Common Flamingo
Status: VI category, Nearly Threatened, NT: R. The only species of the flamingo family in Kyrgyzstan.
Distribution overall and in the country. Found in Southern Europe, Africa, South Asia, and east to Burma. In the former USSR, it inhabited the Aral-Caspian lowland, the Kara Bogaz-Gol bay, and some lakes in Kazakhstan. It winters in large numbers along the eastern and southwestern shores of the Caspian Sea, as well as in Iran and India [2]. In Kyrgyzstan, the subspecies Phoenicopterus ruber roseus Pallas, 1811, is recorded. V.N. Shnitnikov [27] notes flamingos in Naryn and Issyk-Kul. Our collections include a bird obtained in February 1933 at Issyk-Kul, and there was a record of four flamingos at Lake Kokuy-Kul (southeastern shore of Issyk-Kul) in the autumn of 1954 [2]. In winter 1998-99, 12 birds were observed near the city of Balakchy, and in 2002-2003, one bird was noted [28, 29].
Habitat. Colonies are located in areas that are inaccessible to humans and terrestrial predators, on islands with low, gentle shores [22, 4].
Population. The population is not studied. The reason for population changes is the lack of suitable habitat conditions.
Life style (life cycles). A rare vagrant bird. Flamingos nest on extensive shallow, well-heated saline lakes. The locations of flamingo colonies are unstable, depending on fluctuations in water levels and changes in salinity. The nests are massive and conical in shape. Such structures are used for only one summer. Sometimes the birds do not build nests and lay eggs directly on the sand. The clutch consists of 1-3 eggs. Both the male and female incubate them for about a month [22]. The main food consists of small crustaceans and mollusks, larvae of brine flies, and seeds of aquatic plants. Food is captured along with water and silt and filtered through the beak [22].
Limiting factors. Lack of suitable lakes for habitation.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). It is kept in many zoos around the world, including in the CIS.
Existing conservation measures. Listed in the Red Data Books of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Recommended conservation measures. Create temporary reserves in areas of their migration and wintering. Prohibit all hunting of them. Include in the Red Data Book.
Pink Flamingo
Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopterus ruber Linnaeus, 1758 ssp. roseus Pallas, 1811
Status: VI category, Nearly Threatened, NT: R. Vagrant species. A few birds were observed in the eastern part of Issyk-Kul Lake in 1998-1999 and 2002-2003 in winter. There were 12 birds in the first case and 1 in the second. There is outdated information on observing it in Naryn oblast. Greater Flamingo is included in the Red Books of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It is recommended to establish mini protected areas in those sites where birds may occur.
