Population: In 2015-2023, the number of nesting birds on Lake Alakol in Kazakhstan varied from 1,500 pairs in 2015 to 5005 pairs in 2016, and in 2023 amounted to 3506 pairs. The global population is estimated at 0.125-1.1 million individuals.
Status. A rare and endangered species. Category II. A rare species whose numbers are rapidly declining.
Distribution. It is distributed from the Northern Black Sea region in the west to the lakes of Chany and Julukul in the east. The largest colonies are on the islands of the Caspian Sea. In Kazakhstan, it breeds on the lakes Balkhash, Alakol, quarrels of the Karaganda and West Kazakhstan regions and on the islands of the northeastern part of the Caspian Sea.
