Abstract
The use of ephemeroids in feeding and as nest material by birds is assessed in this report. The consumption of 18 species of plants by Alectoris chukar and Phasianus colchicus both in nature (Trans Ili Alatau) as well as in culture (collection of the Botanical Garden of Almaty) was noted. In the Western Tien Shan, Passer hispaniolensis and Emberiza bruniceps utilized seven species of ephemeroids for nest building, most often Gymnospermium alberti, Ranunculus regelianus and Poa bulbosa. In the nests of six other passerine species, individual parts of such plants are less common and are used only as an admixture.