Identification of Aquatic and Semi aquatic Birds of Sattarkhan Lake (East Azerbaijan- Iran)

Aquatic and semi aquatic birds as a group are suited to feed and breed in environments in which water forms a fundamental part. These birds are biological indicator in aquatic environment, because these birds belong to the top level of food chain in aquatic ecosystems. There are 61 species in 14 families of aquatic and semi aquatic birds in Iran. The birds of the Sattarkhan Lake belong to 16 species in 8 families which include 26.2 percent of total Aquatic and semi aquatic bird species and 57% of Aquatic and semi aquatic bird's family of Iran. Study was carried out monthly at Sattarkhan Lake show the existence of Phalacrocorax carbo, Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba, Egretta garzetta, Bubulcus ibis, Botaurus stellaris, Sterna hirundo, Chlidonias leucopterus, Larus minutus, Larus argentatus, Larus ridibunbus, Alcedo atthis, Ciconia ciconia, Plegadis falcinellus, Circus aeruginosus, Corvus frugilegus

Authors:

• Mahbobeh Hajirostamloo

Keywords:

• Aquatic bird
• Sattarkhan Lake
• Identification
• Iran

References:

[1] B. Behrouzirad, "Identification of Fish-Eating Birds", International
Journal of Environmental Research, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 88-95, 2007.
[2] M.I. Evans, Important bird's areas in the Middle East. Bird life
international, 1994.
[3] A. Harris, H. Shirihai and D. Christie, The Macmillan birders guide to
European and Middle Eastern birds. Macmillan, 1991.
[4] K. Hudec, A guide to birds. Treasuer, 1990.
[5] C.G. Sibley and B.L. Monroe, Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the
world. New Haven CT: Yale University Press, 1990.
[6] D.W. Snow, C.M. Perrins, P. Doherty and S Cramp, The complete birds
of the western Palaearctic on CD-ROM. Oxford University Press, 1998.
[7] P.C. Rasmussen and J.C. Anderton, Birds of south Asia, The Ripley
Guide. Smithsonian Institution and Lynax Edicions, 2005.
[8] C. Mark and M. Richard, Birds Britannica. Chatto & Windus, London,
2005.