Rare resident. Inhabits the deciduous, mixed and coniferous forests on plains, and the rocks of alpine zone in mountains at 1500-2000 m in Altai and 1500-3000 m in Tien Shan. Breeds in separate pairs at 5-10 km apart. Nest is located on tree (pine, for example) or cliff ledge; nest is built from dry twigs and is lined with plenty of animal hair, some pieces of paper, rags and ropes. Clutch of 4-7 eggs is laid in late March – early May. Only female incubates over 19-21 days, male feed her. Both parents feed juveniles which fledge at age about one month, in late May to late July.
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. В.К.Рябицев. "Птицы Урала, Приуралья и Западной Сибири". Екатеринбург. Изд-во Уральского университета, 2000.