Egyptian Vulture

Neophron percnopterus (Linnaeus, 1758)

		adult flying 2nd plumage
2012-05-11 Mangistau oblast, depression Kaundy 2011-09-03 Kurty lake, Almaty region2008-05-02 Kendirli-Kayasan plateau, Mangyshlak peninsula	© Andrey Vilyayev © Vassiliy Fedorenko© Andrey Kovalenko

Distribution

Breeds on Mangyshlak, in Karatau ridge, Talasskiy Alatau, Kirgizskiy Alatau, Chu-Iliyskiye Mts. and in xerophytic spurs of Zailiyskiy Alatau and Dzhungarskiy Alatau (probably up to Alakol lake). In this area occurs on migration too. Occasionally recorded in western, central and eastern areas of Kazakhstan, including lower Ural and Uil valleys (end of May 1963, 25 August 1969, and early September 1971), Betpak-Dala (28 June 1984, juvenile), Sarysu lower valley (27 July, 3 August 1953), Saur (6-10 July 1863) and Southern Altai (5 September 1946).

Biology

Egyptian Vulture is rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the low desert mountains, the bluffs and river precipices in deserts. In spring appears in end of March – early April, and latest migrants observed in end of April – mid-May. Nest is built in the recess, little cave or on the rock ledge; nest is constructed from the dry twigs and is lined with hair, pieces of sheep’s wool, rags and feathers. Laying of 1-3 (usually 2) eggs is in the end April – May. Both parents incubate and feed juveniles, which fledge in July – August. Autumn migration begins in the end of August, latest birds observed in the end of September. On migration Egyptian Vulture occurs singly or rare in groups by 2-3 birds, on Chokpak Pass recorded 3 and 18 September 2000.

Subspecies

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.