Some Key Species of the Central Asian Flyway
The Central Asian Flyway (CAF) supports more than 600 species of migratory birds. The species listed below represent a selection of key birds from different taxonomic groups that depend on the flyway during their migration, breeding, or wintering periods. Information on research and conservation projects related to these species will be added progressively to the Digital Hub.
Bar-headed Goose
Anser indicus
Anatidae
Famous for flying over the Himalayas at extreme altitudes, the Bar-headed Goose breeds on high-altitude lakes in Central Asia and winters in the lowlands of the Indian subcontinent.
Demoiselle Crane
Grus virgo
Gruidae
The smallest crane species, migrating in spectacular flocks over the Himalayas between Central Asian breeding grounds and Indian wintering areas.
Egyptian Vulture
Neophron percnopterus
Accipitridae
A small, widespread Old World vulture that has declined drastically across its range. CAF populations face poisoning, electrocution and persecution along migration routes through Central Asia and the Middle East.
Saker Falcon
Falco cherrug
Falconidae
A powerful steppe falcon whose populations are in rapid decline due to electrocution on power lines and illegal trapping for falconry. Subject of coordinated conservation action across the CAF region.
Siberian Crane
Leucogeranus leucogeranus
Gruidae
One of the most endangered crane species in the world. The western/central population that once wintered in India and Iran is functionally extinct; the eastern population survives in China after migrating from Arctic Russia.
Sociable Lapwing
Vanellus gregarius
Charadriidae
A critically endangered steppe specialist that breeds in Kazakhstan and winters in the Middle East, Sudan and north-west India. Rediscovery of large autumn flocks in Turkey has reshaped conservation priorities.
Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
Accipitridae
A large migratory eagle of the Eurasian steppes. CAF populations face major threats from power-line electrocution and have declined rapidly in recent decades.
Yellow-breasted Bunting
Emberiza aureola
Emberizidae
A small, colourful passerine that breeds across northern Eurasia and migrates to South-East Asia. Once superabundant, it has suffered a catastrophic decline driven by illegal trapping on its wintering grounds.
Asian Houbara
Chlamydotis macqueenii
Otididae
A large, cryptic bustard of Central Asian deserts and semi-deserts. Historically heavily hunted with falcons, it remains under pressure from unsustainable harvesting and habitat loss.
Broad-billed Sandpiper
Calidris falcinellus
Scolopacidae
A small, inconspicuous wader with a distinctive kinked bill-tip. It breeds in Scandinavian and Siberian bogs and winters on tropical mudflats.
Common Pochard
Aythya ferina
Anatidae
A diving duck whose global population has declined sharply since the 1980s. Central Asian wetlands are important breeding and staging areas.
Curlew Sandpiper
Calidris ferruginea
Scolopacidae
A small shorebird with a distinctive decurved bill that breeds in Arctic Siberia and migrates to Africa, the Middle East and Australasia. Populations have declined sharply.
Dalmatian Pelican
Pelecanus crispus
Pelecanidae
The largest pelican species, breeding in colonies on inland lakes across Eurasia. CAF populations nest in Russia, Kazakhstan and around the Caspian Sea and winter from the Mediterranean to South Asia.
Eurasian Wryneck
Jynx torquilla
Picidae
A cryptically plumaged woodpecker relative that feeds almost exclusively on ants. It breeds across Eurasia and winters in Africa and South Asia.
Great Knot
Calidris tenuirostris
Scolopacidae
A large, stocky shorebird that breeds in north-eastern Siberia and winters on tropical and subtropical mudflats. Rapid loss of staging habitat in the Yellow Sea has driven severe population declines.
Greater Spotted Eagle
Clanga clanga
Accipitridae
A medium-large forest eagle with a declining population. It breeds in wetland-forest mosaics from eastern Europe to China and winters across South Asia and the Middle East.
Grey Plover
Pluvialis squatarola
Charadriidae
A large, stocky plover with striking black-and-white breeding plumage. It breeds on Arctic tundra and winters on coasts worldwide.
Ibisbill
Ibidorhyncha struthersii
Ibidorhynchidae
A unique wader of Central and South Asian mountain rivers, unmistakable with its long decurved red bill and striking face pattern. One of the most sought-after birds for birdwatchers visiting the Himalayas.
Pallas's Fish Eagle
Haliaeetus leucoryphus
Accipitridae
A large, powerful eagle of Central Asian wetlands. One of the rarest fish eagles in the world, it breeds on large inland lakes and rivers across the steppe zone.
Red Knot
Calidris canutus
Scolopacidae
A stocky, long-distance migratory shorebird that breeds in the high Arctic and winters on temperate and tropical coasts. Several subspecies use the Central Asian Flyway.
Snowy Owl
Bubo scandiacus
Strigidae
An iconic Arctic raptor that breeds across the circumpolar tundra. Nomadic and irruptive, it occasionally appears in Central Asia during winter incursions.
White-headed Duck
Oxyura leucocephala
Anatidae
A globally endangered stiff-tailed duck breeding on shallow, brackish lakes from Central Asia to the Mediterranean. Hybridisation with introduced Ruddy Duck is a significant threat in the western range.
White-throated Bushchat
Saxicola insignis
Muscicapidae
A scarce and poorly known chat that breeds in montane grasslands of Central Asia and winters in the Terai grasslands of Nepal and northern India.
Wood Snipe
Gallinago nemoricola
Scolopacidae
A secretive, poorly known snipe of montane forests in the Himalayas and Central Asia. It breeds in rhododendron scrub and alpine meadows at high altitudes.