Study of the Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) breeding group’s status in Ereimentau, Northern Kazakhstan

About the project

Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Photo by N. Ongarbayev
Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Photo by N. Ongarbayev

Problem

The Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus) is an endangered species of birds of prey whose numbers have been rapidly declining for many years. In Kazakhstan, Red-Footed Falcon nests in the north of the country, particularly in the Akmola region.

In 2007, 7 nesting sites of the Red-Footed Falcon were found in Ereimentau locality (I.V. Karyakin, personal communication).

Threats

Currently, the species has the status of VU (vulnerable) according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.To date, there are no complete data on the number and status of the Red-Footed Falcon in Kazakhstan.

The main limiting factor for the Red-Footed Falcon in the study area is the reduction of the nesting stock as a result of a number of forest fires. As the Red-Footed Falcon does not build nests on its own, its reproduction depends directly on the presence of colonies of crows and rooks, whose nests it occupies.

 

A male of Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Photo by I. Karyakin
A male of Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus). Photo by I. Karyakin
Red-Footed Falcon in a nesting box. Photo by I. Karyakin
Red-Footed Falcon in a nesting box. Photo by I. Karyakin

Main tasks of the Project

Within the framework of the project it is planned to conduct field studies to identify nesting sites of the Red-Footed Falcon in Ereimentau and assess the status of its population. As a continuation of the project, it is planned to fill the deficit of nests by creating an artificial nesting fund (making and hanging nesting boxes for the Red-Footed Falcon).

The project is being implemented with grant funds Ornithological Society of the Middle East (OSME)