Diversity of birds of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family in the eastern part of the Kugitang Range

Abstract

This article provides information on the study history, conservation measures, status, and meeting places of the birds of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family found in the eastern part of the Kugitang mountain. In the introduction, the relevance of the topic, the methods of research, and the results and discussion of the study of the researched predator species are described. Proposals for the protection of these species are given in the concluding part of the article.

Full text

Diversity of birds of prey belonging to the
Accipitridae family in the eastern part of the
Kugitang Range
Saydmurot N. Mamarajabov*, and Otabek Sh. Ochildiev
Termez Institute of Engineering and Technology, Termiz, Surkhandarya, 190100, Uzbekistan
Abstract. This article provides information on the study history,
conservation measures, status, and meeting places of the birds of prey
belonging to the Accipitridae family found in the eastern part of the
Kugitang mountain. In the introduction, the relevance of the topic, the
methods of research, and the results and discussion of the study of the
researched predator species are described. Proposals for the protection of
these species are given in the concluding part of the article.
1 Introduction
It is important to study the modern status of the population and distribution areas of the birds
of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family found in the eastern part of Kugitang. The fact
that 70% of the species of birds of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family in the territory
of Uzbekistan are found in the eastern part of Kugitang shows that it has an important.
The Kugitang range is located in the southwest of the Pamir-Alai mountain system, in the
territory of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is the southern extension of Boisun mountain
and extends for about 100 km on the right side of Sherabad river. The highest point is
Ayribaba peak (3139 m). In order to protect the mountain-forest ecosystem in the eastern part
of the Kugitang range, the Surkhan state nature reserve was established in 1986, with a total
land area of 23,406.4 ha.
2 Methods
Materials for studying the abundance of diurnal species of birds of prey were collected as a
result of field studies conducted in the territories of the eastern part of the Kugitang range
during 2012-2018. Also, the data of statistical and scientific reports of the Surkhan State
Reserve for the last 8 years were studied and processed. So far, 27 species of diurnal birds of
prey have been recorded on the territory of the eastern part of the Kugitang ridge. Of these,
21 species are representatives of the hawk family and 6 species of falcons.
* Corresponding author: mamarajabov80@mail.ru
E3S Web of Conferences 390, 07047 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202339007047
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© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative
Commons Attribution License 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

3 Results and discussion
Although the Kugitang range is located in the southern region, the natural climatic conditions
vary according to the seasons. In this area, 7 species of inhabiting birds of prey (Gyps fulvus,
Aegypius monachus, Gypaetus barbatus, Circus aeruginosus, Accipiter nisus, Buteo rufinus,
Aquila chrysaetos) are, 5 species (Neophron percnopterus, Circaetus gallicus, Accipiter
badius, Hieraaetus pennatus, Hieraaetus fasciatus) flying, nesting, 4 species (Pernis
apivorus, Pernis ptilorhynchus, Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus) seasonal migrant, 3
species (Milvus migrans, Circus cyaneus, Buteo buteo, Aquila clanga) flying, wintering, 2
species (Accipiter gentilis, Buteo lagopus) is a winterer.
Data on meeting places, number and modern status of birds of prey belonging to the
Accipitridae family found on the eastern slopes of Kugitang.
Honey-buzzard (Pernis apivorus) is a rare flying species. It is found in the eastern zones
of Kugitang, in the low mountains of Kelif-Sherabad. It is found mainly in the foothills, in
some cases up to the middle regions of the mountain. The distribution and number of this
species in Kugitang has not been sufficiently studied.
Oriental honey-buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus) is a rare migratory species. Like the above
type, it flies through the low hills of the eastern part of Kugitang, the low mountains of Kelif-
Sherabad. The meeting places and numbers of the species in Kugitang require research.
Black kite (Milvus migrans) - used to nest in small numbers in Kugitang.
N.A. Zarudny 1910 found 3 nests with eggs. On May 23, 2008, a pair of birds was found in
Tangiduvol gorge (Mitroplsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012). Currently, it can be seen as a non-
nesting, wintering and flying species in small numbers. During our research, this species was
not found in the region. This situation is probably due to the warming of the climate. Listed
in Appendix II of CITES and SMC for conservation purposes.
Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) is a weak, shrinking, mosaic nominal subspecies (Red
Book of Uzbekistan, 2019). This species is included in the national Red Book, Appendix II
of CITES and SMC. It is found in Tangiduvol and Kyzylolma gorges (Salikhbaev,
Ostapenko, 1964; Mitroplsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012).
In the course of our research, in 2012, it was found that 6 pairs of birds formed a colony
and built nests in Oltikunliksoy and 14 pairs in Palangdara. In 2015, it was found that there
are 3 nests in the rocks around Bashbulok, Tangiduvol Gorge. The population density of the
bird was observed to be higher in the northeastern part of Kugitang mountain. Eurasian
griffon feeds on carrion. In January 2013, it was found that 37 birds gathered near the village
of Khodjanko to feed on cow carcasses. Due to the large range of birds foraging along the
Kugitang mountain range, it is difficult to calculate the density in one part of the mountain.
According to the results of the spring and autumn wildlife census in the Surkhan reserve,
this species was counted as 60-65 in 2016, 2017, 50-65 in 2018, 20-24 in 2019, 88 in 2020,
and 87-100 in 2021. (Nature Chronicle of Surkhan State Reserve, 2016-2021).
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) is a close to weak, mosaic species (Red Book of
Uzbekistan, 2019). The black griffon is included in the national Red Book, the international
Red List, Appendix II of CITES and SMC.
It was recorded in Shalkan and Tangiduvol regions (Salikbaev, Ostapenko, 1964;
Mitroplsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012).
Currently, it is found mainly in Gardon massif, Zaravutsoy, Vandop, Tangiduvol,
Boglidara, Koldaroz regions of Kugitang. In 2012, 1 nest was found in Vandob region, 2015
in Oltikunliksoy. The bird is naturally small in number, Surkhan Nature Reserve registered
8 heads in the spring of 2017 and 5 heads in the fall count.
Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) is a weak, naturally rare, locally distributed subspecies
(Red Book of Uzbekistan, 2019). G. barbatus is included in the national Red Book, the
international Red List, Appendix II of CITES and SMC.
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At the beginning of the last century, N.A. Zarudny met this species during the nesting
period in Kugitang, (Ivanov, 1969). In the last decade of May 2008, a pair of birds was found
in Kyzylolma and Tangiduvol regions (Mitropolsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012).
G. barbatus is found constantly in the south of Kugitang: Tangiduvol, Oltikunliksoy,
Boglidara, Kuruqkoldara, Zarautsoy and in the northern part of Gordara and
Mukhkaptarkhana. Sometimes it enters other areas in search of food. It has been found that
the species nests in Tangiduvol, Oltikunliksoy, Gordara and Mukhkaptarkhana. It sometimes
places its nest near a Eurasian griffon colony. It is always found in small numbers in the
Kugitang range.
Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a weak, declining, patchy species. (Red
Book of Uzbekistan, 2019). It is included in the National Red Book, the International Red
List, Appendix II of CITES and SMC. It was taken under protection in the Surkhan Nature
Reserve.
It nests in the foothills of the Kugitang ridge (Salikhbaev, Ostapenko, 1964). It looks for
food in the lower zones of the mountain. The population density of this species is not high in
the study area. In particular, it comes close to villages in search of carcasses of domestic
animals. 37 breeding pairs are listed in Kugitang and Bobotog (Red Book of Uzbekistan,
2019). During our research, there were no nesting cases of this bird.
Short-toed Snake-Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) is a weak, shrinking, flying, nesting
subspecies of Turkestan (Red Book of Uzbekistan, 2019). Included in the National Red Book,
Appendix II of CITES and SMC. According to I.A.Ivanov (1969), Zarudny met him in 1910
in the forest of fir tree of Kugitang. On May 22-24, 2008, two birds were found in Kyzylolma
and Tangiduvol (Mitroplsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012). This bird was not found in the
Kugitang area during our field research in 2012-2022.
Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus) is a species characteristic of water swamp
biotopes in the plains, but it can be found in the zones up to the hilly region. 2016 was noted
to be changing around the village of Bedak, located in the lower zone of Kugitang. It is not
found in the middle of the mountain. Listed in Appendix II of CITES and SMC for
conservation purposes.
Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus) is a migratory, wintering species. During the years 2013-
2017, it was found several times in the process of searching for food from November to the
second half of March around the villages of Aktash and Tuzkon in the south-eastern part of
Kugitang. Listed in Appendix II of CITES and SMC for conservation purposes.
The Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) – C. macrourus, flying species. It feeds on small
birds, rodents, lizards (Red Book of Uzbekistan, 2019). It is included in the National Red
Book, the International Red List, Appendix II of CITES and SMC. It was found on the eastern
slopes of Kugitang and around the Sherabad River, in the low mountains of Kelif-Sherabad.
It was found during foraging in the lower zones of Kugitang mountain (Zarabog, Maidan
villages, 2013-2017).
The Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) - flies during seasonal migration. On the eastern
foothills of the Kugitang ridge near the village of Vandob, on August 17, 1956, the obtained
specimen of birds is preserved in the ornithological collection of the Institute of Zoology of
the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan. During 2012-2017, we met in the pastures around
the villages of Pashkhurt, Aktash, Tuzkan in the eastern part of Kugitang. Compared to the
information given in the sources about the number of species, the number is now several
times less. Listed in Appendix II of CITES and SMC for conservation purposes.
The Shikra (Accipiter badius) is a migratory nesting species. Found in gardens of villages
such as Vandob, Shalkan and Tangiduvol in the east of Kugitang (Salikhbaev, Ostapenko,
1964). Currently, it nests in large walnut trees, orchards, roadside trees in the villages of
Khojanqo, Tangiduvol, Khatak, Kampirtepa in all the foothills of Kugitang. Nesting birds
form 15-18 pairs. Listed in Appendix II of CITES and SMC for conservation purposes.
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The Eurasian sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) is a flying, wintering species. Salikhbaev
H.S., Ostapenko M.M.recorded that the Eurasian sparrowhawk is met in Kugitang after the
second half of November (1964). It is often found in the lower and middle parts of the
Kugitang mountain, mainly in the winter season. In 2015, it was found in the gardens of
Khodjanko village. There are probably pairs involved in nesting in the montane forests of the
northern part of the range.
The Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) is a migratory wintering species. They visit to
Kugitang late autumn, winterer. In spring migration is rare. It is always found in small
numbers throughout the foothills and mid-mountain regions. Listed in Appendix II of CITES
and SMC for conservation.
The common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a migratory wintering species. It is found in the
winter season in the eastern part of Kugitang, in the foothills, in the low mountains of Kelif-
Sherabad. In 2015, it was found below the village of Gurjak. Distribution areas in the eastern
part of Kugitang have not been fully studied. Listed in Appendix II of CITES and SMC.
The Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus) is a inhabiting species. Nests in the foothills
of Kugitang (I.A. Ivanov, 1940). It was found in the village of Vandob on May 18, 2008
(Mitropolsky, Filatova, Soldatov, 2012). In the observations of the following years, nests of
Long-legged buzzards were not found on the eastern slopes of Kugitang, but birds looking
for food were found in the mountain and foothills. In recent years, the trend of the number is
decreasing. For the purpose of protection, it is included in Appendix II of CITES.
The Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga) is a vulnerable, rare, migratory species that
winters in the south in small numbers. Included in the National Red Book, International Red
List, CITES II and Annexes I of SMC. It mainly migrates in the plain region and through low
mountain areas. During research, it was found in 2016 around the village of Vandob in the
eastern part of Kugitang.
The Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a vulnerable, naturally rare, inhabiting, locally
distributed species. Included in the National Red Book, Appendix II of CITES and SMC. It
was found by N.A. Zarudnyi as a nesting species on the eastern slope of Kugitang (Ivanov,
1969). The eagle is found in normal numbers in the southern and northern parts of the reserve.
Its nest was found in Shamoli, Gordara, Zaravutsoi, Oltikunlikdara. This species is always
found in the Gardon massif, Kuruqkoldara, Boglidara, Zaravutsoi, Daroyigul regions in the
eastern part of Kugitang (Surkhan State Nature Reserve Nature Chronicle, 2016).
The booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) is a weak, declining, flying subspecies native to
Central Asia. Included in the National Red Book, Appendix II of CITES and SMC. It was
taken under protection in the Surkhan Nature Reserve. It is found in Kugitang during the
flight period (T. Kholikov, S. Mamarajabov, 2016). Abdunazarov (1982) recorded nesting in
the juniper forests of the southern slopes of Kugitang. As migratory birds, we were noted in
the period of spring migration.
The Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) is a critically endangered migratory
nominative subspecies. Included in the National Red Book, Appendix II of CITES and SMC.
Previously found in flight and nesting in study areas. We did not observe cases of bird
encounters during the research. According to the information of a local resident who is
interested in birds of prey (Normatov Abdusalam), this bird was found in the low plains of
the southern part of Kugitang in March 2022. Observations are currently being made in places
where nesting birds are likely to be present.
4 Conclusion
5 species of birds of prey belonging to the Accipitridae family found in this area are included
in the Red List of the International Committee of the Red Cross, 10 species in the Red Book
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of Uzbekistan, 19 species in the Appendices of CITES and SMC as rare and endangered
species.
Although the nature reserve has been established in the eastern part of Kugitang, if the
areas where they are found are turned into a protected area, the reduction of the population
of these species and the reduction of their distribution areas would be prevented.
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