Data Zone
Country/territory: Azerbaijan
IBA criteria met: A4i, B1i, B2 (2000)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 250 hectares (2.50 km2)
Site description (2000 baseline)
The Pirsagat islands (six main limestone ones and many smaller rocks) form part of the Baku archipelago (which also includes the volcanic Los island) and extend as a chain from the Cape of Pirsagat into the Caspian Sea. They are rented by the Hunters' Society of Azerbaijan. There was formerly oil-drilling on Los island.
Key biodiversity
A total of about 5,500-6,000 pairs of seabird breed; 4,000+ on Pelikanyi, 1,000+ on Baburyi, 300 on Los. Gulls in 1989 included 28 pairs of Larus melanocephalus (the only colony in the Caspian Sea) and other breeding terns in the same year were Gelochelidon nilotica (75 pairs; first recorded breeding in Azerbaijan), Sterna hirundo (1,000+ pairs) and S. albifrons (25 pairs). Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Branta ruficollis (vagrant, probably a common migrant formerly).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Pirsagat Islands and Los Island (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/pirsagat-islands-and-los-island-iba-azerbaijan on 23/12/2024.