The considerable polarization of bird habitats has been formed in European Russia – extensive abandoned lands, of low suitability for nesting of typical meadow species, alternate with increasingly intensively cultivated fields. Though the abundance of most species is low in these fields, the polarization has resulted in their increasing exploitation by Eurasian Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Redshank, Black-winged Pratincole, Demoiselle Crane, Montagu's Harrier, Grey Partridge, Short-eared Owl and Mallard, apart from those more typical for fields: Lapwing, Common Quail, Eurasian Skylark, Calandra Lark and Western Yellow Wagtail. However, nesting of these species on most crop fields often results in low breeding success. The trends most unfavorable for nesting birds in European Russia are conversion of grasslands into arable lands, associated with the switching to indoor keeping of cattle, and increasing no-till farming.

Pheasants are game birds that feed on many insect pest species. The study of the pheasant food spectrum, especially in the autumn and winter period, is relevant and can be used to assess the food supply of birds in natural habitats and form the diet when they are bred in captivity. The authorities of the Stavropol Region try to preserve pheasant diversity and rationalize its use. In this respect, pheasants’ autumn-winter diet in natural environment is an important research subject that can help poultry farmers. The research featured the common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) inhabiting various biotopes of the Stavropol Territory. The visual food spectrum analysis was based on the stomachs of birds killed by hunters in October–January 2011–2021. The morning and evening visual observation included eight observation points located on linear routes and stationary sites of the Stavropol Territory. The analysis featured 94 stomachs obtained from the Stepnoye area and 28 stomachs from other areas of the Stavropol Region. Matured seeds and grains represented more than 50% of the stomach content and included wheat, corn, narrow-leaved oleaster, etc. Some samples contained a large number of ants with a minimal content of other foods. In the Central Ciscaucasia, pheasants inhabit communal gardens, river valleys, agricultural fields, and forest belts. Nowadays, they can be found in urban areas, where they prefer quasi-natural habitats, e.g. green backyards overgrown with such thorny bushes as oleaster, sea buckthorn, blackberry, blackthorn, wild rose, etc. Pheasants are omnivorous; their autumn and winter diet includes cultivated and wild fruits and seeds, as well as insect larvae.

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Современное состояние кольчатой горлицы Streptopelia decaocto (Aves: Columbiformes) в Ставропольском краеИсследования экологии кольчатой горлицы в Ставропольском крае проведены в 2008-2019 гг. Проанализировано современное состояние вида: размер популяции, плотность населения, распределение по территории края. Анализ динамики обилия и гнездовой плотности кольчатой горлицы свидетельствует о прогрессирующем расселении и росте её численности в регионе. Установлено, что вид предпочитает районы с развитым животноводством в степной и полупустынно-сухостепной зонах, тогда как в лесостепи и особенно предгорьях его гнездовая плотность значительно ниже. Показана высокая степень синантропизации кольчатой горлицы: они гнездятся в сельских населённых пунктах, городах, а также в лесополосах агроландшафтов преимущественно на деревьях. Гнездовой период длится со 2-й декады марта до начала ноября.