Big birds in open country
On a long drive across Mongolia, one of the most reliable wildlife sightings is a large bird sitting on a fence post, a rock or a telephone pole, or turning slowly on rising air. The open ground gives raptors good hunting and travelers a good view. Birds of prey in Mongolia range from small falcons to some of the largest flying birds in Asia, and a few simple clues help you sort them out.
Species lists vary by season and region, and identification of some raptors is difficult even for experienced birders. What follows covers the groups that visitors typically meet, with the usual hedge that you should confirm names with a regional field guide or a guide.
Eagles
Golden eagle. The best-known raptor in Mongolia and in the wider Central Asian region. It is a large, dark-brown bird with a golden tinge on the back of the head, often seen soaring over mountains or perched on rocky outcrops. It hunts mammals such as hares and marmots. The golden eagle is also the bird used in the eagle-hunting tradition of Kazakh families in the west; that practice is the subject of our article on eagle hunting.
Steppe eagle. A large, brown eagle that favors open grassland and is often seen on the ground or on low perches. It feeds on small mammals and also on carrion. Young and adult plumages differ, which makes identification harder.
Other eagles. Other eagle species occur in Mongolia, some of them mostly in summer. Telling them apart takes practice, and some are scarce.
Vultures and other large scavengers
Cinereous (or Eurasian black) vultures and bearded vultures, also called lammergeiers, are found in mountain and steppe areas. Cinereous vultures are very large and dark, and groups may gather at a carcass. Bearded vultures live in rocky highlands and are known for dropping bones from height to break them. Scavengers perform a quiet but important role on the steppe by clearing carcasses, and their numbers are a concern in several parts of the world because of poisoning and habitat change.
Falcons
Saker falcon. A large falcon of open steppe, usually seen perched on a pole or rock, or hunting low over the ground. It preys on small mammals and birds. The saker has long been prized in falconry across Central Asia and the Middle East, and its trade is regulated because of conservation concerns. Rules change, so check official guidance and never buy or transport wild birds or feathers.
Other falcons. Smaller falcons such as kestrels are common around villages and grassland, hovering over the grass while hunting insects and rodents. Some others, like the merlin and peregrine, pass through or breed at low density.
Buzzards, kites and harriers
Upland buzzards and other buzzards perch on posts and low rocks. Black kites are frequently seen around settlements and camps, where they pick up scraps; they are lighter and more buoyant in flight, with a forked tail. Harriers glide low over reedbeds and open grassland and have a distinctive tilted, wobbling flight.
Why the steppe suits them
Raptors depend on prey, and the steppe supplies it. Marmots, pikas, voles, hares and ground-nesting birds are abundant in the right areas, and the small burrowing mammals described in our article on steppe marmots form a large part of the food supply. Few trees are available for nesting, so many raptors use cliffs, rocky outcrops, old nests or even the ground. Man-made structures such as power poles are also used, which can create hazards for the birds.
Raptor numbers move with prey numbers. A season with abundant small mammals may support more breeding pairs than a poor one, and harsh winters can affect both predators and prey. The effects of a severe winter on livestock and wildlife are described in the piece on dzud winters.
Raptors in culture
Birds of prey hold a respected place in Mongolian and Central Asian traditions. The eagle appears as a symbol of strength and freedom in art, emblems and stories. Among Kazakh communities of the west, training a golden eagle to hunt is an inherited skill, practiced mainly in winter and celebrated in festivals. Other Mongolian communities have traditions of falconry in the past, though their extent and details are less certain and are best learned from local people.
In Mongolian shamanic belief, as discussed in the article on Mongolian shamanism, birds, and eagles especially, are often linked with the sky and with spirits, although practices differ by community. Ask respectfully if you want to know more.
Watching raptors well
- Bring binoculars and scan fence posts, rocks and hillsides, not just the sky.
- Early morning and late afternoon are good times. Midday thermals bring birds up to soar.
- Stay in the vehicle if you can, because many raptors tolerate cars better than people on foot.
- Never approach a nest. Disturbance can lead to abandonment.
- Do not touch dead or sick birds. Avian disease is a concern worldwide, and a note about staying healthy on the road is covered under travel health.
- Do not pick up feathers or pellets as souvenirs where rules forbid it, and ask a guide first.
A general overview of many other species can be found in the field guide to what lives where.