Assessing the Current Status and Distribution of Imperial Eagle and Lesser Kestrel in Azerbaijan

Shahin Isayev

Within Azerbaijan, several species of migrating and breeding raptor can be found including the globally threatened imperial eagle, lesser kestrel and Saker falcon along with many other birds of prey. Large numbers of raptors can be observed throughout the year but, due to a lack of skilled ornithologists to carry out surveys, it is difficult to collect exact scientific data about breeding and wintering numbers of these birds. With the help of international experts, this project will create a distribution model of imperial eagle and lesser kestrel and, with the involvement of local stakeholders and the government, improve the quality of activities being undertaken to conserve these species in Azerbaijan.