The birds of Red Book of Ukraine in Kyiv Dnipro floodplane: diversity, distribution and problems of conservation

[Причепа, М., Парнікоза, І. Птахи Червоної книги України на заплаві Дніпра в Києві:

різноманіття, поширення та проблеми охорони]

Mykola Prychepa¹,https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3114-2402

Ivan Parnikoza^2,3,https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0490-8134

¹Institute of Hydrobiology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (Kyiv, Ukraine)

²National Historical and Architectural Museum “Kyiv Fortress” (Kyiv, Ukraine)

³State Institution “National Antarctic Scientific Center” (Kyiv, Ukraine)

Cite as

Prychepa, M., & Parnikoza, I. (2026). The birds of Red Book of Ukraine in Kyiv Dnipro floodplane: diversity, distribution and problems of conservation. GEO&BIO, 28, 98-113.

doi: https://doi.org/10.53452/gb2809

pdf: G&B №28-2026_98-113_Prychepa.pdf

Abstract

The current state of the rare avifauna of the Dnipro floodplain within Kyiv and its surroundings is examined. Information on the bird fauna of this region from the first half of the twentieth century to the present is summarized. Changes in species occurrence and their possible causes are analyzed. Due to the transformation of natural habitats and the expansion of urban infrastructure, the ranges of several species within the floodplain have significantly decreased. Many species that use the floodplain as breeding and feeding habitats require specific conservation measures. Human development of the floodplain has led to the synanthropization of some bird species and the contraction of the ranges of the most sensitive species characterized by narrow ecological tolerance. During the last 15 years, 47 rare bird species have been recorded within the Dnipro River floodplain in Kyiv, representing 50.5% of all rare bird species included in the fauna of Ukraine. It should be noted that the following species have not been recorded in the Kyiv section of the Dnipro floodplain during this period: Dendrocopos leucotos, Emberiza aureola, Bubo bubo, Lanius senator, Monticola saxatilis, Tyto alba, Glareola nordmanni and Burhinus oedicnemus (the latter five being breeding species). At present, under ongoing landscape transformation, the Dnipro floodplain serves as a breeding habitat for Limosa limosa, Milvus migrans, Haematopus ostralegus, and Columba oenas. The floodplain is used as a feeding area by non-breeding individuals of Sternula albifrons, Haematopus ostralegus, Haliaeetus albicilla, Clanga pomarina, Circaetus gallicus, Circus pygargus, Milvus migrans, and Ciconia nigra. Wintering species include Mareca strepera, Netta rufina, Bucephala clangula, Falco peregrinus, and Lanius excubitor. For other rare species, the floodplain primarily functions as an important seasonal migration corridor, including Clanga clanga, Clanga pomarina, Circus cyaneus, Circus macrourus, Podiceps grisegena, Podiceps auritus, Ciconia nigra, Aythya nyroca, Mergus serrator, Pandion haliaetus, Hieraaetus pennatus, Aquila chrysaetos, Grus grus, Numenius arquata, Gallinago media, Columba oenas, Asio flammeus, Lanius excubitor, and Regulus ignicapilla. Compared with studies conducted in the early twentieth century, several species newly recorded in the Dnipro floodplain include Numenius phaeopus, Microcarbo pygmaeus, Buteo rufinus, Aquila chrysaetos, and Hydroprogne caspia. We identified 22 key indicator bird species and the corresponding floodplain biotopes required for their survival. Based on these requirements, we propose the establishment of nest protection zones and a network of new protected areas of local importance, followed by the inclusion of the most valuable sites into the strictly protected zone of the planned Dnipro Islands National Nature Park.

Key words

rare birds, Dnipro floodplain, avifauna, protected area, Kyiv megapolis.

Correspondence to: Mykola Prychepa; Institute of Hydrobiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 12 Volodymyra Ivasyuka Avenue, Kyiv 04210, Ukraine; e-mail: mailto:prychepa1987@ukr.net.

Article info

Submitted: 01.04.2026. Revised: 28.05.2026. Accepted: 29.05.2026

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