The position of the Paanajarvi NP in the system of ornithogeographic division of the Palearctic taiga was reviewed in accordance with the updated nomenclature of bioregional zoning units. It falls into the Eurasian taiga region, West-Eurasian subregion, East-Fennoscandian province, Lapland forest
district. In terms of landscape zoning, the park territory belongs to the low- to mid-montane zoogeographic region of Lapland and the South-Lapland landscape-ornithological district. The avifauna of the area is quite specific owing to the nesting of rare montane and montane-taiga species such as dipper, ring ouzel, bluethroat, red-flanked bluetail, pine grosbeak, smew, velvet scoter, golden eagle, etc. A weighty role in the formation of the bird fauna and population is played by the Scandinavian corridor through which species of Palearctic forests and coniferous-broadleaved forests reach Lapland. The ornithological significance of the park was assessed. According to a number of criteria it is classed as an internationally important bird area (IBA). The park is a valuable refuge for vulnerable forest birds depending on pristine taiga and, simultaneously, an important wetland serving as a breeding ground for great numbers of the black-throated diver, whooper swan, bean goose and other vulnerable species. A zoning-based system of criteria for evaluating the ornithological value of protected areas adjusted for the taiga zone of European Russia is proposed.