List of birds of Azerbaijan

This is a list of the bird species found in Azerbaijan. The bird fauna of Azerbaijan include a total of 371 species, of which 9 are rare or accidental.

• (A) Accidental - a species that rarely or accidentally occurs in Azerbaijan.

Divers

Order: Gaviiformes   Family: Gaviidae

Divers, known as loons in the U.S., are a group of aquatic birds found in many parts of North America and northern Europe. They are the size of a large duck or a small goose, which they somewhat resemble when swimming, but to which they are completely unrelated. There are 5 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Red-throated diver, Gavia stellata
• Arctic diver, Gavia arctica

Grebes

Order: Podicipediformes   Family: Podicipedidae

Grebes are small to medium-large freshwater (lakes, ponds and rivers) diving birds. They have rounded toes and are excellent swimmers and divers. However, they have their feet placed far back on the body, causing them not to walk easily on land. There are 20 species worldwide and 5 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Little grebe, Tachybaptus ruficollis
• Red-necked grebe, Podiceps grisegena
• Great crested grebe, Podiceps cristatus
• Horned grebe, Podiceps auritus
• Eared grebe, Podiceps nigricollis

Cormorants

Order: Suliformes   Family: Phalacrocoracidae

Phalacrocoracidae is a family of medium to large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that includes cormorants and shags. Plumage coloration varies, with the majority having mainly dark plumage, some species being black-and-white and a few being colorful.

• Great cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo
• Pygmy cormorant, Microcarbo pygmeus

Pelicans

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Pelecanidae

Pelicans are large water birds with a distinctive pouch under their beak. As with other members of the order Pelecaniformes, they have feet with four connected toes. There are 8 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Great white pelican, Pelecanus onocrotalus
• Dalmatian pelican, Pelecanus crispus

Bitterns, herons and egrets

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Ardeidae

The family Ardeidae contains the bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large wading birds with long necks and legs. Bitterns tend to be shorter necked and more shy. Members of Ardeidae fly with their necks retracted, unlike other long-necked birds such as storks, ibises and spoonbills.

• Grey heron, Ardea cinerea
• Purple heron, Ardea purpurea
• Great egret, Ardea alba
• Little egret, Egretta garzetta
• Squacco heron, Ardeola ralloides
• Cattle egret, Bubulcus ibis
• Black-crowned night heron, Nycticorax nycticorax
• Great bittern, Botaurus stellaris

Ibises and spoonbills

Order: Pelecaniformes   Family: Threskiornithidae

Threskiornithidae is a family of large terrestial and wading birds which includes the ibises and spoonbills. They have long, broad wings with 11 primary and about 20 secondary feathers. They are strong fliers and despite their size and weight, they fly very high.

• Sacred ibis, Threskiornis aethiopicus
• Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus
• Eurasian spoonbill, Platalea leucorodia

Storks

Order: Ciconiiformes   Family: Ciconiidae

Storks are large, long-legged, long-necked, wading birds with a long and thin bill. Storks are mute, but bill-clattering is an important mode of communication at the nest. Their nests can be large and may be reused for many years. Many species are migratory.

• Black stork, Ciconia nigra
• White stork, Ciconia ciconia

Flamingos

Order: Phoenicopteriformes   Family: Phoenicopteridae

Flamingos are wading birds, usually 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 m) tall, found in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Flamingos feed on shellfish and algae. Their oddly shaped beaks are specially adapted to separate mud and silt from the food they eat and, uniquely, are used upside-down. There are 6 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Greater flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus

Ducks, geese and swans

Order: Anseriformes   Family: Anatidae

Anatidae includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl, such as geese and swans. These birds are adapted to an aquatic life with webbed feet, flattened bills, and feathers that are excellent at shedding water due to an oily coating. There are 131 species worldwide and 31 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Mute swan, Cygnus olor
• Whooper swan, Cygnus cygnus
• Tundra swan, Cygnus columbianus
• Greater white-fronted goose, Anser albifrons
• Lesser white-fronted goose, Anser erythropus
• Greylag goose, Anser anser
• Snow goose, Anser caerulescens (A)
• Red-breasted goose, Branta ruficollis
• Ruddy shelduck, Tadorna ferruginea
• Common shelduck, Tadorna tadorna
• Eurasian wigeon, Mareca penelope
• Gadwall, Mareca strepera
• Green-winged teal, Anas crecca
• Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos
• Northern pintail, Anas acuta
• Garganey, Spatula querquedula
• Northern shoveler, Spatula clypeata
• Marbled teal, Marmaronetta angustirostris
• Red-crested pochard, Netta rufina
• Common pochard, Aythya ferina
• Ferruginous pochard, Aythya nyroca
• Tufted duck, Aythya fuligula
• Greater scaup, Aythya marila
• Long-tailed duck, Clangula hyemalis (A)
• Common scoter, Melanitta nigra (A)
• Velvet scoter, Melanitta fusca
• Common goldeneye, Bucephala clangula
• Smew, Mergellus albellus
• Red-breasted merganser, Mergus serrator
• Common merganser, Mergus merganser
• White-headed duck, Oxyura leucocephala

Osprey

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Pandionidae

The family Pandionidae has only one species, the osprey. The osprey is a medium-large raptor which is a fish-eater with a worldwide distribution.

• Osprey, Pandion haliaetus

Hawks, kites and eagles

Order: Accipitriformes   Family: Accipitridae

Accipitridae is a family of birds of prey, which includes hawks, eagles, kites, harriers and Old World vultures. These birds have powerful hooked beaks for tearing flesh from their prey, strong legs, powerful talons and very good eyesight.

• European honey buzzard, Pernis apivorus
• Red kite, Milvus milvus
• Black kite, Milvus migrans
• Pallas's fish eagle, Haliaeetus leucoryphus (A)
• White-tailed eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla
• Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus
• Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus
• Eurasian griffon, Gyps fulvus
• Cinereous vulture, Aegypius monachus
• Short-toed snake eagle, Circaetus gallicus
• Western marsh harrier, Circus aeruginosus
• Hen harrier, Circus cyaneus
• Pallid harrier, Circus macrourus
• Montagu's harrier, Circus pygargus
• Shikra, Accipiter badius
• Levant sparrowhawk, Accipiter brevipes
• Eurasian sparrowhawk, Accipiter nisus
• Northern goshawk, Accipiter gentilis
• Eurasian buzzard, Buteo buteo
• Long-legged buzzard, Buteo rufinus
• Rough-legged hawk, Buteo lagopus
• Lesser spotted eagle, Clanga pomarina
• Greater spotted eagle, Clanga clanga
• Steppe eagle, Aquila nipalensis
• Imperial eagle, Aquila heliaca
• Golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos
• Bonelli's eagle, Aquila fasciata
• Booted eagle, Hieraaetus pennatus

Caracaras and falcons

Order: Falconiformes   Family: Falconidae

Falconidae is a family of diurnal birds of prey. They differ from hawks, eagles and kites in that they kill with their beaks instead of their talons. There are 62 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Lesser kestrel, Falco naumanni
• Eurasian kestrel, Falco tinnunculus
• Red-footed falcon, Falco vespertinus
• Merlin, Falco columbarius
• Eurasian hobby, Falco subbuteo
• Lanner falcon, Falco biarmicus
• Saker falcon, Falco cherrug
• Peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus

Pheasants and partridges

Order: Galliformes   Family: Phasianidae

The Phasianidae are a family of terrestrial birds. In general, they are plumb (although they vary in size) and have broad, relatively short wings.

• Caucasian snowcock, Tetraogallus caucasicus
• Caspian snowcock, Tetraogallus caspius
• Chukar, Alectoris chukar
• Black francolin, Francolinus francolinus
• Grey partridge, Perdix perdix
• Common quail, Coturnix coturnix
• Ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus
• Caucasian grouse, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi

Cranes

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Gruidae

Cranes are large, long-legged and long-necked birds. Unlike the similar-looking but unrelated herons, cranes fly with necks outstretched, not pulled back. Most have elaborate and noisy courting displays or "dances". There are 15 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Demoiselle crane, Anthropoides virgo
• Siberian crane, Grus leucogeranus
• Common crane, Grus grus

Rails, crakes, gallinules and coots

Order: Gruiformes   Family: Rallidae

Rallidae is a large family of small to medium-sized birds which includes the rails, crakes, coots and gallinules. Typically they inhabit dense vegetation in damp environments near lakes, swamps or rivers. In general they are shy and secretive birds, making them difficult to observe. Most species have strong legs and long toes which are well adapted to soft uneven surfaces. They tend to have short, rounded wings and to be weak fliers. There are 143 species worldwide and 8 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Water rail, Rallus aquaticus
• Corn crake, Crex crex
• Little crake, Porzana parva
• Baillon's crake, Porzana pusilla
• Spotted crake, Porzana porzana
• Grey-headed swamphen, Porphyrio poliocephalus
• Common moorhen, Gallinula chloropus
• Eurasian coot, Fulica atra

Bustards

Order: Otidiformes   Family: Otididae

Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays.

• Great bustard, Otis tarda
• Houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata
• Little bustard, Tetrax tetrax

Oystercatchers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Haematopodidae

The oystercatchers are large and noisy plover-like birds, with strong bills used for smashing or opening the shells of molluscs. There are 11 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus

Avocets and stilts

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Recurvirostridae

Recurvirostridae is a family of large wading birds, which includes the avocets and stilts. The avocets have long legs and long up-curved bills. The stilts have extremely long legs and long, thin, straight bills. There are 9 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Black-winged stilt, Himantopus himantopus
• Pied avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

Thick-knees

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Burhinidae

The thick-knees are a group of largely tropical waders in the family Burhinidae. They are found worldwide within the tropical zone, with some species also breeding in temperate Europe and Australia. They are medium to large waders with strong black or yellow-black bills, large yellow eyes and colorful plumage. Despite being classed as waders, most species live in arid or semi-arid habitats. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian thick-knee, Burhinus oedicnemus

Pratincoles and coursers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Glareolidae

Glareolidae is a family of wading birds including the pratincoles, which have short legs, long pointed wings and long forked tails, and the coursers, which have long legs, short wings and long, pointed bills which curve downwards. There are 17 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Collared pratincole, Glareola pratincola
• Black-winged pratincole, Glareola nordmanni

Plovers and lapwings

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Charadriidae

The family Charadriidae includes the plovers, dotterels and lapwings. They are small to medium-sized birds with short, thick necks and long, usually pointed, wings. They are found in open country worldwide, mostly in habitats near water. There are 66 species worldwide and 12 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Northern lapwing, Vanellus vanellus
• Red-wattled lapwing, Vanellus indicus (A)
• Sociable lapwing, Vanellus gregarius
• White-tailed lapwing, Vanellus leucurus
• European golden plover, Pluvialis apricaria
• Black-bellied plover, Pluvialis squatarola
• Common ringed plover, Charadrius hiaticula
• Little ringed plover, Charadrius dubius
• Kentish plover, Charadrius alexandrinus
• Greater sandplover, Charadrius leschenaultii
• Caspian plover, Charadrius asiaticus
• Eurasian dotterel, Charadrius morinellus

Sandpipers and allies

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Scolopacidae

Scolopacidae is a large diverse family of small to medium-sized shorebirds including the sandpipers, curlews, godwits, shanks, tattlers, woodcocks, snipes, dowitchers and phalaropes. The majority of these species eat small invertebrates picked out of the mud or soil. Variation in length of legs and bills help many species to feed in the same habitat, particularly on the coast, without direct competition for food. There are 27 species which have been recorded in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian woodcock, Scolopax rusticola
• Jack snipe, Lymnocryptes minimus
• Great snipe, Gallinago media
• Common snipe, Gallinago gallinago
• Black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa
• Bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica
• Whimbrel, Numenius phaeopus
• Slender-billed curlew, Numenius tenuirostris (A)
• Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata
• Spotted redshank, Tringa erythropus
• Common redshank, Tringa totanus
• Marsh sandpiper, Tringa stagnatilis
• Common greenshank, Tringa nebularia
• Green sandpiper, Tringa ochropus
• Wood sandpiper, Tringa glareola
• Terek sandpiper, Xenus cinereus
• Common sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucos
• Ruddy turnstone, Arenaria interpres
• Red knot, Calidris canutus
• Sanderling, Calidris alba
• Little stint, Calidris minuta
• Temminck's stint, Calidris temminckii
• Curlew sandpiper, Calidris ferruginea
• Dunlin, Calidris alpina
• Broad-billed sandpiper, Calidris falcinellus
• Ruff, Calidris pugnax
• Red-necked phalarope, Phalaropus lobatus

Skuas and jaegers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Stercorariidae

The family Stercorariidae are, in general, medium to large birds, typically with grey or brown plumage, often with white markings on the wings. They nest on the ground in temperate and arctic regions and are long-distance migrants. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Pomarine jaeger, Stercorarius pomarinus

Gulls, terns, and skimmers

Order: Charadriiformes   Family: Laridae

Laridae is a family of medium to large seabirds, the gulls, terns, and skimmers. Gulls are typically grey or white, often with black markings on the head or wings. They have broad, longish bills and webbed feet. Terns are a group of generally medium to large seabirds typically with grey or white plumage, often with black markings on the head. Most terns hunt fish by diving but some pick insects off the surface of fresh water. Terns are generally long-lived birds, with several species known to live more than 30 years.

• Common gull, Larus canus
• Lesser black-backed gull, Larus fuscus
• Heuglin's gull, Larus heuglini
• Caspian gull, Larus cachinnans
• Yellow-legged gull, Larus michahellis
• Armenian gull, Larus armenicus
• Pallas's gull, Ichthyaetus ichthyaetus
• Mediterranean gull, Ichthyaetus melanocephalus
• Black-headed gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus
• Slender-billed gull, Chroicocephalus genei
• Little gull, Hydrocoloeus minutus
• Gull-billed tern, Gelochelidon nilotica
• Caspian tern, Hydroprogne caspia
• Sandwich tern, Thalasseus sandvicensis
• Common tern, Sterna hirundo
• Little tern, Sternula albifrons
• Whiskered tern, Chlidonias hybrida
• White-winged tern, Chlidonias leucopterus
• Black tern, Chlidonias niger

Sandgrouse

Order: Pterocliformes   Family: Pteroclidae

Sandgrouse have small, pigeon like heads and necks, but plumb bodies. They have long pointed wings and sometimes tails and a fly fast. Flocks fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk. Their legs are feathered down to the toes. There are 16 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Pin-tailed sandgrouse, Pterocles alchata (A)
• Black-bellied sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis

Pigeons and doves

Order: Columbiformes   Family: Columbidae

Pigeons and doves are plumb-bodied birds with short necks and short slender bills with a fleshy cere.

• Rock dove, Columba livia
• Stock dove, Columba oenas
• Common wood pigeon, Columba palumbus
• European turtle dove, Streptopelia turtur
• Eurasian collared dove, Streptopelia decaocto
• Laughing dove, Spilopelia senegalensis

Cuckoos and anis

Order: Cuculiformes   Family: Cuculidae

The family Cuculidae includes cuckoos, roadrunners and anis. These birds are of different sizes with slender bodies, long tails and strong legs. There are 138 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Common cuckoo, Cuculus canorus

Barn owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Tytonidae

Barn owls are medium to large owls with large heads and characteristic heart-shaped faces. They have long strong legs with powerful talons. There are 16 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Barn owl, Tyto alba

Typical owls

Order: Strigiformes   Family: Strigidae

The typical owls are small to large solitary nocturnal birds of prey. They have large forward-facing eyes and ears, a hawk-like beak and a circle of feathers around each eye called a facial disk.

• Eurasian scops owl, Otus scops
• Eurasian eagle-owl, Bubo bubo
• Tawny owl, Strix aluco
• Little owl, Athene noctua
• Boreal owl, Aegolius funereus
• Long-eared owl, Asio otus
• Short-eared owl, Asio flammeus

Nightjars

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Caprimulgidae

Nightjars are medium-sized nocturnal birds that usually nest on the ground. They have long wings, short legs and very short bills. Most have small feet, of little use for walking, and long pointed wings. Their soft plumage is camouflaged to resemble bark or leaves. There are 86 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian nightjar, Caprimulgus europaeus

Swifts

Order: Caprimulgiformes   Family: Apodidae

Swifts are small birds which spend the majority of their lives flying. These birds have very short legs and never settle voluntarily on the ground, perching instead only on vertical surfaces. Many swifts have long swept-back wings which resemble a crescent or boomerang.

• Alpine swift, Tachymarptis melba
• Common swift, Apus apus
• Little swift, Apus affinis

Kingfishers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Alcedinidae

• Common kingfisher, Alcedo atthis
• White-throated kingfisher, Halcyon smyrnensis

Bee-eaters

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Meropidae

The bee-eaters are a group of birds in the family Meropidae. Most species are found in Africa but others occur in southern Europe, Madagascar, Australia and New Guinea. They are characterized by richly colored plumage, slender bodies and usually long central tail feathers. All are colorful and have long downturned bills and pointed wings, which give them a swallow-like appearance when seen from afar. There are 26 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Blue-cheeked bee-eater, Merops persicus
• European bee-eater, Merops apiaster

Typical rollers

Order: Coraciiformes   Family: Coraciidae

Rollers resemble crows in size and build, but are more closely related to the kingfishers and bee-eaters. They share the colorful appearance of those groups with blues and browns being more common. The two inner front toes are connected, but the outer toe is not. There are 12 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• European roller, Coracias garrulus

Hoopoes

Order: Bucerotiformes   Family: Upupidae

Hoopoes have black, white and orangey-pink coloring with a large crest on their head. There are 2 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Hoopoe, Upupa epops

Woodpeckers and allies

Order: Piciformes   Family: Picidae

Woodpeckers are small to medium-sized birds with chisel-like beaks, short legs, stiff tails and long tongues used for capturing insects. Some species have feet with two toes pointing forward and two backward, while several species have only three toes. Many woodpeckers have the habit of tapping noisily on tree trunks with their beaks.

• Eurasian wryneck, Jynx torquilla
• Lesser spotted woodpecker, Dryobates minor
• Middle spotted woodpecker, Dendrocoptes medius
• White-backed woodpecker, Dendrocopos leucotos
• Great spotted woodpecker, Dendrocopos major
• Syrian woodpecker, Dendrocopos syriacus
• Black woodpecker, Dryocopus martius
• European green woodpecker, Picus viridis

Larks

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Alaudidae

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often diverse songs and display flights. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. Their food is insects and seeds.

• Calandra lark, Melanocorypha calandra
• Bimaculated lark, Melanocorypha bimaculata
• Black lark, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis
• Greater short-toed lark, Calandrella brachydactyla
• Lesser short-toed lark, Alaudala rufescens
• Crested lark, Galerida cristata
• Wood lark, Lullula arborea
• Eurasian skylark, Alauda arvensis
• Oriental skylark, Alauda gulgula (A)
• White-winged lark, Alauda leucoptera
• Horned lark, Eremophila alpestris

Swallows and martins

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Hirundinidae

The family Hirundinidae is adapted to aerial feeding. They have a slender streamlined body, long pointed wings and a short bill. The feet are adapted to perching rather than walking, and the front toes are partially joined at the base. There are 75 species worldwide and 4 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Sand martin, Riparia riparia
• Eurasian crag martin, Ptyonoprogne rupestris
• Barn swallow, Hirundo rustica
• Common house martin, Delichon urbicum

Wagtails and pipits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Motacillidae

Motacillidae is a family of small birds with medium to long tails. They include the wagtails, longclaws and pipits. They are slender, ground feeding insectivores of open country. There are 54 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• White wagtail, Motacilla alba
• Citrine wagtail, Motacilla citreola
• Yellow wagtail, Motacilla flava
• Grey wagtail, Motacilla cinerea
• Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris
• Tree pipit, Anthus trivialis
• Meadow pipit, Anthus pratensis
• Red-throated pipit, Anthus cervinus
• Water pipit, Anthus spinoletta

Kinglets

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Regulidae

The kinglets, also called crests, are a small group of birds often included in the Old World warblers, but frequently given family status because they also resemble the titmice. There are 7 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Goldcrest, Regulus regulus

Waxwings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Bombycillidae

The waxwings are a group of birds with soft silky plumage and unique red tips to some of the wing feathers. In the Bohemian and cedar waxwings, these tips look like sealing wax and give the group its name. These are birds of boreal forests. They live on insects in summer and berries in winter. There are 3 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Bohemian waxwing, Bombycilla garrulus

Dippers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Cinclidae

Dippers are a group of perching birds whose habitat includes aquatic environments in the Americas, Europe and Asia. They are named for their dipping movements. There are 5 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• White-throated dipper, Cinclus cinclus

Wrens

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Troglodytidae

The wrens are mainly small and inconspicuous except for their loud songs. These birds have short wings and thin down-turned bills. Several species often hold their tails upright. All are insectivorous. There are 80 species worldwide (of which all but one are New World species) and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

Accentors

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Prunellidae

The accentors are in the only bird family, Prunellidae, which is completely endemic to the Palearctic. They are small and look like sparrows. There are 13 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Alpine accentor, Prunella collaris
• Radde's accentor, Prunella ocularis
• Dunnock, Prunella modularis

Thrushes and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Turdidae

The thrushes are a group of birds that occur mainly in the Old World. They are plump, soft plumaged, small to medium-sized insectivores or sometimes omnivores, often feeding on the ground. Many have attractive songs.

• Ring ouzel, Turdus torquatus
• Eurasian blackbird, Turdus merula
• Dark-throated thrush, Turdus ruficollis
• Fieldfare, Turdus pilaris
• Redwing, Turdus iliacus
• Song thrush, Turdus philomelos
• Mistle thrush, Turdus viscivorus

Bush warblers and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Scotocercidae

• Cetti's warbler, Cettia cetti

Locustellid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Locustellidae

• Common grasshopper warbler, Locustella naevia
• Savi's warbler, Locustella luscinioides

Acrocephalid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Acrocephalidae

• Moustached warbler, Acrocephalus melanopogon
• Sedge warbler, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus
• Paddyfield warbler, Acrocephalus agricola
• Eurasian reed warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus
• Blyth's reed warbler, Acrocephalus dumetorum
• Marsh warbler, Acrocephalus palustris
• Great reed warbler, Acrocephalus arundinaceus
• Booted warbler, Iduna caligata
• Eastern olivaceous warbler, Iduna pallida
• Upcher's warbler, Hippolais languida
• Icterine warbler, Hippolais icterina

Phylloscopid warblers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Phylloscopidae

• Willow warbler, Phylloscopus trochilus
• Common chiffchaff, Phylloscopus collybita
• Mountain chiffchaff, Phylloscopus sindianus
• Wood warbler, Phylloscopus sibilatrix
• Greenish warbler, Phylloscopus trochiloides

Sylviid warblers, parrotbills, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sylviidae

The family Sylviidae is a group of small insectivorous birds. They mainly occur as breeding species, in Europe, Asia and, to a lesser extent, Africa. Most are of generally dull in appearance, but many have diverse songs.

• Eurasian blackcap, Sylvia atricapilla
• Garden warbler, Sylvia borin
• Greater whitethroat, Sylvia communis
• Lesser whitethroat, Sylvia curruca
• Asian desert warbler, Sylvia nana
• Barred warbler, Sylvia nisoria
• Eastern Orphean warbler, Sylvia crassirostris
• Menetries's warbler, Sylvia mystacea

Old World flycatchers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Muscicapidae

Old World flycatchers are a large group of small passerine birds native to the Old World. They are mainly insectivores. The appearance of these birds is highly varied, but they mostly have weak songs and harsh calls.

• Common rock thrush, Monticola saxatilis
• Blue rock thrush, Monticola solitarius
• Spotted flycatcher, Muscicapa striata
• European pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca
• Collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis
• Semicollared flycatcher, Ficedula semitorquata
• Red-breasted flycatcher, Ficedula parva
• European robin, Erithacus rubecula
• Thrush nightingale, Luscinia luscinia
• Common nightingale, Luscinia megarhynchos
• Bluethroat, Luscinia svecica
• White-throated robin, Irania gutturalis
• Rufous-tailed scrub robin, Cercotrichas galactotes
• Black redstart, Phoenicurus ochruros
• Common redstart, Phoenicurus phoenicurus
• White-winged redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogaster
• Siberian stonechat, Saxicola maurus
• Whinchat, Saxicola rubetra
• European stonechat, Saxicola rubicola
• Northern wheatear, Oenanthe oenanthe
• Finsch's wheatear, Oenanthe finschii
• Pied wheatear, Oenanthe pleschanka
• Black-eared wheatear, Oenanthe hispanica
• Kurdish wheatear, Oenanthe xanthoprymna
• Red-tailed wheatear, Oenanthe chrysopygia
• Desert wheatear, Oenanthe deserti
• Isabelline wheatear, Oenanthe isabellina

Bearded reedling

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Panuridae

• Bearded reedling, Panurus biarmicus

Long-tailed tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Aegithalidae

Long-tailed tits are a group of small birds with medium to long tails. They make nests in trees. Most eat a mixed diet which includes insects. There are 9 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Long-tailed tit, Aegithalos caudatus

Chickadees and titmice

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Paridae

The Paridae are mainly small and plumb woodland species with short bills. Some have crests. They are adaptable birds, with a mixed diet including seeds and insects.

• Sombre tit, Poecile lugubris
• Caspian tit, Poecile hyrcana
• Coal tit, Periparus ater
• Crested tit, Lophophanes cristatus
• Great tit, Parus major
• Eurasian blue tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

Nuthatches

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sittidae

Nuthatches are small woodland birds. They have the unusual ability to climb down trees head first, unlike other birds which can only go upwards. Nuthatches have big heads, short tails and powerful bills and feet. There are 24 species worldwide and 3 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian nuthatch, Sitta europaea
• Rock nuthatch, Sitta neumayer
• Persian nuthatch, Sitta tephronota

Wallcreeper

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Tichodromidae

The wallcreeper is a small bird related to the nuthatch family, which has a red, grey and black plumage.

• Wallcreeper, Tichodroma muraria

Treecreepers

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Certhiidae

Treecreepers are small woodland birds, brown above and white below. They have thin pointed down-curved bills, which they use to catch insects from the bark. They have stiff tail feathers, like woodpeckers, which they use to support themselves on vertical trees. There are 6 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian treecreeper, Certhia familiaris
• Short-toed treecreeper, Certhia brachydactyla

Penduline tits

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Remizidae

The penduline tits are a group of small birds related to the true tits. They are insectivores. There are 13 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian penduline tit, Remiz pendulinus

Old World orioles

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Oriolidae

The Old World orioles are colorful birds. They are not closely related to the New World orioles. There are 29 species worldwide and 1 species which occurs in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian golden oriole, Oriolus oriolus

Shrikes

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Laniidae

Shrikes are birds known for their habit of catching other birds and small animals and impaling the uneaten portions of their bodies on thorns. A typical shrike's beak is hooked, like a bird of prey.

• Red-backed shrike, Lanius collurio
• Isabelline shrike, Lanius isabellinus
• Great grey shrike, Lanius excubitor
• Lesser grey shrike, Lanius minor
• Woodchat shrike, Lanius senator

Crows, jays, ravens and magpies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Corvidae

The family Corvidae includes crows, ravens, jays, choughs, magpies, treepies, nutcrackers and ground jays. Corvids are above average in size among the Passeriformes, and some of the larger species show high levels of intelligence. There are 120 species worldwide and 9 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Eurasian jay, Garrulus glandarius
• Eurasian magpie, Pica pica
• Red-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax
• Yellow-billed chough, Pyrrhocorax graculus
• Eurasian jackdaw, Corvus monedula
• Rook, Corvus frugilegus
• Carrion crow, Corvus corone
• Common raven, Corvus corax
• Hooded crow, Corvus cornix

Starlings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Sturnidae

Starlings are small to medium-sized birds. Their flight is strong and direct. Their preferred habitat is fairly open country. They eat insects and fruit. Plumage is typically dark with a metallic shine. There are 125 species worldwide and 2 species which occur in Azerbaijan.

• Rosy starling, Pastor roseus
• European starling, Sturnus vulgaris

Old World buntings

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Emberizidae

The emberizids are a large family of birds. They are seed-eating birds with distinctively shaped bills. Many emberizid species have distinctive head patterns.

• Yellowhammer, Emberiza citrinella
• Cirl bunting, Emberiza cirlus
• Rock bunting, Emberiza cia
• Grey-hooded bunting, Emberiza buchanani
• Ortolan bunting, Emberiza hortulana
• Cretzschmar's bunting, Emberiza caesia
• Black-headed bunting, Emberiza melanocephala
• Reed bunting, Emberiza schoeniclus
• Corn bunting, Emberiza calandra

Finches, euphonias, and allies

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Fringillidae

Finches are seed-eating birds, that are small to moderately large and have a strong beak, usually conical and in some species very large. All have twelve tail feathers. These birds flap and glide when they fly, and most sing well.

• Common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs
• Brambling, Fringilla montifringilla
• Common rosefinch, Carpodacus erythrinus
• Caucasian great rosefinch, Carpodacus rubicilla (A)
• Red crossbill, Loxia curvirostra
• European greenfinch, Chloris chloris
• Eurasian siskin, Spinus spinus
• European goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis
• Twite, Linaria flavirostris
• Common linnet, Linaria cannabina
• Fire-fronted serin, Serinus pusillus
• Eurasian bullfinch, Pyrrhula pyrrhula
• Hawfinch, Coccothraustes coccothraustes
• Crimson-winged finch, Rhodopechys sanguinea
• Mongolian finch, Rhodopechys mongolica
• Trumpeter finch, Bucanetes githaginea

Old World sparrows

Order: Passeriformes   Family: Passeridae

Old World sparrows are small birds. In general, sparrows tend to be small, plumb, brown or grey birds with short tails and short powerful beaks. Sparrows are seed eaters, but they also eat small insects.

• House sparrow, Passer domesticus
• Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis
• Eurasian tree sparrow, Passer montanus
• Rock sparrow, Petronia petronia
• Pale rockfinch, Carpospiza brachydactyla
• White-winged snowfinch, Montifringilla nivalis

Related pages

• Birds

References

• Lepage, Denis. "Checklist of birds of Azerbaijan". Bird Checklists of the World. Avibase. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 27 April 2007.
• Clements, James F. (2000). Birds of the World: a Checklist. Cornell University Press. p. 880. ISBN 0-934797-16-1.

Other websites

• Azerbaijan Ornithological Society