Türkiye’s Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax in decline: assessing distribution, population trends and threats

Le résumé fourni par la source

The Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax, a key indicator of grassland health, has experiencedsignificant population declines across its range. In Türkiye, the species was classified as CriticallyEndangered (CR) in 2004, and recent estimates suggest that the breeding population has nearlydisappeared, with an estimated 5–30 ‘pairs’ remaining. Despite its precarious status as a breedingspecies and its presence during migration and winter, no systematic surveys have been conductedfor Little Bustards in Türkiye for almost two decades. This study integrates published and greyliterature, citizen science data and expert interviews to assess the status, distribution and movementsof Little Bustards in Türkiye. We estimate a breeding population of 10–20 individuals, restricted toa few localities in eastern Türkiye, a migratory population of 250–400 individuals and a winteringpopulation of 100–200 birds, which primarily use sites in coastal regions. The threats to thesepopulations in Türkiye are known or inferred to include agricultural intensification and expansion,overgrazing and hunting. An exceptional influx of Little Bustards in 2024/2025 is unexplained.Urgent conservation actions and targeted surveys are needed to protect the remaining breedingand non-breeding populations, identify ongoing threats and ensure the species’ survival in Türkiye.

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