Checklist of urban and suburban birds of Mashhad

Mashhad is a metropolis at north east of Iran and is the capital of Khorasan-Razavi province and is the second vest city of Iran with 351 Km² areas. Because of special geography position has variable weather along year with hot and dry summers, wet and cold winters. By the field studies and observations within 3 years on presence of birds in different seasons in urban and suburban spaces, check list of observed species has provided. Results shows about 80 species of birds live in Mashhad. It means in a area with 351 Km² (0.02% of Iran area) 14.5% of birds of Iran are present. Amount these 80 species 16 species has protection values and need to be managed to prevent extinction in region. This variety of birds in urban spaces can make a high capacity for eco-tourism and birdwatching