Why have bustard populations declined in many parts of their range?

Bustard populations have declined significantly across their range primarily due to human-driven environmental changes and direct exploitation.

The most critical factor is habitat loss and degradation. As natural grasslands and steppes are converted for human use, the birds lose the open spaces they require for survival. This fragmentation is driven by:12

• Agricultural expansion: The transformation of native grasslands into mechanized croplands, cotton or sugarcane fields, and orchards destroys essential nesting and foraging grounds.21
• Infrastructure development: The construction of roads and mining activities further fragment and degrade their remaining habitats.13
• Direct exploitation: Many species are hunted for subsistence or sport, and poaching remains a persistent threat to their numbers.2134

These pressures are compounded by the birds' naturally low reproductive rates, making it difficult for populations to recover once they have been reduced. In some regions, such as India, the situation is further exacerbated by the trampling of eggs by grazing livestock. Conservation efforts, such as those seen in India and the U.K., are currently working to mitigate these threats and protect remaining habitats.21