Vulture \ Jurtchu, tarpych \ Egyptian Vulture

Egyptian Vulture

Status: Category V, Vulnerable, VU: R. The only representative of the genus in the fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic. The nominative subspecies N. p. percnopterus (L., 1758) inhabits the region.

General distribution and in the country. Africa, except for the Sahara Desert and humid tropical forests. Eurasia from the Iberian Peninsula eastward to the Dzhungar Alatau, Borokhoro Ridge, Teskey Ala-Too, the eastern part of the Alai Ridge, Western Pamir, and along the southern slope of the Himalayas eastward to the basin of the lower Brahmaputra. To the north as far as central France, northern Italy, Yugoslavia, Romania, the Dniester Valley, Crimea, the Greater Caucasus, Mangyshlak, Karatau, and Chu-Ili mountains. To the south to the Mediterranean Sea, Asia Minor, southern Arabia, and further south to the oceanic coast of South Asia and Cape Kumari on the Indian subcontinent. [7, 15]. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the Egyptian Vulture is found on the northeastern edge of its range. It is encountered here everywhere but prefers lower altitudes than other vultures [2].

Habitat. Predominantly desert foothills and mid-mountain areas with sharply dissected landscapes. Rarely ventures into the subalpine zone.

Population. Information on population numbers is extremely scarce. A flock of 20 vultures was observed on March 20, 1955, near the city of Balykchy, Issyk-Kul region [2]. Out of 44 surveyed areas in 1992, the Egyptian Vulture was found in only one. An adult pair with one fledgling was observed on September 15, 1992, in the Dangi Tuya Muyun locality at an altitude of 1,000 m above sea level in the Aravan River basin, Aravan district of Osh region [16]. In Eastern Prissykul, the Egyptian Vulture is extremely rare in juniper thickets (0.002 individuals/km²) [31]. In spring 2005, two birds were encountered along the Osh-Eski-Nookat road [48].

Life style (life cycles). Migratory species. Beneficial scavenger. Prefers open habitats, a constant companion of cultural landscapes. Builds nests from a large number of dry twigs, dirty rags, and wool in rocks or on artificial elevations of abandoned settlements and mausoleums. The nest contains two eggs. Both parents care for the clutch and fledglings [19].

Limiting factors. Reduction of the food base due to the decline in wild ungulate populations. Shooting for recreation.

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

Existing conservation measures. No special measures for the protection of the Egyptian Vulture have been undertaken in Kyrgyzstan.

Recommended conservation measures. It is necessary to map the identified nesting sites and include them in the register of zoological mini-reserves to eliminate disturbance factors during the breeding period. An informational campaign should be conducted among local residents and communities about the importance of preserving the local population of the Egyptian Vulture and the possibility of their participation in conservation activities. Activities should be carried out to promote population growth (artificial feeding, creating potential nesting sites, etc.). It is also advisable to contact ornithological communities in the countries where vultures winter to develop a joint strategy for the conservation of the species at nesting, migration, and wintering sites.

Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus, 1758), ssp. percnopterus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Status: V, Vulnerable, VU: R. Nesting bird, which prefers low- and midlands of Kyrgyzstan. It is at the northern-eastern edge of the species area worldwide. Numbers of this species are low compared to other vulture species. Out of 44 sites investigated in Kyrgyzstan in August-September 1992, only once was the Egyptian Vulture seen in the Dangi Tuya Muyun locality in the Aravan River in the south at 1,000 m above sea level. A pair of birds was feeding a juvenile near the nest on September 15, 1992. In the north, its density is 0.002 individuals per km² in juniper shrubs. Lays 2 eggs in a stick platform based on rocks or abandoned human constructions. Both sexes take care of the next generation. Good carcass eater. Reduction of wild animal stocks and poaching are major threats. No special measures to protect the Egyptian Vulture were undertaken in Kyrgyzstan. It is recommended to map all existing nests and include those sites into the list of mini protected areas, to conduct public education campaigns.