Sociable lapwing: Red Data Book of Armenia

Plovers and lapwings - Charadriidae

Status. A rare species of rapidly decreasing population in Armenia. Listed in the Red Data Book of the former USSR. Listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 3.1) as Critically Endangered CR A3bc+4bc. According to IUCN criteria categorized as Endangered EN B1a+B2a; Ca(i); D.

Distribution. The range is patchy and spread from semi–deserts and grasslands of the Volga River’s right bank to the Zaisan Depression and the Tarbagatai Mts. in the east. During migrations occurs in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Ukraine and the South Caucasus. Winters in Northeastern Africa, Iran, Iraq, Northwestern India and Pakistan.

Distribution in Armenia. Singular individuals were recorded in the Arax riverside and the mountain grasslands of the Geghama Ridge.

Habitats. Not studied.

Biological traits. Nestles in groups in the second half of April. Lays 4 eggs and broods them 25 days. Does not nestle in Armenia.

Population size and its trends. Unknown.

Major threats. Has always been rare.

Conservation measures. No special protection activities are elaborated in Armenia. It is essential to estimate population size and to determine the range in order to increase the efficiency of conservation.