Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park

Birds

In terms of birdlife, Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park also offers a diverse array of bird species, contributing to its status as an important biodiversity hotspot. The park is home to a range of migratory and resident birds, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Popular bird species found in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park include:

Golden Eagle
The golden eagle, one of the most majestic birds of prey, is a resident of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. With its impressive wingspan and powerful hunting abilities, it is often seen soaring high in the sky, searching for prey such as rabbits and small mammals.

Bearded Vulture
The bearded vulture is a striking bird known for its large size and characteristic beard-like feathers beneath its beak. These vultures primarily feed on bones, often dropping them from great heights to break them into smaller pieces.

Eurasian Griffon Vulture
Eurasian griffon vultures are large scavengers found in the park. With their broad wings and keen eyesight, they can spot carcasses from miles away, playing an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up dead animals.

Red-breasted Flycatcher
The red-breasted flycatcher is a small migratory bird found in the park’s dense forests. Known for its bright red chest, it feeds on insects, catching them mid-flight, and is often seen flitting about in the underbrush.

Common Buzzard
The common buzzard is a versatile raptor often found soaring over the park’s forests and open fields. It hunts a variety of prey, including small mammals and birds, using its keen eyesight to spot potential meals.

Western Marsh Harrier
A bird of prey that prefers wetland habitats, the western marsh harrier is a common sight in the park’s marshy areas. With its long wings and graceful flight, it hunts for small birds, mammals, and amphibians in the tall grasses.

Eurasian Nuthatch
The Eurasian nuthatch is a small, agile bird that inhabits the park’s forests. Known for its ability to climb up and down tree trunks, it feeds on insects, seeds, and nuts, often caching food for the winter months.

Great Tit
The great tit is one of the most common and recognizable songbirds in the park. It has a striking black and white plumage with a yellow belly and is known for its adaptability to various habitats, from forests to urban areas.

Common Kestrel
The common kestrel is a small falcon found throughout the park. Often seen perched on trees or utility poles, it hunts insects and small mammals, hovering in the air while scanning for prey with its keen eyesight.

Short-toed Snake Eagle
The short-toed snake eagle is a large bird of prey that specializes in hunting reptiles, particularly snakes. With its distinctive long, narrow wings, it is often seen gliding over the park’s grasslands and open woodlands.

Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, located in the central and southern regions of Georgia, is one of the largest protected areas in the country, known for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes. The park is home to a wide variety of species, from large mammals to unique flora and fauna, making it a prime destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Popular species found in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park include:

Brown Bear
Brown bears are one of the most iconic species in Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. These powerful creatures roam the forested mountains and are often seen near streams and rivers, hunting for food. Despite their intimidating size, they are generally solitary and prefer to avoid human interaction.

European Wolf
The European wolf is an apex predator in the park, preying on deer, wild boar, and smaller mammals. These wolves are highly social animals, living and hunting in packs, and their presence in the park is a sign of the healthy ecosystem.

Caucasian Red Deer
The Caucasian red deer is native to the region and a prominent species in the park. Known for their impressive antlers, these deer are often spotted in the forested areas of Borjomi-Kharagauli, grazing on grass and shrubs.

Wild Boar
Wild boars are commonly found in the park’s dense forests and are known for their strength and adaptability. They play an essential role in the ecosystem by digging for roots and insects, which also helps aerate the soil.

Caucasian Leopard
Once found throughout the Caucasus, the Caucasian leopard is now rare and critically endangered. The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park offers some of the last safe habitats for these elusive cats, known for their solitary nature and stealthy hunting skills.

Mouflon
The mouflon, a wild sheep species, is native to the mountains of Borjomi-Kharagauli. With their curled horns and robust build, mouflons are adept at navigating the rocky terrain and are a rare sight in the park.

European Wildcat
The European wildcat is a small, nocturnal predator found in the park. These solitary animals are excellent hunters, primarily feeding on rodents, and are elusive, making them difficult to spot in the wild.

Eurasian Brown Bear
A different subspecies of the brown bear, the Eurasian brown bear also calls Borjomi-Kharagauli home. These bears are known to inhabit a variety of ecosystems, from dense forests to mountainous regions, and are a vital part of the park’s biodiversity.

Wild Goat
The wild goat, or bezoar ibex, is found in the rocky cliffs of the park. This agile and hardy species can navigate steep slopes with ease and is known for its impressive curved horns.

European Hedgehog
The European hedgehog is a small, nocturnal mammal that inhabits the forest edges and meadows of the park. Known for their spiky coats, they are insectivores, feeding on beetles, worms, and other invertebrates.