High mountainous region (includes the peaks of Titov Vrh, Popova Šapka, and Kobilica), with river gorges, cliffs and rocky hillsides, alpine pastures, and woodland (coniferous and deciduous). Land-uses include cattle-grazing and forestry. The area extends into Kosovo (the given area of 12,000 ha includes the part in Kosovo).
Key biodiversity
Other breeding species include Pernis apivorus (1-2 pairs), Falco peregrinus (1 pair), Bonasa bonasia, Alectoris graeca, Dryocopus martius, Saxicola rubetra, Lanius collurio and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (50-100 pairs), and possibly include Tetrao urogallus, Strix uralensis, Aegolius funereus, Dendrocopos leucotos, Picoides tridactylus and Pyrrhocorax graculus. Gypaetus barbatus (1) and Gyps fulvus (15-20) also occur.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is uncontrolled hunting in the Macedonian part, and forestry practices and road building are adversely affecting the area. The area is a proposed Regional Park.
Protected areas
National None International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2021) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Shar Planina Mountain. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 04/08/2021.
