Taxonomy
Scientific name
Authority
Synonyms
Common names
Taxonomic sources
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Identification Information
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Taxonomic notes
Assessment Information
- IUCN Red List Category and Criteria
- Vulnerable A3cd+4cd ver 3.1
- Assessment language
- English
- Year published
- 2017
- Date assessed
- 2017-10-01 00:00:00 UTC
Previously published Red List assessments
Regional assessments
Reviewer(s)
Contributor(s)
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Assessor(s)
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Facilitator(s) / Compiler(s)
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Partner(s) / Institution(s)
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Authority / Authorities
Geographic Range
Native
Extant (resident)
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Extant
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Most populations of the western subspecies are partially migratory and 8,000-10,000 birds occur on passage or in winter in Ukraine arriving from the lower Volga River, though only c.4,100 were found in 2010 (Y. Andryushchenko in litt. 1999, 2017, M. Kessler in litt. 2016). In the past birds from northern Central Asia overwintered in large numbers in Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, as well as Uzbekistan, and north-east Iran, sightings are now rare in these countries (Kessler and Smith 2014). The eastern subspecies breeds in Mongolia, eastern Russia, and north-east China is fully migratory, spending four months on migratory stopovers and four months on wintering grounds in central China (Kessler et al. 2013, M. Kessler in litt. 2016).
Population
Alonso (2014) estimates the global population to number 43,847 – 56,695 individuals, rounded here to 44,000-57,000 individuals.
Habitat and Ecology
Terrestrial
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Originally a species of the Eurasian steppe, this species has acclimated to agricultural landscapes (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). It occurs in open, flat or somewhat rolling landscapes, usually with a mixture of crops (cereals, vineyards, fodder plants, in some countries also with steppic grassland [J. C. Alonso in litt. 2012]). The eastern subspecies inhabits both open steppe and forest steppe, including small forest openings (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Areas with little or no disturbance and abundant supply of insects are required for successful breeding (Y. Andryushchenko in litt. 1999). Nest sites are selected in grassland, fallow or cereal fields (Rocha et al. 2013) (primarily alfalfa in Central Europe and wheat in Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan [M. Kessler in litt. 2016]) in areas of low patch-type diversity, far from human infrastructure and with good horizontal visibility (Magaña et al. 2010). The eastern subspecies nests in agricultural mosaics, open steppe, and adjacent to forest edge (Kessler 2015). It exhibits highly variable migratory behaviour across populations, including obligate winter migrants (Asia, Russia), facultative migrants (central European populations) and partial winter and summer migrants with differential migratory pattern by sex (Iberian populations) (Morales et al. 2000, Alonso et al. 2000, 2001, Palacín et al. 2009, 2011).
Classification scheme
| Habitats | Suitability | Major importance |
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Threats
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Key threats are increased habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss due to agricultural intensification, land-use changes and infrastructure development which has the potential to increase following land privatisation in eastern Europe (S. Nagy in litt. 1999, 2007, Nagy 2009) and Central Asia and is occurring in China (Chan and Goroshko 1998, M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Habitat loss and fragmentation continues as a result of ploughing of grasslands, intensive grazing, afforestation and increasing development of irrigation schemes, roads, power-lines, fencing and ditches. Mechanisation (ploughing and harvesting in particular), chemical fertilisers and pesticides, fire and predation all contribute to high mortality in eggs, chicks, juveniles and incubating females (Nagy 2009, Rocha et al. 2013). The expansion of road networks can also degrade the species's habitat as well as create disturbance for the species (see Torres et al. 2011, Raab et al. 2014). Hunting is a major threat in Morocco, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Mongolia (Y. Andryushchenko in litt. 1999, Chan and Goroshko 1998, P. Goriup in litt. 2007, Karakaş and Akarsu 2009, M. Kessler in litt. 2012, 2016, M. M. Karataş in litt. 2016) and is expected to intensify as the paved road network in Mongolia expands. International tourists are known to hunt the species in East Asia (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). The species is also vulnerable to the indiscriminate poisoning of wild birds for trade in China (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Collision with power lines are a major threat to the species (J. C. Alonso in litt. 2007, 2016, Nagy 2009, M. Kessler in litt. 2012) and wind turbines may also be a significant threat (S. Nagy in litt. 2012). The impacts of climate change may increasingly affect the species (see Nagy 2009, Alonso et al. 2016), with harsh winter weather causing adult mortality and heavier summer rainfall leading to loss of clutches (M. Kessler in litt. 2016).
Classification scheme
Threats
| title | scope | timing | score | severity |
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Use trade
Text summary
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II, CMS Appendix I and II and CMS MoU for Middle European Populations in place since 2002. EU Wild Birds Directive Annex I, Bern Convention Annex II, Bonn Convention Annex I (S. Nagy in litt. 1999, 2007, P. Goriup in litt. 2007). A European action plan was published in 1996 and updated in 2009 (Nagy 2009) and an action plan for east Asian populations in 1998 (Chan and Goroshko 1998). An Action Plan for Morocco was produced in 2016 (IUCN and HCEFLCD 2016). Agri-environmental and land management programmes have been (successfully) implemented in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Serbia. Hunting of the species has been prohibited by the Central Hunting Commission in Turkey since 1977, an action plan was published in 2004 (Doğa Derneği ve T.C. Çevre ve Orman Bakanlığı, Doğa Koruma ve Milli Parklar Genel Müdürlüğü 2004) and survey counts have been successfully carried out across the country (M. M. Karataş in litt. 2016). Artificial incubation and chick rearing projects have been established in Germany and Hungary since the 1970s. A UK reintroduction project began in 2003 with chicks imported from the Russian Federation and later Spain (Dawes 2008) that has established a small population, although continued monitoring and supplementing is still needed (Burnside et al. 2012). A LIFE Nature project for the species was implemented in Hungary during 2004-2008 with the aim of increasing in-situ protection of the species (Bankovics and Lóránt 2008). Other LIFE projects for the species have been implemented in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Using power line markers and using underground cables instead of over-head powerlines have been shown to reduce mortality in this species (Raab et al. 2012).Conservation Actions Proposed
Coordinate conservation actions between range states in Asia, where the species is fully migratory (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Conduct nationwide surveys in countries with currently low quality estimates, to confirm worldwide numbers and trends. Research limiting factors, and investigate its vulnerability to climate change, metapopulation dynamics and the causes of reproductive failure in East Asia (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Research wintering distribution in Russia, Ukraine and Asia. Protect and manage breeding, wintering and stop-over areas. Identify remaining breeding sites in Central and East Asia, as well as upgrade existing and establish new protected areas in this region (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Establish protected areas and strict conservation measures in Morocco, the only African population of the species (J. C. Alonso in litt. 2016). Implement agri-environment measures for low-intensity farming. Prevent steppe fires, stubble burning, illegal hunting and collision with power-lines. Re-route or bury overhead cabling at areas in which Great Bustards gather (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Raise public awareness. Research wintering movements in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia (M. M. Karataş in litt. 2016).
CITES Appendix I and II, CMS Appendix I and II and CMS MoU for Middle European Populations in place since 2002. EU Wild Birds Directive Annex I, Bern Convention Annex II, Bonn Convention Annex I (S. Nagy in litt. 1999, 2007, P. Goriup in litt. 2007). A European action plan was published in 1996 and updated in 2009 (Nagy 2009) and an action plan for east Asian populations in 1998 (Chan and Goroshko 1998). An Action Plan for Morocco was produced in 2016 (IUCN and HCEFLCD 2016). Agri-environmental and land management programmes have been (successfully) implemented in Spain, Portugal, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Serbia. Hunting of the species has been prohibited by the Central Hunting Commission in Turkey since 1977, an action plan was published in 2004 (Doğa Derneği ve T.C. Çevre ve Orman Bakanlığı, Doğa Koruma ve Milli Parklar Genel Müdürlüğü 2004) and survey counts have been successfully carried out across the country (M. M. Karataş in litt. 2016). Artificial incubation and chick rearing projects have been established in Germany and Hungary since the 1970s. A UK reintroduction project began in 2003 with chicks imported from the Russian Federation and later Spain (Dawes 2008) that has established a small population, although continued monitoring and supplementing is still needed (Burnside et al. 2012). A LIFE Nature project for the species was implemented in Hungary during 2004-2008 with the aim of increasing in-situ protection of the species (Bankovics and Lóránt 2008). Other LIFE projects for the species have been implemented in Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. Using power line markers and using underground cables instead of over-head powerlines have been shown to reduce mortality in this species (Raab et al. 2012).Conservation Actions Proposed
Coordinate conservation actions between range states in Asia, where the species is fully migratory (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Conduct nationwide surveys in countries with currently low quality estimates, to confirm worldwide numbers and trends. Research limiting factors, and investigate its vulnerability to climate change, metapopulation dynamics and the causes of reproductive failure in East Asia (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Research wintering distribution in Russia, Ukraine and Asia. Protect and manage breeding, wintering and stop-over areas. Identify remaining breeding sites in Central and East Asia, as well as upgrade existing and establish new protected areas in this region (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Establish protected areas and strict conservation measures in Morocco, the only African population of the species (J. C. Alonso in litt. 2016). Implement agri-environment measures for low-intensity farming. Prevent steppe fires, stubble burning, illegal hunting and collision with power-lines. Re-route or bury overhead cabling at areas in which Great Bustards gather (M. Kessler in litt. 2016). Raise public awareness. Research wintering movements in eastern and south-eastern Anatolia (M. M. Karataş in litt. 2016).