Relict gull in Transbaikalia. Encyclopedia of Transbaikalia. External signs of the relict gull

The relict gull - Larus relictus - in Russia nests only on Lake Barun-Torey in the Chita region. It prefers islands of salt lakes with variable water levels; during the migration period it stays along river valleys and in winter along sea coasts. Starts nesting at the age of 2-3 years. There are 3 eggs in a clutch, reproduction is once a season. Settles in dense colonies of up to several hundred nests. The locations of the colonies change every year. It feeds on insects, grains of cultivated cereals, and less often on aquatic invertebrates, fish, and small rodents. Eating eggs of its own species has been noted and cruel treatment parents with chicks, leading to the death of some of the offspring. No more than two chicks from the clutch rise to the wing.

most likely, it is a relic of the Tertiary period, when there was a huge epicontinental Tethys Sea. This sea has long disappeared, and the birds that once inhabited its coasts and islands “inherited” bizarre and fragmented habitats.

The relict gull was first caught in the spring of 1929 on the river. Edzin Gol in South Gobi. The only skin of this bird lay in the collection for 40 years, causing bewilderment among experts - it was either a hybrid or a morph. Only in 1968-1969, when Kazakh ornithologists on the lake. Alakol discovered a whole colony of 25-30 pairs of the same gulls, it became clear that this special kind seagulls, and also rare, if not endangered. Subsequently, stuffed relict gulls were found in collections collected in the Torey Lakes area in the southeast of the Chita region. Thus, a second nesting site of this species was discovered, located almost 2.5 thousand km from the Kazakhstan one. Alakol - large and deep-sea salt Lake with permanent islands, and the Torey lakes are represented by a system of shallow, periodically drying lakes in a saline basin. Nevertheless, relict gulls, living so far from each other and in relatively different habitats, are practically indistinguishable from each other.

The relict gull in breeding plumage is characterized by a head color that darkens from the beak to the neck (from light coffee to black), wide white half-rings near the eyes, and dark wing tips. These gulls nest in dense colonies, placing nests approximately 40 cm from each other. Birds often settle near or even in the center of a colony of Blackbirds or Gull-billed Terns. In May, relict gulls lay 1-4 eggs, which both birds of the pair incubate for 24-26 days. Downy chicks are pure white in color and stay on land in herds for about three weeks. The parents feed the chicks with burps mainly from various insects. Colony on the lake Birds leave Alakol early, already in August. Their wintering places have not yet been established, but one of the ringed gulls was killed on September 30 on a lake in the Prov. Quang Ninh in northern Vietnam. During the migration period, relict gulls were encountered in Eastern Mongolia. In western Mongolia, a young bird was observed on August 14, 1974, at the overflow of a spring in the foothills of the Gobi Altai, and on July 15, 1979, a pair of adult gulls was observed near a lake in the Munkh-Khairkhan mountains.

Long-term observations of E. M. Auezov on the lake. Alakol showed significant fluctuations in the number of breeding pairs - from 20-40 (1968-1969, 1971 and 1974) to 800-1200 (1976-1977); in 1973 there were no relict gulls here. There is no doubt that in some years there is a redistribution of nesting birds, most likely to lakes in the northwestern part of China, or, as E.M. Auezov suggests, to the islands of lake. Balkhash.

Nesting sites of relict gulls on the lake. Alakol since 1971 declared state reserve, colonies are also protected on the Torey Lakes. This species is included in Appendix 1 of CITES, and its production in the USSR is completely prohibited.

RELIC SEAGULL

Larus relictus

Spreading: In Russia it nests only on the lake. Barun-Torey, Chita region. Outside Russia, nesting settlements are known in Kazastan on lake. Alakol and Balkhash, in Mongolia on the lake. Taatzin-Tsagan-Nur in the Valley of Lakes, in China on the Ordos Plateau.

Habitat:Breeds on islands of salt lakes with variable water levels in steppe and desert zones; During the migration period it stays along river valleys and inland waters, and in winter along sea coasts. Begins reproduction at the age of 2-3 years; life expectancy is unknown. There are 1-4, usually 3 eggs in a clutch, reproduction is once a season. Settles in very dense colonies ranging from several pairs to several hundred nests. The location of the colonies changes from year to year, even if they remain within the same island. During the breeding season, it feeds in the steppe, in fields and on the banks of reservoirs, in the splash zone and in shallow water. Main food items - mass species insects, grains of cultivated cereals, less often aquatic invertebrates, fish, small rodents. Eating eggs of its own species has been observed. The proportion of unfertilized eggs in the colony is 2-4.4%; 0.3-2.0 young per pair of birds rise to the wing. In some years, colonies perish entirely, washed away by storms; eggs and chicks die (in some years completely) from predation by herring gulls, infanticide (aggression of adults towards chicks) and cannibalism, especially when the disturbance factor increases. The combination of exceptionally high nesting densities with a tendency toward cannibalism makes the species extremely sensitive to disturbance during the incubation and hatching periods. The main wintering sites are not known; Apparently this is the South-East. Asia, possibly also East. coast of the Korean Peninsula, south. part of Japan and inland areas of China.

Number:The species is characterized by sharp fluctuations in the number of nesting colonies from year to year, up to the disappearance of colonies in unfavorable seasons. In this case, the birds either move to other bodies of water or do not nest at all. IN 1967 . on the lake At least 100 pairs nested in Barun-Torey; in the 70s. - 81-612 pairs, in the 80s - 280-1025 pairs, and in 1983 ., when the lake completely dried out, the seagulls did not nest. IN 1990 . 1200 pairs nested in 1991 - 1100 pairs, in 1992 - 1000, in 1993 - 800, in 1994 . - 200 pairs (the colony was completely devastated by herring gulls); decline in numbers in the 90s. occurred against the backdrop of rising water levels in the lake. The number of the species in Russia, despite sharp fluctuations, increased over 20 years, reaching by the beginning of the 90s. 1200 breeding pairs. Its current decline does not cause serious concern and is apparently associated with a natural cycle, depending on fluctuations in the water level of steppe lakes. On the lake Alakol in Kazakhstan in the 70s. the number of relict gulls varied from 35 to 1200 pairs, in 1986 and 1987. 11 and 22 pairs nested, respectively. On the Ordos plateau 1991 . 1115 pairs nested. The world population of the species is estimated at 12 thousand individuals. Among the natural limiting factors, the main ones include the water content of lakes in the breeding area of ​​the species, weather during the breeding season: cold, rainy seasons are unfavorable for breeding, and stormy winds often destroy the entire colony, washing away nests or causing chaos in the colony (especially one already excited by a visit from people), which triggers a chain reaction of destruction of clutches and puffy feathers by herring gulls and the relict gulls themselves. In the absence of disturbance, the predation pressure of herring gulls does not lead to catastrophic consequences. From anthropogenic factors The most important factor is disturbance during the breeding season.

Larus relictus Lonnberg, 1931

Spreading: In Russia it nests only on the lake. Barun-Torey, Chita region. Outside Russia, nesting settlements are known in Kazastan on lake. Alakol and Balkhash, in Mongolia on the lake. Taatzin-Tsagan-Nur in the Valley of Lakes, in China on the Ordos Plateau.

Habitat: Breeds on islands of salt lakes with variable water levels in steppe and desert zones; During the migration period it stays along river valleys and inland waters, and in winter along sea coasts. Begins reproduction at the age of 2-3 years; life expectancy is unknown. There are 1-4, usually 3 eggs in a clutch, reproduction is once a season. Settles in very dense colonies ranging from several pairs to several hundred nests. The location of the colonies changes from year to year, even if they remain within the same island. During the breeding season, it feeds in the steppe, in fields and on the banks of reservoirs, in the splash zone and in shallow water. The main food items are common species of insects, grains of cultivated cereals, less often aquatic invertebrates, fish, and small rodents. Eating eggs of its own species has been observed. The proportion of unfertilized eggs in the colony is 2-4.4%; 0.3-2.0 young per pair of birds rise to the wing. In some years, colonies perish entirely, washed away by storms; eggs and chicks die (in some years completely) from predation by herring gulls, infanticide (aggression of adults towards chicks) and cannibalism, especially when the disturbance factor increases. The combination of exceptionally high nesting densities with a tendency toward cannibalism makes the species extremely sensitive to disturbance during the incubation and hatching periods. The main wintering sites are not known; Apparently this is the South-East. Asia, possibly also East. coast of the Korean Peninsula, south. part of Japan and inland areas of China.

Number: The species is characterized by sharp fluctuations in the number of nesting colonies from year to year, up to the disappearance of colonies in unfavorable seasons. In this case, the birds either move to other bodies of water or do not nest at all. In 1967 on the lake. At least 100 pairs nested in Barun-Torey; in the 70s. - 81-612 pairs, in the 80s - 280-1025 pairs, and in 1983, when the lake completely dried out, the gulls did not nest. In 1990, 1200 pairs nested, in 1991 - 1100 pairs, in 1992 - 1000, in 1993 - 800, in 1994 - 200 pairs (the colony was completely devastated by herring gulls); decline in numbers in the 90s. occurred against the backdrop of rising water levels in the lake. The number of the species in Russia, despite sharp fluctuations, increased over 20 years, reaching by the beginning of the 90s. 1200 breeding pairs. Its current decline does not cause serious concern and is apparently associated with a natural cycle, depending on fluctuations in the water level of steppe lakes. On the lake Alakol in Kazakhstan in the 70s. the number of relict gulls varied from 35 to 1200 pairs, in 1986 and 1987. 11 and 22 pairs nested, respectively. In 1991, 1,115 pairs nested on the Ordos plateau. The world population of the species is estimated at 12 thousand individuals. Among the natural limiting factors, the main ones include watering of lakes in the nesting area of ​​the species, weather conditions during the breeding season: cold, rainy seasons are unfavorable for breeding, and stormy winds often destroy the entire colony, washing away nests or causing colonies (especially those already excited by a visit to people), confusion that triggers a chain reaction of destruction of clutches and puffy feathers by herring gulls and the relict gulls themselves. In the absence of disturbance, the predation pressure of herring gulls does not lead to catastrophic consequences. Of the anthropogenic factors, the most important is disturbance during the breeding season.

Security: Listed in the IUCN-96 Red List, Appendix 1 of CITES, Appendix 1 of the Bonn Convention, Appendix of the agreement concluded between Russia and the Republic of Korea on the protection of migratory birds. The nesting grounds are protected in the Daursky Nature Reserve, where the population of the species is constantly monitored. It is necessary to reduce disturbance in colonies to a minimum (including from scientists), using, if possible, remote research methods in the first half of the breeding season. If new nesting sites of the species are discovered outside the reserve, they should be taken under temporary protection.

The relict gull belongs to the order Charadriiformes, the gull family. Relict gull for a long time was known to specialists only from the type specimen obtained in 1929 in the western Gobi in eastern Mongolia.

History of the discovery of the species

The relict gull received its specific name from the Swedish zoologist Lonnberg in 1931. Until 1971, the bird was considered a subspecies of the black-headed gull, but in 2005, after a revision of gull taxa, the International Ornithological Committee renamed the genus Ichthyaetus. In 1965, on the Torey Lakes in Transbaikalia, a colony of relict gulls, about a hundred nesting pairs, was rediscovered.

In 1968, nesting colonies were observed on Lake Alakol in Kazakhstan in the amount of 120. The rare species of gulls was essentially rediscovered in 1969 by Kazakh ornithologist E. M. Auezov on Lake Alakol. Previously, the only specimen of this bird from Central Asia considered a subspecies of gull species known to scientists.

External signs of the relict gull

The body size of the relict gull reaches 44-45 cm. The head and most of the neck are painted black, between the beak and eyes the feather color is light brown. Located above and below the red-brown eyes White spot. The back is covered with light gray feathers, the tail is white.

The wings are light gray with black edging along the edge of the flight feathers. The underparts and tail are white.

In winter plumage, the bird's head is white. In this case, these gulls are very easy to confuse with related species.

The legs and beak are dark red. Young gulls have white head feathers with brown speckles. The beginning of the beak is dark brown, the base under the beak is lighter and turns into an orange-red color as the birds mature. The legs are dark gray, the ring around the eyes is black. The male and female are almost identical in appearance.

Distribution of the relict gull

The relict gull is found in Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China. Breeds on Lake Barun-Torey Trans-Baikal Territory, on Lake Taatzin-Tsagan-Nur in the Valley of Lakes in Mongolia, lakes Balkhash and Alakol in Kazakhstan, on Falshivy Island in the Primorsky Territory, on the Ordos Plateau in Inner Mongolia in China.

Migrations of relict gulls

The wintering grounds of relict gulls are poorly studied. Perhaps they spend the winter in South-East Asia, southern part of Japan, east coast Korean Peninsula, inland China.

Listen to the voice of a relict seagull

Habitats of the relict gull

The relict gull nests in humid and warm climate. The rare bird is found on islands among salt lakes located in the steppe and desert zones. During migration it stays along river valleys and inland reservoirs; in winter it lives on sea ​​coasts. Nesting colonies of the relict gull are located in dry steppes, among sand dunes, and on salt lakes with variable water levels. The relict gull nests in humid and warm climates.

Reproduction of relict gulls

Relict gulls breed at the age of 2-3 years. In some years they do not nest at all. Information about life expectancy is not known. Once a season, the female lays 1-4 eggs in early - mid-May.

Birds settle in very dense colonies, in which there are up to several hundred nests, sometimes only a few pairs build nests nearby.

Nesting sites change from year to year, even if they are located within the same area. The nests of relict gulls are simple.

The shells of the eggs are painted in a color unusual for gulls - whitish-olive with a clay tint and covered with dark and light spots.

The chicks hatch after 24-26 days. They are covered with delicate white fluff.

Feeding of the relict gull

During the breeding season, relict gulls find food along the banks of reservoirs and in shallow water, as well as in the steppe and fields. The main food consists of insects, seeds of cultivated cereals, as well as aquatic invertebrates, fish and even small rodents. In Mongolia, relict gulls sometimes prey on Brandt's voles.

Number of relict gulls

According to Bird Life International, the relict gull is classified as a vulnerable species. The global population of mature birds ranges from 2,500 to 10,000 individuals, out of a total population of 12,000.

The number of nests of the relict gull changes very sharply from year to year, up to the disappearance of colonies in habitats during unfavorable seasons. In this case, the birds either move to other bodies of water or do not nest at all. In Russia, the number of the species has increased over the past twenty years and by the beginning of the 90s there were 1,200 breeding pairs. Fluctuations in numbers are significantly influenced by changes in the water level of steppe lakes.

Reasons for the decline in the number of relict gulls

One of the main reasons for the decrease in the number of relict gulls should be considered a decrease in the filling of lakes with water in the area where the species nests and unfavorable climatic conditions during the nesting season.

Cold and rainy weather leads to high mortality of chicks and a reduction in brood numbers, and stormy winds often destroy the colony when water washes away the nests.

Relict gulls have been observed to eat eggs of their own species, especially when the disturbance factor increases during the period of incubation and hatching of chicks.

Eggs and chicks are destroyed, in some years almost entirely by herring gulls. One of the main colonies of relict gulls in China, Taolimiao-Alashan Nur, is under threat of extinction due to the introduction of tourism projects.

Conservation status of the relict gull

The relict gull is endangered. The rare species belongs to category 1.

Protection of relict gulls

The relict gull is listed in Appendix 1 of CITES, the IUCN-96 Red List, Appendix 1 of the Bonn Convention, Appendix of the agreement concluded between Russia and the Republic of Korea on the protection of migratory birds. A rare species of gulls is protected in the Daursky Nature Reserve.

In the nesting areas of the species, it is necessary to reduce to a minimum the factor of disturbance in the colonies, even from workers of environmental organizations; it is necessary, if possible, to use remote observation methods during the breeding period. If new nesting sites for relict gulls are discovered, they should be taken under temporary protection.

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Larus relictus (Lonnberg, 1931)

Relic Gull | Moinak nemese alakoz

Description

In spring and summer, adult (over three years old) relict gulls have a bluish-gray back and wing coverts. The neck, tail, rump and entire underparts are white. The head is black with a light coffee coating around the beak; on the forehead, cheeks and throat this plaque gradually darkens and smoothly turns into the pure black color of the crown, back of the head, ears and bottom of the throat. Above and below the eye there is one wide (6-7 mm) bright white stripe, which close behind the eye, forming an incomplete ring that stands out in contrast against the dark background of the head. The primaries are white with black patterns. In individuals with least developed In this pattern, the black color is preserved only on the outer webs of the first three flight feathers and in the form of wide apical stripes through both webs of the second to fifth flight feathers. In some (apparently younger ones), black also occupies a significant part of the inner web of the first two flight feathers. The beak is dark red. The tarsus, fingers and membranes are meat-red in color, the claws are black. The iris is dark brown, the edges of the eyelids are bright red. Juveniles in nesting plumage have white neck feathers with wide pre-apical brown stripes; the feathers of the back and upper wing coverts are gray, with wide brown apical margins and wide whitish tips. The forehead, cheeks and throat are white; the crown and back of the head have an unclear dark pattern. The rump, sides and entire underparts are white. The tail is white, with a wide apical black-brown stripe. The first and second flight feathers are completely black, the rest have white margins on the inner webs that gradually increase in the proximal direction; all flight feathers have white teardrop-shaped tips, which wear out much faster than the black areas of the feather. The beak is dark brown, lighter at the base of the mandible, the legs are dark gray. The iris is dark brown, the edges of the eyelids are black. After the first autumn moult, the head and neck are white, with rare dark brown teardrop-shaped spots. The back and wing coverts are like those of adults, and only the lesser coverts with wide brown tips. Tail with dark apical stripe. The legs are light gray, the beak is light at the base and dark at the top. Dimensions. Males (5): wing 338 – 352, tail 134 – 150, beak 35 – 35 mm. Females (6) wing 322 -345, tail 126 - 143, tarsus 52.5 - 59, beak 33 - 35 mm. Weight: 420 – 575 g.

Spreading

The relict gull nests on the islands of Lake Alakol, in the eastern part of Balkhash and on the lakes of the Pavlodar Irtysh region. Observed on migration at Lake Zhalanashkol and in the corridor of the Dzhungar Gate. One return from birds ringed on Lake Alakol was received from Northern Vietnam, three from China and two unusual - one ring was sent from Bulgaria, where the gull was met on March 25, 1978, the second from Turkey on March 30, 1990, which suggests the wintering of this species in the Black and Mediterranean Seas.

Biology

Relict gull - rare breeding migrant. Inhabits large salt lakes with islands, both permanent and temporary. In spring it appears in late March - April in small groups. Breeds in dense colonies, sometimes more than a thousand pairs, often together with Black-headed Gull, Gull-billed Tern and Black Grey. The nest is built on sandy islands with sparse vegetation and is a shallow hole lined with dry grass, which is added during the incubation process. The nests are located at a short distance from each other. Laying of 1-4 eggs occurs in May. The eggs are a light olive-clay color with dark brown or dark olive and rich light gray spots. Both parents incubate the clutch (the female at night and early in the morning, the male during the day) for 24-26 days and then feed the chicks, which hatch in June and begin to fly at the age of 40-45 days, in July. Autumn migration begins in early August, most birds leave their nesting sites in September. And already at the end of September, one ringed bird was noted at its wintering grounds in Vietnam.

Information sources

"Birds of Kazakhstan" volume 5. "Science". Alma-Ata, 1974.
E.I. Gavrilov. "Fauna and distribution of birds of Kazakhstan." Almaty, 1999.
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.