Iran is a country of immense biodiversity, boasting a wide variety of birds, many of which are endemic to the region. With over 530 species of birds, Iran is a paradise for bird watchers, offering a range of habitats from wetlands and forests to deserts and mountains.
This article explores Iran’s remarkable range of birds, including their habitats, behaviors, and conservation status.
6 Iranian Birds
Iran is a country with rich biodiversity and a variety of habitats, from mountains and forests to deserts and wetlands. Among its many wildlife, Iran is home to over 530 species of birds, some of which are endemic or rare.
Iran is home to many beautiful and unique birds, some of which are endemic. Here are 6 Iranian birds you may not have heard of before:
1. Iranian Ground Jay
The Iranian ground jay is a bird species in the Corvidae family and is endemic to Iran, known as Zaqboor. Named after Russian zoologist Theodor Pleske, this small brown-colored bird has distinctive black and white striped wings, stick-like legs for balanced movement, beady eyes, and a short tail.
It mainly feeds on insects such as grasshoppers or larvae by scratching the soil with its feet; however, it also consumes fruits like cherries when available.
Its habitat consists of open steppes, semi-deserts along rocky hillsides, and bushy areas around villages with plenty of shrubs providing shelter during extreme weather conditions.
Though they live in pairs or small groups that move together while searching for food sources, they are sometimes seen alone too, hopping from one place to another looking out for their meal.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Podoces |
| Species | P. pleskei |
2. Caspian Tit
The Caspian tit is a small passerine bird from the tit family, typically measuring 12.5 cm in length and featuring a dark brown cap and bib with rich brown upperparts and paler greyish-buff underparts.
It is found mainly in northern Iran but extends into Azerbaijan, inhabiting deciduous mountain forests. Juveniles of both sexes are generally duller than adults; their plumage has more buff tones than the richer hues of older birds.
The diet consists primarily of insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, which can be found on tree bark or amongst leaf litter – they will also visit garden feeders for supplementary food during winter when insect life is scarce.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Paridae |
| Genus | Poecile |
| Species | P. hyrcanus |
3. Omani Owl
The Omani owl is an impressive bird found in the shrublands and rocky areas of its namesake country, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. Discovered in 2013, it has since been assigned to a different species than previously thought – Strix butleri.
Renowned English ornithologist Alfred Henry Butler collected the holotype specimen during his travels through Arabia.
This medium-sized burrowing owl stands 17–20 cm tall with bright yellow eyes contrasting against its white facial disc and chocolate brown plumage on its upperparts.
Its bill is blackish, while its underparts are buffy grey or tawny streaked with darker brown bars across them. The Omani Owl’s diet consists mainly of rodents, which they hunt for at night, using their acute vision provided by those unique yellow eyes.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Strigiformes |
| Family | Strigidae |
| Genus | Strix |
| Species | S. butleri |
4. Caspian Snowcock
The Caspian snowcock is a beautiful bird in the pheasant family. It has a grey head, white neck and breast, brown wings with black barring, and barred tail feathers.
This species is mainly found in eastern Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Northern Iran at altitudes between 1,800 and 3,000 meters above sea level on bare ground with some alpine scrub vegetation.
During the breeding season, they will make nests by making scrapes into the soil where eggs are laid for incubation, during which both parents share the duties of protecting their young until fledging occurs.
They feed on insects such as grasshoppers but eat plant matter such as organic material like leaves or grains from fields nearby and berries when available, depending on seasonal availability.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Galliformes |
| Family | Phasianidae |
| Genus | Tetraogallus |
| Species | T. caspius |
5. Ground Jay
Ground jays are a unique type of bird belonging to the genus Podoces and family Corvidae. These birds inhabit high-altitude semi-desert areas from central Asia to Mongolia.
They have strong, long legs which enable them to dash and leap onto rocks with great agility – adaptations that allow them to survive in their harsh environment.
Ground jays are predominantly black or greyish colored with some white feathers around the neck area, while males feature striking yellow eyespots near the beak region.
With a wingspan measuring up to 30 centimeters, they feed on insects such as ants and beetles, along with abundant seeds in these dry grasslands.
During the breeding season, ground jay pairs build nests made of sticks placed within crevices or between stones to protect against predators like eagles and foxes looking for an easy meal.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Corvidae |
| Genus | Podoces Fischer von Waldheim, 1821 |
6. Hume’s Wheatear
Hume’s wheatear is a species of bird found in the Middle East and parts of Southern Asia. It belongs to the family Muscicapidae, which contains many other small insectivorous birds like flycatchers and chats.
The Hume’s Wheatear has distinctive black-and-white plumage with bold barring on its wings and tail feathers. Its name commemorates British naturalist Allan Octavian Hume, who worked extensively in India while studying Indian wildlife, including this particular songbird species.
They are usually found inhabiting open areas such as deserts or grasslands, where they can hunt for their insect prey while remaining hidden from potential predators. Their diet consists mainly of insects but occasionally includes berries, too.
All these factors make them an important part of any local ecosystem, so if you’re ever lucky enough to spot one, keep your eyes peeled – it might be a rare sighting indeed.
Scientific classification:
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Passeriformes |
| Family | Muscicapidae |
| Genus | Oenanthe |
| Species | O. albonigra |
Conclusion
Iran boasts a rich avian diversity, reflecting its varied landscapes and climates. Among the notable birds found in Iran are the Persian stork, symbolizing fertility and grace, the elegant Pleske’s ground jay with its striking blue plumage, and the majestic imperial eagle soaring over the country’s vast expanses.
The vibrant hoopoe, celebrated in Persian poetry for its beauty and distinctive call, adds to the country’s ornithological allure.
Additionally, the graceful Caspian tern and the colorful red-fronted serin contribute to Iran’s tapestry of birdlife. These species, among others, underscore Iran’s significance as a haven for avian enthusiasts and conservation efforts.
