Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
The lower foothills of the Great Caucasian mountains, with a few patches of broadleaved forest (mainly in the central part), with bushes and scrub in the river valleys. Land-uses include sheep- and cattle-grazing and some cultivation/arable farming.
A wintering area for
Tetrax tetrax, most of which occur outside the Game Reserve. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Aegypius monachus (visitor throughout the year, formerly bred),
Circus macrourus (non-breeding summer visitor),
Aquila heliaca (breeds),
Falco naumanni (status uncertain, probably breeds),
Crex crex (common on passage in some years),
Otis tarda (extremely rare on migration and in winter). Among breeding raptors are
Milvus migrans,
Circaetus gallicus,
Accipiter brevipes and
Aquila pomarina, while
Aquila nipalensis is common on passage.
Phasianus colchicus and
Alectoris chukar are very common;
Francolinus francolinus is rare.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are poaching of
Tetrax tetrax and
Phasianus colchicus, excessive grazing in some areas and illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat).
National Partial
International NoneAbout half of the IBA is covered by a Game Reserve.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sheki upland (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sheki-upland-iba-azerbaijan on 23/11/2024.
