Turkestan Tit

Parus bokharensis (Lichtenstein, 1823)

2019-12-19 Ozernoe, Chui region	© Tatiana Menshikova

Biology

Common resident. Inhabits saxaul, deciduous and riparian forests, groves and shelterbelts in plains and in foothills at altitudes up to 1200-1500 m. On dispersal occurs also in juniper forests (to 1800 m). Pairs are formed since mid-February. Breeds in separate pairs, often close one to another. Nest is located in tree hole (natural or bored by Woodpecker); nest is built from thin twigs, dry grass and leaves and is lined mainly by hair and feathers. Clutch of 4-8 eggs is laid in end of April to June. Both parents feed juveniles which fledge in end of May to early August. Rears two broods per season; re-nesting after loss of first clutch is common. During dispersion in autumn–winter time occurs singly or in small groups of 5-10 bird.

References

"Птицы Казахстана" том 4. "Наука". Алма-Ата, 1972. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005.