughplanning is required for sustainable wildfowl management outside protected areas. However, political instability, food shortages,corruption and unwillingness of government officials to act make accomplishment of these tasks very difficult.

WILDFOWL HUNTING IN AZERBAIJAN




The lowlands of central and southeastern Azerbaijan are characterized by mild winters (0oC to +5oC), with little or no snow, and

this makes them attractive to wintering birds. However, once every several years the lowlands experience a spell of cold weatherlasting from a few days to over 40 days. In such winters the temperature drops to -10 to -18o C, the depth of snow reaches 80-100cm, and lakes, marshes and even Kizil Agach Bays may freeze over. In Kizil Agach Reserve and Lake Aggel spells of cold weather were recorded from December to March, but more often in January. A list of notably cold winters includes 1924/25, 1938/39,1946/47, 1949/50, 1963/64, 1968/69, 1971/72, 1972/73, 1976/77, 1981/82, 1989/90 and 1995/96 (Mustafaev, 1964; Butiev etal., 1965; Vinogradov, 1967; Mustafaev et al., 1969; Tuaev, 1977; MP).

Cold winters are hard on wintering birds, especially grebes, Eurasian Bittern, Greater Flamingo, swans, Black Francolin, PurpleGallinule, Common Coot and Common Moorhen. During cold weather groups of Great Crested and Little Grebes and CommonCoots were seen gathering on ice and later freezing to death. Ice-fields drive ashore flocks of Greater Flamingo, sometimesknocking down weakened individuals. Others may freeze into ice (Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1960; Mustafaev et al., 1969). PurpleGallinules and Common Moorhens also fare poorly in cold weather. When ice and snow covers wetlands both species lose accessto food and starve. As a result some Purple Gallinules were seen trying to feed on carcasses of dead birds and animals. In Kizil

Agach Reserve the population of Purple Gallinule was completely eliminated in the winters of 1924/1925, 1946/1947 and 1963/64; very few made it through the winter of 1968/69. After the winter of 1946/47 this species was not seen in the reserve until 1953(Verestchagin, 1950; Tuaev, 1960; Mustafaev, 1964; Mustafaev et al., 1969). Also in the winter of 1963/64, 60-70% of PurpleGallinules and 95% of Common Moorhen perished at Lake Aggel (Vinogradov, 1967).

Large numbers of flamingo, swans, coots and other waterbirds died in the winters of 1924/1925 and 1938/1939. In the winter1946/47 waterfowl almost completely disappeared from Kizil Agach Reserve, and the lakes and marshes of Kura-Aras Lowland(Verestchagin, 1950). In 1949/50 ducks, coots and flamingo were dying in great numbers in Kizil Agach Reserve (Verestchagin,1950; Tuaev, 1960). After a cold spell in January 1964, 325 bird carcasses (25 species) were found in the reserve, e.g. 32 EurasianBitterns, 8 Purple Gallinules, 63 ducks (mostly Pintails), 60 Great Crested Grebe and dozens of Common Starlings (Mustafaev,1964). In 1969, >13,000 were found dead: 6,000 coots, >5,000 ducks, >1,000 flamingo and >1,000 swans. In cities and townspopulations of Common Starlings were decimated by 80%, House Sparrows by 40% and Rooks by 20%. Weakened Black Francolins,Chukars, Grey Partridges and Little Bustards were picked up by hand. Large numbers of birds were destroyed by dogs, cats,

Hooded Crows and gulls. Yellow-legged Gulls were seen successfully attacking Common Starlings and Hooded Crows preying on weakened flamingo (Mustafaev et al., 1969). After the cold spells of the winter of 1971/72 only 30% of wintering birds remainedat Varvara Reservoir, c. 17% at Shah Spit, c. 10% at Lake Aggel, less than 1% on Mingechaur Reservoir (Tuaev, 1977).

Appendix 5 IMPACT OF COLD WINTERS ON BIRDS




Appendix 6

Severe oil pollution of the Caspian Sea and some coastal areas (notably Absheron Peninsula) presents a serious threat to wintering

and migrating birds. Most probably, thousands perish annually in offshore oil spills, the polluted lakes of Absheron and elsewherein Azerbaijan. This problem has never been properly addressed by central or local authorities and has received little coverage inboth media and scientific publications. Verestchagin (1946) evaluated impacts of oil pollution on birds from the late 19th to the early 1940s, but no follow-up work was done. It is quite possible that authorities were not interested in publicizing this problem.Meanwhile birds of many species continue to die in oil.

Oil pollution was first recorded in Azerbaijan in the middle of 19th century and had become a common place occurrence in theearly 20th century. Natural events account for a small part of the pollution. For example some oil mixed with water, gas and mudis brought to the surface through natural eruptions of mud-volcanoes. In the 1930-1940s underwater eruptions occurred 3-4 kmoffshore from Kilazi and southwest of Zhiloyi (Chilov) Island. Eruptions of mud-volcanoes also occurred on the islands Kumani,Bulla, Svinoyi (Sangi-Mugan) and Glinanyi, and on the mainland between Siasan and Zorat, near Mt. Beshbarmak, Khurdalan andin Neftechala District. After eruptions on land oil accumulates in small ponds often mixed with water after heavy rains. Such water-and-oil mixtures often attract and kill passerine birds (larks and starlings), rodents (jirds, jerboas and hamsters) and also larger birds

like Avocet and Common Teal (Verestchagin, 1946).

However, the Caspian Sea and coastal areas were mostly clean until the beginning of oil exploration in Absheron Peninsula in1869. Since then, polluted waters pumped out from oil wells have created lifeless ponds covered with an oil film, and alsoseepage into some brackish lakes of Absheron Peninsula (e.g. Beuk-Shor and Krasnoe) and the Caspian Sea. In the 1930sseveral open oil storage facilities (reservoirs) were also built in the peninsula. Large number of wildfowl visiting those ponds,lakes and oil reservoirs were stuck in oil or contaminated and eventually died. Separators built to trap oiled water leaking from wells also turned into bird-traps (Verestchagin, 1946; MP). Oil leaking during transportation and storage added to the problem.In 1884, c. 40,000 tons of oil leaked into the Volga River from barges owned by Nobel (the founder of renowned Nobel Award). The spill spread from mid Volga to Baku in Azerbaijan (Verestchagin, 1946). Later, tankers often dumped their ballast waters into the Caspian Sea and oil leaks regularly occurred during loading and unloading, releasing tens of thousand tons of crude oil into the sea. Offshore drilling started in Azerbaijan in 1923. During 1923-1927 Bibi-Eibat Bay near Baku was filled into allow better access to oilfields. Drilling intensified in the 1960s, when a city-on-stilts - Neft-Dashlari (“the Oil Rocks”) - was

built in the sea east of Absheron. Later, invention of mobile offshore platforms allowed oil exploration and extraction throughoutthe Caspian Shelf and causing severe pollution in several areas. Pipelines connect some offshore facilities to the mainland andaccidents on pipelines were not uncommon (Verestchagin, 1946; MP).

A massive degradation of coastal marine environments was a consequence. In the Zikh area near Baku shrimp, mussels, birdand fish habitats were destroyed by the early 1930s. Oil film covered the water surface and coastal soils were soaked in oil. Southof Baku, oil film covering the sea bottom extended 3-4 km from the shore in some areas. Die-off of molluscs and other benthalorganizms occurred in the Shihov and Karadag area (south of Baku). By 1940 Zostera - an important food source for coots - was wiped out along the entire south shore of Absheron Peninsula and 30-35 km further south. Oil-jelly accumulating along theshoreline became a deadly trap for migrating shorebirds (Verestchagin, 1946). Although oil pollution in and around the AbsheronPeninsula was reduced in the 1970s-1980s, oil film was still a common sight in Baku Bay and adjacent beaches (MP). A water testconducted on beaches of the peninsula in 1989 revealed 0.09-0.37 mg of oil and oil-products/litre of seawater (0.05 or moremg/litre was deemed unsatisfactory). In areas where oiled waters leaked into the sea, seawater contained 1,653.8 mg/litre (T.

Djavanshir, pers. comm.).

The number of birds that expired in oil-polluted water bodies and killed by spills will never be known, but may add up to many millions. In 1938 and 1941 Verestchagin (1946) recorded 156 oiled birds of 39 species along the Caspian shore between DivichiLiman and Cape Sangachal, and 973 individuals (29 species) on lakes of Absheron Peninsula. Encountered oiled birds includedsuch rare species as Marbled Teal, Siberian Crane and Slender-billed Curlew (see table below). In addition 2 White-tailed SeaEagles and 1 Greater Spotted Eagle were found dead on the shore. Their plumage was clean, but they probably died of poisoning after feeding on oiled birds (Verestchagin, 1946).

IMPACT OF OIL POLLUTION ON BIRDS




In 1941 a 30 ha open oil storage facility was built north of Baku. In the winter of 1941/1942 security guards collected 12,000oiled birds there, 3,500 in winter 1942/1943, and 1,500 in 1943/1944. By December 1944 up to 303 bird carcasses/100 m of shoreline were recorded at the facility. In mid February 1945 a pipeline connecting Absheron Peninsula and Artem Island burst

during a peak of waterfowl migration. In a few hours thousands of tons of crude oil spilled into the sea killing thousands Tufted Ducks along the north shore of the peninsula. Later this oil drifted into Sangachal Bay and into rafts of wintering coots. A total of 30,000-35,000 waterfowl and coot died in the spill. Perhaps 20,000-25,000 birds perished annually because of oilpollution the 1930s-1940s (Verestchagin, 1946).

In 1977 up to 15,000 migrating waterfowl perished in oil mixed with mud on Lake Dashgel, 23 km north of Baku (Zakiev,1990). Accidents at oilrigs and pipelines still happen from time to time. During 9-10 February 1990 a leakage from an oil-refinery near Gum (Peshianyi) Island caused a large oil spill. The southerly wind drove the oil onto Zikh on the Absheroncoast. A total of 6,322 dead birds were found on the shore after the spill: 17 Black-throated Divers, 20 herons and egrets, 9Mute Swans, 5 Whooper Swans, 200 dabbling ducks, 1,000 diving ducks (mostly Tufted Duck and Common Pochard), 27Purple Gallinules, 5,000 Common Coots and 64 Yellow-legged Gulls. Great numbers of dead fish (e.g. European Carp,

Species Number

Great White Egret 2

Little Egret 1

Grey Heron 2

Eurasian Spoonbill 4

Siberian Crane 1 Water Rail 4

Crake Porzana sp. 1

Purple Gallinule 1

Golden Plover 1

Ringed Plover 7

Lapwing 1

Black-winged Stilt 1

Avocet 2

Wood Sandpiper 4

Redshank 3

Red-necked Phalarope 4

Ruff 5

Dunlin 8 Jack Snipe 2

Common Snipe 5

Eurasian Curlew 2

Slender-billed Curlew 1

Rock Dove 1

Little Owl 1

Sand Martin 1

Skylark 12

Crested Lark 12

Calandra Lark 38

Short-toed Lark 1

White Wagtail 2

Magpie 1Rook 1

Song Thrush 1

Warbler Sylvia sp. 3

Common Starling 17

Corn Bunting 2

Bunting Emberiza sp. 1

Total 156

Oiled birds recorded in 1938 and 1941 on lakes of Absheron

Peninsula (Verestchagin, 1946)

Oiled birds recorded in 1938 and 1941 along the Caspian

shore between Divichi and Sangachal (Verestchagin, 1946)

Species Number

Little Grebe 29

Great Crested Grebe 23

Pygmy cormorant 1

Greater Flamingo 1

Mute Swan 3Greylag Goose 4

Common Shelduck 1

Mallard 182

Common Teal 99

Gadwall 25

Eurasian Wigeon 8

Northern Pintail 6

Northern Shoveler 17

Garganey 12

Marbled Teal 1

Common Pochard 12

Tufted Duck 53

Velvet Scoter 3Goosander 1

Smew 3

Common Coot 466

Little Gull 3

Black-headed Gull 1

Yellow-legged Gull 1

Great Black-backed Gull 1

Black Tern 14

Barn Swallow 3

Total 973




Mullet and Asp) were also recorded (H. Bairamov, pers. comm.; Zakiev, 1990). More accidents happened in mid June 1999,e.g. at Cape Alat and Zenbil Island (Sultanov, 1999). Although only 100 dead birds (7 species), 7 seal and 2 sturgeons werefound (Sultanov, 1999) the actual number of casualties was undoubtedly many times greater. Sultanov (1999) also mentioneda decrease in numbers of gulls nesting on nearby islands.

Unknown numbers of waterbirds die annually in accidents at offshore drilling platforms. The Baku Zoo regularly received oiledducks, swans and other wildfowl in the 1970s-1980s (MP).

Pollution of the Caspian Sea presents a grave threat not only to birds, many endemic fish species, the endemic seal and uniquemarine environments, but also to the health of the human population residing along the Caspian shore (e.g. in the capital city of Baku). However, rehabilitation of the Caspian Sea is a very difficult task - achievable only with substantial financial and technologicalhelp from the international community.




Azeri and Russian Words Used in the Text

akhmas – a meander or oxbow ( Az .)

banka – extensive shallows (Rus.)

bidjar – a forest reservoir created by flooding a woodlot ( Az .)

bosdag – low semi-arid mountains ( Az .)

-chai – a river ( Az .)

-chala – a shallow depression flooded with water and overgrown with reeds (i.e., a marsh) ( Az .)

-dag – a mountain ( Az .)

-dash – a rock ( Az .)

-gaya – a cliff, a rock ( Az .)

-gel – a lake

istyl – a forest reservoir created by flooding a woodlot ( Az .)

koba, koby – a former river bed still filled with water ( Az .)

kobl – a dense cluster of reeds growing from a common root ( Az .)

liman – a shallow wetland, most often an overgrown sea lagoon ( Rus .)

shor – a saltpan ( Az .)

tugai – a riverine forest ( Az .)

Appendix 7 GLOSSARY




Names of places used in the present publication correspond with those used in Important Bird Areas in Europe by Heath & Evans

(2000). However, some atlases, e.g., National Geographic Atlas of the World (1995) and The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World (1999)use different names for various geographic locations in Azerbaijan. These discrepancies are probably a result of historic changes inthe way the Azeri language has been written - from the Arabic alphabet to Roman in the early 20 th century, then to a form of Cyrillic, and finally (in the 1990s) to a form of Roman script used in Turkey. I feel that the names used in the present publicationmost closely match Azeri pronunciation.

Appendix 8 GEOGRAPHIC NAMES

Agdam Agdash Aggel

Agjabedi Agsu Akstafa Alat Ali-Bairamli Aras ArtemBabadag Babek BakuBank BardaBazar-DuzuBeilaganBelokaniBichenek PassBilasuvar-chai (river)Chilov Dalidag DashkesanDivichiDjabrailDjalilabadDubrarEvlakhFisuliGabala (Kutkashen)GandjaGekchaiGobustan

HadjikabulHadjinourImishliIsmailly JulfaKahKapudjik Karadag Karasy KatekhKazakhKazi-MagomedKelbadjar

Birds of Azerbaijan

(this publication)

Important Bird Areas

in Europe (2000)

KhachmasKhaldanKhizi

KhudatKilaziKizil AgachKizil Agach Bay KubaKubatliKuraKurdamirKusariLachinLakiLenkoranMashtagaMingechaurMirbashirNakhichevanNeftechalaNizovayaPirsagatPirshagaSadarak SalianiSangachalSara IslandShah SpitShahbuzShahdag ShekiShemakhaShirvanShurabad

SiazanStepanakertSumgait Tauz Tazakend TurianchaiUdjari Vartashen (Oguz) Yashma Yukhari-ZakataliZangelanZiria

Ag ˘damg ˘ Aghdash, Ag ˘das Ag ˘göl

Aghjabädi, Ag ˘cabädi Aghsu

Agstafa Älät Äli Bayramli Araz ArtyomBabadag ˘Bäbak BakiBankäBärdäBazar DuyzuBeyläqanBalakänBichänäk Ashyrymy, Bich’anaki

Biläsuvar-çay Jiloy, Çiloy Dälidag ˘DashkäsänDävaçi JäbräyylCälilabadDübrar YevlaxFüzuliQäbäläGäncäGöyçay Qobustan

Haciqabul AcinohurImișliIsmayilliCulfaQakh, QaxQazangödag Qaradag QarasuKatexQazakhQazimämmädKäläcär

National

Geographic (1995),

Times (1999)

XaçmazXaldanKhizy XudatGiläziQizilag ˘acKirov KörfaziQubaQubadliKürKürdämirQusarLachyn, LaçinLyakiLänkäränMaștag ˘aMingäçevirMirbäshirNaxiçivan

NeftçalaNiyazobaPirsaatPirsagiSädäräk SalyanSängäçalSara Adasy Suiti BurunuShakhbuz, ȘahbuzShahdag ˘SäkiȘamaxiȘirvanShuraabad

SiyäzänXankändiSumqayit Tovuz Täzäkänd Türyançay UcarOg ˘uz Yasma Yuxari-Zakataly, ZaqatalaZangilanZyrya

Birds of Azerbaijan

(this publication)

Important Bird Areas

in Europe (2000)

National

Geographic (1995),

Times (1999)



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Accentor Alpine 232, 323, 341Radde’s 16, 20, 25, 232-233, 323, 364

Avocet 147-148, 162, 321, 327, 331, 333, 335-337, 354, 355

Bee-eaterBlue-cheeked 25, 193-194, 229, 322, 329-331, 341, 344,362European 190, 191-191, 221, 322, 334, 340, 341, 345,363, 365

Bittern

Eurasian 45-46, 319, 327, 329, 330, 334, 335, 337, 353Little 46, 108, 319, 329, 330, 332, 334, 335, 337

Blackbird 23, 26, 96, 246-247, 324, 332, 339-341, 345, 365Blackcap 255, 324, 341, 345Bluethroat 243, 324Brambling 276, 325Bullfinch 276, 280, 282-283, 325, 339Bunting

Black-headed 17, 26, 286-287, 325, 341, 362Corn 284, 290, 325, 329, 355Grey-headed 21, 25, 288, 325, 343Ortolan 287-288, 325Reed 286, 325, 332, 335

Rock 26, 285-286, 325, 341Rustic 20, 286, 325

Bushchat, Rufous 23, 182, 238-239, 313, 323, 329, 366Bustard

Great 17, 19, 22, 135-136, 321, 340, 344, 361, 368Houbara 21, 139, 321, 342Little 17, 21, 22, 26, 27, 94, 102, 114, 137-139, 321, 327,329-331, 340, 342, 344, 353, 361, 363, 368

BuzzardCommon 24, 25, 98, 320, 339, 341, 345Honey 24, 91, 320, 339, 340, 343, 345Long-legged 25, 26, 97, 295, 320, 341-344Rough-legged 97, 320

Chaffinch 96, 184, 275-276, 277, 280, 325, 339-341Chiffchaff 258, 324, 341

Caucasian 258-259, 324, 364Chough

Alpine 20, 103, 225, 323, 338, 339, 341Red-billed 224-225, 295, 323, 338, 342, 343

Chukar 22, 26, 29, 102, 103, 118-119, 320, 338, 340-344, 353,363

Coot, Common 17, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30, 35, 45, 94, 108, 132-135, 229, 294, 308, 312, 321, 327-338, 352-355, 363, 367

Index of English Names

CormorantGreat 20, 41-43, 319, 327, 329-331, 333-337, 344, 345,347-349, 362, 367, 368Pygmy 20, 25, 26, 43-45, 48, 312, 319, 327, 329-331, 334-338, 347-351, 355, 368

Corncrake 21, 26, 91, 129, 291, 321Courser, Cream-coloured 21, 163, 322Crake

Baillon’s 21, 129, 321Little 128, 321, 332, 363Spotted 114, 127-128, 321, 335, 337

CraneCommon 22, 125-126, 320, 344Demoiselle 20, 22, 126, 320, 344Sarus 126Siberian 19, 126, 320, 354, 355, 363, 368

Crossbill, Common 282, 325Crow

Carrion 21, 229, 323Hooded 22, 29, 43, 62, 93, 94, 110-113, 121, 132, 135,183, 186, 227-229, 309, 323, 347, 350, 353

Cuckoo, Eurasian 24, 25, 181-182, 214, 216, 239, 252, 322,338, 341, 345

Curlew

Eurasian 158-159, 321, 327, 333, 335, 355, 363Slender-billed 19, 20, 28, 160, 321, 333, 354, 355Stone 26, 139-140, 310, 321, 331, 341-344

Dipper, Common 230, 323, 339, 367Diver

Black-throated 20, 35, 319, 355Red-throated 20, 35, 319

Dotterel 20, 144, 321Dove

Collared 20, 22, 180, 322Laughing 22, 26, 181, 322Rock 23, 95, 97, 113, 114, 176-177, 179, 295, 322, 355,

364Stock 24, 178, 179, 322, 338, 339, 345 Turtle 96, 179-180, 291, 315, 322, 340, 345

Duck Ferruginous 20, 22, 83-84, 295, 319, 329, 330, 332, 334,335, 337, 366-368Long-tailed 20, 87, 320 Tufted 22, 26, 84-85, 86, 319, 327, 329, 331-335, 337, 355 White-headed 20, 29, 89-90, 94, 320, 329, 332, 334, 335,337, 366, 367

Dunlin 154, 155, 321, 355




Dunnock, European 231-232, 323, 339

EagleBonelli’s 21, 99, 320, 341, 361Booted 24, 25, 99, 320, 338-340, 342-344Golden 20, 24, 25, 101-102, 116, 119, 139, 320, 338-341,342, 343

Greater Spotted 22, 100, 320, 354Imperial 20, 26, 27, 101, 119, 309, 320, 339-342, 344,345, 366Lesser Spotted 26, 27, 100-101, 320, 339-341, 343-345Short-toed 20, 25, 26, 105-106, 320, 339-343Steppe 22, 99, 320, 344

EgretCattle 20, 49-50, 306, 319, 329, 330, 335-337, 347-351Great White 20, 50-51, 319, 327, 330, 331, 334-337, 347-349, 351, 355Little 20, 43, 51-52, 108, 113, 306, 319, 327, 329-331,334, 336, 337, 347-351, 355

Falcon, Red-footed 20, 111, 320Fieldfare 245, 324, 332, 341Finch

Crimson-winged 21, 25, 280, 325, 342Mongolian Trumpeter 21, 281, 325 Trumpeter 21, 25, 280-281, 325, 342, 343, 361

Flamingo, Greater 22, 60-62, 228, 319, 327-330, 332, 335, 336,353, 355, 363, 364, 368

FlycatcherPied 20, 260, 324Red-breasted 261, 324Semi-collared 260-261, 324Spotted 261-262, 324, 339, 340, 345

Francolin, Black 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 95, 119-121, 132, 290, 298,320, 329-331, 340, 344, 353, 361, 363, 364, 368

Gadwall 76-77, 114, 319, 327, 329, 330, 334, 335, 337, 355Gallinule, Purple 22, 29, 130-132, 294, 321, 327, 330-332, 334-

338, 353, 355, 361, 367Garganey 80, 81, 114, 319, 355Godwit

Bar-tailed 20, 161, 321, 337Black-tailed 160-161, 321, 327, 333, 335

Goldcrest 260, 324Goldeneye, Common 22, 87, 320, 329, 331, 333-335, 337Goldfinch 276, 277, 278-279, 280, 325, 339, 340, 345

Goosander 89, 320, 337Goose

Bean 21, 70, 319Greater White-fronted 68-69, 319, 327, 329, 330, 334-338Greylag 22, 66-68, 319, 327, 332, 336, 337, 355, 368Lesser White-fronted 69-70, 319, 327, 330, 336, 337, 364,367, 368Red-breasted 19, 29, 64-65, 319, 327, 330, 335, 361, 366Snow 21, 70-71, 319, 361

Goshawk 24, 94-95, 119, 121, 125, 229, 320, 338-341, 343, 344

GrebeBlack-necked 36-37, 319, 331, 335, 336, 337Great Crested 37-38, 319, 329-335, 337, 338, 352, 353,355, 367Red-necked 21, 37, 319, 333Slavonian 37, 319Little 35-36, 319, 329, 331-335, 337, 345, 353, 355

Greenfinch 23, 26, 277-278, 325, 339, 341Greenshank 150, 321, 327Grouse, Caucasian Black 20, 24-26, 29, 103, 114-116, 320,

338-343, 363, 365Gull

Armenian 169Black-headed 165-166, 322, 337, 355Black-tailed 169Common 169, 322Great Black-backed 20, 169, 322, 355Great Black-headed 22, 163-164, 322, 335, 337Herring 167, 368Lesser Black-backed 21, 167, 322

Little 164-165, 322, 332, 355Mediterranean 20, 22, 164, 307, 322, 334, 366, 368Slender-billed 20, 22, 26, 166-167, 311, 314, 322, 334,368 Yellow-legged 22, 26, 28, 167-168, 315, 322, 330, 332-353, 355, 362

HarrierHen 22, 106, 320, 331, 335Marsh 29, 59, 73, 74, 85, 107-108, 121, 132, 135, 320,327, 329-332, 335, 337, 347, 350Montagu’s 107, 320, 345Pallid 20, 22, 106-107, 320, 340

Hawfinch 283, 325, 339, 364Heron

Grey 52-54, 319, 327, 331, 335-337, 340, 344, 345, 347-349, 351, 355Night 20, 45, 47-48, 319, 329, 330, 336, 337, 347-351Purple 54, 135, 319, 329, 330, 332, 335-337, 351Squacco 20, 48-49, 108, 314, 319, 329, 330, 336, 337,347-351

Hobby 24, 25, 112, 224, 320, 338, 345Hoopoe 194-195, 322, 339, 341, 345

IbisGlossy 20, 25, 26, 34, 58-59, 108, 303, 319, 329-332, 336,

337, 347-351, 363Sacred 19, 25, 60, 319, 361

Jackdaw 225-226, 323 Jay, Eurasian 26, 121, 222-223, 323, 339-341, 345, 365

Kestrel 95, 109-110, 190, 192, 224, 228, 274, 320, 340, 341, 344Lesser 110-111, 224, 320, 340-344, 364

KingfisherCommon 190-191, 301, 322, 329, 337, 339, 343-345 White-breasted 21, 191, 322




KiteBlack 92-93, 119, 121, 228, 320, 337-345Red 21, 25, 91, 320, 342, 343

Kittiwake, Black-legged 21, 169, 322Knot 20, 156, 321

Lammergeier 20, 24-26, 103, 116, 320, 338, 339, 341-343, 361

Lanner 19, 26, 113, 320, 341, 361Lapwing 145-146, 321, 355

Red-wattled 21, 146, 321Lark

Bimaculated 16, 25, 208, 238, 323, 361Black 208, 323Calandra 26, 114, 207-208, 290, 300, 323, 329, 331, 341,355Crested 96, 205-206, 238, 284, 297, 301, 302, 323, 331,332, 340, 341, 355Lesser Short-toed 206-207, 297, 305, 323, 329, 331, 334Shore 24, 25, 209, 323Short-toed 206, 323, 329, 331, 355

White-winged 207, 208, 323Linnet 279-280, 286, 325

Magpie 93, 110-112, 119, 121, 183-186, 190, 219, 223-224,298, 309, 323, 341, 345, 355

Mallard 73-74, 77, 94, 114, 319, 327, 329, 330-338, 345, 355Martin

Crag 201, 323House 23, 202-203, 323Sand 200, 323, 355

MerganserCommon 89Red-breasted 20, 88-89, 320, 337

Merlin 111, 320Moorhen, Common 108, 129-130, 321, 329, 330, 332, 335,

345, 353

Nightingale 242, 243, 311, 324, 341, 345Nightjar, European 24, 187, 322, 340, 341, 345Nuthatch

Common 267-268, 325, 339, 343, 345Eastern Rock 21, 269, 325Rock 26, 268-269, 274, 310, 316, 325, 339, 341, 361

Oriole, Golden 218-219, 323, 341, 345, 364Osprey 19, 21, 90-91, 320

Ouzel, Ring 103, 245-246, 324, 365Owl

Eagle 20, 24, 25, 119, 125, 183, 322, 338-343Little 184, 322, 332, 341, 344, 355Long-eared 24, 185-186, 228, 322, 339, 344Scops 24, 182-183, 322, 339-341, 343-345Short-eared 20, 186, 322 Tawny 24, 25, 184-185, 322, 339, 341, 343, 345 Tengmalm’s 186

Oystercatcher 22, 148-149, 321

PartridgeGrey 26, 121-122, 320, 340, 343, 353, 363See-see 21, 119, 320

PelicanDalmatian 22, 26, 39-41, 319, 327, 330, 334-338, 366Great White 19, 26, 38-39, 319, 327, 330, 331, 334, 337

Peregrine 20, 24, 25, 74, 113-114, 121, 139, 320, 327, 338,

339, 342, 343Phalarope, Red-necked 153, 321, 355Pheasant, Common 19, 22, 25, 26, 29, 123-125, 320, 339-341,

343-345, 361, 363, 364Pigeon, Wood 178-179, 322, 339, 340, 345Pintail, Northern 78-79, 319, 327, 332, 334, 335, 337, 353, 355Pipit

Meadow 210-211, 213, 323Red-throated 21, 211, 323Richard’s 21, 209, 323 Tawny 209-210, 323

Tree 210, 323 Water 211, 323, 341

PloverCaspian 20, 143, 321Golden 141, 321, 355Greater Sand 20, 142-143, 321Grey 140, 321Kentish 143-144, 162, 174, 175, 297, 304, 305, 321, 330,331, 333Little Ringed 142, 294, 306, 321, 345Pacific Golden 21, 141, 321Ringed 141, 321, 355Sociable 20, 144, 321 White-tailed 20, 22, 26, 144-145, 147, 162, 321, 330, 334,335-337, 362, 368

PochardCommon 22, 82-83, 319, 327, 329-335, 337, 355Red-crested 22, 81-82, 295, 319, 327, 329-337, 367

PratincoleBlack-winged 20, 145, 147, 162, 322Collared 26, 142, 143, 145, 147, 161-162, 175, 297, 300,321, 331, 333, 334, 337, 363

Quail, Common 26, 91, 96, 122-123, 291, 320, 338

Rail, Water 94, 108, 127, 321, 329, 335, 337, 355Raven 104, 229, 292, 323, 339, 340, 341Redpoll, Common 21, 276, 280, 325

Redshank 150-151, 152, 321, 329, 355Spotted 151, 321

RedstartBlack 240, 324Common 239-240, 324, 339, 345Eversmann’s 21, 241, 324Güldenstadt’s 24, 25, 240-241, 324, 338, 339, 343

Redwing 247, 324, 341Reedling, Bearded 262-263, 296, 299, 324, 331, 332, 335, 367Robin 241-242, 324, 340

White-throated 17, 21, 25, 243, 324, 343, 364




Roller, European 24, 189-190, 221, 224, 322, 340, 341, 343-345Rook 43, 93, 110, 111, 114, 186, 226-227, 323, 332, 350, 353,

355, 361, 364Rosefinch

Common 281-282, 325Great 21, 24, 25, 282, 325, 338, 339

Ruff 153, 321, 355

Saker 20, 112-113, 139, 320, 343Sanderling 155, 321Sandgrouse

Black-bellied 20, 25, 26, 175-176, 322, 340-342, 344Pallas’s 21, 176, 322Pin-tailed 19, 176, 322

SandpiperBroad-billed 20, 156, 321Common 152, 321Curlew 150, 152, 154, 321, 333Green 149, 321Marsh 151, 321, 333

Pectoral 21, 156, 321 Terek 152, 154, 321, 333 Wood 149-150, 321, 355

Scaup, Greater 85-86, 319, 327, 331-333Scoter

Common 21, 86, 320 Velvet 20, 86, 320, 333, 355

Sea-EaglePallas’ 21, 94, 320 White-tailed 19, 22, 85, 93-94, 135, 320, 327, 335, 337,345, 354

Serin, Red-fronted 24, 25, 276-277, 280, 325, 338, 341Shearwater, Manx 38

Shelduck Common 71-72, 319, 330, 331, 333-338, 355Ruddy 72-73, 168, 319, 331, 333-338, 341

Shikra 21, 25, 96, 320Shoveler, Northern 79-80, 108, 319, 327, 329-332, 334, 335,

337, 355Shrike

Great Grey 218, 323Lesser Grey 182, 217, 323, 341Red-backed 182, 215-216, 217, 323, 341, 345, 363 Woodchat 182, 216, 315, 323

Siskin 278, 325, 339, 341Skua

Arctic 21, 163, 322Pomarine 21, 163, 322

Skylark 26, 96, 108, 203-204, 207, 208, 291, 323, 332, 340, 355Small 21, 204, 323

Smew 88, 320, 329, 334, 337, 338, 355Snipe

Common 111, 157-158, 321, 327, 332, 355Great 157, 321, 335 Jack 156-157, 321, 355

Snowcock Caspian 20, 25, 27, 117-118, 320, 341-343, 363

Caucasian 20, 24, 27, 102, 103, 116-117, 241, 320, 338,339, 365

Snowfinch 24, 25, 274-275, 325, 338Sparrow

House 22, 96, 190, 270-271, 276, 325, 353, 365Pale Rock 21, 25, 273-274, 325, 342, 343Rock 26, 274, 325, 342

Spanish 17, 22, 56, 221, 271-272, 325, 329, 362 Tree 26, 273, 325

Sparrowhawk 26, 95-96, 121, 320, 339-341, 343, 345Levant 20, 96, 320, 338, 340, 344

Spoonbill, Eurasian 20, 25, 26, 57-58, 59, 302, 319, 329, 330,332, 336, 347-351, 355, 367

Sprosser 21, 243, 324Starling

Common 23, 96, 114, 168, 190, 219-221, 222, 272, 274,323, 335, 341, 345, 353, 355Rose-coloured 221-222, 323, 344

Stilt, Black-winged 145, 146-147, 162, 321, 329-331, 333, 335-337, 355

StintLittle 153-154, 321 Temminck’s 21, 154, 321

Stonechat 233-234, 323Stork

Black 20, 26, 27, 56, 319, 343-345, 361 White 55-56, 271-273, 319, 342, 344, 363, 364

Swallow, Barn 201-202, 203, 271, 323, 355, 365Swan

Bewick’s 21, 64, 319Mute 22, 26, 62-63, 319, 327, 329, 331-336, 355, 356 Tundra 64 Whooper 26, 63-64, 319, 327, 331-335, 356

Swift Alpine 188, 322, 341Common 23, 188-189, 322, 338, 345, 365Little 21, 25, 189, 322, 342

TealMarbled 16, 19, 26, 29, 80-81, 319, 327, 329, 330, 335-337, 354, 355, 366Common 75-76, 81, 114, 319, 327, 329, 330-332, 334,335, 354, 355

TernBlack 22, 169-170, 322, 355Caspian 22, 172, 322

Common 22, 26, 142, 147, 151, 162, 172, 173-174, 175,301, 322, 333, 334, 337Gull-billed 22, 26, 171-172, 290, 303, 322, 331, 334Little 142, 145, 162, 174-175, 307, 322, 330, 331, 333,334, 345Sandwich 26, 76, 172-173, 313, 322, 333, 334 Whiskered 135, 171, 310,, 322, 329, 330 White-winged 135, 170, 322, 329

ThrushBlack-throated 244, 324, 341Blue Rock 244, 324




Mistle 249, 324, 339-341Rock 244, 324Song 248, 324, 339-341, 355

TitBlue 265-266, 324, 339, 340, 345Coal 265, 324, 339, 341, 343Crested 21, 265, 324

Great 26, 266-267, 324, 339-341, 345Hyrcanian 364Long-tailed 26, 263, 324, 340, 341, 343, 345Penduline 263-264, 311, 324, 330, 331Sombre 21, 25, 264, 324

TreecreeperEurasian 269-270, 325, 339, 343Short-toed 21, 25, 270, 325, 343

Turnstone, Ruddy 20, 156, 321 Twite 24, 25, 280, 325, 338, 341

VultureBlack 17, 26, 104, 316, 320, 338-343, 368

Egyptian 25, 26, 102-103, 113, 320, 339-344Griffon 25, 26, 105, 320, 338-343

WagtailCitrine 213, 323, 365Grey 182, 213-214, 323, 338-340 White 182, 213, 214, 323, 355 Yellow 211-212, 323

Wallcreeper 269, 325, 338 Warbler

Barred 254, 324Booted 253, 254, 324Cetti’s 250, 324, 335

Desert 21, 257, 324Garden 20, 255, 324Great Reed 182, 252-253, 324Green 259Greenish 259, 324Icterine 21, 253, 324Marsh 251-252, 324, 338Menetries’ 16, 17, 257, 308, 324, 329, 331, 364Moustached 251, 324Olivaceous 253-254, 324, 364Orphean 21, 255, 324Reed 108, 182, 252, 324River 20, 250, 324

Savi’s 21, 250, 324Scrub 21, 259, 324Sedge 251, 324Upcher’s 21, 254, 324 Western Grasshopper 21, 250, 324 Willow 258, 324 Wood 259

Waxwing 218, 323 Wheatear

Black-eared 235-236, 293, 323, 364Desert 21, 237, 323

European 234-235, 323, 338Finch’s 26, 236-237, 293, 323, 341Isabelline 26, 237, 304, 323, 329, 331, 338, 341Pied 235, 323, 364Red-tailed 21, 25, 237-238, 323, 342, 343

Whimbrel 159, 321 Whinchat 233, 323

WhitethroatCommon 256, 324, 345Hume’s Lesser 256Lesser 256, 324

Wigeon, Eurasian 77-78, 108, 114, 319, 327, 329, 330, 334,337, 355

Woodcock 29, 158, 321 Woodlark 204-205, 323, 341 Woodpecker

Black 24, 25, 197, 322, 338, 339Great Spotted 197-198, 199, 322, 339, 340, 343, 345Green 24, 25, 190, 196, 322, 339-341, 345Grey-headed 21, 197, 322

Lesser Spotted 20, 199-200, 322, 339, 343, 345Middle Spotted 199, 322, 339, 344, 345Syrian 198, 322, 343, 344 White-backed 21, 199, 322

Wren 230-231, 323, 339, 340 Wryneck 195-196, 322

Yellowhammer 276, 280, 285, 325




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Index of Scientific Names

Acanthis 279-280 Accipiter 94-96, 320 Accipitridae 91-108 Acrocephalus 249, 251-253, 324 Actitis 152, 321acuta, Anas 78-79, 319, 367 Aegithalidae 263 Aegithalos 263, 324 Aegolius 186 Aegypius 104, 316, 320aeruginosus, Circus 107-108, 132, 320

aethiopicus, Threskiornis 60, 319, 361affinus, Apus 189, 322 Alauda 203-204, 323 Alaudidae 203-209alba, Calidris 155, 321alba, Egretta 50-51, 319alba, Motacilla 214, 323albellus, Mergus 88, 320albicilla, Haliaeetus 93-94, 320albifrons, Anser 68-69, 319albifrons, Sterna 174-175, 307, 322 Alcedinidae 190-191 Alcedo 190-191, 301, 322

alchata, Pterocles 176, 322 Alectoris 118-119, 320alexandrinus, Charadrius 143-144, 297, 304, 305, 321alpestris, Eremophila 209, 323alpina, Calidris 155, 321althaea, Sylvia 256aluco, Strix 184-185, 322 Ammoperdix 119, 320 Anas 73-80, 319, 367 Anatidae 62-90angustirostris, Marmaronetta 16, 80-81, 319 Anser 66-70, 319, 367anser, Anser 66-68, 319

Anthropoides 126, 320 Anthus 209-211, 323antigonae, Grus 126apiaster, Merops 191-193, 322apivorus, Pernis 91, 320 Apodidae 188-189apricaria, Pluvialis 141, 321 Apus 188-189, 322apus, Apus 188-189, 322aquaticus, Rallus 127, 321 Aquila 99-102, 309, 320

arborea, Lullula 204-205, 323arctica, Gavia 35, 319 Ardea 52-54, 319 Ardeidae 45-54 Ardeola 48-49, 314, 319 Arenaria 156, 321argentatus, Larus 167-169armenicus, Larus 167, 169arquata, Numenius 158-159, 321arundinaceus, Acrocephalus 252-253, 324arvensis, Alauda 203-204, 291, 323

asiaticus, Charadrius 143, 321 Asio 185-186, 322ater, Parus . 265, 324, 324 Athene 184, 322atra, Fulica . 132, 294, 308, 312, 321, 363atricapilla, Sylvia 255, 308, 324atthis, Alcedo 190-191, 301, 322auritus, Podiceps 36-38, 319avosetta, Recurvirostra 147-148, 321 Aythya 82-86, 319, 367

badius, Accipiter 96, 320barbatus, Gypaetus 103, 320

bewickii, Cygnus 64, 319biarmicus, Falco 113, 320biarmicus, Panurus 262-263, 296, 299, 320bimaculata, Melanocorypha 16, 208, 323Bombycilla 218, 323Bombycillidae 218borin, Sylvia 255, 324Botaurus 45-46, 319brachydactyla, Calandrella 206, 323,brachydactyla, Carpospiza 273-274, 325brachydactyla, Certhia 270, 325brevipes, Accipiter 96, 320Bubo 183, 322

bubo, Bubo 183, 322Bubulcus 49-50, 306, 319Bucanetes 280-281, 325, 366Bucephala 87, 320buchanani, Emberiza 288, 325Burhinidae 139-140Burhinus 139-140, 310, 321Buteo 97-98, 295, 320buteo, Buteo 98, 320

cachinnans, Larus 167-168, 315, 322




caerulescens, Chen 70-71, 319caeruleus, Parus 265-266, 324calandra, Emberiza 284, 290, 325calandra, Melanocorypha 207-208, 290, 300, 323Calandrella 206-207, 297, 305, 323Calidris 96, 153-156, 321caligata, Hippolais 253, 324

campestris, Anthus 209-210, 323cannabina, Acanthis 279-280, 325canorus, Cuculus 181-182, 322canus, Larus 169, 322canus, Picus 197, 322canutus, Calidris 156, 321Caprimulgidae 187Caprimulgus 187, 322carbo, Phalacrocorax 41-43, 319Carduelis 278-279, 325carduelis, Carduelis 278-279, 325Carpodacus 281-282, 325Carpospiza 273-274, 325

caspia, Hydroprogne 172, 322caspius, Tetraogallus 117-118, 320, 363caucasicus, Tetraogallus 116-117, 320caudatus, Aegithalos 263, 324Cercotrichas 238-239, 313, 323Certhia 269-270, 325Certhiidae 269-270cervinus, Anthus 211, 323cetti, Cettia 249, 250, 324Cettia 249, 250, 324Charadriidae 140-146Charadrius 141-144, 150, 152, 321Chen 70-71, 319

cherrug, Falco 112-113, 320Chettusia 144-145, 321, 362Chlamydotis 139, 321Chlidonias 147, 169-171, 290, 310, 322Chloris 277-278, 325chloris, Chloris 277-278, 325chloropus, Gallinula 129-130, 321chrysaetos, Aquila 101-102, 320chukar, Alectoris 118-119, 320cia, Emberiza 285-286, 325Ciconia 55-56, 319ciconia, Ciconia 55-56, 319Ciconiidae 55-56

Cinclidae 230Cinclus 230, 323cinclus, Cinclus 230, 323cinerea, Ardea 52-54, 319cinerea, Motacilla 213-214, 323cinereus, Xenus 152, 321Circaetus 105-106, 320Circus 106-108, 132, 320citreola, Motacilla 213, 323citrinella, Emberiza 285, 325clanga, Aquila 100, 320

Clangula 87, 320clangula, Bucephala 87, 320clypeata, Anas 79-80, 319, 367Coccothraustes 283, 325coccothraustes, Coccothraustes 283, 325coelebs, Fringilla 275-276, 325colchicus, Phasianus 123-125, 320

collaris, Prunella 232, 323collurio, Lanius 215-216, 323collybita, Phylloscopus 258, 324Columba 176-179, 322columbarius, Falco 111, 320columbianus, Cygnus 64, 319Columbidae 176-181communis, Sylvia 256, 324Coracias 189-190, 322Coraciidae 189-190corax, Corvus 229, 292, 323cornix, Corvus 132, 227-229, 309, 323corone, Corvus 229, 323

Corvidae 222-229Corvus 132, 225-229, 292, 309, 323Coturnix 122-123, 291, 320coturnix, Coturnix 122-123, 291, 320crassirostris, Larus 169crecca, Anas 75-76, 319, 367Crex 129, 291, 321crex, Crex 129, 291, 321crispus, Pelecanus 39-41, 319cristata, Galerida 205-206,297, 301, 302, 323cristatus, Parus 265, 324cristatus, Podiceps 37-38, 319, 368Cuculidae 181-182

Cuculus 181-182, 322curruca, Sylvia 256, 324cursor, Cursorius 163, 322Cursorius 163, 322curvirostra, Loxia 282, 362cyaneus, Circus 106, 320Cygnus 62-64, 319cygnus, Cygnus 63-64, 319

decaocto, Streptopelia 180, 322Delichon 202-203, 323Dendrocopos 197-200, 322deserti, Oenanthe 237, 323

domesticus, Passer 270-271, 325Dryocopus 197, 322dubius, Charadrius 142, 294, 306, 321

Egretta 50-52, 306, 319Emberiza 284-288, 290, 325, 355Emberizidae 284-288epops, Upupa 194-195, 322Eremophila 209, 323Erithacus 241-242, 324erythrinus, Carpodacus 281-282, 325




erythrogaster, Phoenicurus 240-241, 324erythronotus, Phoenicurus 241, 324erythropus, Anser 69-70, 364, 367erythropus, Tringa 151, 321Eudromias 144, 321europaea, Sitta 267-268, 325europaeus, Caprimulgus 187, 322

excubitor, Lanius 218, 323

fabalis, Anser 70, 319 falcinellus, Limicola 156, 321 falcinellus, Plegadis 58-59, 303, 319Falco 109-114, 320Falconidae 109-114 familiaris, Certhia 269-270, 325 fasciatus, Hieraaetus 99, 320 ferina, Aythya 82-83, 319 ferruginea, Calidris 154, 321 ferruginea, Tadorna 72-73, 319Ficedula 260-261, 324

finschii, Oenanthe 236-237, 293, 323 flammea, Acanthis 280, 325 flammeus, Asio 186, 322 flava, Motacilla 211-212, 323 flavirostris, Acanthis 280, 325 fluviatilis, Locustella 250, 324Francolinus 119-121, 290, 298, 320, 361 francolinus, Francolinus 119-121, 290, 298, 320, 361Fringilla 275-276, 325Fringillidae 275-283 frugilegus, Corvus 226-227, 323Fulica 132, 294, 308, 312, 321, 363 fuligula, Aythya 84-85, 319

fulva, Pluvialis 141, 321 fulvus, Gyps 105, 320 funereus, Aegolius 186 fusca, Melanitta 86, 320 fuscus, Larus 167, 322

galactotes, Cercotrichas 238-239, 313, 323Galerida 205-206, 297, 301, 302, 323 gallicus, Circaetus 105-106, 320Gallinago 157-158, 321 gallinago, Gallinago 157-158, 321Gallinula 129-130, 321Garrulus 222-223, 323

garrulus, Bombycilla 218, 323 garrulus, Coracias 189-190, 322 garzetta, Egretta 51-52, 306, 319Gavia 35, 319Gaviidae 35Gelochelidon 171-172, 303, 322 genei, Larus 166-167, 311, 314, 322 gentilis, Accipiter 94-95, 320 githagineus, Bucanetes 280-281, 325, 366 glandarius, Garrulus 222-223, 323Glareola 161-162, 297, 300, 321-322

glareola, Tringa 149-150, 321Glareolidae 161-163 graculus, Pyrrhocorax 225, 323 gregaria, Chettusia 144, 321 griseigena, Podiceps 37, 319 griseogularis, Ammoperdix 119, 320Gruidae 125-126

Grus 125-126, 320, 363 grus, Grus 125-126, 320 gulgula, Alauda 204, 323 gutturalis, Irania 243, 324Gypaetus 103, 320Gyps 105, 320

Haematopodidae 148-149Haematopus 148-149, 321Halcyon 191, 322Haliaeetus 93-94, 320haliaetus, Pandion 90-91, 320heliaca, Aquila 101, 309, 320

hiaticula, Charadrius 141, 321Hieraaetus 99, 320Himantopus 146-147, 321himantopus, Himantopus 146-147, 321Hippolais 249, 253-254, 324Hirundinidae 200-203Hirundo 201-202, 323hirundo, Sterna 173-174, 301, 322, 368hispanica, Oenanthe 235-236, 293, 323hispaniolensis, Passer 271-272, 325hortensis, Sylvia 255, 324hortulana, Emberiza 287-288, 325hybridus, Chlidonias 171, 290, 310, 322

Hydroprogne 172, 322hyemalis, Clangula 87, 320hypoleuca, Ficedula 260, 324hypoleucos, Acrocephalus 152, 321hyrcanus, Parus 264, 364

ibis, Bubulcus 49-50, 306, 319ichthyaetus, Larus 163-164, 322icterina, Hippolais 253, 324iliacus, Turdus 247, 324indicus, Vanellus 146, 321inquieta, Scotocerca 259, 324interpres, Arenaria 156, 321

Irania 243, 324isabellina, Oenanthe 237-238, 304, 323Ixobrychus 46, 319

Jynx 195-196, 322

lagopus, Buteo 97, 320languida, Hippolais 254, 324Laniidae 215-218Lanius 215-218, 315, 323lapponica, Limosa 161, 321




Laridae 163-175Larus 163-169, 307, 311, 314, 315, 322, 368leschenaultii, Charadrius 142-143, 321leucocephala, Oxyura 89-90, 320, 366leucogeranus, Grus 126, 363, 320leucoptera, Melanocorypha 208, 323leucopterus, Chlidonias 170, 322

leucorodia, Platalea 57-58, 302,319leucoryphus, Haliaeetus 94, 320leucotos, Dendrocopos 199, 322leucura, Chettusia 144-145, 321, 362Limicola 156, 321Limosa 160-161, 321limosa, Limosa 160-161, 321livia, Columba 176-177, 295, 322lobatus, Phalaropus 153, 321Locustella 249, 250, 324lorenzii, Phylloscopus 258-259, 324Loxia 282, 362lugubris, Parus 264, 324

Lullula 204-205, 323Luscinia 242-243, 311, 324luscinia, Luscinia 243, 324Lusciniola 249, 251, 324luscinoides, Locustella 250, 324Lymnocryptes 156-157, 321

macronyx, Remiz 263macrourus, Circus 106-107, 320major, Dendrocopos 197-198, 322major, Parus 266-267, 324marila, Aythya 85-86, 319marinus, Larus 169, 322

Marmaronetta 16, 80-81, 319martius, Dryocopus 197, 322media, Gallinago 157, 321medius, Dendrocopos 199, 322megarhynchos, Luscinia 242, 311, 324 Melanitta 86, 320melanocephala, Emberiza 286-287, 325melanocephalus, Larus 164, 307, 322 Melanocorypha 16, 207-208, 290, 300, 323melanopogon, Lusciniola 251, 324melanotus, Calidris 156, 321melba, Tachymarptis 188, 322merganser, Mergus 89, 320

Mergus 88, 320Meropidae 194-195 Merops 191-194, 299, 322merula, Turdus 246-247, 324migrans, Milvus 92-93, 320 Milvus 91-93, 320milvus, Milvus 91, 320minimus, Lymnocryptes 156-157, 321minor, Dendrocopos 199-200, 322minor, Lanius 217, 323minuta, Calidris 153-154, 321

minutus, Ixobrychus 46, 319minutus, Larus 164-165, 322mlokosiewiczi, Tetrao 114-116, 320modularis, Prunella 231-232, 323monachus, Aegypius 104, 316, 320monedula, Corvus 225-226, 323mongolicus, Bucanetes 281, 325, 366

montanus, Passer 273, 325 Monticola 244, 324 Montifringilla 274-275, 325montifringilla, Fringilla 276, 325morinellus, Eudromias 144, 321 Motacilla 211-214, 323Motacillidae 209-214muraria, Tichodroma 269, 325 Muscicapa 261-262, 327Muscicapidae 260-262mystacea, Sylvia 16, 257, 308, 324

naevia, Locustella 250, 324

nana, Sylvia 257, 324naumanni, Falco 110-111, 320nebularia, Tringa 150, 321 Neophron 102-103, 320 Netta 81-82, 295, 319neumayer, Sitta 268-269, 310, 316, 325niger, Chlidonias 169-170, 322nigra, Ciconia 56, 319nigra, Melanitta 86, 320nigricollis, Podiceps 36-37, 319nilotica, Gelochelidon 171-172, 303,322nipalensis, Aquila 99, 320nisoria, Sylvia 254, 324

nisus, Accipiter 95-96, 320nitidus, Phylloscopus 259nivalis, Montifringilla 274-275, 325noctua, Athene 184, 322nordmanni, Glareola 162, 321 Numenius 158-160, 321 Nycticorax 47-48, 319nycticorax, Nycticorax 47-48, 319nyroca, Aythya 83-84, 295, 319, 367

ochropus, Tringa 149, 321ochruros, Phoenicurus 240, 324ocularis, Prunella 16, 232-233, 323, 364

oedicnemus, Burhinus 139-140, 310, 321Oenanthe 234-238, 293, 304, 323oenanthe, Oenanthe 234-235, 323oenas, Columba 178, 322olor, Cygnus . 62-63, 319onocrotalus, Pelecanus 38-39, 319orientalis, Pterocles 175-176, 322Oriolidae 218-219Oriolus 218-219, 323oriolus, Oriolus 218-219, 323ostralegus, Haematopus 148-149, 321




Otididae 135-139Otis 135-136, 321Otus 182-183, 322otus, Asio 185-186, 322Oxyura 89-90, 320, 366

pallida, Hippolais 253-254, 324

palumbus, Columba 178-179, 322 palustris, Acrocephalus 251-252, 324Pandion 90-91, 320Pandionidae 90-91Panurus 262-263, 296, 299, 320 paradoxus, Syrrhaptes 176, 322 parasiticus, Stercorarius 163, 322Paridae 264-267Parus 264-267, 324, 364 parva, Ficedula 261, 324 parva, Porzana 128, 321Passer 270-273, 325Passeridae 270-275

Pastor 221-222, 323Pelecanidae 38-41Pelecanus 38-41, 319 pendulinus, Remiz 263-264, 311, 324 penelope, Anas 77-78, 319, 367 pennatus, Hieraaetus 99, 320 percnopterus, Neophron 102-103, 320Perdix 121-122, 320 perdix, Perdix 121-122, 320 peregrinus, Falco 113-114, 320Pernis 91, 320 persicus, Merops 193-194, 299, 322Petronia 274, 325

petronia, Petronia 274, 325 phaeopus, Numenius 159, 321Phalacrocoracidae 41-45Phalacrocorax 4-451, 312, 319Phalaropus 153, 321Phasianidae 116-125Phasianus 123-125, 320Philomachus 153, 321 philomelos, Turdus 248, 324Phoenicopteridae 60-62Phoenicopterus 60-62, 319, 368Phoenicurus 239-241, 324 phoenicurus, Phoenicurus 239-240, 324

Phylloscopus 258-259, 324Pica 223-224, 298, 309, 323 pica, Pica 223-224, 298, 309, 323Picidae 195-200Picus 196-197, 322pilaris, Turdus 245 324

Podiceps 37, 319Podicipedidae 35-38 pomarina, Aquila 100-101, 320 pomarinus, Stercorarius 163, 322Porphyrio 130-132, 294, 321 porphyrio, Porphyrio 130-132, 294, 321Porzana 127-129, 321, 355

porzana, Porzana 127-128, 321 pratensis, Anthus 210-211, 323 pratincola, Glareola 161-162, 297, 300, 322Procellariidae 38Prunella 16, 231-233, 323, 364Prunellidae 231-233Pterocles 175-176, 322Pteroclididae 175-176Puffinus 38 puffinus, Puffinus 38 pugnax, Philomachus 153, 321 purpurea, Ardea 54, 319 pusilla, Porzana 129, 321

pusillus, Serinus 276-277, 325 pygargus, Circus 107, 320 pygmaeus, Phalacrocorax 43-45, 312, 319 pyrrhocorax , Pyrrhocorax 224-225, 295, 323Pyrrhocorax 224-225, 295, 323Pyrrhula 282-283, 325 pyrrhula, Pyrrhula 282-283, 325

querquedula, Anas 80, 319

Rallidae 127-135ralloides, Ardeol a 48-49, 314, 319Rallus 127, 321

Recurvirostra 147-148, 321Recurvirostridae 146-148Regulidae 260Regulus 260, 324regulus, Regulus 260, 324Remiz 263-264, 311, 324Remizidae 263-264Rhodopechys 280, 325richardi, Anthus 209, 323ridibundus, Larus 165-166, 322, 368Riparia 200, 323riparia, Riparia 200, 323Rissa 169, 322

roseus, Pastor 221-222, 323rubecula, Erithacus 241-242, 324ruber, Phoenicopterus 60-62, 319, 368rubetra, Saxicola 233, 323rubicilla, Carpodacus 282, 325rufescens, Calandrella 206-207 297 305, 323

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The Birds of Azerbaijan