Bustard - Houbarafund

1. Bustar Bustard d Arabi Arabian Bustard an Bustard The Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs) is a large, long-legged bird inhabiting arid environments across the Sahelo-Sudanese belt from Senegambia to Eritrea, with a small range extension on the Tihama plain on the south-western side of the Arabian Peninsula. Populations have declined drastically in Arabia. Currently, it seems probable that the only resident population on the Peninsula exists in Yemen. It is believed that the overall population is no more than 100 individuals, whose range does not exceed 1,000 km². The Arabian Bustard favors semi-arid and open grassy plains, arid bush country and savannah. In Yemen, the bird can also be found in cultivated areas. Birds in Yemen are known to seek cover in crops of sorghum and millet when the temperature peaks, indicating that cultivated crops provide some protection.

2. The Arabian Bustard feeds on grasshoppers, swarming locusts, beetles, crickets, caterpillars and other invertebrates, as well as vegetation in the form of seeds and fruit. Small vertebrates, like snakes, lizards and small rodents also make part of the diet. The breeding season of the Arabian Bustard seems to vary according to its location. It seems to be linked to rainfall, although generally it occurs from September to December in Arabia. The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground and females typically lay one or two eggs. In Arabia, the main threats encountered by Arabian Bustards are linked to human activities, either through direct destructions (poaching, killing, egg or chick collection), or by habitat loss. Recent changes in agricultural practices and spread of irrigation with the building of new wells have converted traditional fields into fruit trees plantations (banana, mango), unsuitable for the species.

3. Disturbance from human intrusion often results in females abandoning nests. The low natural production rate of one to two eggs per clutch acts as a further disadvantage to a population already under stress. The Arabian Bustard poses no threat to crops or livestock and local people are generally tolerant towards the bird. Public education through awareness campaigns aimed at both adults and children helps to illustrate the threats to the species and the necessity of taking action to protect the birds. Who We Are International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) is a global organisation dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the Houbara bustard, a vulnerable bird The Fund oversees an extensive network of affiliated global Houbara bustard conservation projects and Houbara captive breeding programmes. It is considered to be the leading authority on understanding and protecting this noble bird, which is so significant to Arabian heritage and culture. For More Information Please Visit: http://houbarafund.org/ar/home