This study aimed to document avifaunal diversity of the Zarivar Wildlife Refuge (ZWR) , western Iran, to evaluate its potential ity to propose as a Ramsar site . Bird surveys were carried out during 2015 –2016. In total, 222 species belonging to 50 families and 16 order s were identified, of which 95 species were new record s for this habitat. Based on preferred habitat, 131 species were terrestrial birds ( 59 %) and 91 species waterbirds (41%) . Of 222 species, seven species are endangered and 30 species a re protected species in Iran’s Department of the Environment. Twenty- one species are listed in the A ppendix I and II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) , and 11 species are in the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ) Red List of Threatened Species. Our results show ed that the ZWR meets five criteria (A1, B2, B3, B4, and B6) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Accordingly, it is propose d that the ZWR be designated in list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands .
