Kani Barazan Wetland located south of great Urmia (Orumiyeh) Lake. Kani Barazan wetland is 30 kilometers north of Mahabad, West Azarbayjan, northwestern Iran. Being part of the southern ecology of Urmia Lake, this wetland covers an area of 907 hectares.
Kani Barazan wetland hosts a range of native and migrating birds. Being supplied by the Mahabad dam and its downstream river, the wetland is one of the main wildlife habitats in northern Iran. As it is the first bird watching site in Iran, the birdwatchers call it: Iran birds’ paradise.
The best time for bird watching in the region is from mid-January to mid-February. Interestingly, the residents voluntarily assume the responsibility of protecting this wetland and its wildlife from illicit hunting.
As mainly Kurdish speaking villages surround the wetland, you can also experience the unique culture and rare hospitality first hand.
Due to its topography and mass canebrakes, the wetland is mainly frequented by water birds including white-headed duck, pelican, flamingo, marbled duck, heron, spotted eagle, goose, ruddy shelduck, tern, coot, black-winged stilt, great crested grebe. According to the estimates, there are 75 kinds of aquatic species identified in the wetland, belonging to 11 broader categories of birds.