Races:
Burhinus oedicnemus harteri Vaurie, 1963

No Synonyms

Description

Common, in places rare breeding migrant. Inhabits clay deserts, saline soil areas with wormwood, salt grass and sparse saxaul or tamarisk shrubs, but sand and crushed stone deserts rare; with water nearby often. Arrives at night in March or mid-April in small groups. Breeds in separate pairs. Nest not built, eggs lay on bare saline soil or in shallow hole in sand. Female incubates mostly at night, but by day a bird leaves nest for long time and eggs heat by sun only. Male don’t take part in this, but stay nearby. Clutches of 2 eggs in end April or early May. Juveniles hatch in end May – early June, and begin to fly in July. Autumn migration begins in end August and finishes until mid – end September (flocks up to one hundred and more individuals recorded), but some birds linger up to mid- or end October.

Distribution

Breeds and occurs on migration in southern half of Kazakhstan, north up to Kamysh-Samarskiye lakes, Ilek mouth, lower reaches of Turgay river, area adjacent to north of Balkhash lake and Zaysan depression. On Kurgaldzhino 29 May 1979 breeding female laid one egg obtained. Near Semipalayinsk observed in groups (broods?) 24 July. Vagrant occurs in Naurzum Reserve.

References

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