Common, in places rare breeding migrant. Inhabits river valleys, fishy drift streams, ponds and lakes with clay precipices. On migration occurs on all waters. In spring appears in April – mid-May singly or by pairs, last migrants recorded in end of May – early June. Breeds by separate pairs not close one from another. Nest is located in hole depth to 3 m in clay precipices; hole finishes by the nesting chamber without lining (later there is a layer of eructated fish bones). Both partners excavate hole, incubate clutch for about 20 days and then feed juveniles. Clutch of 4-8 eggs is laid in end of May to mid-July. Fledglings (23-24 days old) recorded in mid-July to mid-August. Probably rears two broods per season. Autumn migration begins in September. Latest birds recorded in early-mid October.
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. "Жизнь Животных" том 5. Птицы. Москва. "Просвещение", 1970. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.