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Site description (2007 baseline)
Otgontenger Mountain is the highest peak in the Khangai mountain range, and is worshiped by local people. Habitats include steppe, arid steppe, forest steppe, broadleaf and coniferous forest with rich understorey, rocky slopes and ravines, and alpine tundra and peat lands near mountain peaks. The Shurgiin, Bogdin and Yaruugiin Rivers rise on the Otgontenger Mountain. Livestock are grazed in surrounding areas. There are medicinal hot springs in the area, which attract many people.

Key biodiversity
Globally Threatened species include White-throated Bushchat Saxicola insignis (VU). The site supports assemblages of species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert, Eurasian high montane biomes and boreal forest (taiga) biomes. The site also supports Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi, whose breeding range defines the Mongolian Mountains Secondary Area. Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus breed, moult and occur in high numbers during migration. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos and Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula also congregate in large numbers. Populations of all three species reach at least 1% of their flyway populations.

Non-bird biodiversity: Rare species of mammal include Argali Ovis ammon (NT), Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica, Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN) and Siberian Marmot Marmota sibirica (EN).

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Otgontenger Mountain (Mongolia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/otgontenger-mountain-iba-mongolia on 23/12/2024.