Tajikistan has designated the desert partridge as its “Bird of the Year 2026”, a move environmentalists say could mark a turning point in the country’s approach to protecting fragile desert ecosystems.
The National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan concluded its annual public vote by officially selecting the desert partridge, locally known as chil or kabki zirak, as the national avian symbol for the coming year. This rare and elusive species inhabits the southern and western desert zones of the country, areas that remain among the least studied in Tajikistan’s environmental landscape.
Although no systematic population surveys exist, ornithologists agree that the desert partridge is in decline. Primary threats include habitat degradation, overgrazing, agricultural expansion, and the absence of long-term ecological monitoring. Environmental advocates hope the bird’s new status will encourage state-led conservation efforts in arid regions that have historically received little attention.
Measuring 30-35 centimeters in length and weighing up to 450 grams, the desert partridge is ideally adapted to its environment. Its sandy plumage offers effective camouflage in rocky deserts, while distinctive dark stripes on its head help distinguish it from other species. The bird rarely flies, instead relying on swift footwork to navigate between shrubs.
Its preferred habitat includes plains, foothills, and dry plateaus. One of the most resilient species in Central Asia’s deserts, the partridge can survive without access to open water, making it a model of adaptation to extreme conditions.
Scientists say the selection of the desert partridge is a conscious signal that Tajikistan must begin prioritizing the study and protection of desert ecosystems. The Bird of the Year status will facilitate comprehensive population monitoring and draw public and institutional attention to the environmental impact of climate change.
In 2025, Tajikistan named the great bustard, one of its rarest bird species, as its bird of the year. Approximately 23 nesting pairs and up to 60 individuals during migration have been documented.
Launched in 2007, the Bird of the Year program has previously featured notable species such as the eagle owl, blue magpie, white stork, Tibetan snowcock, hoopoe, peregrine falcon, swallow, golden eagle, oriole, goldfinch, turtle dove, and the beautiful bustard.
