Methods for live trapping Houbara Bustards

The ability to trap and mark individuals is important for the ecological st udy of wild populations of the Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis spp.). Techniqu es for the live-capture of Houbara Bustards used on breeding birds or at hi gh population densities may not be suitable for non-breeding birds at low d ensity. We review eight trapping methods, six of which have been used with varying success on wild Houbara Bustards in northern and central Saudi Arab ia, in the United Arab Emirates, and in Kazakhstan. Baited cages and nets w ere ineffective at low bustard densities. Lines of snares are worth using i n areas where the movements of Houbara Bustards are predictable. Snares car ry a low risk of causing injury or death and may be most effective at highe r Houbara Bustard densities, for use on breeding bustards faithful to nest or display sites and which can be attracted to decoys, or for the recapture of radio-tagged birds. Cannon nets, clap nets, and net guns also require t hat Houbara Bustard location can be predicted or influenced, but carry grea ter risk of injury to the bird and therefore little advantage over the use of snares. The use of trained falcon may carry a high risk of injury to Hou bara Bustards, but this is markedly reduced when the falcon is fitted with claw and beak covers, and where the terrain allows the falconer to move rap idly to the site of capture. Unrestrained falcons should not be used for th e live capture of Houbara Bustards. The use of disarmed falcons is justifie d only where other capture methods are forbidden, or when recreational falc oners can be persuaded to co-operate with researchers. Unfledged Houbara Bu stard chicks are most easily caught by hand.