Kazakhstan Encyclopedia - User contributions [en]

Gloydius halys

2017-03-28T20:12:44Z

William Avery: Speciesbox; + :Category:Animals described in 1776

{{italictitle}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = ''Gloydius halys''
| image= Gloydius halys at Tost-Uul Mount, Mongolia.JPG
| image_caption = ''Gloydius halys'' in Southern Mongolia
| taxon = Gloydius halys
| authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1776)
| synonyms = * ''Coluber halys'' Pallas, 1776
* [''Vipera'' (''Echidna'') ''Aspis''] ''Pallasii'' [[Blasius Merrem|Merrem]], 1820
* ''Trigonocephalus Halys'' – [[Martin Lichtenstein|Lichtenstein]] ''In'' [[Eduard Friedrich Eversmann|Eversmann]] & Lichtenstein, 1823
* ''Vipera Halys'' – Lichtenstein ''In'' Eversmann & Lichtenstein, 1823
* ''Trigonocephalus halys'' – [[Friedrich Boie|F. Boie]], 1827
* ''Trigonocephalus'' [(''Halys'')] ''Halys'' – [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1849
* ''Halys pallasii'' – [[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1864
* ''Ancistrodon halys'' – [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1896
* ''A''[''gkistrodon'']. ''halys'' – [[Leonhard Hess Stejneger|Stejneger]], 1907
* ''Ancistrodon halys halys'' – Nikolsky, 1916
* ''Agkistrodon halys halys'' – [[Robert Mertens|Mertens]] & [[Lorenz Müller|L. Müller]], 1928
* ''Gloydius halys halys'' – [[:fr:Alphonse Richard Hoge|Hoge]] & Romano-Hoge, 1981<ref name="McD99">McDiarmid RW, [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], Touré T. 1999. ''Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1.'' Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).</ref>
}}

:'''''Common names:''' Siberian pit viper,<ref name="G&C90">[[Howard K. Gloyd|Gloyd HK]], [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R.]] 1990. ''Snakes of the Agkistrodon Complex: A Monographic Review''. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 614 pp. 52 plates. LCCN 89-50342. ISBN 0-916984-20-6.</ref> Halys viper,<ref name="Got">Gotch AF. 1986. ''Reptiles -- Their Latin Names Explained''. Poole, UK: Blandford Press. 176 pp. ISBN 0-7137-1704-1.</ref> Halys pit viper,<ref name="Ste71">Steward JW. 1971. ''The Snakes of Europe''. Cranbury, New Jersey: Associated University Press (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press). 238 pp. LCCCN 77-163307. ISBN 0-8386-1023-4.</ref> [[#Common names|more]].''

'''''Gloydius halys''''' is a [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Crotalinae|pitviper]] [[species]] found within a wide range that stretches across [[Asia]], from [[Russia]], east of the [[Ural Mountains|Urals]], eastwards through [[China]]. Five [[subspecies]] are currently recognized, including the [[Nominotypical subspecies|nominotypical form]] described here.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634885 |taxon=Gloydius halys |accessdate=24 May 2007}}</ref>

==Description==
Grows to a maximum total length of {{convert|59|cm|in|abbr=on}}, which was for a female, with an included tail length of {{convert|68|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The largest male on record measured {{convert|53|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length, which included a tail length of {{convert|80|mm|in|abbr=on}}. The body build is described as moderately stout with a snout that is slightly upturned when viewed from the side.<ref name="G&C90"/>

Dorsally grayish, pale brown, reddish, or yellowish, with large dark spots or crossbars, the borders of which are serrated. One or two lateral series of smaller dark spots. A wide dark stripe behind the eye, bordered by light stripes both above and below. Ventrally whitish, speckled with gray or brown.

The strongly keeled dorsal scales are arranged in 23 rows at midbody. Ventrals 149-174; anal plate entire; subcaudals 31-44, divided (paired).<ref>[[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger, G.A.]] 1896. ''Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History). Volume III., Containing the...Viperidæ.'' Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). London. xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I.-XXV. (''Ancistrodon halys'', pp. 524-525.)</ref>

==Common names==
Siberian pit viper,<ref name="G&C90"/> Halys viper,<ref name="Got"/> Halys pit viper, Pallas' pit viper, Asiatic pit viper, Asiatic moccasin,<ref name="Ste71"/> shchitomordnik,<ref name="Bro73">Brown JH. 1973. ''Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes''. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229. ISBN 0-398-02808-7.</ref> Pallas' viper, Pallas pit viper, Korean pit viper, Mongolian pit viper.<ref name="USN91">U.S. Navy. 1991. ''Poisonous Snakes of the World''. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.</ref>

==Geographic range==
Found in Russia, east of the Ural Mountains through [[Siberia]], [[Iran]], [[Mongolia]] to northern and central China, as well as the southern Ryukyu Islands of [[Japan]]. According to Gloyd and Conant (1990), the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given is "Salt Lake near the Lugaskoi Sawod (factory) on the Upper [[Yenisei River|Yenisey]]" (Siberia, Russia). Redefined by Bour (1993) as "Naryn or Ryn Peski desert, near the Russia-Kazakhstan border."<ref name="McD99"/>

==Subspecies==
{|cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Subspecies<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Taxon author<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Common name<ref name="Gum04">Gumprecht A, Tillack F, Orlov NL, [[Ashok Captain|Captain A]], Ryabov S. 2004. ''Asian Pitvipers''. Berlin: Geitje Books. 1st Edition. 368 pp. ISBN 3-937975-00-4.</ref>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Geographic range<ref name="McD99"/>
|-
|''[[Gloydius halys boehmei|G. h. boehmei]]''
|Nilson, 1983
|Boehme's pitviper
|style="width:40%"|Known only from the [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]]: Andarab valley, [[Baghlan Province|province of Baghlan]], at 2,500 m altitude, eastern [[Afghanistan]].<ref name="Gum04"/>
|-
|''[[Gloydius halys caraganus|G. h. caraganus]]''
|(Eichwald, 1831)
|Karaganda pitviper
|From southeastern Europe, in the [[Ural River|Ural]] and [[Emba River]] valleys, and (at least formerly) in the [[Volga River]] valley, through much of [[Kazakhstan]], including northern [[Turkmenistan]], [[Uzbekistan]], [[Tajikistan]] and [[Kirgistan]], into northwestern China.<ref name="G&C90"/>
|-
|''[[Gloydius halys cognatus|G. h. cognatus]]''
|([[Howard K. Gloyd|Gloyd]], 1977)
|Alashan pitviper
|North-central China, from eastern [[Qinghai]] across southern [[Gansu]], probably also in [[Qinghai]], and possibly eastwards into [[Hebei]] and northwards into [[Inner Mongolia]].<ref name="Gum04"/>
|-
|''G. h. halys''
|([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1776)
|Siberian pitviper
|Southern Siberia and Mongolia, from the [[Zeya River]] west to longitude 74° E.<ref name="G&C90"/>
|-
|''[[Gloydius halys mogoi|G. h. mogoi]]''
|Bour, 1993
|
|Western [[Mongolia]].<ref name="Gum04"/>
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[List of crotaline species and subspecies]]
* {{c|Crotalinae by common name}}
* {{c|Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms}}
* [[Snakebite]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas, P.S.]] 1776. ''Reise durch verschiedene Provinzen des russischen Reichs''. Kais. Akad. Wiss. (Kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften), St. Petersburg, Volume III. (''Coluber halys'', p. 703.)

==External links==
* {{NRDB species|genus=Gloydius|species=halys|date=12 December|year=2007}}

[[Category:Gloydius]]
[[Category:Snakes of Asia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Snakes of China]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Iran]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Russia]]
[[Category:Fauna of Siberia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Tajikistan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1776]]

Gloydius intermedius

2017-03-28T20:12:12Z

William Avery: Speciesbox; + :Category:Animals described in 1868

{{italic title}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = ''Gloydius intermedius''
| taxon = Gloydius intermedius
| authority = ([[Alexander Strauch|Strauch]], 1868)
| synonyms = * ''Trigonocephalus halys'' – [[Édouard Ménétries|Ménétries]], 1832 (part)
* ''Trigonocephalus blomhoffii'' – [[Richard Maack|Maack]], 1859 (part)
* ''Trigonocephalus affinis'' – [[Albert Günther|Günther]], 1860 (part)
* '''''Trigonocephalus intermedius'' [[Alexander Strauch|Strauch]], 1868'''
* ''Halys intermedius'' – [[Wilhelm Peters|W. Peters]], 1877
* ''Ancistrodon intermedius'' – [[George Albert Boulenger|Boulenger]], 1896
* ''Agkistrodon blomhoffii intermedius'' – [[Leonhard Hess Stejneger|Stejneger]], 1907
* ''Ancistrodon blomhoffii intermedius'' – Despax, 1913
* ''Ancistrodon halys intermedius'' – [[Alexander Mikhailovich Nikolsky|Nikolski]], 1916
* ''Agkistrodon halys intermedius'' – Stejneger, 1925
* ''Ankistrodon halys intermedius'' – Pavloff, 1926
* ''Agkistrodon intermedius'' – [[Franz Werner|F. Werner]], 1929
* ''Ancistrodon halys intermedius viridis'' – Pavloff, 1932 ''([[nomen illegitimum]])''
* ''Gloydius halys intermedius'' – [[:fr:Alphonse Richard Hoge|Hoge]] & Romano-Hoge, 1981
* ''Agkistrodon intermedius intermedius'' – [[Howard K. Gloyd|Gloyd]] & [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]], 1982
* ''Gloydius intermedius'' – Kraus, Mink & Brown, 1996<ref name="McD99">[[:fr:Roy Wallace McDiarmid|McDiarmid RW]], [[Jonathan A. Campbell|Campbell JA]], Touré TA (1999). ''Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1''. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).</ref>
}}

:'''''Common names:''' Central Asian pit viper, intermediate mamushi, Mongolian pit viper,<ref name="G&C90">[[Howard K. Gloyd|Gloyd HK]], [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant R]] (1990). ''Snakes of the ''Agkistrodon'' Complex: A Monographic Review''. Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. 614 pp. 52 plates. LCCN 89-50342. ISBN 0-916984-20-6.</ref> [[#Common names|more]].''

'''''Gloydius intermedius''''' is a [[venomous snake|venomous]] [[Crotalinae|pitviper]] [[species]] [[Endemism|endemic]] to northern [[Asia]]. Three [[subspecies]] are currently recognized, including the [[Subspecies#Nominate subspecies|nominate subspecies]] described here.<ref name="ITIS">{{ITIS |id=634887 |taxon=''Gloydius intermedius'' |accessdate=8 August 2008}}</ref>

==Description==
[[Howard K. Gloyd|Gloyd]] and [[Roger Conant (herpetologist)|Conant]] (1990) reported examining subadults and adults that were {{convert|33.5|–|71|cm|in|abbr=on}} in total length. [[Alexander Mikhailovich Nikolsky|Nikolsky]] (1916) mentioned that some individuals may reach as much as {{convert|78|cm|in|round=0.5|abbr=on}} in total length. The body is relatively stout, and the snout is not upturned.<ref name="G&C90"/>

The scalation includes 7 [[supralabial scales]], 23 rows of keeled [[dorsal scales]] at midbody, 149-165 [[ventral scales]], and 32-48 [[subcaudal scales]].<ref name="G&C90"/>

The color pattern is variable, but generally consists of 28-45 dark subquadrate dorsal blotches or crossbands that usually extend down the flanks as far as the first or second scale rows. Between these blotches are irregular light areas. A dark brown to black postorbital stripe is present, extending from the eye back to the angle of the jaw, outlined by a light line above, and by cream-colored supralabial scales below.<ref name="G&C90"/>

==Common names==
Central Asian pit viper, intermediate mamushi, Mongolian pit viper,<ref name="G&C90"/> Central Asian pitviper.<ref name="Gum04">Gumprecht A, Tillack F, [[:fr:Nikolaï Orlov|Orlov NL]], [[Ashok Captain|Captain A]], Ryabov S (2004). ''Asian Pitvipers''. First Edition. Berlin: Geitje Books. 368 pp. ISBN 3-937975-00-4.</ref>

==Geographic range==
Found in southeastern [[Azerbaijan]], northern [[Iran]], southern [[Turkmenistan]], northwestern [[Afghanistan]], southern [[Russia]], northwestern [[China]] and [[Mongolia]]. The [[Type locality (biology)|type locality]] given by Stejneger (1907) is "Governm. [[Irkutsk]], East [[Siberia]]." Golay ''et al.'' (1993) give "Yesso (= Esso) Island, banks of [[Amur River]] and Khinggan (= Hinggan Ling) Mountain Range."<ref name="McD99"/>

==Subspecies==
{|cellspacing=0 cellpadding=2 border=1 style="border-collapse: collapse;"
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Subspecies<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Taxon author<ref name="ITIS"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Common name<ref name="G&C90"/>
!bgcolor="#f0f0f0"|Geographic range<ref name="G&C90"/>
|-
|''[[Gloydius intermedius caucasicus|G. i. caucasicus]]''
|([[Alexander Mikhailovich Nikolsky|Nikolsky]], 1916)
|Caucasian pit viper
|style="width:40%"|Mostly in the mountainous regions southwest, south and southeast of the [[Caspian Sea]]. Also in southeastern [[Azerbaijan]], southern [[Turkmenistan]], northern [[Iran]] and extreme northwestern [[Afghanistan]]. Elevational range is from below sea level (near the southern shore of the [[Caspian Sea]]) to at least 3,000 m in the high Lar Valley in the [[Alborz|Elburz]] mountains of northern Iran.
|-
|''G. i. intermedius''
|([[Alexander Strauch|Strauch]], 1868)
|Central Asian pit viper
|[[Central Asia]] from [[Kyrgyzstan]], eastern [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Xinjiang|Sinkiang]] (in [[China]]) to [[Mongolia]] and southern [[Siberia]] east to the western slopes of the Greater Khinghan Mountain Range and the Torey Lakes region near the common border of China, Mongolia and [[Russia]].
|-
|''[[Gloydius intermedius stejnegeri|G. i. stejnegeri]]''
|([[:fr:Hialmar Rendahl|Rendahl]], 1933)
|Gobi pit viper
|The edge of the [[Gobi Desert]] in southeastern [[Inner Mongolia]] south into [[China]] as far as northern [[Shanxi|Shansi]] and [[Hebei|Hopeh]].
|-
|}

==Etymology==
The [[Subspecies|subspecific name]], ''stejnegeri'', is in honor of Norwegian-born American herpetologist [[Leonhard Stejneger]].<ref>Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2011). ''The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles''. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (''Gloydius intermedius stejnegeri'', p. 253).</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of crotaline species and subspecies]]
* {{c|Crotalinae by common name}}
* {{c|Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms}}
* [[Snakebite]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{NRDB species|genus=Gloydius|species=intermedius|date=8 August|year=2008}}

[[Category:Gloydius]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Azerbaijan]]
[[Category:Snakes of China]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Russia]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1868]]

Grey partridge

2016-12-22T23:10:45Z

William Avery: Refine category

{{For|the South Asian species|Grey francolin}}
{{Taxobox
| name = Grey partridge
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref>{{IUCN|id=22678911 |title=''Perdix perdix'' |assessor=BirdLife International |assessor-link=BirdLife International |version=2013.2 |year=2012 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref>
| image = Perdix_perdix_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Galliformes]]
| familia = [[Phasianidae]]
| subfamilia = [[Perdicinae]]
| genus = ''[[Perdix]]''
| species = '''''P. perdix'''''
| binomial = ''Perdix perdix''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]])
| subdivision_ranks = [[Subspecies]]
| subdivision = 8, see [[#Subspecies|text]]
| range_map = Verbreitungskarte Rebhuhn.jpg
| range_map_caption = Range of ''P. perdix'' {{leftlegend|#E8CF5E|Native range|outline=gray}}{{leftlegend|#D090BE|Introduced range|outline=gray}}
}}

The '''grey [[partridge]]''' (''Perdix perdix''), also known as the '''English partridge''', '''Hungarian partridge''', or '''hun''', is a [[gamebird]] in the pheasant family [[Phasianidae]] of the order [[Galliformes]], gallinaceous birds. The scientific name is the [[Latin]] for "partridge", and is itself derived from [[Ancient Greek]] ''perdix''.<ref name= job90>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher = Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 |page =297}}</ref>

Widespread and common throughout much of its range, the grey partridge is evaluated as "of Least Concern" on the [[IUCN Red List]] of Threatened Species. However, it has suffered a serious decline in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and in 2015 appeared on the "Birds of Conservation Concern" Red List.<ref name="BOCC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/shared_documents/publications/birds-conservation-concern/birds-of-conservation-concern-4-leaflet.pdf|title=BoCC4 Red List|accessdate=2015-12-25|publisher=Birds of Conservation Concern}}</ref> This partridge breeds on farmland across most of [[Europe]] into western [[Asia]], and has been introduced widely into [[Canada]], [[United States]], [[South Africa]], [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]].<ref name=Long1981/> A popular gamebird in vast areas of North America, it is commonly known as "Hungarian partridge" or just "hun".

[[File:Perdix perdix Sri Mesh.jpg|thumbnail|upright|left|Uncommon grey partridge in [[Alberta]], [[Canada]]<ref name=Sibley2003/>]]

The grey partridge is a rotund bird, {{convert|28|–|32|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, brown-backed, with grey flanks and chest. The belly is white, usually marked with a large chestnut-brown horse-shoe mark in males, and also in many females. Hens lay up to twenty eggs in a ground nest. The nest is usually in the margin of a cereal field, most commonly [[winter wheat]]. The only major and constant difference between the sexes is the so-called cross of Lorraine on the tertiary coverts of females—these being marked with two transverse bars, as opposed to the one in males. These are present after around 16 weeks of age when the birds have moulted into adult plumage. Young grey partridges are mostly yellow-brown and lack the distinctive face and underpart markings. The song is a harsh ''kieerr-ik'', and when disturbed, like most of the gamebirds, it flies a short distance on rounded wings, often calling ''rick rick rick'' as it rises.

They are a seed-eating species, but the young in particular take [[insect]]s as an essential [[protein]] supply. During the first 10 days of life, the young can only digest insects. The parents lead their chicks to the edges of [[cereal]] fields, where they can forage for insects. They are also a [[bird migration|non-migratory]] terrestrial species, and form flocks outside the breeding season. Though common and not threatened, it appears to be declining in numbers in some areas of intensive cultivation such as [[Great Britain]], probably due to a loss of breeding habitat and possibly food supplies. Their numbers have fallen in these areas by as much as 85% in the last 25 years. Efforts are being made in [[Great Britain]] by organizations such as the [[Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust]] to halt this decline by creating [[conservation headland]]s. In 1995, it was nominated a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. In [[Ireland]], it is now virtually confined to the [[Boora bog|Lough Boora]] reserve in [[County Offaly]] where a recent conservation project has succeeded in boosting its numbers to 900, raising hopes that it may be reintroduced to the rest of Ireland.

==Subspecies==
There are eight recognized [[subspecies]]:
* ''P. p. perdix'' (Linnaeus, 1758) – nominate, found in the [[British Isles]] and southern [[Scandinavia]] to [[Italy]] and the [[Balkans]]
* ''P. p. armoricana'' [[Ernst Hartert|Hartert]], 1917 – found locally in [[France]]
* ''P. p. sphagnetorum'' (Altum, 1894) – found in the moors of the northern part of the [[Netherlands]] and northwest [[Germany]]
* ''P. p. hispaniensis'' [[Anton Reichenow|Reichenow]], 1892: Iberian partridge, found from central [[Pyrenees]] to northeast [[Portugal]]
* ''P. p. italica'' Hartert, 1917 – Italian grey partridge, extinct
* ''P. p. lucida'' ([[Bernard Altum|Altum]], 1894) – eastern grey partridge, found from [[Finland]] east to [[Ural Mountains]] and south to [[Black Sea]] and northern [[Caucasus]]
* ''P. p. canescens'' [[Sergei Aleksandrovich Buturlin|Burturlin]], 1906 – southern grey partridge, found from [[Turkey]] east to the [[South Caucasus]] and northwest [[Iran]]
* ''P. p. robusta'' [[Eugen Ferdinand von Homeyer|Homeyer]] and Tancré, 1883 – southeastern grey partridge, found from the [[Ural Mountains]] to southwestern [[Siberia]] and northwestern [[China]]

[[File:Perdix perdix MWNH 2036.JPG|left|thumb|upright|Egg, Collection [[Museum Wiesbaden]]]]

==References==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=Long1981>{{cite book |last=Long |first=John L. |year=1981 |title=Introduced Birds of the World |publisher=Agricultural Protection Board of Western Australia |pages=21–493}}</ref>

<ref name=Sibley2003>{{Cite book |last=Sibley |first=David Allen |authorlink=David Allen Sibley |title=The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America |edition=A Chanticleer Press |publisher=Knopf |year=2003 |page=122 |isbn=0-679-45121-8 }}</ref>
}}

==External links==

{{commons category|Perdix perdix}}
{{wikispecies|Perdix perdix}}
* {{BirdLife|22678911|Perdix perdix}}
* [http://www.gwct.org.uk/greypartridge Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust - Grey Partridge]
* {{InternetBirdCollection|grey-partridge-perdix-perdix}}
* [http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Gray_Partridge.html Gray Partridge Species Account] – Cornell Lab of Ornithology
* [http://aulaenred.ibercaja.es/wp-content/uploads/143_GreyPartridgePperdix.pdf Ageing and sexing (PDF; 2.6 MB) by Javier Blasco-Zumeta & Gerd-Michael Heinze]
* [http://www.ornithos.de/Ornithos/Feather_Collection/Perdix_perdix/Perdix_perdix.htm Feathers of Grey partridge (Perdix perdix)]

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{English Game}}
{{North American Game}}
{{poultry}}
}}

{{taxonbar}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:partridge, grey}}
[[Category:Game birds]]
[[Category:Perdix|grey partridge]]
[[Category:Birds of Europe]]
[[Category:Birds of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Birds of North America]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1758]]
[[Category:Endangered species of the British Isles]]

Yellow-breasted tit

2016-12-22T13:28:33Z

William Avery: Tone; refine category

{{Taxobox
| name = Yellow-breasted tit
| image = Yellow-breasted Tit.jpg
| status = NR
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Passeriformes]]
| familia = [[Paridae]]
| genus = ''[[Cyanistes]]''
| species = ''C. cyanus''
| trinomial = ''Cyanistes cyanus flavipectus''
| trinomial_authority = [[Nikolai Severtzov|Severtsov]], 1873
| classification_status = disputed
| synonyms = ''Parus flavipectus''
|synonyms_ref = <ref name=avibase>{{avibase|B9BE501675DAC3CA|Cyanistes flavipectus}}</ref>}}

The '''yellow-breasted tit''' (''Cyanistes cyanus flavipectus'') is a [[bird]] in the family [[Paridae]]. It is found in [[Afghanistan]], [[China]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Russia]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], and [[Uzbekistan]]. Its natural [[habitat]] is temperate [[forest]]s.

It is usually classified as a subspecies of the [[azure tit]].<ref name=avibase/><ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN|id=22735985 |title=''Parus cyanus'' |assessor=BirdLife International |assessor-link=BirdLife International |version=2013.2 |year=2013 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Parus]]
[[Category:Birds of Asia]]
[[Category:Birds of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Birds of China]]
[[Category:Birds of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Birds of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Birds of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Birds of Russia]]
[[Category:Birds of Tajikistan]]
[[Category:Birds of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Birds of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1873]]
[[Category:Cyanistes]]

{{Paridae-stub}}

Relict gull

2016-12-20T23:44:17Z

William Avery: Refine category

{{Taxobox
| name = Relict gull
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN2013.1| id = 22694447| title = Larus relictus| assessor = BirdLife International| year = 2012| downloaded = 29 November 2013}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Charadriiformes]]
| familia = [[Laridae]]
| genus = ''[[Ichthyaetus]]''
| species = '''''I. relictus'''''
| binomial = ''Ichthyaetus relictus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Einar Lönnberg|Lönnberg]], 1931, [[Tsondol]], southern [[Gobi]])
| synonyms = *''Larus relictus'' Lönnberg, 1931
}}

The '''relict gull''' or ''' Central Asian gull''' (''Ichthyaetus relictus'') is a medium-sized [[gull]]. It was believed to be an eastern race of the [[Mediterranean gull]] until 1971 and was traditionally placed in the [[genus]] ''[[Larus]]''.

==Description==
The gull is 44 to 45 cm long with a stocky, thick body. Non-breeding adults feature uniformly dark-smudged ear-coverts and hind crown, white-tipped wings, prominent, isolated black subterminal markings on outer primaries, and no white leading edge to outer wing. Breeding birds have black hoods (including napes) with grey-brown foreheads, and broad, white, half-moon colouring behind, below, and above their eyes. Their legs are orange and their bills scarlet. The name comes from its status as a [[Relict (biology)|relict]] species.<ref>Ming Ma, Ying Chen, Kedeerhan Bayahen, Baowen Hu, Fei Li, Jiaqing Wu, Xiang Gao, Yu Mei, [http://jal.xjegi.com/fileup/PDF/29.pdf "Seasonal changes in the number of Relict Gull (''Larus relictus'') at Ebinur Lake, Western China"], ''Journal of Arid Land'', 2010, volume 2, number 2, pp 151−155, Retrieved May 2, 2015</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
The gull breeds in several locations in [[Mongolia]] (''e.g.,'' [[Galuut Lake]], [[Khukh Lake]], and [[Chukh Lake]]), two in [[Kazakhstan]], one in [[Russia]], and one in [[China]] ([[Yulin, Shaanxi#Lake Hongjiannao|Lake Hongjiannao]]). Small numbers appear to [[bird migration|migrate]] to [[South Korea]] during the nonbreeding period. There is additional evidence that larger numbers may migrate to eastern China as well, but this is not verified.

The gulls breed in colonies on islands in [[Seawater|saltwater]] [[lake]]s. These sites are fragile. Nesting does not occur when lakes dry up or when water levels are too high. When islands become too small or overgrown with vegetation or so large that they join at the shore, the birds do not nest either. During non-breeding periods, the birds can be found on estuarine mud and sandflats.

==Status and conservation==
The population is estimated to be at 10,000 or less, with numbers dropping. It is classified as "vulnerable" on the [[IUCN Red List]]. Its greatest threats are changes of water level in the breeding lakes, predation from other gulls, [[hail]]storms and [[flooding]]. [[Human]] disturbance has increased their vulnerability to all these factors, resulting in further risks for the adult gulls and increased mortality for chicks and eggs. To combat this, [[nature reserve]]s in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Russia have been established, for example in the [[Mongol Daguur]] region.

==References==


{{reflist}}
*[http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3246&m=0 Birdlife.org]
*[http://www.arkive.org/relict-gull/larus-relictus/ Arkive.org]
* Pons J.M., Hassanin, A., and Crochet P.A.(2005). ''Phylogenetic relationships within the Laridae (Charadriiformes: Aves) inferred from mitochondrial markers.'' Molecular phylogenetics and evolution 37(3):686-699

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l12FX6sZ_X0 Blue Ocean Network documentary about the Relie Gull]

{{Gulls}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:gull, relict}}
[[Category:Larus|relict gull]]
[[Category:Birds of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Birds of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Asian migratory birds]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1931]]

Pallas's sandgrouse

2016-12-19T22:41:17Z

William Avery: Refine category

{{Taxobox
| name = Pallas's sandgrouse
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite journal |author=BirdLife International |author-link=BirdLife International |title=''Syrrhaptes paradoxus'' |journal=[[IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] |volume=2012 |page=e.T22692980A38913634 |publisher=[[IUCN]] |year=2012 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T22692980A38913634.en |accessdate=23 May 2016}}</ref>
| image = Syrrhapte paradoxal.jpg
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[bird|Aves]]
| ordo = [[Pteroclidiformes]]
| familia = [[Pteroclididae]]
| genus = ''[[Syrrhaptes]]''
| species = '''''S. paradoxus'''''
| binomial = ''Syrrhaptes paradoxus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1773)
}}

The '''Pallas's sandgrouse''' (''Syrrhaptes paradoxus'') is a medium large [[bird]] in the [[sandgrouse]] family named after the German zoologist [[Peter Simon Pallas]]. The scientific name is from [[Ancient Greek]]. The genus ''Syrrhaptes'' is from ''surrhaptos'', "sewn together" (the feathered toes of both species in the genus are fused together) and ''paradoxus'' is from ''paradoxos'', "strange".<ref name=job>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher= Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 | pages = 291, 376}}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Syrrhaptes paradoxus (Ján Svetlík).jpg|thumb|left]]
Pallas's sandgrouse is {{convert|30|–|41|cm|in|abbr=on}} long with small, pigeon-like head and neck, but sturdy compact body. It has long pointed wings and tail and legs and toes are feathered. Its plumage is buff coloured, barred above with a black belly patch and pale underwings. The black belly and pale underwing distinguish this species from the related [[Tibetan sandgrouse]]. The male Pallas's sandgrouse is distinguished by its grey head and breast, orange face and grey breast band. The female has duller plumage and lacks the breast band though it has more barring on the upperparts.

The small feet lack a hind toe, and the three front toes are fused together. The upper surface is feathered, and the underneath has a fleshy pad. The appearance of the foot is more like a paw than an avian foot.<ref name=grouw>{{cite book | last1 = van Grouw | first1 = Katrina | title = Unfeathered Bird | publisher = Princeton University Press | series = | volume = | edition = | year = 2012| location = | pages = 242–243 | url = | isbn =978-0691151342}}</ref>

==Behaviour==
[[File:Syrrhaptes paradoxus.jpg|thumb|left]]
This species breeds across middle latitudes of central Asia on dry [[steppes]] and similar habitats. Its nest is a ground scrape into which 2–3 greenish eggs with cryptic markings are laid.

It is a partial [[bird migration|migrant]], especially from the northern parts of its range in [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Mongolia]], but the extent and distance of the southerly winter movement depends on the amount of snowfall.

Pallas's sandgrouse occasionally erupts from its regular breeding and wintering range across Europe as far west as [[Great Britain]], where it has bred, and [[Ireland]]. The reasons for these remarkable movements are not fully understood, but they have become less frequent, probably due to contraction of the western Siberian range as the steppes become more agricultural.

Due to their primarily dry diet of seeds, the sandgrouse needs to drink a large volume of water. The sandgrouse's wing morphology allows for fast flight with speeds up to {{convert|64|kph|mph|abbr=on}} having been recorded. Large flocks of several thousand individuals fly to watering holes at dawn and dusk making round trips of up to {{convert|121|km|mi|abbr=on}} per day.<ref name=encyclopedia/> Male parents soak their breast plumage in water while drinking, allowing their chicks to drink from the absorbed moisture on their return.<ref name=MacLean1983/>

[[Marco Polo]] mentions a bird called ''Bargherlac'' (from [[Turkmen language|Turkmen]] ''bağırlak'') in [[The Travels of Marco Polo]]. This is probably ''Syrrhaptes paradoxus ''(''S. pallasii'').<ref name=Haw/>

[[File:Syrrhapte paradoxal MHNT.jpg|thumb|''Syrrhaptes paradoxus'']]

==References==

{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=encyclopedia>{{cite web |title=sandgrouse |work=The Columbia Encyclopedia |edition=6th |year=2016 |publisher=Encyclopedia.com |accessdate=23 May 2016 |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/sandgrouse.aspx}}</ref>
<ref name=Haw>{{cite book |last=Haw |first=Stephen G. |authorlink=Stephen G. Haw |title=Marco Polo’s China: a Venetian in the realm of Khubilai Khan |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |page=129}}</ref>
<ref name=MacLean1983>{{cite journal |last=MacLean |first=Gordon L. |date=1 June 1983 |title=Water Transport by Sandgrouse |journal=BioScience |volume=33 |issue=6 |pages=365–369 |doi=10.2307/1309104 |issn=0006-3568}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
{{wikispecies|Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
* [http://orientalbirdimages.org/search.php?action=searchresult&Bird_ID=1138 Nine photographs (see pulldown menu at page bottom)] at [http://orientalbirdimages.org The Oriental Bird Club]
* {{BirdLife|22692980|Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
* {{Avibase|name=Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
* {{InternetBirdCollection|pallass-sandgrouse-syrrhaptes-paradoxus}}
* {{VIREO|pallas's+sandgrouse}}
* {{IUCN_Map|22692980|Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
* {{Xeno-canto species|Syrrhaptes|paradoxus|Pallas's sandgrouse}}
* {{field guide birds of the world|Syrrhaptes paradoxus}}
* {{ARKive}}

{{Sandgrouse}}
{{taxonbar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:sandgrouse, Pallas}}
[[Category:Syrrhaptes|Pallas]]
[[Category:Birds of Central Asia]]
[[Category:Birds of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Birds of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1773]]

Red-footed falcon

2016-12-18T21:01:54Z

William Avery: Refine category

{{Taxobox
| name = Red-footed falcon
| image = Red-footed Falcon.jpg
| status = NT
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{IUCN|id=22696432 |title=''Falco vespertinus'' |assessor=BirdLife International |assessor-link=BirdLife International |version=2013.2 |year=2013 |accessdate=26 November 2013}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Aves]]
| ordo = [[Falconiformes]]
| familia = [[Falconidae]]
| genus = ''[[Falcon|Falco]]''
| genus_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[10th edition of Systema Naturae|1758]]
| species = '''''F. vespertinus'''''
| binomial = ''Falco vespertinus''
| binomial_authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766
| synonyms =
''Falco vespertinus vespertinus'' [[Carl Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], 1766
}}

The '''red-footed falcon''' (''Falco vespertinus''), formerly '''western red-footed falcon''', is a [[bird of prey]]. It belongs to the family [[Falconidae]], the falcons. This [[bird]] is found in eastern Europe and Asia although its numbers are dwindling rapidly due to habitat loss and hunting. It is [[bird migration|migratory]], wintering in [[Africa]]. It is a regular wanderer to western Europe, and in August 2004 a red-footed falcon was found in [[North America]] for the first time on the island of [[Martha's Vineyard]], [[Massachusetts]].{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

==Taxonomy==
The [[Amur falcon]] was formerly included herein as a [[subspecies]] but it is nowadays considered distinct. Nonetheless, it is the present species' closest relative; their relationship to other falcons is more enigmatic. They appear [[morphology (biology)|morphologically]] somewhat intermediate between [[kestrel]]s and [[hobby (bird)|hobbies]] and [[DNA sequence]] data has been unable to further resolve this question, mainly due to lack of comprehensive sampling. They might be closer to the [[Merlin (bird)|merlin]] than to most other living falcons, or more generally related to this species and American falcons such as the [[American kestrel]] and the [[aplomado falcon]].<ref name=Wink/><ref name=Griffiths1999/><ref name=Griffiths2004/>

The genus name ''Falco'' is from Late Latin ''falx'', ''falcis'', a [[sickle]], referencing the claws of the bird.<ref name=SOED>{{cite book|title=Shorter Oxford English dictionary | year=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press| location=Oxford| isbn=0199206872| pages=3804}}</ref> The species name ''vespertinus'' is [[Latin]] for "of evening" from ''vesper'', "evening".<ref name= job>{{cite book | last= Jobling | first= James A | year= 2010| title= The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names | publisher = Christopher Helm | location = London | isbn = 978-1-4081-2501-4 |pages =266, 400}}</ref>

==Description==
[[File:Rotfußfalke Falco vespertinus.jpg|thumb|Adult male]]
It is a medium-small, long-winged species. The adult male is all blue-grey, except for his red undertail and legs; its underwings are uniformly grey. The female has a grey back and wings, orange head and underparts, and a white face with black eye stripe and moustaches.

Young birds are brown above and buff below with dark streaks, and a face pattern like the female. Red-footed falcons are {{convert|28|–|34|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length with a wingspan of {{convert|65|–|75|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The average mass is {{convert|155|g|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Wasser2010/>

==Breeding and behaviour==
[[File:Faucon kobez MHNT.jpg|thumb|''Falco vespertinus'' – Toulouse Museum, France]]
This falcon is a colonial breeder, reusing the old nests of [[corvid]]s, such as [[Rook (bird)|rook]]s. It lays two to four eggs. Its maximum lifespan is 13.25 years in the wild and 18 years in captivity.<ref name=Wasser2010/>

===Azerbaijan===
Red-footed falcons were witnessed copulating several times over a week-long period and "showed a strong preference for an old magpie nest"<ref name="Heiss 2011 113–15"/> Frequent copulation was interspersed with joint inspections of the magpie nest. The morning after the aforementioned observations, the pair was again observed and they repeated their behaviour. Both then defended against an attack by a [[lesser kestrel]]. On this day neither bird spent much time in the nest, but always remained perched beside it. At the end of the week the researchers revisited the nest. The behaviour this time was that the female sat in the nest and the male perched outside but in the same tree. Further defensive responses to lesser kestrels were observed. The male red-footed falcon hunted for large insects and fed them to the female. Copulation then occurred. After copulation, the female returned to sit in the nest until the male fed her again. This behaviour continued for several days. This pair clearly showed territorial behaviour. The frequent copulations and lengthy stay of the female in the nest suggested incubation but the researchers did not check the nest.<ref name="Heiss 2011 113–15"/>

===Carpathian Basin===
Researchers used a species distribution model for red-footed falcons. This model can play a crucial role in identifying key nesting sites for endangered species. According to the researchers, the red-footed falcon is officially listed as near-threatened, due to the drastic breeding population decline of the past decades. Red-footed falcons breed in colonies and in solitary pairs. They do not build a nest. In Hungary, the landscape scale distribution of rookeries remained stable, while the density and size of rookeries decreased and their location shifted to human settlements. Similar patterns were reported from other European countries. The reasons of rookery declines can be attributed to a large-scale persecution in the mid-80s resulting in a 90% population crash. Because of this, most potential breeding colonies for red-footed falcons disappeared, causing a decline in the number of breeding pairs. Conservation projects have established artificial nest box colonies to rectify this problem.

There is little evidence of this plan's effectiveness and also little evidence on recent population trends and distribution, from Northern Serbia, where 5-10% of the total European Union population is thought to breed. The researchers' main focus was on understanding the relationship between landscape scale habitat variables and red-footed falcon presence. The researchers found that the increase of natural grasslands had a positive effect on nest site presence while the increase of broad-leaved forests negatively influenced the probability of nest site presence. Their modelling approach proved successful in describing the landscape scale habitat composition of red-footed falcon breeding sites in the modelling area. Natural grasslands have a considerable impact on the probability of nest site presence. Therefore, locating their breeding sites or creating breeding sites by providing artificial colonies with the aid of our results has additional conservation and socio-economic benefits for wildlife and human population.<ref name=Fehervari2011/>

===Serbia===
Near the village [[Melenci]] ([[Voivodina]], northern [[Serbia]]) there were 22 red-footed falcon nests in 1991 in which offspring had been successfully brought up. The contents of four nests were checked daily from the start of incubation until the fledglings left the nests. Breeding success did not differ between the group of four nests disturbed by inspections and the remaining 18. Despite the fact that the ratio of parent bird presence (both, only female, only male) and absence differed in the comparison of the four nests, red-footed falcon parents were usually found in the close surroundings, i.e. they attended their nest. The attendance of the birds to the nests differed between the sexes during incubation as well as hatching and the nestling period, which fact can be interpreted as a difference between the roles of females and males. In 59% of the cases it was the female, while in 41% it was the male bird that was sitting on the eggs. At the time of hatching it was mostly the female (female 86%, male 14%) that was present in the nest, while after hatching it was only the female. Later on the adult birds usually took off from the branch supporting the nest, from neighbouring trees, or from abandoned rook (''Corvus frugilegus'') nests, rather than from the nest itself. Females participated more times in the defence of the nest than males, yet the ratios of the studied types of behaviour (alarm, repellence, attack) did not differ between the sexes. However, significant difference appeared to be present between four nests when the distribution frequency of the three behaviour types was looked at. The distribution of the reaction types of the parent birds to disturbance was significantly different in the periods of incubation, hatching and nestling, respectively. As nesting proceeded and parental investment grew, the number of repellences and attacks increased proportionally.<ref name=Purger2001/>

The survey of population size and distribution of red-footed falcons proceeded in June–July 2000 and 2001 respectively, ten years after the first census (1990 and 1991). Data of only those nests were processed in which there was breeding. Breeding Success was calculated from the number of offspring per reproductive female. During the survey in Voivodina in 1990-1991 there were 308 and 124 pairs, respectively, whereas ten years later, in the year 2000 there were 116, and in 2001 only 61 pairs of red-footed falcons. Even if the marked fluctuations observed are not considered, the red-footed falcon population breeding in Voivodina shows a declining tendency. The south-western margin of the distribution area has moved towards the northeast by about 50-70 kilometres. More than 90% of the nesting sites, including the larger nesting colonies, are found in the Banat region, i.e. east of the Tisa River. More than 90% of the red-footed falcons continue to nest in rook colonies. No significant change has occurred in their breeding success.<ref name=Purger2008/>

==Dietary habits==
[[File:Falco vespertinus.jpg|thumb|Adult female]]
The red-footed falcon is a bird of prey with a diet consisting of a variety of insects, amphibians, reptiles, [[mammal]]s and birds, such as great green bush-crickets, spadefoot toads, sand lizards, the common vole and bird nestlings, respectively. This bird's distinctive method of hunting is shared by the [[common kestrel]]. It regularly hovers, searching the ground below, then makes a short steep dive towards the target. When feeding their nestlings, the youngest nestlings receive the most food more frequently and more regularly. Chicks that are between 0 and 3 weeks old will get fed bigger prey like toads, lizards, bird nestlings, and great green bush-crickets, while nestlings over that age will get fed less frequently and with less variety. Young nestlings's diet consists mostly of [[Orthoptera]] and [[beetle]]s with a some [[vertebrate]]s, while older nestlings' diet mostly consists of Orthoptera and almost never receives vertebrates.<ref name=Purger/>

==Habitat==
The red-footed falcon tends to reside in typical [[steppe]] type habitats ranging from Eastern Europe to [[Lake Baikal]] in Central Asia. This is a diurnal bird of open country with some trees, often near water. They tend to migrate far south for the winter, including in areas of Africa.<ref name=Fehervari2008/> The red-footed falcon tends not to make their own nests, but tend to use abandoned nests made by other birds such as the [[hooded crow]], [[Rook (bird)|rook]], and [[Eurasian magpie|magpie]]. The nests that are chosen tend to be higher than the majority of the other nests; the nests tend to be {{Convert|13|–|20|m|ft|abbr=on}} above the ground and within {{convert|3|–|4|m|ft|abbr=on}} of the tree top. Most of these nests tend to be near the edge of woods, avoiding nesting on solitary trees. Breeding takes place in these abandoned nests; usually breeding occurs colonially in rookeries because these birds tend to stay together in groups. This is also important because [[Fledge|fledging]] success tends to be higher when these birds are in colonies and are not solitary. The red-footed falcon relies on the nests built by rooks, and with a decline in population of rooks, the number of suitable rookeries for colonial nesting has also decreased, leading humans to ideas of conservation.<ref name=Purger1999/>

==Threats==
A major impact on the red footed falcon's population is loss and degradation of natural nest sites. Rooks and rookeries are regularly attacked, by shooting into the nests, killing birds and cutting down the trees they were living in for the wood. Pesticides are also a huge threat as they are depleting their natural food sources, making food competitive. There is also an increased mortality caused by electrocution due to the bird's habit of sitting perched on power lines. From 1980 to 1999 intensive poisoning of [[Rook (bird)|rooks]] in Hungary forced the species to change its nest site selection habits, and large colonies have nearly disappeared there as a result, with only 38% of the population breeding colonially. As productivity is generally greater in larger colonies, further decreases may occur. The species appears to be hunted opportunistically during migration.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

==Conservation==
The global population of red-footed falcon is estimated to be between 300,000-800,000 individuals, with 26,000 to 39,000 pairs in Europe. Most of the population breeds in the [[steppe]] grasslands of Russia and central Asia, although a significant amount also breeds in the [[Ukraine]], [[Romania]] and [[Hungary]]. In 2005, the population in Hungary was estimated to be between 700 to 800, showing a steady decline.<ref name=Pannonian/> Red-footed falcons can be considered as a classic [[umbrella species]] because they affect other species living in the community. They play a popular role in the [[Natura 2000]] designation process.<ref name=Natura/> Therefore, locating their breeding sites or creating breeding sites by providing artificial colonies has additional conservation and socio-economic benefits for both wildlife and the local human population.<ref name=Fehervari2011/>

===Conservation in the Pannonian Region===
A conservation program, which was funded by the EU's LIFE Nature financial instrument, was initiated on January 1, 2006 with the goal of increasing and maintaining the breeding population of the species in Hungary and western Romania.<ref name=Pannonian/> This conservation project developed a method to create more nesting sites by creating artificial nest box colonies.<ref name=Fehervari2011/> It's pretty common for the birds to be preyed upon by [[martens]] or other mammalian predators during incubation or during the nestling state, even in the artificial colonies. Some extreme cases show that the predators may threaten the existence of every clutch in the colony. They are using many methods to repel or trap potential predators in order to avoid predation. Some of those methods are listed in this section.<ref name=Pannonian/> There are many known threatening factors and the program takes active conservation measures against them. Some of these factors include being electrocuted by electric pylons so the program locates and insulates the exposed cables. Roadside trees are a common nesting site for falcons because they are also home to corvids. Previously, only safety aspects were considered in the management of these nesting facilities. Therefore the project will submit a conservation based management plan to the correct authorities. One of the reasons of red-footed falcon decline is the collapse of the [[Rook (bird)|rook]] population due to drastic pest control measures. Based on previous experience and information from stakeholders, a draft "corvus management plan" will be prepared to handle the conflict situations caused by rooks.<ref name=Pannonian/>

Future conservation efforts proposed include continuing to conduct regular surveys throughout the area. Figuring out additional ways to help the species is crucial. Red-footed falcons are known to use artificial colonies, therefore, they can be a useful mid-term conservation tool to prevent their population from fragmenting. Also, there may be ways to help out the species by changing farming and land-use practices in Central Europe. Surveys in Bulgaria indicated that there is a decline in available breeding sites for the birds.<ref name=IUCN/>

==References==
{{reflist|35em|refs=
<ref name=Fehervari2008>{{cite journal |last1=Fehérvári |first1=Peter |first2=A. |last2=Harnos |first3=D. |last3=Neidert |first4=P. |last4=Palatitz |first5=S.Z. |last5=Solt |title=Modeling Habitat Selection of the Red-Footed Falcon (Falco vespertinus): A Possible Explanation of Recent Changes in Breeding Range Within Hungary |year=2008 |url=http://aloki.hu/indvol07_1.htm |accessdate=24 August 2015 |journal=Applied Ecology and Environmental Research |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=59–69 |issn=1589-1623}}</ref>

<ref name=Fehervari2011>{{cite journal |last1=Fehérvári |first1=P. |last2=Solt |first2=S. |last3=Palatitz |first3=P. |last4=Barna |first4=K. |last5=Ágoston |first5=A. |last6=Gergely |first6=J. |last7=Nagy |first7=A. |last8=Nagy |first8=K. |last9=Harnos |first9=A. |last10=Altwegg |first10=Res |last11=Penteriani |first11=Vincenzo |title=Allocating active conservation measures using species distribution models: a case study of red-footed falcon breeding site management in the Carpathian Basin |journal=Animal Conservation |date=1 December 2012 |volume=15 |issue=6 |pages=648–657 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00559.x}}</ref>

<ref name=Griffiths1999>{{cite journal |last=Griffiths |first=Carole S. |year=1999 |title=Phylogeny of the Falconidae inferred from molecular and morphological data |journal=[[Auk (journal)|Auk]] |volume=116 |issue=1 |pages=116–130 |url=http://sora.unm.edu/sites/default/files/journals/auk/v116n01/p0116-p0130.pdf |doi=10.2307/4089459}}</ref>

<ref name=Griffiths2004>{{cite journal |last1=Griffiths |first1=Carole S. |last2=Barrowclough |first2=George F. |last3=Groth |first3=Jeff G. |last4=Mertz |first4=Lisa |title=Phylogeny of the Falconidae (Aves): a comparison of the efficacy of morphological, mitochondrial, and nuclear data |doi=10.1016/j.ympev.2003.11.019 |year=2004 |journal=Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution |volume=32 |pages=101–109 |pmid=15186800 |issue=1}}</ref>

<ref name="Heiss 2011 113–15">{{cite journal |last=Heiss |first=Michael |title=The first breeding record of the Red-footed Falcon, Falco vespertinus (Linnaeus, 1766), in Azerbaijan |journal=Zoology in the Middle East |year=2011 |volume=52 |issue=1 |pages=113–115 |doi=10.1080/09397140.2011.10638486}}</ref>

<ref name=Natura>{{cite web |title=Natura 2000 |url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/index_en.htm |publisher=European Commission}}</ref>

<ref name=Pannonian>{{cite web |title=Conservation of Falco vespertinus in the Pannonian Region LIFE05 NAT/H/ 000122 |url=http://www.kekvercse.mme.hu/en/content/show}}</ref>

<ref name=Purger>{{cite web |last=Purger |first=J.J .|title=Diet of Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus nestlings from hatching to fledging |url=http://ttk.pte.hu/biologia/zootax/Jeno_publ/publ_pdf/42.pdf |accessdate=17 October 2013 |journal=Ornis Fennica |volume=75 |year=1998 |pages=185–191 }}</ref>

<ref name=Purger1999>{{cite journal |last1=Purger |first1=J.J. |first2=Andreja |last2=Tepavcevic |title=Pattern analysis of red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) nests in the rook (Corvus frugilegus) colony near Torda (Voivodina, Yugoslavia), using fuzzy correspondences and entropy |journal=Ecological Modelling |year=1999 |pages=91–97 |url=http://ac.els-cdn.com/S0304380099000125/1-s2.0-S0304380099000125-main.pdf?_tid=91d7421a-3d27-11e3-978f-00000aacb35f&acdnat=1382672771_c6308b94014178310108e8f4f6f5da0b |accessdate=17 October 2013 |volume=117 |issue=1 |doi=10.1016/s0304-3800(99)00012-5}}</ref>

<ref name=Purger2001>{{cite journal |last=Purger |first=J.J. |year=2001 |title=Defence behaviour of Red-footed Falcons Falco vespertinus in the breeding period and the effects of disturbance on breeding success |journal=Ornis Fennica |volume=78 |issue=1 |pages=13–21 |url=http://ttk.pte.hu/biologia/zootax/cikkek/Purger/50-Ornis%20Fenn%2078(2001)13-21.pdf}}</ref>

<ref name=Purger2008>{{cite journal |last=Purger |first=J.J. |year=2008 |title=Numbers and distribution of Red-footed Falcons (Falco vespertinus) breeding in Voivodina (northern Serbia): a comparison between 1990-1991 and 2000-2001 |journal=Belgian Journal of Zoology |volume=138 |issue=1 |pages=3–7 |url=http://www.researchgate.net/publication/236212469_Numbers_and_distribution_of_Red-footed_Falcon_(Falco_vespertinus)_breeding_in_Voivodina_(northern_Serbia)_a_comparison_between_1990-1991_and_2000-2001}}</ref>

<ref name=Wasser2010>{{cite journal |last=Wasser |first=D.E. |last2=Sherman |first2=P.W. |title=Avian longevities and their interpretation under evolutionary theories of senescence |journal=[[Journal of Zoology]] |volume=280 |issue=2 |pages=103–155 |year=2010 |doi=10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00671.x }}</ref>

<ref name=Wink>{{cite book |last1=Wink |first1=Michael |last2=Seibold |first2=I. |last3=Lotfikhah |first3=F. |last4=Bednarek |first4=W. |year=1998 |url=http://www.uni-heidelberg.de/institute/fak14/ipmb/phazb/pubwink/1998/31.%201998.pdf |title=Molecular systematics of holarctic raptors (Order Falconiformes) |editor1-last=Chancellor |editor1-first=R.D. |editor2-last=Meyburg |editor2-first=B.-U. |editor3-last=Ferrero |editor3-first=J.J. |work='Holarctic Birds of Prey |pages=29–48 |publisher=Adenex & WWGBP}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{commons|Falco vespertinus}}
{{wikispecies|Falco vespertinus}}
* [http://sabap2.adu.org.za/docs/sabap1/179.pdf (Western) Red-footed Falcon species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds]
* [http://www.oiseaux.net/birds/photos/red-footed.falcon.html Red-footed falcon photos] at [http://www.oiseaux.net Oiseaux.net]
* {{BirdLife|22696432|Falco vespertinus}}
* {{Avibase|name=Falco vespertinus}}
* {{InternetBirdCollection|red-footed-falcon-falco-vespertinus}}
* {{VIREO|Red-footed+Falcon}}
* {{IUCN_Map|22696432|Falco vespertinus}}
* {{Xeno-canto species|Falco|vespertinus|Red-footed falcon}}

{{taxonbar}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:falcon, red-footed}}
[[Category:Falco (genus)|red-footed falcon]]
[[Category:Birds of Europe]]
[[Category:Birds of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Birds of Russia]]
[[Category:Vagrant birds of Africa]]
[[Category:Birds described in 1766]]

Long-clawed ground squirrel

2016-12-13T23:23:23Z

William Avery: Reformat per MOS:LEAD#Organisms; downcasing per MOS:LIFE

{{Taxobox
| name = Long-clawed ground squirrel
| fossil_range = Recent
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = iucn3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{IUCN2008|assessor=Molur, S.|year=2008|id=20471|title=Spermophilopsis leptodactylus|downloaded=6 January 2009}}</ref>
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
| familia = [[Sciuridae]]
| subfamilia = [[Xerinae]]
| tribus = [[Xerini]]
| genus = '''''Spermophilopsis'''''
| genus_authority = Blasius, 1884
| species = '''''S. leptodactylus'''''
| binomial = ''Spermophilopsis leptodactylus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Martin Lichtenstein|Lichtenstein]], 1823)
}}
The '''long-clawed ground squirrel''' (''Spermophilopsis leptodactylus'') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Sciuridae]]. It is [[monotypic]] within the genus '''''Spermophilopsis'''''.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} It can be found in [[Afghanistan]], [[Iran]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Tajikistan]], [[Turkmenistan]], and [[Uzbekistan]].

==References==
{{reflist}}
*Thorington, R. W. Jr. and R. S. Hoffman. 2005. Family Sciuridae. Pp. 754–818 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

==External links==
* [http://tolweb.org/Spermophilopsis_leptodactylus/16820 Tree of Life: ''Spermophilopsis leptodactylus'']

{{S. Xerinae nav}}

[[Category:Animals described in 1823]]
[[Category:Mammals of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Mammals of the Middle East]]
[[Category:Mammals of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Tajikistan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Squirrels]]

{{Squirrel-stub}}

Tamarisk jird

2016-12-13T22:09:46Z

William Avery: Reformat per MOS:LEAD#Organisms

{{Taxobox
| image = Meriones tamariscinus.jpg
| status = LR/lc
| status_system = IUCN2.3
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammal]]ia
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
| familia = [[Muridae]]
| genus = ''[[Meriones (genus)|Meriones]]''
| subgenus = '''''Meriones'''''
| subgenus_authority = Illiger, 1811
| species = '''''M. tamariscinus'''''
| binomial = ''Meriones tamariscinus''
| binomial_authority = ([[Peter Simon Pallas|Pallas]], 1773)
}}
The '''tamarisk jird''' (''Meriones tamariscinus'') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Muridae]]. It is found in [[China]], [[Mongolia]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]], [[Russia]], [[Turkmenistan]], and [[Uzbekistan]].

==References==
*Baillie, J. 1996. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/13169/all ''Meriones tamariscinus'']. [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.] Downloaded on 19 July 2007.
*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp. 894–1531 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
{{Gerbillinae|G1.}}

[[Category:Animals described in 1773]]
[[Category:Gerbils]]
[[Category:Mammals of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Mongolia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Russia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Mammals of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Rodents of China]]

{{Meriones-stub}}

Triplophysa dorsalis

2016-09-08T20:12:18Z

William Avery: Added :Category:Animals described in 1872

{{speciesbox
| status =
| taxon = Triplophysa dorsalis
| authority = ([[Karl Fedorovich Kessler|Kessler]], 1872)
}}

'''''Triplophysa dorsalis''''' is a species of [[Nemacheilidae|stone loach]] in the genus ''[[Triplophysa]]'' that lives in [[freshwater]].<ref name=FishBase>{{FishBase |genus=Triplophysa |species=dorsalis |month=November |year=2014}}</ref> It is found in [[Uzbekistan]], [[Kazakhstan]], [[Kyrgyzstan]] and [[Xinjiang]] (westernmost China).<ref name=CoF>{{cite web |url=http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/Ichthyology/catalog/fishcatmain.asp |title=Catalog of Fishes |author=Eschmeyer, W. N. |date=3 February 2015 |publisher=California Academy of Sciences |accessdate=26 February 2015}}</ref>

The species is usually found in water with slow currents, river coves and lakes. It prefers the quiet water to live in. Its maximum length is {{convert|13|cm|in}} [[Fish measurement|TL]] and the common length is {{convert|12|cm|in}} [[Fish measurement|SL]]. Lives at range of temperature of 18°C-22°C.<ref name=FishBase/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Triplophysa|D]]
[[Category:Freshwater fish of China]]
[[Category:Fish of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Fauna of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Fish of Uzbekistan]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1872]]

{{Cypriniformes-stub}}

Altai birch mouse

2016-08-03T10:50:50Z

William Avery: Downcasing per MOS:LIFE

{{Taxobox
| image =
| status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>Tsytsulina, K. 2008. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/20190/0 ''Sicista napaea''.] The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3. Downloaded on 19 April 2015.</ref>
| regnum = [[Animalia]]
| phylum = [[Chordata]]
| classis = [[Mammalia]]
| ordo = [[Rodent]]ia
| familia = [[Dipodidae]]
| genus = ''[[Sicista]]''
| species = '''''S. napaea'''''
| binomial = ''Sicista napaea''
| binomial_authority = Hollister, 1912
| synonyms = }}
The '''Altai birch mouse''' (''Sicista napaea'') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Dipodidae]]. It is native to [[Russia]] and [[Kazakhstan]].<ref name=iucn/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}
==Further reading==
*Holden, M. E. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Family Dipodidae. Pp. 871-893 ''in'' ''Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference''. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

{{Dipodidae nav}}

[[Category:Sicista]]
[[Category:Mammals of Russia]]
[[Category:Mammals of Kazakhstan]]
{{rodent-stub}}

Bothriomyrmex turcomenicus

2015-11-17T19:38:08Z

William Avery: Linking Carlo Emery

{{Italic title}}
{{Taxobox
|name = ''Bothriomyrmex turcomenicus''
|image =
|image_width =
|regnum = [[Animal]]ia
|phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
|classis = [[Insect]]a
|ordo = [[Hymenoptera]]
|familia = [[Formicidae]]
|subfamilia = [[Dolichoderinae]]
|genus = ''[[Bothriomyrmex]]''
|species = '''''B. turcomenicus'''''
|binomial = ''Bothriomyrmex turcomenicus''
|binomial_authority = [[Carlo Emery|Emery]], 1925
}}

'''''Bothriomyrmex turcomenicus''''' is a species of [[ant]] in the genus ''[[Bothriomyrmex]]''. Described by [[Carlo Emery|Emery]] in 1925, the species is endemic to [[Kazakhstan]], [[Turkey]] and [[Turkmenistan]].<ref>Emery, C. 1925c. Les espèces européennes et orientales du genre ''Bothriomyrmex''. ''Bull. Soc. Vaudoise Sci. Nat.'' '''56''': 5-22 (page 11, fig. A4 worker described)</ref><ref>Dlussky, G. M.; Soyunov, O. S.; Zabelin, S. I. 1990 [1989]. Ants of Turkmenistan. Ashkhabad: ''Ylym Press'', 273 pp. (page 171, raised to species)</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Bothriomyrmex]]
[[Category:Hymenoptera of Asia]]
[[Category:Insects of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Insects of Turkey]]
[[Category:Insects of Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Insects described in 1925]]

{{Dolichoderinae-stub}}

Bothriomyrmex kusnezovi

2015-11-17T19:37:56Z

William Avery: Linking Carlo Emery

{{Italic title}}
{{Taxobox
|name = ''Bothriomyrmex kusnezovi''
|image =
|image_width =
|regnum = [[Animal]]ia
|phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
|classis = [[Insect]]a
|ordo = [[Hymenoptera]]
|familia = [[Formicidae]]
|subfamilia = [[Dolichoderinae]]
|genus = ''[[Bothriomyrmex]]''
|species = '''''B. kusnezovi'''''
|binomial = ''Bothriomyrmex kusnezovi''
|binomial_authority = [[Carlo Emery|Emery]], 1925
}}

'''''Bothriomyrmex kusnezovi''''' is a species of [[ant]] in the genus ''[[Bothriomyrmex]]''. Described by [[Carlo Emery|Emery]] in 1925, the species is endemic to [[China]], [[Kazakhstan]] and [[Kyrgyzstan]].<ref>Emery, C. 1925c. Les espèces européennes et orientales du genre ''Bothriomyrmex''. ''Bull. Soc. Vaudoise Sci. Nat.'' '''56''': 5-22 (page 12, fig. A5 worker described)</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Bothriomyrmex]]
[[Category:Hymenoptera of Asia]]
[[Category:Insects of China]]
[[Category:Insects of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Insects of Kyrgyzstan]]
[[Category:Insects described in 1925]]

{{Dolichoderinae-stub}}