Turkestan Tit

Parus bokharensis (Lichtenstein, 1823)

Distribution

Lives in deserts and foothills of southern parts of Kazakhstan. Please see detailed distribution in the section Subspecies.

Biology

Common resident. Inhabits saxaul, deciduous and riparian forests, groves and shelterbelts in plains and in foothills at altitudes up to 1200-1500 m. On dispersal occurs also in juniper forests (to 1800 m). Pairs are formed since mid-February. Breeds in separate pairs, often close one to another. Nest is located in tree hole (natural or bored by Woodpecker); nest is built from thin twigs, dry grass and leaves and is lined mainly by hair and feathers. Clutch of 4-8 eggs is laid in end of April to June. Both parents feed juveniles which fledge in end of May to early August. Rears two broods per season; re-nesting after loss of first clutch is common. During dispersion in autumn–winter time occurs singly or in small groups of 5-10 bird.

References

"Птицы Казахстана" том 4. "Наука". Алма-Ата, 1972. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.