Munzur Valley National Park

Birds

Munzur Valley National Park is equally renowned for its diverse birdlife, with habitats ranging from forested canyons to alpine cliffs—making it a vital area for both raptors and mountain-dwelling birds.

Golden Eagle
Often seen gliding above cliffs and high meadows, the golden eagle preys on hares, marmots, and young wild goats. It nests on ledges and is a powerful symbol of the park’s wilderness.

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
This rare and spectacular vulture feeds mainly on bones, which it drops from great heights to crack open. It has a dramatic wingspan and is mostly found in high mountain zones.

Peregrine Falcon
Nesting on cliff ledges, this high-speed bird of prey dives in pursuit of birds mid-flight. Its sharp cries and swift maneuvers are a common sight in open skies above valleys.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Roosting in rocky outcrops and large trees, this massive owl hunts rodents and birds at night. Its deep, echoing hoots often fill the air in the park’s quieter regions.

Wallcreeper
With crimson wings and a butterfly-like flight, the wallcreeper clings to sheer rock faces in search of insects. It thrives in cliffs and gorges across Munzur’s mountainous terrain.

Chukar Partridge
This robust, ground-dwelling bird is found in rocky slopes and high meadows. It forages for seeds and insects and is often spotted in groups near boulders or shrubs.

Alpine Accentor
A high-altitude songbird, the alpine accentor nests among rocks and feeds on insects and seeds in alpine meadows. It is subtle in color but active and vocal during breeding season.

Raven
A familiar sight over valleys and cliffs, the raven is intelligent, vocal, and adaptable. It feeds on carrion, insects, and plant matter and often travels in pairs.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
Specializing in reptiles, this eagle glides silently above rocky slopes and fields. It hovers while scanning for snakes before diving with precision.

Red-fronted Serin
This colorful finch is a highland specialist, often found in flocks in alpine pastures. It feeds on seeds and insects and brings vibrant flashes of red to the mountainous landscape.

Munzur Valley National Park is a spectacular blend of alpine wilderness, forested slopes, and cultural heritage, offering one of Turkey’s richest natural sanctuaries for large mammals, elusive predators, and high-mountain birds in an unspoiled eastern Anatolian landscape.

Popular

Munzur Valley National Park, located in Tunceli Province in eastern Turkey, is the country’s largest national park and one of its most ecologically rich. With towering mountains, deep gorges, glacial lakes, and alpine meadows, the park spans multiple climate zones—from lush forests to high-altitude pastures—supporting a remarkable array of wildlife, especially large mammals and hardy reptiles adapted to its rugged terrain.

Anatolian Lynx
This rare and elusive feline roams the forested and alpine zones of Munzur. With tufted ears and stealthy movement, the lynx preys on hares, birds, and small ungulates, playing a key role as a solitary predator.

Brown Bear
One of the most iconic species of the park, brown bears are commonly found in remote forests and alpine slopes. They forage for berries, roots, fish, and small animals, and are active from spring through fall.

Grey Wolf
Wolves travel through the park in packs, hunting wild goats, boars, and smaller mammals. They are elusive but vital to the ecosystem as top predators, regulating herbivore populations.

Wild Goat (Bezoar Ibex)
These agile climbers navigate the park’s steep cliffs and rocky outcrops. Their impressive curved horns and nimble hooves make them well-suited to life on rugged terrain.

Red Fox
This adaptable and widespread predator is seen near woodlands, meadows, and even human settlements. It preys on rodents and birds and often scavenges fruit and insects.

Roe Deer
Graceful and shy, roe deer inhabit forest glades and open slopes. They feed on grasses, herbs, and shoots, and are most active at dawn and dusk.

Wild Boar
These powerful omnivores are common in Munzur’s valleys and forests. They root through the soil for tubers and insects and often move in groups, especially in lower elevations.

European Wildcat
Found in the park’s denser, undisturbed forests, the European wildcat is a solitary nocturnal hunter. It feeds on small mammals and birds and resembles a larger, more muscular domestic cat.

Caucasian Viper
This venomous but non-aggressive snake is well-camouflaged among rocks and alpine vegetation. It feeds on rodents and small lizards and is important for pest control in high-altitude ecosystems.

Spur-thighed Tortoise
This hardy tortoise is common in the park’s drier, sunlit slopes and shrublands. It feeds on grasses, flowers, and herbs, and hibernates during the coldest winter months.

Birds

Munzur Valley National Park is equally renowned for its diverse birdlife, with habitats ranging from forested canyons to alpine cliffs—making it a vital area for both raptors and mountain-dwelling birds.

Golden Eagle
Often seen gliding above cliffs and high meadows, the golden eagle preys on hares, marmots, and young wild goats. It nests on ledges and is a powerful symbol of the park’s wilderness.

Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)
This rare and spectacular vulture feeds mainly on bones, which it drops from great heights to crack open. It has a dramatic wingspan and is mostly found in high mountain zones.

Peregrine Falcon
Nesting on cliff ledges, this high-speed bird of prey dives in pursuit of birds mid-flight. Its sharp cries and swift maneuvers are a common sight in open skies above valleys.

Eurasian Eagle-Owl
Roosting in rocky outcrops and large trees, this massive owl hunts rodents and birds at night. Its deep, echoing hoots often fill the air in the park’s quieter regions.

Wallcreeper
With crimson wings and a butterfly-like flight, the wallcreeper clings to sheer rock faces in search of insects. It thrives in cliffs and gorges across Munzur’s mountainous terrain.

Chukar Partridge
This robust, ground-dwelling bird is found in rocky slopes and high meadows. It forages for seeds and insects and is often spotted in groups near boulders or shrubs.

Alpine Accentor
A high-altitude songbird, the alpine accentor nests among rocks and feeds on insects and seeds in alpine meadows. It is subtle in color but active and vocal during breeding season.

Raven
A familiar sight over valleys and cliffs, the raven is intelligent, vocal, and adaptable. It feeds on carrion, insects, and plant matter and often travels in pairs.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
Specializing in reptiles, this eagle glides silently above rocky slopes and fields. It hovers while scanning for snakes before diving with precision.

Red-fronted Serin
This colorful finch is a highland specialist, often found in flocks in alpine pastures. It feeds on seeds and insects and brings vibrant flashes of red to the mountainous landscape.

Munzur Valley National Park is a spectacular blend of alpine wilderness, forested slopes, and cultural heritage, offering one of Turkey’s richest natural sanctuaries for large mammals, elusive predators, and high-mountain birds in an unspoiled eastern Anatolian landscape.