Houbara Bustard
Status: III category, Critically Endangered, CR: R, A1. The subspecies Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii (J.E. Gray, 1832) is found in Kyrgyzstan.
Distribution in general and in the country. Northern Africa south to the northern tropic, Sinai Peninsula, the islands of Wentewentura and Lanzarote. Eurasia from the eastern part of Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine east to Inner Mongolia. It nests and is encountered during migration in the southern half of Kazakhstan, north to the sands of Taisugan and the lower reaches of the Irgiz River. Northern Pribalhashia and the Zaysan basin [7, 43]. It nests in Balochistan, winters in Pakistan, Rajasthan, and Gujarat in India, and is found in Kashmir and around Delhi [19]. In Kyrgyzstan, it has been mainly observed in the Issyk-Kul basin [2].
Habitat. Stony deserts and semi-deserts, degraded foothills of mountain ranges, occasionally found in autumn and winter on stubble fields where grain crops were sown.
Population. Currently, the population of the Houbara Bustard has decreased, making it an extremely rare bird. Mainly solitary individuals are found in the Issyk-Kul basin. In 1988, a single bird was observed for a month outside the reserve near the village of Toru-Aigyr in the Issyk-Kul region. At the same time, in 1988, 5 individuals were seen in a barley field in Toru-Aigyr. In 1991, a solitary bird was observed in the area of Toru-Aigyr on stubble.
Life style (life cycles). Prefers open habitats, is inactive during dark night hours and at noon, prefers to feed at night under the moonlight. In case of disturbance, it camouflages its head, as the coloration of its body helps it blend into the surrounding environment. It is omnivorous but prefers plant food, wheat ears, berries, and does not ignore ants, beetles, grasshoppers, lizards, and small snakes. Very silent. The nest is a simple depression in sand or gravel under existing vegetation. The nest contains 3-4 eggs, brown in color with speckles.
Limiting factors. The impact of anthropogenic factors leads to a decrease in the population of this species, including the plowing of suitable habitats and illegal shooting. Low organization of nature protection and awareness.
Breeding (keeping in captivity). Not studied in Kyrgyzstan.
Existing conservation measures. None have been undertaken.
Recommended conservation measures. Create a nature reserve in areas where populations of this species still exist, identified either during migration and nesting or during wintering. Identify such wintering and nesting sites. Conduct detailed studies of the habitats and distribution of the species in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Houbara Bustard
Houbara Bustard
Chlamydotis undulata (Jacquin, 1784), ssp. macqueenii (J.E. Gray, 1832)
Status: III category, Critically Endangered, CR: R, A1. Prefers deserts and semi-deserts of Issyk-Kul oblast during migration and winter time. Data on numbers are irregular and scarce. A single bird was recorded feeding for a month near Toru-Aigyr village in 1988; another group consisting of 5 birds was seen not far from that place in the agricultural fields. One Houbara Bustard was recorded in the place in 1991. Uses for food field crops, cherries, can eat ants, beetles, lizards, etc. Nest is a depression in sand or stones under existing scarce vegetation. Lays 3-4 eggs. Limiting factors are ploughing up desert and semi-desert habitats, illegal poaching, low quality of protection management, and low public awareness. No captivity holding is known. There were no special protection measures in Kyrgyzstan. It is recommended to establish protected areas in the natural habitats with high concentration of the species populations.