Cinereous Vulture

Aegypius monachus (Linnaeus, 1766)

2007-01-17 Chardara reservoir, South-Kazakhstan oblast 2014-07-26 Kanshengel.	© Andrey Kovalenko © Askar Isabekov

Distribution

Breeds in Tien Shan, its spurs (Chu-Iliyskiye Mts., Karatau), Dzhungarskiy Alatau. Inhabited nests were founded in Western chink of Ustyurt (1998); in Chu valley; and in Saur ridge. On dispersion occurs in Kazakhstan widespread including Naurzum; Tengiz-Kurgaldzhinskaya depression; Pavlodar Trans-Irtysh area; Southern and Western Altai; Kalbinskiy Altai; Zaysan depression; Monrak; Tarbagatay ridges; and Semipalatinsk Trans-Irtysh area. Very rare occurs in winter; observed near Ust-Kamenogorsk; in Terskey Alatau; in Matay; on road Almaty – Bakanas 2 birds (15 November 2004); and on Chardara reservoir 5 birds (18-21 December 2003).

Biology

Black Vulture is rare breeding migrant. Inhabits the rocky low mountains and the gently sloping foothills of the high ridges on altitudes 1300-1500 m. In spring appears from the end of February to early April. Breeds in separate pairs on 200-1500 m apart and in loose colonies of 2-4 pairs. Nest is built on the rock, fall slope near the bush; or on the tree (spruce); nest is constructed from the dry twigs and is lined with hair, pieces of felt , grass and feathers; nest is used many years and is repaired every year. Laying of 1 egg is in mid-March – April. Both parents incubate for 55 days and feed the nestling which fledge in July – August. Sometimes large groups of Black Vultures (one hundred and more birds) convene in places of the mass birthing of Saiga antelope (in summer), or in places of mass hunting to this antelope (in autumn). Autumn migration does not appear explicitly, on Chokpak Pass the singles and groups of 2-4 birds were observed from mid September to the end of October.

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Рябицев В. К., Ковшарь А. Ф., Ковшарь В. А., Березовиков Н. Н. «Полевой определитель птиц Казахстана», Алматы, 2014.