No Synonyms

Description

Common passage migrant, though probably a rare breeding migrant. Inhabits forestry marshes, lakes and rivers. On migration occurs on fresh or salt lakes, rivers, streams and other reservoirs in open landscape. Appears in March – April in southern areas, and in end April – early May in northern ones, in small groups or flocks of up to two-three dozen birds. Migration finishes in mid – end May. Breeds in separate pairs, using old thrush, doves or crow nests. Clutches of 4 eggs, which incubated by female. In Kazakhstan no authentic nest was found. Autumn migration begins in end June or in July. From northern areas disappear until mid-September, but from southern ones in early October – early November. In mild winters singles occurs in southern and south-eastern Kazakhstan.

Distribution

On migration occurs on plain Kazakhstan, regularly was observed on Markakol’ lake. In highlands of Zailiyskiy Alatau ridge, Bolshoye Almatinskoye lake recorded 4 August 1972, 7-22 August 1975 and 5 August 1976. Though birds recorded in Northern Kazakhstan in summer regularly, only B.K.Stegman (1934) in 1932 near Borovoye long time observed a pair of birds on one marsh, where he saw some later a brood too. Probably nesting among forest of Northern Kazakhstan and Altai don’t prove up to present.

References

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