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What are the rare birds in Georgia? Georgia, nestled in the Caucasus between Europe and Asia, hosts an exceptional richness of birdlife, including some rare and endemic species, migratory visitors, and raptors with small, vulnerable populations; among the rarest are the Caucasian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caucasicus), found only in the Greater Caucasus highlands, often above the tree-line where rocky slopes and alpine meadows provide its preferred habitat, and the Caspian Snowcock (Tetraogallus caspius) which is much less numerous, largely restricted to isolated, high-mountain areas in Adjara and Imereti, with total numbers in Georgia estimated to be very low and decreasing. The Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) is another rare endemic, threatened by habitat loss and disturbance, most often seen in remote subalpine and alpine zones in the Small Caucasus. Among raptors, the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is highly threatened: only about 15 known nesting sites exist in Georgia, making it one of the rarest large birds in the country; similarly, the Bearded Vulture (Lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus) appears only occasionally and in small numbers in mountainous regions such as Kazbegi. Other rare and special species include the Black Stork (Ciconia nigra), uncommon but present in floodplain forests and wetlands; the White-winged Redstart (Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Phoenicurus erythrogastrus) and Great Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilla), both high mountain species with limited distribution; the Black Francolin (Francolinus francolinus), now more restricted than formerly; and migratory visitors like the Little Bustard in winter, Demoiselle Cranes, Red‐footed Falcons, and Black-winged Pratincoles seen during migration. The number of globally threatened bird species in Georgia is around fifteen. Because Georgia lies on major migration routes between Eurasia and Africa, many of these rare birds are more visible during migration seasons—especially at hotspots like Batumi, Javakheti, Kolkheti and the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountains. Conservation efforts such as protected areas, habitat restoration, and monitoring of nesting sites are essential to safeguard these rare species and their fragile ecosystems; for birdwatchers or nature travellers, seeing even one of these rare birds is a special experience, a reminder of the unique biodiversity of Georgian landscapes that range from coastal wetlands to high mountain peaks.