Caspian Gull

Larus cachinnans (Pallas, 1811)

		adult subadult juvenile
2006-06-17 Pjatimar, Jangala region, West Kazakhstan oblast 2010-01-06 Aktau, Eastern Caspian Sea2019-07-27 Mangictauskaya oblast', g. Aktau	© Askar Isabekov © Olga Kozhevnikova© Marina Gudimova

Distribution

Breeds and occurs on migration in southern part of Kazakhstan from Caspian Sea eastward to Alakol depression. Northern border of breeding range isn’t known. In mild winters recorded at Barsa-Kelmes island on Aral Sea.

Biology

Abundant breeding migrant. Inhabits the fresh and salty lakes, rivers deltas, Caspian Sea coasts. In spring appears in March – April, in small flocks of up to dozen birds. Breeds in small (on fresh water) or large (on salty lakes) colonies up to several hundred pairs, often with other gulls and terns. Nest is built on the dry reed heaps in water or on the ground in case of breeding on islands, nest is constructed from the dry reed stems, leaves and is lined with soft grass and feathers. Sometimes nests reach up to 30 cm in height, and 42-62 cm in base diameter. Clutches of 1-4 eggs is produced in April – May, or in June – July in case of first clutch loss. Both parents incubate for 25-30 days from the first egg laying and later care for juveniles, which begin to fly in the end of June – July. Autumn migration begins in August and continues until the freezing of waters. In small numbers winters on Caspian Sea and Syrdarya river to south from Chiili station.

Subspecies

References

Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.