Kyrgyz Practical Ornithology
Kyrgyzstan is one of the mountainous republics of the CIS. The mountainous terrain, sharp elevation changes, the presence of plains and highlands in a relatively small area, numerous water bodies, and eternal glaciers, along with vast oases, give Kyrgyzstan a picturesque and unique appearance. The region is rich in animal life, distributed across natural landscape zones with a diverse plant cover. Although scientific study of the fauna of our region began in the late last century, the pre-scientific notions of the Kyrgyz about birds remained unexplored for a long time.
From ancient times, Kyrgyz people were well aware of the behavior and lifestyle of birds such as the chymchyk — sparrow, karga — crow, sagyzgan — magpie, torgoy — lark, kaz — goose, ordok — duck, etc. They also knew the habitats and nesting areas of various birds. For example, one folk song indicates where one can see the site of the sagyzgan — the marsh magpie:
Site of the sagyzgan, oh hey,
It is in the site.
The marsh magpie
Lives in the riverbed (hollow).
Among the Kyrgyz, there was a belief that the meat of this bird has a tonic effect on the human body. One of the Kyrgyz proverbs states:
Has anyone ascended the great mountain,
Has anyone heard its voice!
In a figurative sense, this means: those who have managed to rise to the highest spiritual levels have penetrated the boundaries of the highest human wisdom.
The ancient people were well aware of the behavior of hunting birds, as this knowledge determined the success of their domestication for hunting purposes.
In the images of rock monuments found in the southern part of the republic in the protected area of Saymaly-Tash (Embroidered Stone), in the Issyk-Kul region, and other places, all the attributes of hunting are present: greyhounds, hunting birds, bows with arrows, matchlock guns, etc. This indicates the great importance of hunting in the life of the Kyrgyz in the distant past.
One eyewitness of the life of the Kyrgyz in the last century noted: “The Karakyrgyz... are special admirers of bird hunting and therefore good trainers. One can often see hawks and other birds on a chain, specially trained for hunting.” As confirmation, we can cite a poetic expression that metaphorically emphasizes the purpose for which certain types of hunting birds are used:
If you train a golden eagle —
You will become rich, renew your clothes.
If you let a saker falcon hunt —
For your inspiration and rest.
If you keep a falcon —
You will satisfy your soul's desires.
The objects of hunting for hunting birds included: suusar — marten, kunduz — otter, koyon — hare, kaz — wild goose, turna — crane, ordok — duck, kyrgoal — pheasant, ular — mountain turkey, kekilik — chukar, chil — bearded partridge, japaıyı toq — bustard, tulku — fox, elik — roe deer, karyshkyr — wolf, and others. As hunting birds, the Kyrgyz used such species as itelgi — saker falcon, ylaachyn — peregrine falcon, chuiylu — hen harrier (male), kush — hen harrier (female), kyrgy — marsh harrier, turumtay — bustard, kuiko — merlin, and burkut — golden eagle. Kyrgyz hunters believed that even among hunting birds of the same species, there are individuals that differ from others in strength, agility, resilience, and other important qualities for hunting birds.
