Status: IV category, Endangered, EN: R. One of the 2 species of the genus found in Kyrgyzstan. The subspecies inhabiting the region is Ciconia ciconia asiatica Severtzov, 1873.
Distribution in general and in the country. Central Asia, Kazakhstan, China (Kashgar). In Kyrgyzstan, it was found in the western part of the Chui Valley in the 1930s, but has since disappeared. It has survived in small numbers in the Prefergana regions of Jalal-Abad and Osh oblasts, on the border with Uzbekistan. In 1999, 2003, and 2004, an increasing colony was found along the Bishkek - Osh highway (near Shamaldy-Sai) [3], and in 2004 another nesting site was discovered in Batken oblast (28, in print). Migrating storks (4 and 8) were observed on April 25-26, 1971, on the southwestern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul; these may have been birds from the Talgar breeding population [6, 49, 50].
Habitat. Foothill and plain areas of river valleys in a cultivated landscape. Previously, most nests were located in old human settlements; now the birds have adapted to nesting on power line poles, with some having built 2-3 nests on a single pole.
Population. Extremely rare; there have been no reports of nesting within Kyrgyzstan in recent decades [3]. In 1999, we managed to find 8 nests of storks near the Bazar-Kurgan reservoir on concrete and metal supports of power lines [51]. There is no data on the population in Kyrgyzstan, but it is estimated to be 10-20 pairs, with the total population of the subspecies across its range not exceeding 1-2 thousand birds [23].
Life cycle (lifestyle). This subspecies winters in Indochina; in recent years, there have been cases of wintering within Central Asia [52]. In spring, they arrive at their breeding grounds in early March. They build nests on rooftops, water towers, mosques, old trees, and power line poles. The clutch consists of 2-5 eggs, incubated by both the male and female, and the chicks leave the nest after 70-72 days. The mortality rate of chicks in the nests can be up to 40% [53]. They migrate for wintering in August-September. Their diet includes amphibians, lizards, snakes, small fish, large insects (beetles, grasshoppers, etc.), arachnids (harvestmen), and rodents [53, 54].
Limiting factors. Drainage of wetlands, degradation of nesting sites, reduction of feeding grounds due to the replacement of rice fields with cotton fields and widespread use of pesticides in agriculture, bird deaths on power line poles, destruction of old nests by electricians, and sometimes direct persecution by humans [23, 33].
Breeding (captivity). There is no information on the breeding of this species in the region, while the nominal subspecies is successfully bred in several zoos in Europe.
Existing conservation measures. Since 1948, hunting has been prohibited throughout Kyrgyzstan. A resolution by the Council of Ministers of the Kyrgyz SSR established liability for the destruction of these birds starting in 1952. Since 1975, the white stork has been included in the List of specially protected species of the republic, and since 1985, it has been listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. It is also included in the Red Books of Kazakhstan [22, 23], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan [33, 34].
Recommended conservation measures. Identification and protection of all nesting sites. Extensive awareness campaigns on the need for conservation among the local population, especially in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions.
Ак кунас
White Stork Ciconia ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758), ssp. ciconia (Linnaeus, 1758) Status: IV category, Endangered, EN: R. Breeds in the Fergana Valley. A colony of 8 pairs of White Storks was found along the Osh-Bishkek road nesting on electrical poles in 1999, 2003, and 2004. Another nest was found in Batken oblast. Twelve migrating birds were recorded in the spring of 1971 on the shore of Issyk-Kul Lake. Prefers plains and uplands in cultivated landscapes. Built nests next to villages in the past. There are probably 10-20 breeding pairs in Kyrgyzstan. Lays 2-5 eggs, both sexes share domestic duties, juveniles leave the nest in 70-72 days. Fledgling mortality is 40%. Departs in August-September. Feeds on frogs, lizards, snakes, small fish, large insects, and rodents. Limiting factors include drainage of wetlands, degradation of nesting sites, reduction of feeding opportunities due to the substitution of rice fields with cotton fields, death at electrical poles, and nest destruction by electricians. No data on captive breeding in Kyrgyzstan. Included in the Kyrgyz Red Book of 1985. It is recommended to protect nesting sites and increase public awareness in the south in particular.
