Tetrax tetrax

The Little Bustard is classified as globally Near Threatened (NT) globally. The species does not breed in Israel therefore no regional threat assessment was conducted.

Presence In Israel	Winter Visitor
Breeding In Israel	Non-Breeder
Migration Types	Long Range
Nest Locations	Ground
Diet Types	Generalist
Foraging Grounds	Ground
Body Sizes	Medium (500 - 1000g)
Threat Factors	Hunting and trapping, Habitat loss and fragmentation

The Little Bustard is a medium-sized ground-dwelling bird whose streaked brown plumage provides excellent camouflage in the grassy habitats it frequents. It populates grassy plains, pasture and cultivated fields. Omnivorous and feeds on seeds, small fruits and inflorescences, insects and small vertebrates. During the breeding season the male’s head becomes grey and neck is black and sports a double white collar. The females and immature birds are brown-grey very well camouflaged from predators. In flight, the Little Bustard reveals white wings with black primaries and sandy brown wing coverts, the same color as its body plumage.

The Little Bustard is a rare passage migrant and winter visitor in northern Israel, particularly in the Bet She’an Valley and the Golan Heights. Individual birds are seen yearly. In previous years, it was more common and occasionally seen in flocks of a few to tens of birds.

• פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.

• Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
• Species page at Birdlife International