BIRD WATCHING ALADAĞLAR

Aladağlar National Park Birdwatching Tours – Turkey’s Premier High Mountain Birding DestinationAladağlar National Park, located in the heart of the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey, is one of the country’s most important and untouched birdwatching destinations. With its dramatic alpine landscapes, deep valleys, and remote high-altitude ecosystems, the park offers ideal habitats for a wide variety of rare and specialized bird species.Why Aladağlar is a Top Birdwatching Location in TurkeyAladağlar provides a unique combination of high-mountain ecosystems, rich biodiversity, and minimal human disturbance. These conditions make it a perfect refuge for both resident and migratory birds.During spring and autumn migration seasons, the region becomes especially active, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife photography.Bird Species You Can See in AladağlarVisitors to Aladağlar National Park may observe several iconic and rare species, including:
Caspian Snowcock
Golden Eagle
Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier)
Wallcreeper
Chukar Partridge
Alpine Accentor
Snowfinch
Eurasian Hoopoe
These species represent both alpine specialists and wide-ranging raptors, making Aladağlar one of the most rewarding birding areas in the region.Best Time for Birdwatching in AladağlarThe best periods for birdwatching in Aladağlar are:

Spring (April – June): Breeding season and high bird activity
Autumn (September – November): Migration period with diverse species movementWildlife and Nature ExperienceIn addition to birdlife, Aladağlar is home to a variety of wildlife such as foxes, wolves, and mountain-dwelling mammals. The combination of wildlife, alpine scenery, and pristine nature makes it an exceptional destination for nature lovers and photographers.

BIRD OBSERVING IN ALADAG
Day 1 – Arpalık Plateau (Caspian Snowcock and Others) 
The day begins very early with a light breakfast at 03:00 a.m.. After breakfast, there is a 90-minute tractor ride to reach Arpalık Plateau (2,400 m altitude). Upon arrival, birdwatching begins, focusing on Caspian Snowcock and other species, and lasts for about 2–3 hours. 
After finishing observations at the plateau, the group continues to Cimbar Valley to observe more bird species. When all activities are complete, everyone returns to Şafak Pension by tractor or jeep, enjoys a hearty breakfast, and then has time to rest. 
Day 2 – Emli Valley and Forest Birds
 After breakfast at around 07:00–08:00 a.m., there is a 45-minute tractor or jeep ride to reach Emli Valley. Birdwatching takes place in the valley and surrounding forest for about 3–4 hours, after which the group returns to the pension to relax for the rest of the day. 
Day 3 – Maden Plateau 
Following breakfast, the group travels to Maden Plateau, passing through Demirkazık and Pınarbaşı villages. The journey takes about 90 minutes by tractor. Once there, birdwatching continues around the mines and springs for 2–3 hours, before returning to the pension.
Day 4 – Bird Paradise (Sultan Marshes and Ovacık) 
After breakfast, departure is at around 07:00 a.m. by minibus or jeep for a 90-minute journey to Sultan Marshes and Ovacık, knowon as Bird paradise
The group spends  3-4 hours observing  migrortory birds while walking around  the lake. Affter Şafak Pension.

BİRDS

  • Caspian Snowcock

    It is a large, grayish off-white hunting bird. While flying, its white wing feathers, dark brown tail and red tip of the tail are evident. The female is smaller and dull colored. Its top and throat are lighter brown. It is a very timid bird that is difficult to approach and usually runs away. Its sound is mostly heard at sunrise. Its song resembles a strong whistle, and while singing, it stretches its neck and points its beak towards the sky. It makes a 'chak-chak-chak' warning sound both when on the ground and when flying. It is found on steep rocky slopes in the mountains, at the forest border above 1,800 meters, and in meadows and shrubs above. It very rarely goes down to the forest border

  • Crimson Winged Finch

    A striking, large finch of high altitude rocky slopes. Note the dark crown, brown back and breast, and pink tones in wings and tail, which are easier to see in flight. Bill is heavy and yellowish. Flight call is a nasal "Chip-chip."

  • Finchs Wheatear

    A medium-sized elegant wheatear with long wings and long legs. Strong sexual dimorphism: male is black and white with a bright white hood and back, while female is gray-brown with gray upperparts and an increasing amount of dark feathering on throat as they mature. In all plumages note the narrow, evenly-broad black terminal tail band. Breeds on high, barren, rocky mountain slopes. In winter, often descends to plains, steppes, and even semi-desert. Song is a mix of harsh scratches and musical whistles; often given from a prominent perch.

  • Ortolan Bunting

    Fairly small bunting. Males are striking with a green-gray head and yellow mustache, eyering, and throat contrasting with a chestnut belly and intricately marked upperparts. Rump is earth brown and streaked. Females and juveniles are similar but spotted below, head pattern duller, and body less chestnut. Breeds mainly in open and semiopen agricultural areas, slopes, and in mountains with scattered bushes and trees. Non-breeding habitat similar, but includes sparse, highland grasslands and fields. Song is a buzzy “dweedwee-dzeedzeedzzeedzee-dee”, while calls include a mellow, tinkling “deu” and a higher-pitched “deek.”

  • Raddes Accentor

    Its long, broad, white eyebrows, blackish crown and ear coverts, whitish throat, dark mottled jowl line, and peach-toned unstriped chest (but the flanks are usually dark striped) are distinctive. The juvenile is similar to the adult, but its top is brownish, its stripes are darker, the side of its throat, sides of its chest and flanks have thicker stripes, and its underside is lighter yellowish-white. Its song and voice are similar to the warbler, but its song is weaker, slower and consists of fewer notes, with a vibrating or chirping quality as its pitch rises and falls, for example 'di-diii-diii-diii-diii' or 'slii-vit-çur- chur-tui'. Dwarf bushes live on large rocks in the mountains between 2,500-3,500 meters, and go down to 1,000 meters in winter.

  • Red Fronted Serin

    A lively and brightly colored little finch with a black head and a fiery orange spot on its forehead. The sexes are similar, but females have smaller forehead spots than males. Juveniles are warm brown with black markings on the back and wings; Be careful not to be confused with rose finches and green finches, which do not have yellow tails; green finches have striped undersides. It lives in open forests, shrubs and meadows in mountainous areas. It usually enters towns and villages. Calls include muted flute notes and chirps; The song is a mixture of trills interspersed with random call notes.

  • RockThrush

    Medium-sized thrush-like bird, often seen on mountainsides, sea cliffs, quarries, ruins, and even towns. Males usually unmistakable: western birds are dark blue all over, but may appear all dark at a distance; eastern birds are blue with orange underparts. Females dark brown above, finely barred below. Long bill, wings, and tail make for a distinctive and very different shape than Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush. Song is melodic and blackbird-like.

  • Snow Finch

    Distinctive long-tailed and long-winged inhabitant of high alpine zones; can be found slightly lower down in winter and around human habitation (towns, monasteries, ski resorts), where it can be quite approachable. Black-and-white wings striking in flight. In the breeding season, the bill is dark and the chin is black (bill yellowish and chin patch absent in nonbreeding season). The head is paler grey in winter. Feeds on seeds and insects. Song consists of buzzy warbles and chirps. Gives nasal “reep” calls and dry chatters.

  • Wallcreeper

    Unmistakable, but difficult to spot on rock faces. Spectacular in flight, with broad black, red, and white-spotted wings resembling a giant butterfly. Usually found on rock faces in high mountainous regions, but also breeds in steep gorges lower down and can even be found on tall buildings in winter. Breeding male has a black throat; winter males and all females have white throats. Rarely-heard song is a steadily rising whistle.

  • Western Rock Nuthatch

    Typical-looking nuthatch with gray upperparts, dingy white underparts, and a black mask. Favors mountainous rocky areas, and is often seen actively feeding on boulders and cliffs, not normally on trees. Builds a unique, huge mud nest that it sticks to cliffs and rocks and uses year-round. Song and call are a loud and bubbling series of descending whistles “Piu-piu-piu-piu…” or “Pi pi pi pu-pu-pu-pu…” Somewhat similar to Eurasian Nuthatch, but larger, longer- and stronger-billed, and uses different habitats. Eastern Rock Nuthatch is also similar, but larger and heavier than the present species, with an even larger bill and thicker black eye stripe.

  • Alpine Chough

    Conspicuous, social, and noisy inhabitant of high mountains. Feeds mostly on insects in summer and berries, seeds, and food waste in winter, scavenging around ski resorts, towns, and monasteries, where it can be very tame. Told from juvenile Red-billed Chough by its shorter, bright yellow bill and shorter wing fingers. Wings do not extend to the tail tip when perched. Gives a strange, squeaky trill very unlike calls of crows and ravens, as well as a high-pitched descending squeak.

  • Whıte Throated Robın

    Large, long-billed robin that spends much of its time on the ground with tail cocked. The male has bluish upperparts, a dark face, a white supercilium, a broad black tail, and bright orange underparts. The female has gray underparts, a faintly mottled breast, a whitish throat, and orange sides. Breeds on high-altitude mountain slopes covered with dense scrub. On migration shows up in a variety of scrubby habitats. Calls similar to nightingales, including clear whistles and a low croak.

  • Turkestan Short-toed Lark

    Turkestan Short-toed Lark (Alaudala heinei) is a small, pale lark of dry steppe and open fields, also recorded around the Aladağlar Mountains. * Short, fine bill and sandy plumage * Feeds on seeds and small insects on the ground * Extremely well camouflaged, often hard to see * Identification can be tricky within the short-toed lark complex A scarce and local species in suitable habitats in Turkey, including Aladağlar. In Aladağlar National Park, it can be observed especially in high-altitude grasslands and rocky open areas during the summer months (May–August). Prefers open, dry grasslands and stony slopes Forages on the ground Shows two dark spots on the breast Has a fluttering, low flight In short, it is a typical steppe bird of the high mountains in the Aladağlar region.

  • Bimaculated Lark

    Bimaculated Lark is a small to medium-sized lark species found in open steppe and alpine meadows. In Aladağlar National Park, it can be observed especially in high-altitude grasslands and rocky open areas during the summer months (May–August). Prefers open, dry grasslands and stony slopes Forages on the ground Shows two dark spots on the breast Has a fluttering, low flight In short, it is a typical steppe bird of the high mountains in the Aladağlar region.

🐦 Birds of Aladağlar

Aladağlar National Park

🦅 Birds of Prey

  • Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier) – Gypaetus barbatus
  • Golden Eagle – Aquila chrysaetos
  • Griffon Vulture
  • Long-legged Buzzard
  • Northern Goshawk
  • Saker Falcon
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Red-footed Falcon
  • Common Kestrel
  • Eurasian Eagle-Owl
  • Eurasian Scops Owl
  • Little Owl

🏔️ Alpine & High Mountain Species

  • Caspian Snowcock – Tetraogallus caspius
  • Radde’s Accentor
  • Alpine Accentor
  • White-winged Snowfinch
  • Alpine Chough
  • Red-billed Chough
  • Wallcreeper
  • Rock Nuthatch
  • Alpine Swift

🌾 Larks, Pipits & Wagtails

  • Bimaculated Lark
  • Shore Lark (Horned Lark)
  • Short-toed Lark
  • Tawny Pipit
  • Tree Pipit
  • Grey Wagtail

🌿 Finches & Buntings

  • Crimson-winged Finch
  • Red-fronted Serin
  • European Goldfinch
  • Rock Sparrow
  • Rock Bunting
  • Cinereous Bunting
  • Ortolan Bunting
  • Black-headed Bunting

🪶 Warblers & Flycatchers

  • Olivaceous Warbler
  • Lesser Whitethroat
  • Common Whitethroat
  • Spotted Flycatcher
  • Goldcrest

🏞️ Other Notable Species

  • Chukar Partridge
  • European Nightjar
  • Rose-coloured Starling
  • Eurasian Hoopoe
  • Crag Martin
  • Barn Swallow
  • House Martin
  • Rock Dove
  • Black Redstart
  • Common Redstart
  • Ring Ouzel
  • Mistle Thrush
  • White-throated Robin

📌 Note

Aladağlar National Park is one of the most important high mountain birdwatching areas in Türkiye. Key target species include Caspian Snowcock, Wallcreeper, and Alpine Chough, which are among the most sought-after birds in the region.