No Synonyms

Description

Common breeding migrant. Inhabits fresh lakes with reed, reed mace, rush and other vegetation mostly in river valleys, wet meadows and marshes. On migration feeds in stubble fields and rests on steppe lakes. Appears very early, when there are small snow-free patches at end February – early March in the south, and mid-March – mid April in the northern regions. Migrates in flocks of several dozen up to a hundred birds. Migration continues for about two weeks. Breeds by singles pairs. Nest is built, as a rule, among reed-beds but on dry patches and also dense floating stems of old reeds, from dry reed stems and leaves, inner cup lined with reed and rush leaves, and also goose-down. Clutches of 3-9 eggs, of 4-6 eggs more often, mid-March – end May. Female incubates 27-28 days, male vigilantly guards nearby. Juveniles hatch end April – mid-June. Both parents rear young. Offspring begin to fly end June – early August. Adults moult from end May – beginning of June and became flying end July – beginning of August. Then they concentrate on stubble fields, feeding at dark and returning in morning to open water for rest. Autumn migration from early September or October and continues until reservoirs freeze in November.

Distribution

Breeds and migrating practically everywhere, except waterless areas and heigh mountain ridges of Tien Shan. Previously nested on Markakol’ lake where now observed on migration only. In mild winters occur in small numbers in the lower Arys and Keles rivers.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005
Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999.