Steppe Harrier
Status: Category VI, Near Threatened, NT. One of 4 representatives of the genus in the fauna of the Kyrgyz Republic. Monotypic species.
Distribution general and in the country. Eurasia from the lower Danube valley eastward to northwestern Mongolia and presumably southwestern Transbaikalia. To the north to the Pripyat valley, between Belarus and the Ural Mountains up to the 55th parallel, between the Ural Mountains and the Yenisei valley - up to the 57th parallel. To the south to the northern coast of the Black Sea, Crimea, southern Transbaikalia, the Caspian provinces of Iran, to the Kamysh-Samarsky lakes, upper Emba, Zhezkazgan, and Ural, northeastern coast of the Aral Sea, Syr Darya valley, to Tarbagatai and northwestern Mongolia. In Kyrgyzstan - valleys of the Chu, At-Bashi rivers, Issyk-Kul basin, foothills of the Inner Tien Shan [2, 7, 31, 43].
Habitat. Prefers flat and low- to mid-mountain open stations, often found in cultivated areas, less frequently ascends to high altitudes.
Population. There is no systematic data on population numbers. It is a common bird during migration in the valleys of the Chu River and Issyk-Kul Lake. Males of the steppe harrier were observed twice at ponds near Bishkek during summer-autumn counts in 2005. One juvenile bird was noted on the shore of one of the ponds [67].
Life style (life cycles). Possibly a nesting species. Prefers to sit on the ground, less often on bushes and trees. It tirelessly patrols agricultural lands on outstretched, motionless wings, freezes in one spot in the air upon spotting prey, and makes steep turns to pounce on it. Hunts for rodent-like mammals, lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, and nestlings of other bird species. Nests from April to July. Builds nests on the ground, mainly in fields from leaves and grass. Lays 4-5 white eggs with brown spots.
Limiting factors. High disturbance factor at nesting sites, particularly domestic animals pose a threat to nests. Less frequently - direct killing 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, NT, Category VI.
Recommended conservation measures. It is necessary to protect nesting sites, limit human and domestic animal presence in nesting areas. It is essential to map identified nests and conduct monitoring of the steppe harrier population.
Кубарган кулaaлы
Pallid Harrier
Circus macrourus (S.G. Gmelin, 1771)
Status: VI category, Near Threatened, NT. Monotypic species. Occurs in river valleys of Chu, At-Bashi, Issyk-Kul Regions, in highlands of Inner Tien Shan. Prefers open plains, low-, and midlands, cultivated landscapes, rarer in highlands. No systematic data on numbers. Males of Pallid Harrier and one juvenile were observed twice at the census transects in summer-autumn 2005. Nesting bird. Prefers to sit on the ground compared to bushes or trees. Feeds on lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, and nestling birds. Builds nests from leaves and grass on the ground in agricultural fields. Lays 4-5 eggs. Limiting factors are disturbance at the nest sites by humans and domestic animals, such as cattle and dogs, rarer - direct killing as potential chicken lifters. No evidence of holding in captivity. Special conservation measures have not been undertaken so far. It is recommended to protect nesting sites, limit human and domestic animal influence during nesting time, to map identified nests and conduct monitoring of Pallid Harrier’s numbers.