Part VII: rare birds and animals of kazakhstan (entered in “red book”) The Golden Eagle (беркут)

The Golden Eagle is one of the best known rare birds of East Kazakhstan. Once it was widespread but now it has disappeared from many of the more heavily populated areas. Despite being extirpated from some its former habitat, the species is still present in Eurasia, North America, and parts of Africa. These birds are dark brown, with lighter golden-brown plumage on their heads and necks. Golden Eagles use their speed and extreme power to hunt rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and large mammals such as foxes, wild and domestic cats, mountain goats and young deer. They will also eat carrion as well as reptiles. Birds, including large species up to the size of swans and cranes as well as ravens and gulls have all been recorded as prey. They have even been known to attack and kill fully grown deer. The Eurasian subspecies is used to hunt and kill wolves in many native villages, where they are regarded as great mystic reverence. Golden Eagles have been used in falconry since the Middle Ages. In Asia, they were used in teams to hunt such animals as deer, antelope and wolves, while their use was reserved for Emperors in Europe. They can be trained for falconry.

Vocabulary:

extirpate [`ekstәpeit] – вырвать, carrion [`kǽriәn] – мертвечина

уничтожить

prey [prei] – добыча plumage [`plu:midʒ ] – оперение reverence [`revәrns] – почитание falconry [`folkәnri] – соколиная

охота

• Answer the questions:

1. Where do Golden Eagles live?

2. What do they look like?

3. What do they eat?

4. How are the Eagles used by people?

5. What can they be trained for?

• Match the word and the definition:

1. Falconry a) living with people

2. Carrion b) not real

3. Mystic c) hunting with the help of birds

4. Mammals d) living in nature

5. Wild e) animals which breed their youths with milk

6. Domestic f) dead birds or animals

• Correct the statements:

1. Golden Eagle is spread all over the world.

2. Golden Eagle uses its speed and power to breed chickens.

3. They never eat carrion.

4. They have been used for falconry since ancient times.

Demoiselle Crane (журавль-красавка)

Demoiselle Crane is a specially protected species of crane in the world. In summer it breeds in Central Asia and can be found in Kazakhstan as well. In winter it migrates to India, Cyprus and eastern Turkey.

In late August they gather in flocks of up to 400 individuals and prepare for their winter flight. They have to cross the Himalayan Mountains, where many of them die from fatigue, hunger and predators such as eagles.

In March and April, they begin their long spring journey back to their northern nesting grounds. In Kazakhstan this beautiful bird nests in dry grasslands of South-East, such as marshes, steppes, and meadows not far from water.

The Demoiselle Crane is the smallest species of crane. It is 85–100 cm long with a 155–180 cm wingspan. It weighs 2–3 kg. It has a long white stripe of plume on its neck and the black on the fore neck.