ABSTRACT
Mongolia’s unique geography provides diverse habitats that support a wide variety of bird species (see Map 2). As with other aspects of the nation’s natural heritage, Mongolia’s avian fauna present both opportunities for economic development and challenges for those concerned with preserving bird populations and diversity. If properly promoted, game bird hunting and bird watching could support a tourism industry that would attract visitors from around the world. Unfortunately, some migratory and resident bird species are rare or endangered; with migratory birds, especially waterfowl, it is due to overhunting in the nations where they overwinter, while certain resident birds have been poached to almost extinction because of their value in traditional medicine.
