Distribution and status of bustards in China

This article presents the distribution and status of bustards, which are listed as first-category protected animals according to the survey results during 1990–2002 in China. The Chinese populations of Otis tarda dybowskii are breeding in south-west of Heilongjiang Province, western Jilin Province, east and middle Inner Mongolia, north Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Gansu Province. A few can winter in the south breeding-range. Its winter-range lies from the south to the Yellow River, as far as to Guizhou Province and Jiangxi Province. Its population number is about 200–300 or 500–800. The Chinese populations of O. t. tarda are breeding in the north and west of Xinjiang. It is unclear about its winter-range, which is presumed to be in south Asia. Recently we found individuals wintering in Chabuchaer and west Xinjiang. The population number is about 2000–3000. The habitat in breeding range includes steppe, grassland, desert grassland, and farmland. The habitat in winter range is the beach of rivers and lakes, meadows, meadow-grassland, and wheatland. The Chinese populations of Chlamydotis undulata macqueeni are breeding in the fringe of the Jungar Basin, the banks of the Ulungur River, Balikun and south Turpan Basin in Xinjiang, west Inner Mongolia, and west Gansu. NortheastMulei in eastern Jungar Basin of Xinjiang is the main breeding-range in the world. The bird uses desert and desert grassland as its habitat. Its winter-range is west Asia and south Asia. Its population number is about 2000. The Chinese populations of Tetrax tetrax are breeding in north Xinjiang, and China is located on the east border of its breeding-range. Its habitat is grassland and semi-desert, and its winter-range lies in south Asia. Its population in China is very scarce. In addition, we analyzed the causes of their endangerment and put forward protection tactics of Chinese Bustards. __________ Translated from Arid Zone Research, 2007, 24(2): 179–186 [译自: 干旱区研究]     

内蒙古图牧吉冬季大鸨调查初报

大鸨(Otis tarda)属大型草原鸟类,过去曾广泛分布于黑龙江省西部及内蒙古的东部,目前已经处于濒危状态。图牧吉自然保护区是大鸨的主要栖息地,繁殖数量约200多只。1998年开始记录到越冬大鸨个体,2003年冬季,本区越冬数量达到165只(其中保护区内记录到85只)。本文对图牧吉自然保护区大鸨的越冬数量分布进行了调查,并对大鸨越冬行为及食性进行了初步的观察和分析,对大鸨越冬地管理及越冬鸟类的保护提出了建议。     

笼养条件的改变对大鸨繁殖期行为的影响

2002～2004年4～6月,采用瞬时扫描法对哈尔滨动物园饲养的16只（5♂,11♀）大鸨（Otis tarda）的繁殖期行为进行了观察。利用非参数检验法讨论了笼舍面积、舍内设计及外界噪音对大鸨繁殖期的行为分配、日节律、炫耀及一些特殊行为的影响。结果表明,环境因子对大鸨繁殖期行为存在显著影响,当环境条件改变后,大鸨的警戒行为发生显著变化（P〈0．01）,其次为炫耀、游走行为（P〈0．05）。另外,环境因子的变化对雄性大鸨的炫耀路线及求偶方式亦存在影响,同时影响沙浴等特殊行为。     

大鸨的现状和研究动态

大鸨(Otistarda)是栖息于广阔草原的重要濒危鸟类,属国家Ⅰ级保护动物。本文根据近年国内外对该物种的研究结果,对其亚种分布、种群数量、生态生物学、种群遗传结构及组织形态学观察等方面作了综述。通过对其生存现状、受胁原因、研究动态的论述,为该物种的保护和管理提供科学的依据。     

内蒙古图牧吉大鸨种群动态及时空分布稳定性

大鸨（Otis tarda）是我国I级重点保护野生鸟类,对大鸨重要栖息地种群数量的变化趋势进行研究,将为大鸨及其栖息地的保护提供科学依据。2017年至2020年,对内蒙古图牧吉国家级自然保护区内及周边的大鸨种群数量动态进行了全面调查,共选择33个监测地点,对大鸨的数量、性别和分布地点进行了调查。结果表明,大鸨种群数量从2017年193只增加至2020年253只;大鸨1月的越冬种群数量从2017年67只减少至2019年55只,2020年重新恢复至67只。各月大鸨种群数量呈现较大的变化,数量高峰期分别是5月和10月。12月至次年2月,越冬种群数量50 ~ 70只。雌性大鸨从3月开始监测到,数量高峰值出现在4月和5月,达到50 ~ 70只,不同的年份略有差别;6月之后数量开始下降,至9月开始略有回升,在10月以后,野外基本观察不到雌性个体。在野外易于观察的4月,2017至2020年4年中雌雄比的平均值是1︰2。2017年和2018年,大鸨在马鞍山区域分布较多,数量也较为稳定。然而进入2019年,分布地点减少,这可能与当地人类活动的干扰有关;2020年保护区功能区进行了调整,将2014年调整出保护区范围的马鞍山区域重新划入保护区中,湿地和草地面积均有所增加,大鸨分布地点数量逐渐恢复。针对目前保护区存在的问题,建议采取退耕还草、加强保护空缺管理及禁牧等保护措施对大鸨及其栖息地进行保护。     

笼养大鸨越冬行为的时间分配

20 0 0～ 2 0 0 2年冬季 ,在哈尔滨动物园 ,采用瞬时扫描法对 2 2只笼养大鸨 (Otistarda)进行全日制观察 ,研究结果表明 :笼养大鸨可以在北方安全越冬。笼养大鸨越冬期行为活动日节律、行为分配 :休息行为 (趴卧、静站 )所占比例最大 ,达到 78. 40 % ,而取食行为 (6. 1 5 % )、游走 (7. 3 5 % )、理羽 (4 . 3 5 % )、啄草雪(2 . 65 % )、打蓬 (1 .1 0 % )所占比例相对较少 ,且各行为时间分配差异显著 (P <0 . 0 5 )。大鸨在冬季不同时期内除取食、打蓬、啄草雪外 ,各行为时间分配差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。温度、天气的变化对笼养大鸨越冬行为时间分配也具有显著影响 (P <0 . 0 5 )。     

Determining the effects of habitat management and climate on the population trends of a declining steppe bird

The Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax is one of the most threatened steppe bird species in Europe, due mainly to agricultural intensification. Despite the relative importance of the Iberian population (approximately 50% of the global population) little is known about its dynamics and trends, especially in core distribution areas. This study evaluates the influences of meteorological factors and land management on the oscillations and medium-term trends of two Little Bustard populations in Central Spain. During 2001–2007, surveys of breeding male and female Little Bustards were carried out in two central Spanish locations: Valdetorres, in Special Protection Area (SPA) no. 139 (1600 ha), and Campo Real, in Important Bird Area (IBA) no. 075 (1150 ha). Densities were 3.3–4.0 and 1.1–2.1 males/km² in Campo Real, and 1.8–2.2 and 0.6–1.3 females/km² in Valdetorres. The sex ratio was biased towards males in both cases. Both populations declined during 2001–2007, especially in Valdetorres (60%). Variation in habitat composition did not explain variation in the numbers of males. Both populations were influenced by total precipitation in the preceding October–May period. Results suggest that the Little Bustard may be sensitive to future climate trends in Europe. Finally, different simulated demographic scenarios suggest that low female survival and productivity may be the immediate cause of the decline in Little Bustard populations, which is consistent with their sensitivity to climatic conditions.     

Alarming decline and range reduction of the highly threatened Great Bustard Otis tarda in Morocco

A Great Bustard Otis tarda survey carried out in spring 2015 in Morocco confirmed the decline of this highly endangered population. Bustards were only seen at two of the seven leks occupied ten years ago. The total number of birds counted was 40-44, which represents a 40% decline over the last decade. The sex-ratio was still strongly female-biased (1 male: 3 females), but less than in previous surveys, which suggests that trophy hunting has not been the major mortality cause in recent times. The productivity was 0.29-0.33 juveniles per female, the highest ever recorded in this population, suggesting that breeding success doesn’t represent the main problem for the survival of this population. Based on the recent development of the power line network at some areas, the main threat today is probably collision with power lines. Reducing this mortality cause should be considered a high conservation priority.     

新疆木垒波斑鸨的繁殖成功率

作者于 1998～ 2 0 0 0年 4～ 7月 ,采用野外直接观察、栖息地植被样方调查和无线电跟踪等方法对分布于新疆木垒的波斑鸨 (Chlamydotiundulatamacqueenii)种群的繁殖生态进行了初步观察与研究。考察中共发现45个巢、 84窝幼雏。研究结果表明 ,木垒波斑鸨有两个产卵高峰期 ,表明雌鸟第一次繁殖失败后可能再次产卵。雌鸟营巢成功率平均为 0 5 0 5。波斑鸨的窝卵数在 2～ 6枚之间 ,出现 4枚卵的频率最高。第一产卵期内的平均窝卵数 ( 4 0± 0 8枚 /窝 )大于第二产卵期内的平均窝卵数 ( 3 3± 0 8枚 /窝 )。木垒波斑鸨种群三年间卵孵化率分别为 0 84、 0 80和 1,繁殖成功率为 0 45 6。种群在繁殖期几乎不受人类活动干扰 ,巢卵及幼雏损失主要来自天敌捕食 ,如沙狐、大和棕尾等.     

基于DNA条形码分析大鸨繁殖期动物性食物

动物性食物是满足繁殖期大鸨(Otistarda)能量和营养需求的重要来源,然而由于传统食性分析手段的局限性,大鸨繁殖期的动物性食物组成目前还不清楚,不同繁殖地大鸨的食性差异还有待研究。高通量测序应用于食性分析,具有工作量小、数据量大和分类精度高的优点。基于粪便取样,利用高通量测序技术,对内蒙古图牧吉国家级自然保护区靠山核心区和马鞍山片区繁殖期大鸨的动物性食物种类和组成进行分析,并比较食物多样性的空间差异。物种累计曲线表明,研究中的最小采样强度(n=11)能够使MOTUs的检测限达到平台期。在24份大鸨粪便中,共发现29种不同动物性食物的DNA序列,均来源于无脊椎动物,以节肢动物门的鞘翅目占比最高(44.83%)。按照科水平分类,以金龟科占比最高(24.14%),其次为蝗科(13.79%)、芫菁科(10.34%)和蓟马科(6.89%)。马鞍山片区大鸨对食物的取食频率和粪便中被检测到其所取食食物种数均显著高于靠山核心区,食物多样性也显著高于后者,大鸨食性表现出一定空间差异。本研究为深入研究大鸨食性与栖息地选择的关系,以及了解大鸨繁殖期的觅食对策奠定了基础,为保护部门有效保护和恢复大鸨栖息地提供了食性水平的参考依据,同时为分子食性分析方法用于其他动物的觅食生态学研究提供了示范。     

Natal dispersal in great bustards: the effect of sex, local population size and spatial isolation

1. We investigated the causes of natal dispersal in four Spanish areas where 35 breeding groups of the polygynous great bustard Otis tarda were monitored intensively. A total of 392 juveniles were radio-tracked between 1991 and 2006 by ground and via aeroplane to avoid potential biases derived from the non-detection of long-distance dispersers. 2. We explored 10 explanatory variables that were related to individual phenotypic features, habitat and conspecific traits in terms of group size and breeding performance, and spatial distribution of available breeding groups. Probability of group change and natal dispersal distances were investigated separately through multifactorial analyses. 3. Natal dispersal occurred in 47.8% of the birds and median natal dispersal distance of dispersers was 18.1 km (range 4.97-178.42 km). Sex largely determined the dispersal probability, with 75.6% of males being dispersers and 80.0% of females being philopatric, in contrast to the general pattern of female-biased dispersal found in most avian species. 4. Both the frequency of natal dispersal and dispersal distances were affected by the spatial distribution of breeding groups. More isolated groups showed a higher proportion of philopatric individuals, the effect being more evident in males than in females. This implies a reduction in gene flow in fragmented populations, as most genetic exchange is achieved through male dispersal. Additionally, dispersers hatched in more isolated groups tended to exhibit longer dispersal distances, which increases the associated energetic costs and mortality risks. 5. The dispersal decision was influenced by the number of conspecifics in the natal group. The individual probability of natal dispersal was related inversely to the size of the natal group, which supports the balanced dispersal model and the conspecific attraction hypothesis. 6. Overall, our results provide a good example of phenotypic plasticity and reinforce the current view that dispersal is an evolutionary complex trait conditioned by the interaction of individual, social and environmental causes that vary between individuals and populations.     

Influence of group size and neonatal handling on growth rates,survival, and tameness of juvenile houbara bustards

The influence of group size, sex, year, and environmental enrichment on growth of a large sample of captive‐bred houbara bustards was examined, as well as the influence of regular handling on survival. Growth rates of chicks kept in groups of eight were depressed compared with chicks in groups of five. Differences in growth rates between males and females were not significant at fledging (～35 days), but were so by 80 days, although interindividual variation still precluded reliable sexing by body mass at this age. Growth rates varied between years, suggesting that management practices may affect growth, and potentially the reproductive performance of birds. Survival of birds receiving extra handling, mainly in the form of regular weighing, was significantly higher than that of birds receiving little handling. The effect of environmental enrichment on tameness was also assessed. Tameness is desirable in the captive flock, where stress is perceived as a major impediment to reproductive performance, preventing the successful collection of semen from males and insemination of females, delaying recruitment, and causing nonbreeding among both sexes. Extra handling and environmental enrichment was applied to a sample of chicks, and tameness of juveniles was assessed in a variety of ways (open field test, subjective assessments), but no significant difference was found between the enriched birds and a control group. The enrichment protocol might be improved by increasing the period of time during which birds were handled and associating handling with food rewards, although the time required to carry out such a protocol may be constrained when large numbers of chicks are produced. Zoo Biol 20:423–433, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Field determination of age in male great bustards (Otis tarda) in spring

During a long-term study of individually marked, free-living male great bustards captured as chicks and radio-tracked through several years in Spain, we studied the development with age of two secondary sex traits, the moustachial feathers and the neck plumage pattern. Juvenile males acquired full adult plumage between their fourth and seventh years. The main changes occurred at the neck, coinciding with the onset of sexual maturity. The grey colour typical of immature males turned to ivory white around the fourth to fifth spring, and a gradual increase was appreciated in adults in the brightness of the white colour of the upper neck and in the contrast between this and a progressively more intense chestnut brown at the neck base. Based on these changes, we proposed four neck plumage patterns that can be used to differentiate male age classes during the mating period. The development of moustachial feathers showed more interindividual variability and was not as useful as the neck plumage to estimate male age.     

白洋淀流域大鸨越冬栖息地的适宜性评价

基于大鸨越冬期生境选择的相关研究成果,结合专家意见和近年来白洋淀流域大鸨的分布点记录,选择3项一级指标和13项二级指标,用以表征影响大鸨越冬生境选择的关键因子,并通过构建适宜性评价模型,对白洋淀流域大鸨越冬生境的质量进行了评价.结果表明:2005年,白洋淀流域内大鸨越冬适宜栖息地面积11907.25 km2,占流域总面积的34.1%;其中,最适宜生境面积4596.25 km2,仅占流域总面积的13.2%.研究区最适宜生境的空间分布相对集中,主要位于流域东部的白洋淀自然保护区及其周边(I区)和流域西南部的行唐、曲阳2县(II区).I区和II区中最适宜生境面积之和达2803.55 km2,占流域内最适宜生境面积的61.0%.为保护流域内大鸨的越冬生境,须重点针对上述2个区域的特点,分别采取适当措施加以保护.     

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci in the great bustard,Otis tarda

With the aim to study population genetics of the endangered great bustard, Otis tarda, dinucleotide microsatellite loci were isolated using an adapted hybrid‐capture enrichment protocol. This work reports the characterization of a set of six polymorphic microsatellite markers within the great bustard (n = 52). Results from cross‐species amplifications in several other members of the family Otididae demonstrate that five primer pairs also successfully amplified homologous loci outside the species Otis tarda.     

Effects of hunting on the behaviour and spatial distribution of farmland birds: importance of hunting-free refuges in agricultural areas

Hunting is one of the human activities that directly affect wildlife and has received increasing attention given its socioeconomic dimensions. Most studies have been conducted on coastal and wetland areas and showed that hunting activity can greatly affect bird behaviour and distribution. Hunting-free reserves for game species are zones where birds find an area of reduced disturbance. We evaluated the effect of hunting activities on the behaviour and use of hunting-free areas of lapwings Vanellus vanellus , golden plovers Pluvialis apricaria and little bustards Tetrax tetrax in agricultural areas. We compared the habitat use and behaviour of birds on days before, during and after hunting took place. All three studied species showed strong behavioural responses to hunting activities. Hunting activity increased flight probability and time spent vigilant (higher on hunting days than just before and after a hunting day), to the detriment of resting. We also found distributional (use of hunting-free reserve) responses to hunting activities, with hunting-free reserves being used more frequently during hunting days. Thus, reserves can mitigate the disturbance caused by hunting activities, benefiting threatened species in agricultural areas. Increasing the size or number of hunting-free areas might be an important management and conservation tool to reduce the impacts of hunting activities.     

Distribution, density and productivity of great bustards Otis tarda in northwestern Spain: a regional approach

This paper describes at a regional scale the distribution pattern, density, productivity and sex ratio of great bustards in northwestern Spain and explores the role played by habitat type, terrain characteristics and human disturbance on variation in its demographic parameters. Data from 136 plots covering an area of 7314 km² were obtained in two censuses carried out in the spring and summer of 1998. The density of the great bustards was 1.39 individuals/km² in the pre-breeding period, decreasing by 22% in the post-breeding period. Density was significantly higher in central plots than in peripheral plots. Mean productivity was 0.24 chicks per female and showed a high variability among plots, being significantly lower in the densest plots. The overall sex ratio was 1.35 females per male during the pre-breeding period. Productivity related positively to areas holding small fields and a high interspersion of land uses. Density and productivity were negatively affected by river density and altitude, and seasonal density variation was positively correlated with human population density.     

越冬期大鸨粪便氨基酸组成与消化能力分析

为评估陕西黄河湿地大鸨越冬期营养状况,于2012年1～2月收集大鸨新鲜粪便并对粪便中的蛋白质、灰分和氨基酸含量等做了测定.结果显示,粪便中粗蛋白、粗灰分含量分别为40.25％、19.81％.谷氨酸含量最高,为0.55％,组氨酸含量最低,为0.10％.粪便中豆苗、豆瓣、麦苗、麦粒、玉米、杂物的干物质比重分别为0.47％、4.05％、84.80％、6.75％、2.86％、1.07％.结果表明,麦苗是粪便干物质的主要成分,但相对大鸨越冬食性而言,麦苗粗蛋白含量偏低.粪便中谷氨酸、甘氨酸、天门冬氨酸和丙氨酸含量较大,这对优化大鸨对食物的选择方面起一定作用.