Birds
There are approximately 347 different types of bird species in Cyprus. Out of that number only 46 are natives with 7 of them being endemic sub species to the island. There are 119 that are winter migrant, breeder type with 90 of them migrating to the island regularly, 29 out of the 119 are less frequent visitors. 27 plus the 7 visit the island for breeding purposes.
Additionally there are 220 other species that use Cyprus as a transit point on their way to other lands, 200 of which are regulars, these consist of European species migrating to Africa and the Middle East. So far 51 species of bird have been recorded who have come to the island because they have lost their way or their group.
Cyprus is on a North-South migration route and there are many birds in transit either in flocks or small clusters. They may rest from a few days to a week.
March-May-Northward migration - August-October southward migration
Griffon Vulture
Turkish: Kızıl Akbaba
Latin: Gyps fulvus
Status: Winter visitor, resident breeder.
The Griffon Vulture, Gyps fulvus is an Old World vulture in the family accipitridae, which also includes eagles, kitess, buzzards and hawks. It breeds on crags in mountains in southern Europe, north Africa, and Asia, laying one egg. Griffons may form loose colonies. The population is mostly resident. Like other Vultures it is a scavenger, feeding mostly from carcasses of dead animals which it finds by soaring over open areas. It often moves in flocks. Griffon is a typical vulture, with a white bald head, very broad wings, short tail and a 2.5m wingspan. It has a white neck ruff and yellow bill. The buff body and wing coverts contrast with the dark flight feathers. This vulture grunts and hisses at roosts or when feeding on carrion.
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia under a copyleft GNU Free Documentation License (GFDL) from the article "Griffon Vulture."
Hirundelle
Turkish: Kır Kırlangıcı
Latin: Hirundo rustica
Status: Migrant breeder
Golden Oriole
Turkish: Sarı Asma / İncir Kuşu
Latin: Oriolus oriolus
Status: Winter visitor, passage migrant.
Pochard Elmabas
Turkish: Ördek / Bozdalağan
Latin: Aythya ferina
Status: Migrant breeder
Cyprus Pied Wheatear
Turkish: Kıbrıs Kuyrukkakanı
Status: Migrant breeder
Endemic: The most distinctive and interesting species of all the endemic birds in Cyprus
In 1989 the Foundation of the North Cyprus Society for the Protection of Birds (NCSPB or KUSKOR) was established. The foundation works in collaboration with other local organization in particular the local Greenpeace Movement for the preservation of wild life and nature. The organization has a public awareness and education programme throughout the year held in village coffee shops, hunting clubs, sports clubs and scholls. They introduce the birds and their environment and in 1994 alone they reached over 800 people in 40 villages. These were important as they were talking to hunters.