Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT. A species with low numbers, poorly studied. In Kyrgyzstan, the subspecies Pterocles orientalis arenarius (Pallas, 1775) is found.
Distribution overall and in the country. Iberian Peninsula, Little Africa, Little, Front, Central Asia, Southern Kazakhstan, and the Caucasus. It inhabits the northeastern part of the republic. During nesting, it is found on the western shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, in the valleys of the At-Bashi and Naryn Rivers, and is also encountered in the Kochkor basin [92].
Habitat. The nesting habitat consists of clay foothill plateaus at altitudes of 1,500 to 2,000 m above sea level, with bushes of caragana, anabasis, and saltwort, and in some cases completely devoid of shrub vegetation. Unlike the sandgrouse, it prefers to nest in the foothill-adyir zone on small flat areas with sparse vegetation [92].
Population. There are no exact data, but it is low everywhere. Observed flocks consist of from several to twenty or more individuals [92].
Life style (life cycles). They arrive early in spring, already seen in mid-March. Migration lasts almost a month until mid-April. They begin nesting relatively late, and the breeding period is significantly extended, which is explained by repeated clutches [86]. The clutch consists of three eggs, sometimes two. The female mainly incubates, while the male replaces her for a short time. Both parents care for the chicks. They fly to drink in pairs or small flocks, bringing water to the chicks in their crops. [92] Their diet mainly consists of seeds of desert plants; sometimes the birds eat shoots, and in autumn, they often feed in harvested, grazed fields [86].
Limiting factors. Grazing of livestock in habitats, herding dogs that destroy young birds, and poaching.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). No data available.
Existing conservation measures. No special conservation measures have been developed.
Recommended conservation measures. Prohibit livestock grazing in nesting areas. Strengthen the fight against poaching and promote species conservation widely.
Black-bellied Sandgrouse
Pterocles orientalis (Linnaeus, 1758), ssp. arenarius (Pallas, 1775)
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT. Species with low numbers, scantily explored. Breeds in the western part of Issyk-Kul oblast, valleys of Kochkor, At-Bashi, and Naryn Rivers. Prefers clay uplands within the range of 1,500-2,000 m (4,900-6,600 feet) above sea level with scarce scrubs. No systematic data on numbers are available. Flocks recorded had consisted of from several birds to dozens and more pairs. Arrives in mid-March, migrates until mid-April. Lays 3, sometimes 2 eggs. The female predominantly incubates, sometimes the male replaces her, and both sexes take care of nestlings. Uses plant seeds for food, often in the fields. Limiting factors are overgrazing, domestic dogs, and poaching. No data on holding in captivity. There are no protection measures foreseen. It is recommended to limit cattle grazing around nesting sites, fight against poachers, and increase public awareness.
