National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan

The great egret is a large water-associated bird from the heron family, found across warm temperate and tropical regions of both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres. Its body length ranges from 88 to 104 cm, wingspan from 135 to 170 cm and weight from 1.25 to 2 kg. The species inhabits reed beds along water bodies, meadows, and open landscapes. Its diet consists of small fish, frogs, mollusks, insects, as well as small rodents, birds and other animals.

The eagle owl is a bird of prey from the owl family and the largest representative of the order Strigiformes. It is distinguished by its large body, rufous-brown mottled plumage, bright orange eyes, and characteristic feather tufts above them. The International Ornithologists’ Union recognizes 16 subspecies of the eagle owl.

Eagle owls inhabit forest and steppe zones with sufficient food resources and areas that are difficult for humans to access, suitable for nesting. They are well adapted to various habitats and sometimes even settle within city limits. These birds are sedentary and hunt hares, rodents, hedgehogs, crows, waterfowl, domestic fowl and other vertebrates. Nesting occurs once a year—in winter or early spring, when the ground is still covered with snow. Nests are built on the lower branches of trees, in rock crevices, landslides, ravines and on steep slopes of mountains and river valleys.

For reference: Zarafshan National Nature Park was established in 2018. It is located in the Jambay and Bulungur districts of the Samarkand region, on the right bank of the Zarafshan River. The park is home to 26 species of mammals, 218 species of birds, 10 species of reptiles, 18 species of fish and 2 species of amphibians.