This Secondary Area is defined by the breeding range of the threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus (a monotypic genus endemic to this Secondary Area; classified as Vulnerable), which nests only in north-east Russia, on the Chukotski (or Chukchi) peninsula and the isthmus of the Kamchatka peninsula to the south. It is a long-distance migrant, which has been recorded widely in eastern and southern Asia on passage and in winter. It nests on sea coasts with sparsely vegetated sandy ridges near lakes and marshes, a habitat which is patchily distributed along the narrow coastal zone, especially near to the mouths of some rivers and lagoons and sandy spits. More-widespread threatened species which occur in this area are Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus, Spectacled Eider Somateria fischeri and Steller's Eider Polysticta stelleri (all classified as Vulnerable). A new protected area on the Chukotski peninsula is under discussion (Tomkovich 1991).

Stattersfield, A. J., Crosby, M. J., Long, A. J. and Wege, D. C. (1998) Endemic Bird Areas of the World. Priorities for biodiversity conservation. BirdLife Conservation Series 7. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International.

Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Endemic Bird Area factsheet: Chukotski peninsula. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/eba/factsheet/386 on 05/01/2025.