Rare breeding migrant. Inhabits fish lakes and river channels with rich reed-beds or riparian trees and bushes. Appears end February – early March. Breeding in small colonies, usually together with Cormorant, Grey Heron and Night Heron, or in single pairs. Nests are built in reeds, on bushes and trees from dry reed stems and leaves. Clutches of 4-6, less often 3 or 7 eggs discovered at end of May – mid-June. Both parents incubate and feed juveniles. Autumn migration not well marked.
Gavrilov E. I., Gavrilov A. E. "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. Э.И.Гаврилов. "Фауна и распространение птиц Казахстана". Алматы, 1999. "Птицы Казахстана" том 1. "Наука". Алма-Ата, 1960.
