Little Cormorant / Kidik Karakaz / Pygmy Cormorant

Pygmy Cormorant

Status: Category VI, Near Threatened. One of 2 representatives of the genus in the fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic. Monotypic species.

General distribution and in the country. Northeastern coast of Algeria, the coasts and river basins of the former Yugoslav republics, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, the coast of Crimea, the Sea of Azov, the Caspian Sea and the lower reaches of the rivers flowing into it, the Aral Sea, the Syr Darya valley up to Chilia and associated lake systems, presumably the valleys of Tejen and Turkmen Murghab, Asia Minor, lake and river systems of the Caucasus down to Iraq and northwestern Iran, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar [7, 19]. In the Kyrgyz Republic, it is encountered mainly during migration in the Chui Valley [60], and nesting is possible in Western Prijssykul.

Habitat. Wetlands rich in fish.

Population. Until recently, the species was considered a vagrant; during all observations, only one specimen was obtained near the Chu River close to the village of Milyanfan [2]. The first flock of Pygmy Cormorants, consisting of 5 birds, was noted in spring 2005. The cormorants rested on a sandy shoal of one of the ponds near Bishkek alongside the Yellow-legged Gulls [61]. In the vicinity of the village of Djangi-Djer, about 200 Pygmy Cormorants flew past the observation point in small flocks of 5-40 individuals each, along the riverbed downstream. According to A.N. Ostashchenko, he observed about 300 birds passing the same observation point two weeks earlier. On January 10, 2006, Kasybekov E.Sh. and Zhusupbaeva A. observed 2 Pygmy Cormorants at the ponds near Bishkek.

Life style (life cycles). Migratory and wintering species. Feeds exclusively on fish, which it catches by diving and swimming underwater. Sometimes a flock of Pygmy Cormorants organizes collective hunting, like pelicans. Often sits on the shore, drying its outspread wings. Builds nests from twigs, in the form of a small platform in trees, alongside herons and storks. Incubates 4-5 bluish-green eggs with a whitish surface [19].

Limiting factors. Reduction of fish stocks in rivers and water bodies. Less frequently - direct extermination by humans.

Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not kept in captivity in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Existing conservation measures. There are no special conservation measures in the republic. The species is listed in the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened in category VI.

Recommended conservation measures. It is necessary to protect areas suitable for feeding and resting.

Kидик кaрaкaз

Pygmy Cormorant
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (Pallas, 1773)
Status: VI category, Near Threatened. Monotypic species. Migrating bird, predominantly in Chui Valley. Prefers wetlands, lives exclusively using fish for food. Until recently, the species was considered a vagrant. But recent attempts by Kyrgyz ornithologists proved that the Pygmy Cormorant is a common migrating bird in the Chui valley. However, the data on numbers is not systematic. The first 5 birds were seen in spring 2005 roosting together with Yellow-legged Gulls on the pond shore near Bishkek. In autumn 2005, a special trip was undertaken to the Chu River near Djangi-Djer village. Several flocks ranging from 5 to 40 Pygmy Cormorants were observed in the evening hours, flying along the river course downwards. Altogether, there were 200 birds observed. Two weeks earlier, another group consisting of 300 birds was seen at the same site. Builds nests out of twigs in trees in mixed colonies with egrets and storks. Lays 4-5 eggs. Limiting factors are the reduction of fish numbers in the lakes and ponds, and rarer - direct killing by fishermen. Not kept in captivity and no special protection actions have been undertaken so far. It is recommended to protect sites suitable for feeding and roosting.