Birds of Mongolia

ID Readily recognised by combination of sandy-buff coloration, glossy black cap, wings and tail, white wing flashes in flight and foraging behaviour. Voice Hard, wooden clack clack clack. Habitat Nests in small Saxaul trees and tall shrubs on rocky hills and mountain valleys in arid steppe and desert. Behaviour Runs very rapidly and probes with bill for insect larvae in sandy soil. May perch conspicuously on top of hillocks, rocks and tall bushes, but also adept at concealing itself behind bushes or rocks when approached. In winter, visits winter camps of local herder families near breeding sites. Status An iconic bird of Gobi Desert. Locally fairly common to scarce resident breeder in more arid regions of west and south. Conservation Considered Vulnerable in Mongolia due to habitat loss. Listed as Threatened in the Mongolian Red Book (2013). [Alt: Mongolian Ground Jay]

ID A small arboreal crow with highly distinctive white speckling on chocolate-brown plumage and conspicuous white undertail-coverts and (in flight) white tail-tip. Voice Call is deeper, growling version of Eurasian Jay’s scream (skraaak), sometimes repeated. Habitat Coniferous forest in mountains and river valleys. Behaviour Quite shy and wary, though often perches on the tops of conifers. Feeds on pine seeds and caches supplies for winter. Status Fairly common resident breeder in dense conifer forest from Altai Mountains through Khangai, Hövsgöl and Hentii provinces to Khalkh River-Nömrög region in east. [Alt: Eurasian Nutcracker]

ID This glossy black crow with bright red decurved bill and red legs is unmistakable. Voice Usual call is a harsh ch-yow. Habitat Open mountainous areas with grassy openings; also open steppe and urban areas, where it nests in Buddhist temples and other artificial structures. Behaviour Feeds on ground, probing with its bill for insect larvae. Gregarious throughout year, often in flocks of several hundred. Very agile in flight, performing communal aerobatic displays. Status Common or very common resident breeder in suitable habitat throughout Mongolia.

ID A small, compact crow with a short bill, dark grey rather than jet-black plumage, a silvery-grey nape and whitish iris. Only likely to be confused with imm Daurian Jackdaw, which see for distinctions. Voice Flocks are noisy. Main call is a high, sharp yelping jack; also a harsher craw and many other sounds. Habitat A cavity nester in tree-holes or buildings. Behaviour Omnivorous, feeding mainly on ground and often in flocks, especially after breeding. Agile and aerobatic. Status Very rare breeding visitor in Mongol-Altai Mountains and W Great Lakes Depression; very rare passage migrant with records from Ömnögobi province; and rare winter visitor. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Corvus. [Alt: Eurasian Jackdaw]

ID The striking black-and-white adult plumage pattern of this small crow is unique in Mongolia. Duller imm and dark morph adult may be confused with Western Jackdaw but Daurian always has black (not whitish) eyes. Adult dark morph birds also have grey patch on side of neck. Compare also Hooded Crow. Voice Similar to Western Jackdaw. Habitat Cavity nester in mixed and coniferous forest on mountains and river valleys, always in proximity to open steppe or farmland foraging areas. Often found in and near human settlements. Behaviour Generally similar to Western Jackdaw. Often flocks with Rooks and Carrion Crows. Status Common to fairly common breeding visitor and passage migrant throughout Mongolia, mid-March to late September. Winters in small numbers near breeding sites. Taxonomy Formerly placed in genus Corvus.

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GROUND JAY, NUTCRACKER & SMALLER CROWS

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