Population: In the Aksu-Zhabagly reserve, thenumber is about 50-70 pairs, in the Sairam and Ugam ridges – 1-7 pairs. Up to 6 pairs nest in the Ileysky Alatau, and 22-24 pairs nest in the Almaty Reserve. There are separate couples in Almaty. The global population is estimated to beup to 220 thousand pairs.
Status: A rare and endangered species (Category V). Restored and heavily sought after among fowlers.
Habitat: In Kazakhstan, it is distributed in a narrow intermittent band along the Tien Shanridges from Talassky, Ugamsky and Karzhantau in the west, to Ileysky and KungeiAlatau in the east. It migrates to the south in winter and is found rather asan exception within Kazakhstan, although in recent years it has become increasingly common in winter within the city of Almaty.
