• Summary
• Text account
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• Reference and further resources

Site description (2007 baseline)
The site includes Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain plus a cold-water mountain lake, 1,430 ha in area, called Khar Lake. Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain is the one of 13 high mountains with glaciers in Mongolia’s Altai mountain range. The mountainous area is barren with rock outcrops, rocky ridges and high cliffs. Several important rivers originate from Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain. In addition, there are several mineral springs in its southern foothills, which are used by herders for healing illnesses affecting internal organs and joints. Poaching of Siberian Ibex and Argali may occur at the site.

Key biodiversity
One Globally Threatened species, Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN), is known from the site, as are several nationally threatened species, including Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus and Altai Snowcock Tetraogallus altaicus. The area supports a good example of the bird communities typical of the Eurasian high montane biome, including species such as 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, including Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis, Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus and Lammergeier Gypaetus barbatus, are common. The site is located with Mongolian Mountains Secondary Area, and supports a breeding population of Mongolian Accentor Prunella koslowi.

Non-bird biodiversity: There are many nationally threatened and rare wildlife species at the site, including Argali Ovis ammon, Siberian Ibex Capra sibirica, Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx, Pallas's Cat Felis manul and Stone Marten Martes foina. The Globally Threatened Snow Leopard Uncia uncia (EN) also occurs there.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tsengel Khairkhan Mountain (Mongolia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tsengel-khairkhan-mountain-iba-mongolia on 22/11/2024.