One of the highest mountains in Azerbaijan (4,243 m) with ravines, cliffs, alpine and subalpine meadows, glaciers and eternal snow. Land-uses include sheep-grazing and mountaineering.
Key biodiversity
The alpine and subalpine zones support at least four of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. The site also supports breeding raptors (Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, etc.) and, among passerines, Cinclus cinclus, Phoenicurus erythrogaster and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (possibly breeds), Aquila heliaca (possibly breeds).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats include intensive grazing and some poaching. There was a plan to designate the area as a National Park.
Protected areas
National None International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Mount Shahdag. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2023.
