The little bustard is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), meaning that international trade in the species should be carefully monitored (4). It occurs in more than 750 Species Protection Areas (SPAs), and has been included in the national lists of threatened species in all range states. However, despite the large number of SPAs in which it is found, less than half of the breeding population is covered by protected areas (5).
The little bustard is offered some protection through its listing as a Species of European Conservation Concern, European Species of Global Concern, and its Vulnerable European Threat Status. Furthermore, it is classified under Annex I of the EU Birds Directive (8) as well as Appendix II of the Bern Convention, which aims to conserve the wild flora and fauna of the European Continent (9).
In 2001, a European action plan was developed for the little bustard, which aims to achieve a reversal in its current downward population trend by 2020 (5). The number of protected areas established in suitable steppe habitats within Portugal, Spain and France has increased (7).
Proposed conservation measures include improving the management of the little bustard’s habitat within SPAs (5), as well as population monitoring and eliminating dangerous power lines across its range. Further actions, such as working with land-owners to reduce hunting pressures (7), encouraging favourable land management and implementing mitigation measures, would also benefit the little bustard (5) (7).