Türkiye
Turkey spans southeastern Europe and western Asia, with exceptionally varied landscapes surrounding the Anatolian Plateau. The Pontic Mountains border the Black Sea, while the Taurus Mountains rise along the Mediterranean and the east becomes increasingly rugged and high, culminating around Mount Ararat. Central Anatolia contains dry steppe, salt lakes and agricultural plains, contrasting with humid Black Sea forests and Mediterranean woodland. Major wetlands, river valleys and long coastlines further increase its habitat diversity. Climate ranges from Mediterranean and maritime to strongly continental and semi-arid.
Overview
Turkey is one of the Western Palearctic's richest birding destinations, combining European, Middle Eastern and Central Asian species. The Caucasus Mountains in the northeast hold Caucasian Grouse and Caspian Snowcock, while central and eastern steppes support Great Bustard, Demoiselle Crane and numerous larks and wheatears. The Taurus Mountains are famous for Caspian Snowcock, Red-fronted Serin and Kruper's Nuthatch, and wetlands such as Sultan Marshes attract flamingos, pelicans and waterbirds. Bosphorus migration can produce spectacular movements of raptors and storks. Turkey has an established birding-tourism sector and specialist guides, but its enormous size means comprehensive trips require substantial driving or domestic flights. Some eastern and border regions may have changing security or access considerations.
Top 10 target species
| Species | Annual frequency | January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hooded Crow Corvus cornix | 46.6% | 52.7% | 53.2% | 54.5% | 48.8% | 40.4% | 36.8% | 36.0% | 36.9% | 40.5% | 50.7% | 54.1% | 55.1% |
| House Sparrow Passer domesticus | 46.5% | 44.7% | 47.0% | 48.7% | 48.6% | 45.7% | 46.3% | 49.4% | 47.3% | 42.7% | 44.9% | 46.6% | 46.5% |
| Eurasian Magpie Pica pica | 35.5% | 39.6% | 39.2% | 39.2% | 34.5% | 31.9% | 29.3% | 27.7% | 28.7% | 32.8% | 38.6% | 42.3% | 41.9% |
| Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs | 34.3% | 52.5% | 52.1% | 46.8% | 24.4% | 19.1% | 21.3% | 17.8% | 15.4% | 17.0% | 37.3% | 52.7% | 55.2% |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | 32.2% | 41.9% | 40.0% | 35.1% | 28.9% | 24.0% | 21.5% | 24.9% | 29.9% | 29.2% | 33.9% | 36.5% | 40.7% |
| Great Tit Parus major | 32.1% | 33.2% | 36.9% | 39.7% | 36.4% | 28.7% | 24.0% | 20.0% | 23.6% | 30.0% | 38.0% | 37.2% | 37.0% |
| Rock Pigeon Columba livia | 31.6% | 33.3% | 33.9% | 33.5% | 30.4% | 27.2% | 26.3% | 28.1% | 30.7% | 30.6% | 33.2% | 35.8% | 36.2% |
| Eurasian Collared-Dove Streptopelia decaocto | 30.3% | 29.5% | 29.1% | 31.6% | 33.3% | 28.8% | 27.6% | 32.8% | 33.7% | 30.7% | 27.9% | 28.9% | 29.1% |
| Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula | 28.5% | 30.0% | 33.3% | 35.8% | 31.5% | 28.7% | 28.0% | 23.1% | 20.3% | 21.4% | 26.5% | 32.9% | 30.7% |
| White Wagtail Motacilla alba | 25.9% | 30.3% | 28.4% | 37.6% | 28.8% | 14.7% | 15.1% | 17.2% | 18.8% | 20.2% | 38.3% | 31.3% | 30.1% |