Order Phoenicopteriformes, Family Phoenicopteridae
Status: Category IV. Rare species.
Importance for gene pool preservation: The only representative of the polytypic genus; about half of all Central Asian flamingos winter in the Turkmen Caspian region. Conservation is vital for the gene pool of Turkmenistan and maintaining the species population in the area.
Distribution: Caspian Sea coast and inland waters. Outside Turkmenistan — Mediterranean, Africa, Central America, Central Asia, and Kazakhstan. Migrates through many parts of Eurasia and Africa. Wintering grounds include coasts of Africa, Arabia, and Hindustan .
Habitat: Shallow muddy shores of sea bays, swampy areas around inland lakes.
Population and trends: Varies by years. Approximately 7.4 thousand wintered in 1971–2001, 3.4 thousand in 2007–2010, and 8.4 thousand in 2018–2020. Spring and autumn counts in Northern Turkmenistan reservoirs range from 3 to 150 individuals [9].
Main limiting factors: Drying of feeding sites, disturbance, illegal hunting, natural predators.
Biology: Migratory and wintering bird, occasionally summering. Historically nested in Garabogazgol (1934–1937). Spring migration: March–May; autumn: September–November. During cold periods, forms large flocks in shallow Caspian waters; extreme winters cause southward migrations. Feeds on small aquatic invertebrates: crustaceans, mollusks, insect larvae [5,6].
Breeding: Weakened birds were temporarily kept in Hazar Nature Reserve and later released [7].
Conservation measures: Listed in IUCN Red List (LC), Turkmen Red Book since 1985. Protected in Hazar, Amudarya State Nature Reserves, Yeradzhy, Kelif, and Sarygamysh sanctuaries — all Important Bird Areas of Turkmenistan [8]. Included in CITES Appendix II, Bonn Convention (CMS) Appendix II, and AEWA.
Needed measures: Strengthen protection efforts, provide supplementary feeding during severe frost.
Research: Regular counts of migrating and wintering populations are required.