Tetrax tetrax -- (Linnaeus, 1758) ANIMALIA -- CHORDATA -- AVES -- OTIDIFORMES -- OTIDIDAE Common names: Little Bustard; Sisón European Red List Assessment European Red List Status VU -- Vulnerable, (IUCN version 3.1) Assessment Information Year published: 2015 Date assessed: 2015-03-31 Assessor(s): BirdLife International Reviewer(s): Symes, A. Compiler(s): Ashpole, J., Burfield, I., Ieronymidou, C., Pople, R., Wheatley, H. & Wright, L. Assessment Rationale European regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU) EU27 regional assessment: Vulnerable (VU)

This small bustard is undergoing rapid population declines in Spain, which holds c70% of the European population. It is therefore classified as Vulnerable in both Europe and the EU27. Occurrence Countries/Territories of Occurrence Native: Armenia; Austria; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; France; Georgia; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Italy; Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of; Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Portugal; Russian Federation; Serbia; Slovakia; Spain; Turkey; Ukraine Origin Uncertain: Romania Vagrant: Belgium; Cyprus; Denmark; Finland; Ireland, Rep. of; Latvia; Luxembourg; Malta; Netherlands; Norway; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom Population The European population is estimated at 60,900-120,000 males, which equates to 122,000-240,000 mature individuals. The population in the EU27 is estimated at 56,800-111,000 502, which equates to 114,000-222,000 mature individuals. For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Trend In Europe and the EU27 the population size is estimated to be decreasing by 30-49% in 30.9 years (three generations). For details of national estimates, see Supplementary PDF. Habitats and Ecology This species inhabits dry grassland and, in Europe, it also occurs in areas of low-intensity arable cultivation and pastoral land, selecting areas with a high diversity of ground cover such as mosaics of pasture, stubble fields, long-rotation fallow land and legume crops (Martin et al. 2010). Wintering birds in Azerbaijan prefer semi-desert and steppe areas under winter pasturing, and avoid areas of intensive agriculture (Gauger 2007). Breeding occurs from February until to June (Collar et al. 2014). The species is polygamous (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997); females mate with males on their displaying ground then nest and raise the young alone (Tucker and Heath 1994). The nest is a shallow scrape usually in dense, short grass cover. Clutches range from two to six eggs (Collar et al. 2014). Beetles, grasshoppers and other terrestrial invertebrates are a vital source of food in the summer and are fed to the chicks; in the winter plant material (e.g. shoots, leaves, flowerheads and seeds) is more dominant in the diet (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997, Collar et al. 2014). The species varies in its migratory or resident character across its distribution. In the north and especially in eastern Europe it is migratory as are the breeding birds in France. In Iberia the species is partially migratory, the main wintering grounds being in the south-west of the peninsula (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997). Habitats & Altitude Habitat (level 1 - level 2) Importance Occurrence Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land major breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Arable Land major non-breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland major breeding Artificial/Terrestrial - Pastureland major non-breeding Grassland - Temperate major breeding Grassland - Temperate major non-breeding Altitude Occasional altitudinal limits Threats The primary cause of its decline has been conversion of dry grassland and low-intensity cultivation to intensive arable agriculture, especially where this has included the planting of monocultures or perennial crops, irrigation or afforestation. The fragmentation of traditional habitats, by means of agricultural intensification or infrastructure development, negatively affects habitat availability and quality for the species, as well as male density (E. García in litt. 2007, García et al. 2007) as displaying males exhibit a preference for old and same-year fallows which offer shelter and food (Delgado et al. 2010). The use of pesticides could reduce food availability (E. García in litt. 2007). Harvesting with modern farm machinery, operated at high speed and often during the night, is the key threat to females and nests in Europe and is the cause for the observed male-biased sex structure and low fecundity (Iñigo and Barov 2010). Farm machinery accounts for 40% of clutch failure in south-west France (Inchausti and Bretagnolle 2005). Conversion to intensive arable agriculture continues to be the primary threat and cause of continuing declines in Europe (E. García in litt. 2007). It also suffers from illegal hunting (Y. Andryuschenko in litt. 1999), although this is a minor threat (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 2007). The collision of birds with overhead powerlines is a locally important cause of mortality (E. García in litt. 2007). The release of farm-reared gamebirds could eventually introduce new pathogens to wild populations of the species (E. García in litt. 2007). In Azerbaijan, the main threats are disturbance from intensive land use (mainly heavy grazing), habitat loss to infrastructure development and probably hunting (Gauger 2007). Climate change effects could lead to shorter rainy seasons and reduced winter precipitation in southern Europe which could have a detrimental effect on habitat quality for the species (Delgado et al. 2009, Delgado and Moreira 2010). Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture farming Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem conversion; Ecosystem degradation; Species mortality; Species disturbance; Reduced reproductive success Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture grazing, ranching or Ongoing Majority (50-90%) No decline Low Impact farming Stresses Ecosystem conversion; Ecosystem degradation; Species disturbance Agriculture & Agro-industry Timing Scope Severity Impact aquaculture plantations Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem degradation Biological resource Hunting & trapping Timing Scope Severity Impact use terrestrial animals Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Low Impact (intentional use - Declines species is the target) Stresses Species mortality Climate change & Droughts Timing Scope Severity Impact severe weather Future Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Low Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem degradation; Reduced reproductive success Threats & Impacts Threat (level 1) Threat (level 2) Impact and Stresses Invasive and other Unspecified species Timing Scope Severity Impact problematic Ongoing Minority (<50%) Unknown Unknown species, genes & diseases Stresses Species mortality Pollution Herbicides and Timing Scope Severity Impact pesticides Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem degradation Transportation & Roads & railroads Timing Scope Severity Impact service corridors Ongoing Majority (50-90%) Slow, Significant Medium Impact Declines Stresses Ecosystem conversion; Ecosystem degradation Transportation & Utility & service Timing Scope Severity Impact service corridors lines Ongoing Minority (<50%) Slow, Significant Low Impact Declines Stresses Species mortality Conservation Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix II. EU Birds Directive Annex I. A European action plan was published in 2001 (E. García in litt. 2007), its implementation was reviewed (Barov and Derhé 2011) and updated (Iñigo and Barov 2010) in 2010. A species action plan for the species in Sardinia is in preparation. In Catalonia, Management Plans for the SPA with a Little Bustard population have been developed. The species has been the subject of several LIFE Nature projects in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. France and Spain have attempted a joint programme of reinforcement of the populations in central and western France by release of captive-bred chicks during 2006-2009. In France, targeted agri-environmental measures (MAET) have been developed and tested in the region of Poitou-Charentes. Management agreements have been elaborated and signed with farmers, which are believed to have led to an increase of the affected populations (Leitão et al. 2006, Bamière et al. 2011, Bretagnolle et al. 2011). In France, Spain and Portugal national censuses take place every five years (four in France). The number of protected areas established in steppe habitats in those countries has increased.

Conservation Actions Proposed Carry out coordinated surveys to obtain an up-to-date estimate for the total population. Continue to conduct surveys to monitor population trends. Preserve habitat and alter land-use practices through EU and national policies. Work with land-owners to manage land favourably and reduce hunting. Reduce hunting pressure through awareness campaigns. Ensure fields with permanent cover on arable land through agri-environmental schemes using rotations and fallow land. Eliminate dangerous powerlines. Bibliography Bamière, L., Havlã-k, P., Jacquet, F., Lherm, M., Milleta, G., Bretagnolle, V. 2011. Farming system modelling for agri-environmental policy design: the case of spatially non-aggregated allocation of conservation measures. Ecological Economics 70: 891-899. Barov, B and Derhé, M. A. 2011. Review of The Implementation Of Species Action Plans for Threatened Birds in the European Union 2004-2010. Final report. BirdLife International for the European Commission. Bretagnolle, V., Villers, A., Denonfoux, L., Cornulier, T., Inchausti, P. and Badenhausser, I. 2011. Rapid recovery of a depleted population of Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax following provision of alfalfa through an agri-environment scheme. Ibis 153(1): 4-13. Collar, N., Garcia, E.F.J. and de Juana, E. 2014. Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. and de Juana, E. (eds.) 2014. Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53736 on 19 January 2015). Bibliography Delgado, A. and Moreira, F. 2010. Between-year variations in Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax population densities are influenced by agricultural intensification and rainfall. Ibis 152: 633-642. Delgado, M.P., Morales, M.B., Traba, J. and de la Morena, E.L.G. 2009. Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird. Ibis 151(3): 440-451. Delgado, M.P., Traba, J., García de la Morena, E.L. and Morales, M.B. 2010. Habitat selection and density- dependent relationships in spatial occupancy by male Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax. Ardea 98(2): 185-194. Gauger, K. 2007. Occurrence, ecology and conservation of wintering Little BustardsTetrax tetrax in Azerbaijan. Archiv für Naturschutz und Landschaftsforschung 46(2): 5-27. Gauger, K. and Heiß, M. 2010. Winter trip 2010: Birdwatching news and bird photography from Transcaucasia. Available at: http://birdingaze.blogspot.com/search?updated- min=2010-01-01T00:00:00%2B01:00andupdated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00%2B01:00andmax-results=2. Hagemeijer, W.J.M. and Blair, M.J. (1997) The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance. T and A D Poyser, London. Inchausti, P. and Bretagnolle, V. 2005. Predicting short-tern extinction risk for the declining Little Bustard ( Tetrax tetrax) in intensive agricultural habitats. Biological Conservation 122: 375-384. Iñigo, A. and Barov, B. 2010. Action plan for the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax in the European Union. SEO/ BirdLife and BirdLife International for the European Commission. Leitão, D., Jolivet, C., Rodrí-guez, M. and Tavares, J. P. 2006. Bustard conservation [in Europe in the last 15 years]. RSPB/BirdLife, Sandy, U.K. Martin, C.A., Casas, F., Mougeot, F., Garcí-a, J.T. and Viuela, J. 2010. Positive interactions between vulnerable species in agrarian pseudo-steppes: habitat use by Pin-tailed Sandgrouse depends on its association with the Little Bustard. Animal Conservation 13(4): 383-389. Tucker, G.M. and Heath, M.F. 1994. Birds in Europe: their conservation status. BirdLife Conservation Series no. 3, BirdLife International, Cambridge. Map (see overleaf)