Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Status: Category I (CR). Critically endangered species.
Importance for gene pool preservation: Over 30% of the global population gathers in Turkmenistan during autumn migration, making it crucial for the country’s, regional and global gene pool preservation.
Distribution: Sporadic throughout Turkmenistan, mostly in the east near the Uzbekistan border. Outside Turkmenistan nests in Kazakhstan and border regions of Russia. Migration routes include the Pre-Caucasus, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan. Winters in southern Pakistan, northwest India, the Middle East, and northeast Africa.
Habitat: Open areas, usually on dry compacted soils, occasionally in fields and fallow lands. Also found in wetlands and damp lowlands near water bodies.
Population and trends: Previously thought irregular and widespread in small groups, recent studies show stopover sites on the Turkmen-Uzbek border on eastern flyways, where the species migrates for 30-40 days annually. Population on Tallymerjen ranges between 2-4 and 6-8 thousand.
Biology: Migratory bird. Spring migration is short (March), autumn migration extended (September-October). They form flocks of 20-30 to 150-300 birds. During autumn migration, they perform daily stops. Most active early in the morning. Feed on termites, beetles, other soil invertebrates and larvae.
Breeding: Not studied.
Conservation: Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (criteria A3bcd+4bcd). Included in Turkmenistan Red Data Book since 1985. Protected in Badkhyz and Gaplangyr Nature Reserves and Tallymerjen IBA. Listed on Annexes I and II of the Bonn Convention (CMS) and AEWA.
Proposed conservation actions: Establish Tallymerjen State Sanctuary. Promote protection in autumn congregation sites.
Research proposals: Continue monitoring in Tallymerjen massif.