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CINEREOUS VULTURE IN ALTAI AND TUVA
BARANOV, A.A., GAVRILOV, I.K. 1987. Materials on the nesting ecology of birds of prey in Tuva.
In: Endangered, rare and little-studied plants and animals of the Altai Territory and problems of their conservation. Barnaul, 1987. Abstracts for conference: 39-41. In Russian.
(Krasnoyarsk Pedagogical Institute)
Bearded Vulture on pp. 39-40.
In last years this species constantly was recorded in the most various regions of the mountain massive Mongun-Taiga and Tsagan-Shibetu mountain ridge. In the sources of the Khemchicheilyg River (right tributary of the Barlyk River) 7 August 1986 in the "golets" (nude rocks) zone at the height of 2400-2500 m above sea level the Bearded Vulture nest was discovered. The well-flying young bird was staid closely (near). Nest was located in the undeep niche on the high and sheer rock in the narrow gorge of the left bank of the Khemchicheilyg River. It was practically inaccessible. The forest vegetation completely absent here. Here is broken ground and area is represented by the typical alpine relief with sharp-edge and deep rocky canyons. Glaciers and snow massifs are saved in certain places.
Black Vulture on p. 40.
The most northern settlement of the Black Vulture in Asia (55 degrees on northern latitude) at the first time was discovered in 1984 in the Khara-Gobi site (Semigorki place) of the Mongun-Taiginskiy district. Colony consisted of three breeding pairs: the first nest was checked 22 April, clutch - one egg, its sizes (mm) and weight (g): 91,8 x 73,1; 246,95; the 2nd nest was situated at 1,5 km from the first one and 26 April contained one egg (96,5 x 72,8; 295,40); the third - at 1 km from the second; 8 May in the nest a clutch of two eggs took place (90,0 x 70,0; 198; 87,2 x 71,2; 212,50). In the first nest chick has hatched 11 May. At the age of 2,5-3 days it had the following morphometric data: weight - 390 g, length of body - 205 mm, length of bill: from the corner of fold to top (D)-37 mm, from the front margin of the nostril (d) - 18,3, length of tarsus (C) - 35,5, part of wing, where alula and primaries are born (A) - 33,7 mm. The first downy plumage is of the blackish-grey colouring. At the age of 66-67 days a chick had quite completed nesting plumage, but in sites a down was saved still. Chick did not try to fly.
In 1986 Vultures did not breed, but staid within limits of their nesting territory in the Khara-Gobi place. Besides that, they were sighted in various sites of the Mongun-Taiginskiy district: 27 April in the Karga River flood-plain near the Khuren-Taiga ridge the Black Vulture's corpse was found, perished in a battle with fox; in the Semigorki place - 30 April solitary Vulture was recorded. 13 April - 2 Vultures and 1 Griffon Vultures, 2 August in community with Black Kites one Vulture was soared; in the Mogen-Buren River valley a solitary Vulture was sighted; 6 August 2 birds were recorded in upper part of the Barlyk River; 11-12 August in environs of the Mugur-Aksy settlement (region of garbage dump) 20 Black Vultures, 2 Griffon Vultures and 2 Bearded Vultures were concentrated on the dead domestic cattle.
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KARYAKIN, I.V. 2000. Chernyi grif (Aegypius monachus) v Respublike Tyva [The Cinereus Vulture Aegypius monachus in Republic of Tyva]. In: Sovremennye problemy ornitologii Sibiri i Tsentral'noi Azii (The Modern Problems of Siberia and Central Asia). The materials of the Ist International ornithological conference, Russia, Ulan-Ude, 16-20 May 2000. Editor Dr.Ts.Z.Dorzhiev. Ulan-Ude, Buryat State University Press. Pp.61-63. In Russian.
(Field Research Center of Ural Wildlife Protection Union, Perm, Russia)
The first data about records of the Cinereus Vulture in Tyva (formerly Tuva) exists in P.P.Sushkin (1938), which observed them in Kargy River valey, and has discovered them on breeding in Mongolia in Ulan-Lonkhu. A.I.Yanushevich (1952) sighted the nomadic Cinereus Vultures near Chadan settlement (Tuvinskaya hollow) and near Aryg-Bazhy settlement (Ubsunur hollow). V.I.Zabelin (1976) observed single birds on Enisei River and on Alash River (tributary of Khemchik River). Till the end of the 1970's the finds of the Cinereus Vulture nests were not known, though in neighbouring Mongolia the breeding was confirmed also after P.P.Sushkin in the region of Tsetsen-Ul (Stepanyan, Bold, 1983). The first nest of the Cinereus Vulture in Tuva was discovered in the Eldy-Khem valley (tributary of Barlyk River) in May 1979, the nesting colony of 3 pairs, nesting at 1 and 1,5 km each from other, was discovered in 184 in the south-eastern spurs of Mongun-taiga mountain massif at the Khara-Gobi site; all nests were situated in the mountain-steppe forestless districts on the rocks of eastern expositions of the mountain slopes (Baranov, 1991). According to data of A.A.Baranov (1991), on the status at the end of the 1980's the Cinereus Vulture nested in Tuva in Mongun-Taiginskiy district, records were the most common in Mongun-Taiginskiy, Ovyurskiy asnd Erzinskiy districts, and total number of vultures in the territory of Republic was estimated in nesting period at 80-100 specimens, major part of which did not nest, but led the nomadic mode of life.
In June-July 1999 the Field Research Center of Ural Wildlife Protection Union within the frames of the project "Saker Falcon in Russia", carrying out for the account of Falcon Research Institute, National Avian Research Centre and Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, UAE has organized an expedition in the Republic of Tyva (Tuva). During this expedition the material on distribution and number of a series of raptor species was gathered, including the Cinereus Vulture.
The route of expedition has crossed valleys of Naryn and Erzin Rivers, along Sengilen mountain ridge, Tes-Khem River, through left-bank of Tes-Khem River, along southern spurs of Tannu-Ola, through Saglinskaya valley, along the northern spurs of Tannu-Ola, through the central regions of Tuva hollow, along rivers Shuurman, Enisei and through Uyuk hollow. The total length of auto-car routes was 4120 km, foot - 580 km. As a result of that a majority of the main territories potentially suitable for the Cinereus Vulture breeding was covered by investigation in this republic. During the course of expedition all records and nests of the Cinereus Vulture were mapped. On the base of this work the calculation of density and number of the Cinereus Vulture was caried out.
For the period of work (56 days) 78 adult Cinereus Vultures and 19 chicks were counted. 56 adult Cinereus Vultures were sighted on 28 nesting plots and 22 birds were not attached to the territory and were observed either on the carrion, or as soaring over pastures. Of 28 nesting plots on 19 plots the breeding of the Cinereus Vultures in this year was revealed -there were chicks in the nest. On another 6 plots pairs near empty nests were observed and on 3 plots pairs of birds were observed, however nests were not found (Khairaken-Dag mountain, Erzinskiy district; passes Sap and Kolchan, Ovyurskiy district). Majority of plots of the Cinereus Vultures were situated at several tens kms, though in some cases the concentrated nesting of pairs at several kms one from another was observed. On Tagydty mountain ridge 3 pars of the Cinereus Vultures nested at 1.5 and 1.8 km each from other, on knolls, surrounded Naryn River valley - 2 pairs at 1.1 km, in upper parts of Saglinskaya valley - 2 pairs at 0.8 km. The distance between breeding pair of the Cinereus Vultures and pair, stayed near empty nest, on Agar-Dag-Taiga mountain ridge was 0.9 km. In all nests with established breeding during June-July the chicks were situated in brown down at the different stages of feathering. The main mass of the revealed nesting plots of the Cinereus Vultures (27) was concentrated on the slopes of ridge, surrounding Ubusunur depression from the north (the southern spurs of ridges Zapadnyi [Western] and Vostochnyi [Eastern] Tannu-Ola, western spurs of ridges Khorumnug-Taiga and Sengilen) and only one plot (pair without empty nest) was revealed in Tuvinskaya depression (hollow) on the rocky ridge in Chadan River valley. The latter is, to all probability, the northernmost point of CV distribution in Tyva (51oN.L.). The density, with which the Cinereus Vultures were sighted during work in the territory of Republic is 0.5 sec. per 100 km2. Density on nesting varies from 0.01 to 3 pairs per 100 km2 of the total area, being in the average 0.4 pair per 100 km2 (maximal density is observing in Werzinskiy district in the mountain-steppe districts of spurs of the mountain ridges Khorumnug-Taiga and Sengilen). If to take into account that surface of potentially nest-suitable territory for this species in Republic is about 22000 km2, so the CV number on nesting in Republic of Tyva can be estimated at 88 pairs (75-96 pairs) or 176 specimens (150-192 speciens) participated in breeding. The total number of the CV in Tyva with taking into account of non-breeding birds, can be estimated (for the area of steppe hollows п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛“ 75 000 km2) at 375 specimens (310-435 specimens), that at 3-4 times is higher than the previous assessments (see Baranov, 1991).
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BARANOV, A.A. 1991. Chernyi grif [The Cinereous Vulture].
In: Redkie i maloizuchennye ptitsy Tuvy [Rare and little-studied birds of Tuva]. Krasnoyarsk, Krasnoyarsk Univ. Press. 1991. Pp.166-173. In Russian.
Distribution and number Rare, resident-nomadic, breeding species of the Tuva ASSR (Tuva Autonomous Republic). However in all reviews on the birds of the Soviet Union (Dementiev, 1951; Stepanyan, 1975; Ivanov, 1976) the territory of Republic is not included in the breeding range of this species, in spite of the fact that the CV was found by many researchers, who studied Tuva. The first data on CV observations within limits of the region are known from Karga River valley (Kharige). Here the birds were sighted at 30 km 14/VII (and at 55 km from mouth (16/VII) in community with Bearded Vulture pair (Sushkin, 1938). The CVs were found in the vicinities of Chadan settlement 7/VII 1946 and six CVs in the same sites in 1947, ten birds were recorded near Aryg-Bazhy settlement in Ubsu-Nur hollow (Yanushevich, 1952). Single bird was recorded 14/VII 1960 on Enisei River bank at 7 km lower Urbun River mouth and on Alash River, Khemchik tributary, 28/IV 1962. According to interrogatory data, the CV occurs at the middle stream of Mungash-Ak River, along Manchurek, Shom-Shum, near Chaa-Khol settlement and probably, nested on watershed Mungash-Ak-Saikhanash at the height of about 2000 m above sea water level (Zabelin, 1976). Vagrant CVs were registered in April 1979 in Usinskaya hollow (Stakheev et al., 1985).
At the present time the CVs are the commonest in Mongun-Taiginsiy, Ovyurskiy and Erzinskiy districts of the Tuva ASSR. Birds were recorded
─ at the site Khara-Gobi (Kara-Khovu):
in 1971 (15/VI ─ 6 CVs), in 1974 (5./VI ─ 5 birds, 6/VI ─ 11 CVs); in 1985 (15.V - 4, 23/V ─2, and 20/V), in 1986 ─ 2 CVs;
in Shara-Kharagai River valley: in 1973 (27/VII ─ 1, 15/VIII ─ 1, 24/VIII ─ 2, 7/IX ─ 2 spec.), in 1976 (20/V ─ 3, 24/VI - 3, 19/X ─ 8 CVs), in 1978 (7/IX ─ 6), in 1979 (5/VII-2, 24/VII ─ 1, 5/VIII-3, 15/VIII ─ 6, 25/VIII ─9 spec.), in 1983 (12/IX ─ 3, 13/IX ─1 spec.);
in the vicinities of Mugur-Aksy settlement: in 1973 (7/VII-1, 24/VIII-1, 30/VIII-2, 3/IX-6), in 1976 (24/V-3), in 1985 (13/V ─ 1 CV), in 1986 ─ in the region of garbage dump (12/VI ─ 20 CVs, 2 Bearded Vulture and 2 Griffon Vultures; in upper reaches of Karga River: in 1981 (1/VIII ─ 1 (Kara-Yash site), 12/IX ─3 (Balyktyg-Khem River valley), in 1983 (24/VI ─2 (Oyun-Khem River), 25/VI ─1 (Uzun-Khem River), 18/VIII-5, 26/VIII ─4 (Kholchuktu-Khovu site); at Kara-Beldir site ─10/VIII 1981; at Chinge-Push site (mean stream of Mugur River): in 1983 Б─“ 21/VIII Б─“ 4 spec., in 1984 Б─“ 22/V Б─“ 1, 30/V Б─“ 1 spec.; on Pishtyk-Belidir River (Tsagan-Shibetu mountain ridge) Б─“ 7/V 1984 Б─“ 1 spec.; at Kuzhurlug-Khovu site Б─“ 26/V 1984 Б─“ 1 spec., Dorotei site Б─“ 26/V 1984 Б─“ 1 spec., at Ak-Adyr site: in 1984 Б─“ 13/VIII-5, 15/VIII-2, 18/VIII-1 spec.; on Kuzya-Daba Rover 9/IX 1984 Б─“ 1; at Chalysh site Б─“ 10/IX 1984 Б─“ 2 CVs; at Semigora site: in 1985 Б─“ from 1 to 26/V almost each day single CVs were recorded, in 1986 Б─“ 13/VI Б─“ 2 CVs and 1 Griffon Vulture, 2/VIII Б─“ 1 CV in community with Black Kites; in valley of Mogen-Buren’ River Б─“ 21/V 1986 Б─“ 1 CV; in sources of Barlyk River Б─“ 7/I 1982 Б─“ 4 CVs (in Eldy-Khem River valley), 28/I 1982, to all probability, the same four CVs fed on dead sarlyks in community with two Golden Eagles and one Griffon Vulture, 6/VIII 1986 Б─“ 2 CVs, in 1988 Б─“ 3 spec. on Kuzya-Dab pass (Tsagan-Shibetu mountain ridge). During car-counts, carried out 21/V 1977 from Mugur-Aksy settlement to Semigorka site (28 km), six CVs were sighted. Besides that, the mass mortality of the cattle in the separate years causes the considerable number increase in the CV and their concentration at these areas. So, 2/VI 1976 in Saghlinskaya valley (Sagly-Bazhy site) 23 CVs were concentrated, and on garbage dump in the region of airport of Mugur-Akty settlement 20 CVs came together, two Bearded Vultures (Lammergeiers) and two Griffon Vultures Single non-breeding specimens often penetrate into Ubsu-Nur and Tuva hollows (depressions). Single soaring bird was recorded in May 1973 in the vicinities of Erzin settlement, and 3/VI 1976 three CVs were flying over Bert-Dag settlement in Tes-Khem district. In the vicinities of Tsagan-Tologoi of Erzinskiy district 15/V 1987 the flock of 10 spec. was sighted, here 18/V 1989 Б─“ flock of 30 CVs.
The total number of the CVs in the territory of Tuva ASSR is in nesting period 80-100 specimens, in post-nesting period the number can increase owing to not only fledged young birds, but owing to birds, nomaded (wandered) from Mongolia in the search of food. Considerable part of the CVs, occurred in Tuva, don’t breed, but leads the nomadic mode of life, constantly moving in the search of food. Nevertheless the Cinereous Vultures occur the most frequently in the certain area, on nesting territories Б─“ this is Khara-Gobi, Ak-Adur, upper reaches of Barlyk River, Shara-Kharagai and upper reaches of Karga River.
Biological observations In Tuva the CV nest in the first time was discovered in Eldy-Khem River valley (tributary of Barlyk River) in May 1979. According to communication of local shepherds, the CVs nested here several years (in the nest the remiges of CV were saved). The nesting colony, consisting of three breeding pairs, was discovered in 1984 in the south-eastern spurs of Mongun-Taiga massif at Khara-Gobi site. That was the northernmost settlement of the CVs in Asia (50-51o N.L.). In the south-western Tuva the CVs remain at the nesting sites for winter period as well, that is determining by good food base, absence of snow cover, comparatively high temperatures in Tsygan-Shibetu mountains and Mongun-Taiga. Nevertheless in spring in April-May the CVs begin to be sighted here considerably more frequently. They nest irregularly. The CVs settle in mountain-steppe areas without vegetation. Usually nests are locating in dry foothills with wide valleys of gentle-ravine relief, they don’t penetrate high in mountains usually. All investigated nesting constructions were located at absolute available rocky breaks, ledges and screes at the height 1500-1600 m a.s.l. Nesting on rocks, in spite of that there is tall-trunk vegetation, to all probability, is a local peculiarity, typical to the species on the northern limits of range. The nests, discovered in the territory of Mongolia in Ulan-Lonkhu (Sushkin, 1938) and in the region of Tsetsen-Ul (Stepanyan, Bold, 1983), also were located on rocks.
The nests, found in Tuva, were situated on the eastern expositions of the mountain slopes, well hidden from dominating south-western winds. Distance between nesting constructions N1 and N2 was 1,5 km, between N2 and N3 Б─“ about 1 km. Near each of nests at 200-300 m one or two old nesting constructions of the CV were situated which to all probability, are using by birds in different years. Nesting plots are constant. More, the CVs stay within limits of the nesting territory in those years, when they don’t breed.
The nest sizes (n=4): diameter Б─“ 1150-1650, height 300-450 mm. Nests are massive, quite inaccurate construction made by means of twigs of poplar, caragana and larch. Usually the part of nesting material is crumbling on slope. Nest-cup in all nests contained small amount of fell of domestic animals and two-three pieces of thick felt or sheep skin. It should be noted, that by the contents of nest-cup they are distinct quite well from the eagle nests. The first nest with clutch of one egg was discovered 22/IV 1984. Egg coloration is complicate and considerably is distinct from described in literature (Dementiev, 1951). Background of egg coloration is light greyish-rose. Pattern of two types Б─“ deep and surface. The deep one is of light-grey colour, the surface one Б─“ rich, saturated, of reddish-brown colour. Density of the surface pattern is 50-55%.
Egg sizes (mm): 91,8x73,1; weight (g): 26/IV Б─“ 246,950; 3/V Б─“ 242,550; 11/V Б─“ 237,600 (embryo has pecked through, small “star” was on egg). During visit of nest 16/V in it the chick at the age of 2,5-3 days was situated. Its morphometric data: weight Б─“ 390 g, body length Б─“ 205, tarsus Б─“ 35,5, manus Б─“ 33,7, bill length from the top Б─“ 37, to corner of fold Б─“ 18,3 mm. At the age of 66-76 days (18/VII) chick had quite formed nesting plumage, but down was saved at some sites. Chick did not undertake attempts to fly. Adult birds stayed in neighbourhood.
The second nest was checked 26/IV 1984. Clutch also consisted of one egg, whose coloration was somewhat paler and with smaller density of pattern Б─“ 40-45%. Egg sizes (mm): 96,5x75,8; weight (g): 26/IV Б─“ 295,400, 11/V Б─“ 248,300; 21/V Б─“ 235.
The third nest, discovered 6/V 1984, contained clutch of two eggs (quite unusual phenomenon for the CV) (Fig.37). However such clutch, consisting of two eggs, was recorded in the CVs in Nuratau Nature Reserve (Korshunova, Korshunov, 1983). Much more, the case of laying of the repeated egg instead of the lost one is known (Abuladze, 1983).
Egg coloration is considerably paler, than in two other nests. The first egg Б─“ background of dirty-white colour, without inner pattern, surface Б─“ spotted, of light-brown coloration. Pattern density Б─“ 10% (slight pigmentation with some concentration in infundibular zone); the second one was not pigmented at all, pattern is absent. Egg sizes (mm): 90x70; 87,2x71,2; weight (g): 6/V-1) 198; 2) 212,580; 11/V Б─“ 1) 196,200; 2) 212; 16/V Б─“ 1) 193; 2) 211.
Fig.37. Nest and clutch of the CV (Mongun-Taiginskiy district, 1984).
Breeding begins probably at the beginning of March. Male and female build the nest. Copulation goes on in nest (Korshunov, Korshunova, 1983). After laying of eggs in the nest only one bird spends a night, while other is situating not far on rocks. Building of nests and copulation not always is finishing by clutch.
Chick hatching goes on 10-15 May. Hatching chick has blackish-grey colour of the first plumage. Head is feathered completely. Down is developed well on the spinal side of body. Very rarefied down is on neck, crop, occipital areas of head, arm-pits plots of body, partly is absent on sides. Bill is wide, disproportionately massive one, of dark-brown colour, lower mandible is grey near base. Talons are somewhat lighter. Cere and bill gapes (bolsters) are of blue-grey colour. Eyes are semiopened. Typical peculiarity of CV chick in downy plumage is nude (bare) parts of skin around eyes as “glasses” (Fig.38).
Fig.38. The downy chick of the CV.
Chicks in nesting plumage are coloured considerably darker than adult birds. Young leave nest in the last decade of August at the age of 14-15 weeks. After fledging from the nest they stay within limits of nesting territory for a long time.
Intensive moult of feathers goes during incubation of clutch in adult birds (in the nest there are many remiges and rectrices).
Rather unusual case in the region of Khuren-Taiga ridge was registered. Here 28/IV 1986 the carcasses of CV and fox were found (they were laid in coupling). To all probability, the CV has attacked weaked or sleeping fox and both of them died in the struggle (CV had tracks of bites on neck and skull (holes in occipital department), while in fox there were mortal wounds in the region of occiput, on side and thigh of rear leg).
In attitude to people the CV is extremely careful, but some incubating birds sometimes express bigger trustfulness. So, during the first visit of nest Nr.1 (22/IV) the bird allowed us to approach her at the distance at 80-100 m. During inspection of this nest in the second time (26/IV) the CV has left the nest only after approaching of people at 25 m. Bird has returned to clutch in 20 minutes. We could approach incubating bird on the second nest at 5 m, after that it has flown away. This bird has returned to clutch as soon as observer has gone away at 15 m. During visit of this nest 3/V incubating bird allowed man to approach at 2,5-3 m. Much more, being at 3 m from observer, the bird has stood up from the nest, but then slowly has sitten down on the clutch.
In the day of chick hatching (11/V) in the nest Nr1 it was possible to approach the bird at 5 m and at the same distance the bird allowed to approach 16/V (at this time in the nest there was a chick at the age of 2,5-3 days).
Completely by other way the bird behaved from the third nest. During appearance of man at 200-300 m, it has flushed from the nest and returned to the clutch only as man has distanted at 2-3 km.
The permanent observation for the nest Nr1 was conducted from the distance at 70 m, such distance did not cause disturbance of adult vultures. During day the incubating bird several times turns over egg or slightly stands up, ventilating egg. There was a food in the nest constantly.
The nesting constructions are located that from them entire Ureg-Nurskaya hollow (depression) is looking through, therefore in the case of appearance of people near nest the second bird of pair immediately appears in the zone of visibility.
The territory, on which the CV nests are situated, should be included in Karginskiy plot of establishing republican game reserve. Besides that, inventory of all nesting sites of this species within limits of the region and giving them the status of natural monuments is necessary.
Collection material: female ad., 28/IV1986, Karga River valley, Mongun-Taiginskiy district.
Literature
Abuladze, A.V. 1983. Chernyi grif v Gruzinskoi SSR [The Cinereous Vulture in the Georgian SSR].
In: Ekologiya khishchnykh tits (Mater. 1-go soveshchaniya po ekologii i okhrane khishchnykh ptits) [Ecology of birds of prey (Materials of the First Meeting on ecology and conservation of birds of prey]. Moscow: Nauka. Pp. 49-51. In Russian.
Dementiev, G.P. 1951. Otryad khishchnye ptitsy [Order Falconiformes]. // Ptitsy Sovetskogo Soyuza [The Birds of the Soviet Union]. Moscow: Sovetskaya Nauka. Vol.1. Pp.70-341.
Ivanov, A.I. 1976. Katalog ptits SSSR [Catalogue of the birds of the USSR]. Leningrad, Nauka. 276 pp.
Korshunova, E.N., Korshunov, E.N. 1983. Chernyi grif v Nuratinskom zapovednike [The Cinereous Vulture in Nuratau Nature Reserve]. // Ekologoiya khishchnykh ptits (Mater. 1-go soveshch. po khishchnym ptitsam) [Ecology of birds of prey (Materials of the First Meeting on ecology and conservation of birds of prey)]. Moscow. Pp. 66-70. In Russian.
Stakheev, V.A., Irisova, N.L., Polushkin, D.M. 1985. Khishchnye ptitsy i sovy zapovednikov Altaya i Sayan [The birds of prey and owls of nature reserves of Altai and Sayany]. // Khishchnye ptitsy i sovy v zapovednikakh RSFSR [Birds of prey and owls in nature reserves of the RSFSR]. M. P.30-45
Stepanyan, L.S. 1975. Sostav i raspredelenie ptits fauny SSSR. Nevorob’inye [composition and distribution of birds of the fauna of the USSR. Nonpasserines]. M., Nauka. 370 p.
Stepanyan, L.S., Bold, A. 1983. Materialy po gnezdovoi ekologii ptits Tuvinskoi ASSR i Mongolskoi Narodnoi Respubliki [Materials on nesting ecology of birds of Tuva ASSR and Mongolian People’s Republic]. // Ornitologiya [Ornithology]. M. Issue 18. P.33-39.
Sushkin, P.P. 1938. Ptitsy Sovetskogo Altaya [The Birds of the Soviet Union]. AN SSSR [Ac. of Sc. of the USSR]. M.: L., Vol.1-2. 754 p.
Yanushevich, A.I. 1952. Fauna pozvonochnykh Tuvinskoi oblasti [Fauna of vertebrates of Tuva Region]. Novosibirsk. 142 p.
Zabelin, V.I. 1976. K ornitofaune vysokogoriy Sayana [On ornithofauna of high-mountain (alpine) areas of Sayany]. // Ornitologiya [Ornithology]. Moscow State Univ. M. Issue 12. P.68-76.
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KARYAKIN, I.V. 2003. Chernyi grif (Aegypius monachus) v Altae-Sayanskom regione [The Cinereus Vulture Aegypius monachus in Altai-Sayany region]. In: Materialy IV konferentsii po khishchnym ptitsam Severnoi Evrazii [The materials of the IVth conference on birds of prey of Northern Eurasia], Russia, Penza, 1-3 February 2003. Editor п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛“ Prof. Dr.V.M.Galushin. Penza, Penza & Rostov Pedagogical University Press: pp. 203-205. In Russian.
(Center of Field Researches ikar_research@mail.ru)
In Tuva the Cinereus Vulture breeding is known from the 1970п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛п╡Б─·я·s: nestuing colony of 3 pairs, was discovered in 1984 on the south-eastern spurs of Mongun-Taiga massif and was considered the only one in the region (Baranov, 1991). In the year 1999 during the course of expedition of the Center of Field Researches the nesting colonies of the vultures and separate breeding pairs were discovered throughout the north of Ubsunur hollow in the mountain-steppe regions of Sengilen, Tannu-Ola and Tsagan-Shibetu; 28 nesting plots were localized and on 19 of them the Cinereus Vulture breeding was confirmed (Karyakin, 2000).
In 2000-2002 work in Altai-Sayany region was continued within the frames of the project п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛п’я Saker Falcon in Russiaп”п┐п╡Б─ б╛п’п┤, carrying out with financial supoport of Falcon Research Institute. Khakasia, Krasnoyarsk Krai (Territory), Tuva, Altau and Altai Krai (Territory) were visited.
The total autoroute through Altai-Sayany region for 2000-2002 was 22364 km. All main nesting sites of the Cinereus Vulture were revealed in the year 1999 in Tuva, therefore in subsequent 3 years only 2 new nesting plots were discovered, situated at 2,5 km each from other. In Republic of Altai the Cinereus Vulture nesting until last time was not established, though nomadic specimens were registered regularly throughout the whole territory of Republic. The species was quite common on nomadic movements in Altai Krai, where in July 2002 in the Front-Altai Plain for 7 days 11 specimens were counted. Also north of Sayany the Cinereus Vultures occur seldom: for 3 years of work in Khakasia and Krasnoyarsk Krai (Territory) п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛“ there are 2 registrations only.
Thus itп”п┐п╡Б─ б╛п╡Б─·я·s possible surely to speak about that the breeding range of the Cinereus Vulture in the Russian part of Altai-Sayany region is attached to the mountain-steppe regions on the border with Mongolia and a bigger part of nesting population is attached to the mountain framing (setting in a frame) of the north of Ubsunur hollow. Here at the status in 2002 32 nesting plots were known. All nests situated on rocks on the tops of crest-like ridges, lowering from mountain ridges into valleys.
Clutches (n=33) contain 1-2 eggs, in the average 1,06+/-0,01. Egg size (n=10) 87,0-96,5 x 70,0-75,8 mm, in the average 90,1+/-2,70x71,7+/-0,91 mm. In broods (n=23) always there is 1 chick. Chicks hatch 30 April-15 May, replacement of the first downy plumage into the second one goes on at the beginning of June, chick hatching goes in the second half of August.
At the present time the population is under crisis, connected with absence of cattle. The year 1999 was the last one, when in a bigger part of nesting plots of vultures the successful breeding was recorded п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛“ in 19 pairs out of 28 there were chicks. In the year 2000 we have checked 8 nests in Western Tuva and only in one nest there was a chick, and in one nest the clutch was perished. In the year 2001 2 colonies with 3 and 6 nests respectively and 4 separately breeding pairs were checked, totally 13 nests. 11 nests were occupiesd by birds, however breeding was observed only in 8 nests. By June in 7 nests clutches have perished and only in one nest the chick hatched, which perished by July due to food shortage. In the year 2002 7 nests were checked, in 4 of which there were perished clutches and in 2 nests п”п┐п╡Б─ б╛“ dead chicks. Breeding success by years is reflected in the table 21. In the average for 4 years the breeding success was 46,51%. Two last years vultures did not rear up any chicks in the south-eastern Tuva, that is connected in the first turn with catastrophic fall of the cattle number. Reason of that were epidemia of foor-and-mouth disease, outflow of flocks of sheep from the state border due to border conflicts and strong draughts of 2 last seasons. In spite of low breeding success the number of registratons of adult birds in Tuva and in adjacent territories was not a subject of special alterations.
Table 21
Year Nesting Occupied Nests Nests with Nests with Breeding
plots nesting with chiks in 1st feathering success*
plots clutches downy plum chicks
1999 28 20 19 19 19 95,0%
2000 8 6 2 1 1 16,7%
2001 13 11 8 1 0 0
2002 7 6 4 2 0 0
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* - Number of survived chicks of the total number of occupied nests
Our estimation of the species number continues to remain at the level of 88 pairs (75-96 pairs) or 176 spec. (150-192 spec.) participating in breeding (for the region of established nesting in Tuva), and total number of the Cinereus Vulture in Altai-Sayany region, taking into account nomadic birds, can be estimated at 496 secimens (430-535 specimens). Number fall does not go on most probably due to powerful arrival (support) of the local population by specimens from Mongolia, where according to subjective estimation at least 1000 pairs of the Cinereus Vultures do breed.
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ROGACHEVA, E.V. 1988. Black (Cinereous) Vulture (Aegypius monachus L.). In: Birds of Middle Siberia. Distribution, numbers, zoogeography. Moscow, Nauka publ.house: 53. In Russian.
79. Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus L.). Rare bird of prey those northern breeding range borders come to the southern borders of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Listed in the Red Data Book of the RSFSR and in the Appendix II of CITES. South-Eurasian mountain species, with distribution in North-Western Mongolia, Tuva, in the South-Eastern Altai (Sushkin, 1938; Yanushevich, 1952). In territory of this region it was not recorded until recent time. Recently it was mentioned for the Yenisei River part of Western Sayany (Sayano-Shushenskiy Nature Reserve), where BV was met in the belt of the subalpine meadows, and also mountain steppes, rocks and stony screes; species presence character is not cleared up (Sokolov et al, 1983; Petrov, Rudkovskiy, 1985). It was recorded also in summer as a very rare bird in the subalpine belt of the Sayany mountain ridge (Zabelin, 1976). In summer single (non-mating) birds occur quite often outside the breeding range. Case of the winter presence is known also: in January 1977 in the Abakan steppe, according to interrogatory data, during about one week one vulture fed near horse's carcass (Prokof'yev, 1987). The main reason of the BV numbers decline - dropping of their feeding base: there is not the mass cattle-loss in the present method of cattle-farming, and carcasses of dead animals are burying. The illegal shooting of birds takes place, unfortunately, too.
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SUSHKIN, P.P. 1938. Ptitsy Sovetskogo Altaya i prilezhashchikh chastei severo-zapadnoi Mongolii [Birds of Soviet Altai and Adjacent Parts of North-Western Mongolia]. M.-L. Publ. House of Ac. of Sc. of the USSR. Vol.1. 320 p.: 22 sheets ill.; 1 sheet map. Bibliography: 35-38. In Russian.
BLACK VULTURE Aegypius monachus (Linn.) on pp.188-189.
Chernyi Grif
"Grosse braune Geier mit nacktem blaugrauen Haise", 104 (1848); Vultur cinereus Naum., 44 (1883); "Monchs Geier", Hesse, 105 (1913)
Black Vulture is nested in North-western Mongolia and rather often in South-eastern Altai and not far from it, in the upper reaches of Bashkaus; the nesting in Altai is doubtful. The Black Vulture was found as a rare vagrant bird in steppen outlying areas of the Western Altai and northern outlying areas of the Central Altai. The vertical distribution is above 2000 meters.
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FINDINGS.
North-western Mongolia: the eastern slope of Sailyugem, Olbo-nur Lake, 21.VI.; Tsagan-nur Lake (Ak-kul'), 22-23.VI.; Kanchal River (Tsagan-norin-gol), 24.VI. (Sushkin, 1914); Ulan-lonku Mountains, eastern outlying areas of Kara-gobi, is nesting (Sushkin, by data of Bulgakov); Kub River, the southern side of Bairim Mountains, 8.VII.; Kharige River, in 30 km from the river's mouth, 14.VII. and in 55 km from the mouth, 16.VII; the upper reaches of Sara-dzhamata, southern side of Sailyugem, 9-13.VII.; Urmuktu, in 40 km to the West of Kobdo, along the way to Kosh-agach, 20.II.1915 (Nazarov).
South-eastern Altai: Sailyugem - the bottom part of the Toshongty canyon, 18.VI, in Tarkhatty canyon, 31.VII.1914; connection of upper reaches of Chagan-burgaza, 4.VIII. (Sushkin, 1914); Chuiskaya steppe (Gesse, by Vakhe, 1913); (Sushkin, questions, 1912) ; Kushkonur near exit to terrace, 11.VI. (Sushkin, 1914); the mountain pass between Kushkonur and Tetyo, 24.II.1912 (Redikortsev); Ukyok, 23,VIII. (Sushkin, 1914).
Central Altai: upper reaches of Bashkaus, the first half of July (Sushkin, by local population, 1914).
Western outlying area: Saushka, 24.VII.1834 (Helmersen); Ust'-Kamenogorsk, in winter (Nikol'skiy, by Plotnikov).
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In describing region, the Black Vulture is sighting regularly in North-western Mongolia and in Southern Altai and also in the area of upper reaches of Bashkaus.
The B.V. is really nesting in North-western Mongolia; by Bulgakov, in one of Russian traders of Khara-gobi one BV chick was fed up, taken from nest in the granite ridge Ulan-Lapkhu. However, the mostly part of Black Vultures, which were sighted in this part of Mongolia, is probably non-nesting. Birds, those were seen by me rather near, were in strong moulting. As for me, the nesting of B.V. in South-eastern Altai is doubtful. All birds, observed by me at a small distance, were in strong moulting and I hadn't meet young birds, which are easy for recognition by very dark plumage. It is possible, that the B.V. only migrates here, but does not nest. The same is for the area of Bashkaus upper reaches. Here BV at least sometimes is probably common. One Telengit has bagged here six vultures for me at the end of June. All of them were in moulting and only one among them was adult, others were in a first moulting plumage - i.e. all were singled. In the rest Altai the Black Vulture appears irregularly, only as a vagrant bird. The BV is not known for all zoological districts; in one case the vagrant B.V. was sighted during epizootic near Tenginskoe Lake.
By Bulgakov, one nest of B.V. was situated on the rock - this case is interesting, because usually the B.V. placed his nest in tree. Though, in conditions of treeless Ulan-lankhu the bird had not any other possibility. The Black Vulture migrates early from the upper zone of mountains: from the upper reaches of Sara-dzhamata, where these birds were in rather great number on 10th of August, they have disappeared on 13th of August; in some low mountain zone, in Ukok, the B.V. was sighted on 21st and 23rd of August. In more low zones the B.V. is presented in winter too. In winter vultures were bagged near Ust'-Kamenogorsk and not far from Kobdo.
The Black Vulture is very careful towards to people. BV does not allow to approach to it at a distance of shotgun. It is easy to catch the B.V. by means of trap or to poison it. How quickly Vultures are concentrating on prey, it was described repeatedly. In the upper reaches of Sara-dzhamata my companions killed at once three "argali" and internal organs were scattered around. When I returned in a half of an hour in order to put a poison, vultures flying over intestines (horses). And I got a good old female of Black Vulture in two hours. Probably, vultures beware of untouched carrion. We put a dead entire corps of one "argali" and during four days no Vultures have been on it. The visual of a dead bird frightens vultures; Once I saw 15 Black Vultures and 3 Brown? (so in original????) Vultures over carrion but anyone of them was not landing. The dead poisoned Steppe Eagle, lying there, was the reason of such behavior. There was a similar case because of a poisoned Kite.
The molting of adult birds passing slowly and, probably, can not be quickened. Birds even in first worn old plumage are recognizing easy, besides coloration, by plumage of monotonous freshness that is observed especially on the upper side. One vulture, among my exemplars had so threadabare plumage of lower side and collar before the beginning of a molting into the second plumage, that it seemed as it was damaged by moth.
The mostly northern findings of Black Vulture were - in Vladivostok, in eastern Mongolia, to South of Urga, hollow of Uryug-Nura, south-eastern Altai, Tarbagatai. Vagrants to Barnaul'skiy district are also known. Further to the West the B.V. was bagged in Tobol upper reaches region. In the watershed of Tobol's basin and Turgai's basin it is even not rare, although the nesting is not proved jet.
Materials: Collection of Sushkin. 1, sex.?, moulting from the first into the second feather*; 1 bis, sex.? ad.2, sex.?, first feather is worn (old); 3, sex.?, moulting from first into the second feather; 4, sex.?. first feather is worn; 4 bis, the same, middle VII 1914, upper reaches of Bashkaus (Sushkin, from the Hunter-Telengit). 5, female sen., 11 VIII 1914; near upper reaches of Sary-dzhamaty (jamaty), southern side of Sailyugem (Sushkin). 6, sex.? ad., 20 VII 1915, Urmuktu, 40 km to west of Kobdo, on the way to Kosh-agach.
*-Here word "feather" probably has meaning "plumage".
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