Orni̇thofauna of Erci̇ş Pinarli meydan Caldera (Van/Türki̇ye)

The aim of this study is to reveal the bird diversity of the Erciş Pınarlı Meydan Caldera. During 13 months of fieldwork, 126 bird taxa belonging to 38 families (Familia) and 19 orders (Ordo) were recorded. Of the identified bird taxa, 125 are species (Species) and 1 is a subspecies (Subspecies). Based on the IUCN status of the birds identified in the study area, the categories are: 1 species Endangered (EN), 2 species Vulnerable (VU), 3 species Near Threatened (NT), 118 speciec Least Concern (LC), and 2 species Not Listed. Based on the BERN categories, 86 species are listed in Appendix II, 32 species are listed in Appendix III, and 8 species are not listed. According to the MAKK (2025-2026) criteria, 24 of the bird species observed in the study area are listed in Appendix I, 15 are listed in Appendix II, and 87 are not listed. Considering CITES criteria, 18 bird species observed in the study area are listed in Appendix II, while the remaining 108 birds are classified as Not Listed. Based on the Regional Status of bird species living in the area, 12 Transit (T), 52 Resident (R), 54 Summer Visitor (SV), and 8 Winter Visitor species were identified. Resident and Summer Visitor species are birds that breed in and around the study area. In this context, 106 species breed in and around the Pınarlı Meydan Caldera. Consequently, birds breeding in and around the study area comprise 84% of all birds identified in the area. It has been determined that the Pınarlı Meydan Caldera and its surroundings are of utmost importance for breeding birds in the area, and it has been assessed that the area must be protected.