Population: The global population is estimated at between 600 thousand and 1.1 million individuals, but this data is unconfirmed. In Europe, the population is estimated at between 303 thousand and 485 thousand individuals. In Kazakhstan, it is a common breeding migratory bird.
Status: Non-endangered species of no economic value, but with ecological and cultural significance.
Habitat: It is very wide spread in Kazakhstan, nesting everywhere except in arid areas. It lives on lakes, rivers and reservoirs with thickets of reeds or cattails, wintering south of Shymkent.
