Eurasian Spoonbill
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT: R. The only representative of the genus in Kyrgyzstan. The nominal subspecies Platalea leucorodia leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 migrates through the region.
Distribution general and in the country. The range is discontinuous. Islands off the northern coast of Western Sahara, islands in the southern part of the Red Sea from the Dahlak Archipelago south to the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. In Eurasia, the delta of the Guadalquivir, the coast of Gibraltar, the delta of the Rhine, and from eastern Austria, the republics of the former Yugoslavia, Albania east to the Southern Primorye, central northeastern China, the Yellow River valley, the valley of the lower Brahmaputra and the Ganges delta, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar. North to Austria, Hungary, the lower reaches of the Dniester, the lower reaches of the Dnieper, the northern coast of the Sea of Azov, in the Volga-Ural interfluve to the lower reaches of the Large and Small Uzen rivers or approximately to the 50th parallel, to the lower reaches of the Ilek River, in northern Kazakhstan to the 53rd parallel, east to Kurgaldzhin, Zaisan, the mouth of the Abakan River, Tuva, the Daursky steppe, the lower reaches of the Zeya River, in the Amur valley to the mouth of the Ussuri River, to Lake Khanka [7, 19]. In Kyrgyzstan, Pl. leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758 is rarely observed during migration and wintering in the Chu Valley, Issyk-Kul Basin, and the saline lakes of the Inner Tien Shan. In the mid-20th century, it may have nested in Western Issyk-Kul, but now the suitable nesting habitats have been drained [2, 6].
Habitat. Wetlands, primarily in the lower reaches of rivers, prefer water bodies with muddy shores.
Population. There are no systematic data.
Life style (life cycles). Actively forages in the morning and evening hours in shallow water, with extended necks. It scoops mud from the bottom with its lower mandible, then moves its head from side to side in a semicircular motion, filtering the mud in its bill. It feeds on tadpoles, mollusks, frogs, aquatic insects, and occasionally on plant matter. Flight is smooth, with even wing beats; flocks usually fly in a V shape or in diagonal lines. Low grunting or clicking sounds are the only noises made by the bird. It builds massive nests from sticks in trees, among other wading birds. Lays 4 white eggs, speckled with reddish-brown.
Limiting factors. Drainage of suitable nesting and resting habitats for agricultural needs. Less frequently, illegal shooting.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not kept in captivity.
Existing conservation measures. No special conservation measures have been taken in Kyrgyzstan.
Recommended conservation measures. Prohibit the practice of draining suitable nesting and resting wetlands for the spoonbill and cutting down nearby trees.
Eurasian Spoonbill
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758, ssp. leucorodia Linnaeus, 1758
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT: R. Rare migrant and wintering bird in the Chu Valley, Issyk-Kul Region, highland lakes of Inner Tien Shan. Probably nested in the past in the western part of Issyk-Kul Lake, because there was registration of adults with fledglings in one of the bays. Nowadays those habitats are drained and cultivated; the Spoonbill has not been seen around. Current numbers are unknown. In all occasions, only single birds were observed. Usually, flocks fly in V-formation or in diagonal single lines. Uses tadpoles, frogs, mollusks, water insects, and vegetable matter for food. Builds massive stick nests on trees together with other herons. Lays 4 white eggs, spotted with deep reddish brown.
