Country/territory: Azerbaijan
IBA Criteria met: A3, B2 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria please click here
Area: 7,000 ha
Site description
High mountains of the Little Caucasus (including Mount Kukudag, 3,120 m) with alpine meadows, ravines, precipices, etc. and the Bichenek high-altitude forest. Land-uses include sheep- and cattle-grazing, and mining.
Key biodiversity
The alpine and subalpine zones support at least one of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus. Other breeding raptors include Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, Neophron percnopterus, Aquila chrysaetos (possibly breeds) and Bubo bubo.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Shahbuz area. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 28/01/2023.