A bird with a wingspan of up to 2.5 meters was filmed in the Talas Mountains

Марина Онегина Exclusive
VK X OK WhatsApp Telegram
On the territory of the Besh-Tash Nature Park in the Talas region, a rare species of black vulture, known as "taz zhoru," has been recorded.

According to information provided by the park administration, the filming took place on November 5, 2025. "The bird was captured at close range. It is commonly referred to as 'taz zhoru' due to its resemblance to the bald eagle, which is known as 'taz kush.' There is a belief that seeing this bird in a dream brings good fortune. In our region, the black vulture is very rarely encountered and is considered one of the rarest representatives of avifauna," the park shared.



Ecologist Azamat Kozhomkulov previously shared information that the vulture can be considered the largest predatory bird in Kyrgyzstan. Its wingspan can reach 2.5 meters.

"These birds play an important role in the ecosystem of Kyrgyzstan, acting as sanitarians. They consume carrion and the remains of large animals. There is a legend that vultures live especially long. In reality, they develop slowly and can reproduce with intervals of one to two years. Therefore, each chick is extremely valuable. On average, vultures can live up to 30 years. They play a key role in the ecosystem by destroying animal carcasses and preventing the spread of diseases. In Kyrgyzstan, this species is protected by the state," he added.

______________

The Besh-Tash Park is home to over 800 species of flowering plants, among which about 28 species are woody shrubs. Coniferous trees are predominant:

- Tian Shan spruce — 1105 ha

- Tree juniper — 135 ha

- Fir — 15 ha

- Pine — 2 ha

Hardwood trees occupy 26 ha, mainly elms. Softwood species cover 22 ha, of which birch accounts for 16 ha. Other tree species occupy 16 ha, and shrubs cover 3579 ha. The total volume of timber in the park is 106.9 thousand m³. Unique spruce forests with a mix of Semyonov fir have been preserved in the Besh-Tash gorge.

The park's fauna is diverse. Among the animals, one can find roe deer, ibex, hare, fox, wolf, marten, mink, and ermine. Bird species include the rock partridge and the ulur.

Rare species listed in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan hold special significance: snow leopard, Turkestan lynx, kumai golden eagle (snow vulture), baloban (saker falcon), and bearded vulture.

The main water body of the park is the Besh-Tash River, which is 34 km long, with tributaries Shanek, Toboy, Kainy, and several small streams. This river is known for its population of rainbow trout.

All rivers in the park belong to the Tian Shan type of water regime, characterized by prolonged spring-summer floods. The main feeding of the rivers is glacial-snow. Their channels are winding and rocky, with narrow valleys and gorges often blocked by boulders.

VK X OK WhatsApp Telegram

Read also:

Saker Falcon

Saker Falcon

Saker Falcon. A large falcon, usually with reddish-yellow tones in its plumage. It has quite large...

Natural Park "Besh-Tash"

Natural Park "Besh-Tash"

Besh-Tash Nature Park is located south of the city of Talas on the northern slopes of the Talas...

Aksai Glacier

Aksai Glacier

Ak-Sai Glacier The glacier is located 40 km from Bishkek in the picturesque Ala-Archa gorge at an...

Wildlife of Kyrgyzstan

Wildlife of Kyrgyzstan

Wildlife of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan People around the world are increasingly interested in...

Horses for Hunting

Horses for Hunting

All horses in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan are small but extremely resilient. Many refer to them as...

Ala-Archa National Park

Ala-Archa National Park

In the ridges of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too, there are 480 glaciers. The largest of them are located in...

The Legend of Kuu-Kumpa

The Legend of Kuu-Kumpa

There is a legend among the people. The itelgi and the berkut were enemies, as the berkut often...

The Bird of Happiness

The Bird of Happiness

Who is a patriot? Once, near a forest ant hill, a grand argument broke out. A wolf, a tiger, and a...

Write a comment: