Data Zone
Country/territory: Georgia
IBA criteria met: A2, A3 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 27,922 ha
Site description (2000 baseline)
An area on the southern slopes of the main Caucasus range, including the upper valley of the River Patara-Liakhvi, which divides the site in two. The relief is complex, with numerous gorges, etc., and the principal habitat is forest, predominantly of Fagus (between 1,000 and 1,700 m), also Betula, Quercus, Carpinus and some Alnus, Fraxinus and Corylus.
Key biodiversity
The avifauna includes at least three of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. At least 71 species have been recorded at this site, including Aquila chrysaetos (possibly 1-2 breeding pairs) and, among other raptors, 3-4 owl species; Actitis hypoleucos and up to five species of woodpeckers also breed. Passerines are well represented, with Phylloscopus nitidus in forests and Eremophila alpestris and Anthus spinoletta higher up in meadows.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Liakhvi (Georgia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/liakhvi-iba-georgia on 22/11/2024.