IUCN SSC Bustard Specialist Group
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Bustard Specialist Group

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Overview and description

Description:
With over half of species at conservation risk, the bustard family (Otididae) is one of the most threatened families of birds. Bustards face a variety of anthropogenic threats, including poisoning ...
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With over half of species at conservation risk, the bustard family (Otididae) is one of the most threatened families of birds. Bustards face a variety of anthropogenic threats, including poisoning, powerline collisions, poaching, agricultural intensification, and free - ranging dogs. The challenge of addressing these threats is compounded by the long - distance, and often irregular, movements made by many populations of bustards. The Bustard Specialist Group (BSG) works to increase communication and collaboration among bustard researchers and conservation actors, develop and communicate best practices for their conservation, and raise awareness and concern for bustards.

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Group leadership

Prof Nigel COLLAR
Co-Chair
Email
Dr Mimi KESSLER
Co-Chair

More about the Specialist Group

Within the rubric of IUCN SSC’s Species Conservation Cycle, the group undertakes the following activities:

  • Network: The BSG promotes communication and cooperation between bustard researchers and conservationists from all taxa and range areas, who share the vision of maintaining healthy and sustainable populations of bustards
  • Assess: The BSG contributes proactively to Red List assessments of all bustard species and engages in continued research to clarify ...
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More about the Specialist Group

Within the rubric of IUCN SSC’s Species Conservation Cycle, the group undertakes the following activities:

  • Network: The BSG promotes communication and cooperation between bustard researchers and conservationists from all taxa and range areas, who share the vision of maintaining healthy and sustainable populations of bustards
  • Assess: The BSG contributes proactively to Red List assessments of all bustard species and engages in continued research to clarify status and threats to bustard species, including cross-border counts and electronic tracking
  • Plan: The BSG develops and provides guidance regarding Action Plans for bustards with a focus on species and populations threatened with extinction. The group provides consultation and advice to governments and conservation organizations to inform their programmes of action
  • Act: The BSG develops best-practice guidelines and programs to address bustard species declines, with a focus on species under threat of extinction and threats facing multiple bustard species, such as poaching and unsustainable hunting, agricultural intensification, dog predation, and powerline collisions. The BSG works within relevant policy forums to develop and advance conservation measures for bustards
  • Communicate: The BSG increases awareness and concern among the public regarding bustard conservation and promotes management interventions for declining populations of bustards to relevant authorities and public forums.
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MISSION
Actively promote bustard research and conservation by developing conservation action plans for the most threatened species, and by encouraging information exchange and cooperation amongst bustard specialists, and with other relevant organizations to enhance conservation of bustards and their habitats worldwide.

Specialist Group work

The BSG aims to increase the impact of our work by prioritizing activities and regions which are significant to multiple threatened populations and species:

  1. Work towards conservation advances for bustards in Asia. Inspire management interventions on a grand scale for all six species of Asian bustards.
  2. Tackle common threats. We address urgent, shared threats including powerline collisions, poaching, and free-ranging dogs.
  3. Increase communication between experts and actors. We provide forums for researchers and conservationists to share findings and best practices.

Annual Report

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Juvenile Asian Houbara (Chlamydotis macqueenii). An ongoing research project is aimed at studying the population trends, demography and migration of this Vulnerable species in Uzbekistan. Photo by John Burnside

Photo: John Burnside

Near Threatened Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax), Kazakhstan. Photo by Mimi Kessler

Photo: Mimi Kessler

Virtual meeting.

Photo: Bustard Specialist Group

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