1. Introduction

The use of modern methods and technologies in the activities of hunting farms has resulted in the preservation of the number of bird species and the stability of their habitats [4]. It should be noted that, depending on the zoogeographical characteristics of each region and the specifics of the hunting industry there, the type of hunting objects and the volume of hunting differ from each other [5]. Accordingly, a scientific approach to compiling a list of huntable bird species for a particular region, acclimatizing promising bird species, and issuing appropriate permits for hunting is of significant scientific and practical importance in preventing the decline in the number of huntable bird species, developing measures for the implementation of biotechnical measures, and putting them into practice.

2. Materials and Methods

In order to determine the species composition of the bird fauna of the Bukhara region and adjacent areas, our observations were carried out in different seasons in 2010-2025. In various natural biotopes - deserts, semi-deserts, foothills, natural reservoirs, groves, as well as partially developed areas, stationary and routed, a total of 140 land censuses were conducted in different seasons of the year (spring, summer, autumn and winter) [18,5]. The results of the census of the number of birds of prey in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas were extrapolated to an area of 10 hectares, and the density of the bird community was determined according to the following formula: [16,17]

where D is the density; n is the number of birds encountered; L is the length of the route; W is the width of the route, or the distance from the route axis to the border of the calculated corridor. To take into account the species composition of the prey bird fauna on the left and right sides of the route axis, a multiplier of 2 was used in the formula, but the results of our calculations were taken from one side of the route axis, due to the specifics of the deserts [6].

In addition to visual observations, photographs and video images were used to determine the species and count the number of hunted bird fauna, using a Cinema Res 1200x video camera and Viking 10x50 binoculars. The following methods were used to identify animals and record populations:

1. Visual observation: Identification of animals by direct observation in their natural habitat.

2. Identification by tracks and remains: Species identification using paw prints, fur, bird remains, and negative tracks.

3. Traps and camera traps: Animal activity and species were recorded using special sensor cameras.

4. Acoustic monitoring: identification using the vocalizations of birds and some mammals.

5. Biological samples: laboratory analysis of soil, bird eggshells, fur, and food samples.

Each method was applied in a manner that caused minimal environmental harm to the animals [1,2,4].

The percentage of a particular species in the prey population (%) was determined using the following formula:

Here a is the number of representatives of a specific species; b is the number of representatives of all species counted at the census location [5,15].

3. Literature Review

Studies on migration, distribution in biotopes, population size, biology, and ecology of passerine birds have been conducted by foreign researchers such as M. Umar et al. [13], S. Laxminarayan et al. [11], Pande Satish et al. [8], Laszlo Bozo and Tibor Csorgo [7], Rahmat Ullah Khan et al. [10], Wafae Squalli et al. [14], Muhammad Zeshan Haider et al. [9], W. Tesfahunegny and A. Assefa [12], and others.

Research on bird fauna and their ecological characteristics has also been reported in the works of T. Zohidov, R.N. Meklenburuev, A.K. Sagitov, O.V. Mitropolsky, D.Yu. Kashkarov, E. Shernazarov, A. Mambetjumaev, S. Bakaev, F. Kholboev, M. Jumanov, A. Jabborov, M. To‘raev, R.R. Rakhmonov, A.R. Rayimov, and others [3].

4. Topic Description

It was determined that 27 species of birds belonging to 1 subclass (Neornithes), 7 orders (Pelecaniformes, Ciconiiformes, Anseriformes, Galliforme, Gruiformes, Columbiformes, Passeriformes), 9 families (Phalacrocoracidae, Ardeidae, Anatidae, Phasianidae, Rallidae, Pteroclididae, Columbidae, Sturnidae, Corvidae) were found in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas. Birds are hunted for sports and amateur purposes, as well as for scientific, medical and other purposes, and almost all of these hunts are carried out by removing birds from their habitat. (Table 1).

Table 1. Ecological groups of game birds in the Bukhara region according to seasonal changes in their fauna and habitat

The importance of a species in human life and in the biogeocenosis as a whole is inextricably linked to its number. The number (density) of each species per unit area was determined in the Bukhara region and its adjacent natural desert biocenoses, water bodies, agrocenoses and cities [6]. For this, several continuous observations were conducted using specific methods on the relevant routes, and according to their results, the number (density) of species per unit area was determined based on an area of 10 ha [1]. Species were divided into the following groups according to their number (density) per unit area: Very abundant species - (JK) more than 100 per 10 ha; Abundant species - (K) from 10 to 100 per 10 ha; A small number of species - (O) from 1 to 10 per 10 ha (Table 1).

Birds hunted in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas can be divided into 2 ecological groups depending on the seasonal nature of their habitat:

Sedentary species - species that constantly nest in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas throughout the year;

Migratory species - species that nest in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas during the nesting period and species that fly in for wintering and fly out in the spring.

According to the results obtained, out of 27 species of game birds identified in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas, the most common species in terms of species composition are the Anseriformes order with 8 species (29.6%), the Passeriformes order with 7 species (25.92%), the Columbiformes order with 4 species (14.81%), the Galliformes order with 4 species (14.81%), the Pelecaniformes order with 1 species (3.7%), the Ciconiiformes order with 1 species (3.7%), and the Gruiformes order with 2 species (7.43%). (Table 2).

Table 2. The spectrum of the leading orders and families of birds hunted in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas

The birds hunted in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas include 8 species belonging to 1 family (Anatidae) of the Anseriformes order, 7 species belonging to 2 families (Passeriformes, Corvidae) of the Passeriformes order, 4 species belonging to 2 families (Pteroclididae, Columbidae) of the Columbiformes order, 4 species belonging to 1 family (Galliforme) of the Galliformes order, 1 species belonging to 1 family (Phalacrocoracidae) of the Pelecaniformes order, and 1 species belonging to 1 family (Ardeidae) of the Ciconiiformes order. (Table 3).

Table 3. Taxonomic composition of game birds in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas

Breeding of the species Coturnix coturnix, Alectoris chukar, Ammoperdix griseogularis, Phasianus colchicus has been established in the hunting farms of the Bukhara region using the nursery method. In these studies, adaptations were observed in the large number of migrations of game birds during the seasons, wintering and nesting, and care for offspring. These adaptations are associated with the victory of game birds in the struggle for survival, their viability, and competitiveness.

The need to determine the species composition, number of birds being hunted, their migration routes, and the main habitats during the seasons, and to establish hunting ecotourism in the region, will create opportunities for the organization of new tourism destinations around the Zamobobo, Oyok-og'itma, Karakir, Shor'kul, and Tudakol reservoirs of our republic.

5. Conclusions

It is necessary to restore the number of rare species of game birds (Pterocles orientalis, Phasianus colchicus zarudnyi, Ammoperdix griseogularis, Alectoris chukar, Botaurus stellaris) in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas, acclimatize promising species, breed them in captivity, implement biotechnical measures, and establish industrial hunting to increase the diversity of hunting objects and the economic efficiency of hunting farms.

It is equally vital to preserve the fauna and biodiversity of game birds in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas, to improve their distribution, number, bioecological characteristics, to reduce the impact of anthropogenic factors, to improve measures for the protection and sustainable use of species. Monitoring the state of the game bird population in the Bukhara region and adjacent areas, and to create a cadastral information base should also be considered.