Bukhara Kyzylkum (202269)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d
Year of last assessment: 2025
National site name: Bukhara Kyzylkum
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.2979, Longitude: 63.7371
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 206 to 404
Area of KBA (km2): 6384.72358
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: This site is within the Bukhara Province in south-central Uzbekistan (Central Asia), 32 km NE of the town of Gazli and 52 km NW of the city of Bukhara. It is contiguous and to the north of an existing KBA Karakyr Lakes (20689).
The area is part of the Kyzylkum desert, well classified as open semi-desert, consisting of sand, gravel and clay plains, characterised by low rainfall (c 250mm per annum), and open xeromorphic shrub vegetation.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The site meets the A1b and A1d criteria for the globally Vulnerable Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii).
The site supports a breeding population of migrant Asian Houbara which arrive annually on the site from mid-March and remaining until mid-October when they migrate to the south (Burnside et al., 2017). Birds are highly site faithful to breeding areas and return to territories year after year. The habitat hosts exploded leks for males to display (Koshkin et al., 2014; Koshkin et al., 2016b), and also nesting and rearing habitat for breeding females (Koshkin et al., 2016a; Guilherme et al., 2018; Burnside et al., 2019), with a highly productive recruitment rate (Dolman et al., 2018).
Additional biodiversity: There are four additional threatened species to take particular note in the area.
Smooth even-fingered gecko Alsophylax laevis
The Smooth even-fingered gecko Alsophylax laevis is endemic to Central Asia, including west and south Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan (Showler, 2017). Within that range the distribution appears highly sporadic with the species only known a few localities, including within the site near Shuruk area on southern edge of the Kuldjuktau Mountains (Showler, 2018). The species inhabits takyr (clay pan) areas. There is little information available on population numbers but it has declined dramatically and is currently classified as Critically Endangered. The species is still present within the site in 2025 (Timur Abduraupov pers. comms.)
Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa
This Goitered Gazelle has wide distribution from southern Iran/Pakistan to Mongolia. However, global population is thought to have decreased by half in 2 decades and it is currently classified as Vulnerable. It inhabits, steppe, semi-desert areas. In the Bukhara region the number have not been estimated but within the Bukhara site. While not common, the species is observed reliably on an annual basis. Burnside (pers obs.) recorded annually 11-19 individuals across 7-10 observations annually with groups consisting of lone males to up to 6 individuals between 2014-2017. These observations were made across the extent of the site. The species continues to be observed there each year and as recently as 2025 (Jonathan Willans pers comm.). The site likely hosts breeding as observations take place during the post-breeding period when individuals congregate together during the spring. The species if non-migratory, and usually only makes movements up to 100km so the site likely hosts a resident population (Valentin Soldatov pers. comms).
Horsfield Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii
The Horsfield Tortoise is globally Vulnerable. It is found throughout the Bukhara site. It is dormant most of the year but emerges in huge numbers, into the several thousands to breed during spring/summer. It is a resident breeding population and the site is an important area for this species.
Marbled polecat Vormela peregusna
The Marbled polecat is globally Vulnerable. There was a single observation by Burnside in 2019 on the site but no formal estimates exist within the site.
In addition to the Assessed Trigger species, the site hosts other fauna that is typical of the Kyzyl-kum and Karakul deserts, all of which have recorded on the site.
Avifauna:
• A breeding population of the regionally endemic Turkestan Ground-Jay Podoces panderi. Studies have shown high encounter rate for the species in the southern part and occurrence in the northern part of the site. The birds are resident and breeding in the area with specific habitat conditions (Burnside et al. 2020). It is likely this site if one of the most important sites for this species but the lack of information on population sizes or trend means it cannot be classified easily.
Mammals:
• Breeding events of Sand Cat Felis Margarita have been recorded in the area and regular occurrence (Burnside et al. 2014, Brighten & Burnside 2019).
• Tolai hare (Lepus tolai) is regularly spotted and breeding on the site.
Reptile Species Recorded
• Turan Toad Bufotes turanensis
• Perrin's Green Toad Bufotes perrini
• Marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus
• Caspian Bent-Toed Gecko Tenuidactylus caspius
• Turkestan thin-toed gecko Tenuidactylus fedtschenkoi
• Common Wonder Gecko Teratoscincus scincus
• Comb-toed gecko Crossobamon eversmanni
• Steppe agama Trapelus sanguinolentus
• Sunwatcher toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus helioscopus
• Reticulated toad-headed agama Phrynocephalus reticulatus
• Lichtenstein's Toadhead Agama Phrynocephalus interscapularis
• Secret toadhead Agama Phrynocephalus mystaceus
• Eremias grammica Reticulate racerunner
• Rapid Lizard Eremias velox
• Aralo-Caspian racerunner Eremias intermedia
• Sand racerunner Eremias scripta
• Striped racerunner Eremias lineolata
• Caspian Monitor Varanus griseus caspius
• Desert sand boa Eryx miliaris
• Sand racer Psammophis lineolatus
• Spotted whip snake Hemorrhois ravergieri
• Spotted desert racer Platyceps karelinii
• Diadem snake Spalerosophis diadema
• Dice Snake Natrix tessellate
• Saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus
Flora
There are five potentially sensitive plant species listed as CR or EN in the Red Data Book of Uzbekistan near the village of Shuruk within the site.
• Onobrychis tavernierifolia (UZRDB – CR)
• Calligonum zakirovii (UZRDB – CR)
• Astragalus adylovii (UZRDB – CR),
• Lepidium subcordatum (UZRDB – EN)
• Astragalus centralis, (UZRDB – EN)
There are four potentially four sensitive plant in the southern areas of the site near Gazli:
• Climacoptera merkulowiszii (IUCN – EN)
• Climacoptera amblyostegia (IUCN – EN)
• Calligonum molle (IUCN – EN)
• Calligonum matteianum (IUCN – CR)
Manageability of the site: The area is contiguous and consists of the same habitat throughout therefore any management plan or surveys only have to account for one habitat. The boundary also excludes any significant developments or differing habitats. The area currently has only rangeland management and a hunting concession that has rights to sustainable hunting practices under government licence.
Delineation rationale: The boundaries of the site were created based on surveys and population abdundance estimates (Koshkin et al., 2016b) to incorporate the areas within Bukhara that hold the highest density of Asian Houbara and also incorporating overlapping nesting habitat for the Turkestan Ground-Jay. The boundary also excludes any significant developments or different habitats. In addition, the site is adjacent to an existing KBA Karakyr Lakes (20689), which the boundary of the KBA detours around. This KBA is not incorporated with the Karakyr Lakes (20689) as the ecosystems are entirely different and they should be managed separately. The size of the area was chosen because, although usually houbara occur at low density, surveys show the area allows for movement of houbara which can have large home range sizes and this corresponds well with the statement that the aim of identifying area that will secure viable populations of the qualifying species.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The area is part of the Kyzylkum desert, well classified as open semi-desert and old desert, consisting of red sand, gravel and clay plains, characterised by low rainfall (c 250mm per annum), and open xeromorphic shrub vegetation.
Land use: Pastoralism
Trainline
Roads
Energy infrastructure [powerline+windfarm]
Gas Pipelines
Gas Extraction
Mining for sand/gold
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 | Desert – Cold |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Gas extraction
Gas pipelines
Mining activities
Shrub removal for fuel wood
Green energy developments such as wind farms.
Development of power line networks (Burnside et al., 2015) (Collar, N., and M. Kessler. 2024)
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying |
Additional information
References: References
Brighten, A. L., and R. J. Burnside. 2019. Insights into the feeding ecology of and threats to Sand Cat Felis margarita Loche, 1858 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) in the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. Journal of Threatened Taxa 11(4):13492-13496. doi: 10.11609/jott.4445.11.4.13492-13496
Burnside, R. J., A. L. Brighten, N. J. Collar, V. Soldatov, M. Koshkin, P. M. Dolman, and A. Ten. 2020. Breeding productivity, nest-site selection and conservation needs of the endemic Turkestan Ground-jay Podoces panderi. Journal of Ornithology doi: 10.1007/s10336-020-01790-9
Burnside, R. J., N. J. Collar, and P. M. Dolman. 2017. Comparative migration strategies of wild and captive-bred Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii. Ibis 159(2):374-389. (Article) doi: 10.1111/ibi.12462
Burnside, R. J, Koshkin, M. K. & Dolman, P. M. (2014) Breeding population of sand cat in the Southern Kyzylkum Desert,
Uzbekistan. Cat News 60: 25-26.
Burnside, R. J., Collar, N. J., Koshkin, M. A. and Dolman, P. M. (2015) Avian powerline mortalities, including Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii, on the Central Asian flyway in Uzbekistan. Sandgrouse 37: 161–168.
Burnside, R. J., J. L. Guilherme, N. J. Collar, and P. M. Dolman. 2019. Backpack harness solar powered PTTs do not affect reproductive traits in Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 65:98.
Collar, N., and M. Kessler. 2024. Preservation of major migratory populations of Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii requires undergrounding of Uzbekistan’s Kungrad powerline. Sandgrouse 46:62-69.
Dolman, P. M., N. J. Collar, and R. J. Burnside. 2018. Captive breeding cannot sustain migratory Asian houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii without hunting controls. Biol. Cons. 228:357–366. doi: 10.1016/j.biocon.2018.10.001
Guilherme, J. L., R. J. Burnside, N. J. Collar, and P. M. Dolman. 2018. Consistent nest-site selection across habitats increases fitness in Asian Houbara. Auk 135(2):192-205. (Article) doi: 10.1642/AUK-17-156.1
Koshkin, M., R. J. Burnside, C. E. Packman, N. J. Collar, and P. M. Dolman. 2016a. Effects of habitat and livestock on nest productivity of the Asian houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii in Bukhara Province, Uzbekistan. Eur. J. Wildl. Res. 62(4):447-459. doi: 10.1007/s10344-016-1018-9
Koshkin, M. A., R. J. Burnside, N. J. Collar, J. L. Guilherme, D. S. Showler, and P. M. Dolman. 2016b. Effects of habitat and land-use on breeding-season density of male Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii. Journal of Ornithology 157(3):811-823. doi: 10.1007/s10336-015-1320-4
Koshkin, M. A., N. J. Collar, and P. M. Dolman. 2014. Do sheep affect distribution and habitat of Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii? Journal of Arid Environments 103:53-62.
Showler, D. A. 2017. Guide to the Amphibians & Reptiles of the Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan. Unpublished Report, Norwich, UK
Showler, D. A. 2018. A Checklist of the Amphibians and Reptiles of the Republic of Uzbekistan with a review
and summary of species distribution. Unpublished report.
Contributors: Roman Kashkarov, Uzbekistan Society for Protection of Birds; Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences.
Dr Robert J. Burnside, Prince Mohamed bin Salman Houbara Conservation Foundation, Saudi Arabia.
Timur Abduraupov, Institute of Zoology, Uzbekistan.
Keith Scotland, Emirates Bird Breeding Centre for Conservation, Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
Tom Scott, IBA/KBA Technical Officer, BirdLife International, Cambridge, UK.