• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Distribution map
• Climate Change maps
• Reference and further resources

Justification of Red List category
This species is listed as Near Threatened because it is suspected to have experienced a moderately rapid population decline owing to the secondary effects of armed conflict and civil unrest in its range. Further data on the population size and trends may qualify the species for listing in a higher threat category.

Population justification
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is described as fairly common in Ogaden, eastern Ethiopia and common in northern Somalia (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Cohen et al. 2011).

Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to human disturbance (from the presence of refugee camps and armed forces) and ongoing habitat destruction.

Heterotetrax humilis is known only from north and west-central Somalia and adjacent areas of eastern Ethiopia, which it apparently colonised in the 1970s (Urban et al. 1986). In Somalia, it has been considered common south to 7°N and scarcer beyond to 4°N (Ash and Miskell 1983). In Ethiopia, it was not uncommon in the Lower Wabi Shebelle and Warder region from 1969 to 1976 (EWNHS 1996), but was not recorded during field surveys in this region during 1995-1996.

The species favours light, open thornbush and occasionally also adjacent tussocky plains where it feeds on insects, small reptiles and seeds (Urban et al. 1986). The breeding season extends from April to August (Ash and Miskell 1988). The nest is placed on sandy soil, usually without a scrape (Collar 1996). Normally two eggs are laid, but a clutch-size of three has been recorded (Collar 1996).

Droughts and war in the heart of the species's range during the 1970s and 1980s may have disrupted breeding and caused a sharp population decline. The continuing presence of refugee camps on both sides of the Ethiopia-Somalia border, and of an armed population, is likely to have caused at least local extinctions through the combined effects of hunting, cultivation, firewood collection and overgrazing.

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Although this species occurs in a number of protected areas (e.g. Las Anod-Taleh-El Chebet, Gaan Libaax, El Hammure; Robertson (in prep.), it cannot be considered secure.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Research and monitoring of populations are urgently required (Collar 1996). Monitor rates of habitat loss and degradation within its range. Improve management of protected areas within the species's range. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

Text account compilers
O'Brien, A., Robertson, P., Symes, A., Taylor, J., Westrip, J.

Contributors
Goriup, P.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Little Brown Bustard Heterotetrax humilis. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/little-brown-bustard-heterotetrax-humilis on 23/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 23/12/2024.