• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (2007 baseline)
The site comprises an area of high, snowcapped mountains, located in the centre of the Mongol Altai mountain range, on the border between Khovd and Bayan-Olgii aimags. The mountainous area is barren and rocky, and forest patches are found in some areas.

Key biodiversity
Globally Threatened and Near Threatened species occurring at the site include Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN), Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus (NT), White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis (VU) and Yellow-breasted Bunting Emberiza aureola (VU). The bird community at the site is a good example of the Eurasian high montane biome, and biome-restricted species there include Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus, Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar, Alpine Accentor Prunella collaris, Brown Accentor P. fulvescens, White-winged Redstart Phoenicurus erythrogaster and White-winged Snowfinch Montifringilla nivalis. Large raptors, such as Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis, Gyps himalayensis, Cinereous Vulture and Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, are common and nest at the site. The site supports Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi, the restricted-range species whose breeding range defines the Mongolian Mountains Secondary Area.

Non-bird biodiversity: Many Globally Threatened and Red Data Book of Mongolia species occur at the site, including Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN), Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica, Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Red Deer Cervus elaphus, Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx, Pallas's Cat Felis manul, Stone Marten Martes foina and Siberian Marmot Marmota sibirica (EN). Large herds of Siberian Ibex and Argali can be seen, which is a rare sight.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Khokh Serkhiin Nuruu (Mongolia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/khokh-serkhiin-nuruu-iba-mongolia on 22/11/2024.