{"id":46029,"date":"2026-01-21T18:02:22","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T17:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/blog\/steppe-birds-in-andalusia\/"},"modified":"2026-02-13T12:09:37","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T11:09:37","slug":"steppe-birds-in-andalusia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/blog\/steppe-birds-in-andalusia\/","title":{"rendered":"Steppe birds in Andalusia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-color has-accent-1-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Gu&#xED;a-esteparias\"><strong>Visual Guide Steppe Birds Andalusia<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle is-style-text-subtitle--1 wp-block-paragraph\">In the immense dry cereal fields that still dot the Spanish geography, a group of extraordinary birds struggles to survive. They are the steppe birds, specialists evolved to exploit the great open plains. <\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Las-estepas\"><strong>Steppes<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Gu&#xED;a-esteparias\"><strong>Guide to steppe birds<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Adaptaciones-esteparias\"><strong>Adaptations<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Retos-esteparias\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Dos-Andaluc&#xED;a-esteparias\"><strong>Two Andalusian steppes<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#Hotspots-esteparias-andaluc&#xED;a\"><strong>Hotpsots (ZIAE)<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"#FAQ-esteparias-Andaluc&#xED;a\"><strong>FAQ<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Otis-tarda_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Great Bustard (Otis tarda), the most representative steppe bird in Andalusia.\" class=\"wp-image-45137 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Otis-tarda_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Great Bustard (Otis tarda), the most representative steppe bird in Andalusia.\" class=\"wp-image-45137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Otis-tarda_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Otis-tarda_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Otis-tarda_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Great Bustard<em>(Otis tarda<\/em>), the heaviest bird that can fly in the world.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-accent-3-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\">On this page you will learn about: 1) The steppes of Andalusia, 2) What are the steppe birds, 3) The adaptations of these birds to survive, 4) Where are the best Andalusian steppes, 5) Where and when to come and 5) FAQ &amp; tips.     <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--2 wp-block-paragraph\">In Spain, and specifically in Andalusia, <strong>some 25 species of steppe birds <\/strong>almost exclusively occupy open, treeless steppe ecosystems.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These habitats tend to be, to a large extent, extensions of cereal crops, although not exclusively. Because of this close relationship, these birds can also be considered and associated as agricultural birds or birds of agricultural environments. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-5-background-color has-background has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The steppe species are the great victims of modern European agriculture, whose populations have plummeted dramatically in recent decades. While the traditional crops that supported them disappear under intensive irrigation, fruit orchards and super-intensive olive groves, these emblematic species &#8211; such as the majestic Great Bustard, the elusive Little Bustard or the unique Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse &#8211; see their habitat reduced to mere fragments.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andalusia, once one of its strongholds, still preserves some crucial, but increasingly threatened, strongholds where these birds resist as living witnesses of a vanishing agricultural landscape.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Las-estepas\">The &#8220;steppes&#8221; in Andalusia<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--3 wp-block-paragraph\">A steppe is a flat, open and arid ecosystem, dominated by low herbaceous vegetation, with hardly any trees, and subjected to extreme climates of cold and heat. In Western Europe, the largest extensions are found in Spain: the two plateaus, Extremadura and the Guadalquivir valley. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles-alchata_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata). Despite its name, it breeds from North Africa as far as Pakistan. \" class=\"wp-image-45149 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles-alchata_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata). Despite its name, it breeds from North Africa as far as Pakistan. \" class=\"wp-image-45149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles-alchata_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles-alchata_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles-alchata_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse<em>(Pterocles alchata<\/em>). Despite its name, it breeds from North Africa as far as Pakistan. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Steppe birds: birds of herbaceous crops and cereal pseudosteppes.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steppe birds in Andalusia are defined as those species linked to open environments dominated by rainfed arable crops, large expanses of grassland and peripheral salt marshes, such as those associated with Do\u00f1ana. The arid woody environments of the southeastern Iberian Peninsula are excluded (espartales, tomillares, cushion scrub), which form a distinct ornithological community and are not strictly speaking steppe-like. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The absence of natural steppes in Andaluc\u00eda<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Andalusia there are no natural steppes as such. The steppe character derives from traditional agricultural and livestock uses that have created open and treeless landscapes. Only small enclaves with natural <em>stipa<\/em> vegetation are found in areas of relief, which are not usually favorable for &#8220;walking&#8221; steppe birds.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440568-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A typical Andalusian pseudo-steppe in Sierra de Mar\u00eda (Almer\u00eda).\" class=\"wp-image-45082 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440568-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A typical Andalusian pseudo-steppe in Sierra de Mar\u00eda (Almer\u00eda).\" class=\"wp-image-45082\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440568-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440568-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440568.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A typical Andalusian pseudo-steppe in Sierra de Mar\u00eda (Almer\u00eda).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Andalusian cereal pseudo-steppes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Andalusian cereal steppes are agricultural landscapes, the result of centuries of human activity, dominated by rainfed crops (wheat, barley, oats), with the presence of fallow land, borders and pastures. They have a gentle relief and little tree cover, which favors nesting on the ground and foraging in open spaces. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-accent-4-background-color has-background has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--4 wp-block-paragraph\">They are mainly located in the Guadalquivir Valley (Seville, Cordoba, Jaen, Cadiz), the countryside of Huelva and inland areas of Granada. In the eastern provinces (Almer\u00eda, Granada) they are scarcer and more fragmented due to the expansion of olive groves and irrigation. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These pseudosteppes are home to a unique ornithological community, with species threatened on a European scale. They also serve as wintering areas for migratory birds from northern Europe. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax-tetrax-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A group of Little Bustards (Tetrax tetrax) in flight, the only moment when the white wing feathers are visible.\" class=\"wp-image-45165 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax-tetrax-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A group of Little Bustards (Tetrax tetrax) in flight, the only moment when the white wing feathers are visible.\" class=\"wp-image-45165\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax-tetrax-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax-tetrax-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax-tetrax-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A group of Little Bustards<em>(Tetrax tetrax<\/em>) in flight, the only moment when the white wing feathers are visible.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Gu&#xED;a-esteparias\">Guide to Andalusian steppe birds<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--5 wp-block-paragraph\">This guide introduces you to the species that inhabit the cereal pseudosteppes of the Guadalquivir valley and the arid scrublands of the Iberian southeast, from the majestic Great Bustard &#8211; Europe&#8217;s heaviest flying bird &#8211; to the elusive Eurasian Skylark, a passerine as rare as it is specialized.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>RESIDENT STEPPE BIRDS IN ANDALUSIA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Otis-tarda-circle.png\" alt=\"Great Bustard (Otis tarda)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24238 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"330\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Otis-tarda-circle.png\" alt=\"Great Bustard (Otis tarda)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24238\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Otis-tarda-circle.png 330w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Otis-tarda-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 330px) 100vw, 330px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-2\"><strong>Great Bustard<em>(Otis tarda<\/em>)<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In danger of extinction. Emblematic bird of the great cereal plains. The Andalusian population does not exceed 350 individuals. Its main threat is agricultural intensification and habitat transformation, which reduce the availability of insects for nestlings.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Otis-tarda-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Great Bustard census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45109 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Otis-tarda-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Great Bustard census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45109\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Otis-tarda-800x262.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Otis-tarda-380x125.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Otis-tarda.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Great Bustard census in Andalusia (Source: Junta de Andaluc\u00eda).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tetrax-tetrax-circle.png\" alt=\"Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24038 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tetrax-tetrax-circle.png\" alt=\"Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24038\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tetrax-tetrax-circle.png 400w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tetrax-tetrax-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Tetrax-tetrax-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-3\"><strong>Little Bustard<em>(Tetrax tetrax<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In danger of extinction. It inhabits rainfed crops, pastures and cleared pastures. Its decline is pronounced due to the conversion of cereal crops to irrigated land and olive groves, as well as illegal hunting and collisions with power lines.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Tetrax-tetrax-800x261.jpg\" alt=\"Little Bustard census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45112 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"261\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Tetrax-tetrax-800x261.jpg\" alt=\"Little Bustard census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Tetrax-tetrax-800x261.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Tetrax-tetrax-380x124.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Tetrax-tetrax.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Little Bustard census in Andalusia (Source: Junta de Andaluc\u00eda).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-alchata-circle.png\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24273 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"380\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-alchata-circle.png\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles alchata)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24273\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-alchata-circle.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-alchata-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-4\"><strong>Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse<em>(Pterocles alchata<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vulnerable. Characteristic bird of sandbanks, salt marshes and salt marshes, with its main nucleus in Do\u00f1ana. Gregarious species, sensitive to habitat loss and illegal hunting. Its Andalusian population is stable but very localized.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-alchata-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45115 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-alchata-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-alchata-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-alchata-380x131.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-alchata.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Census of Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-orientalis-circle.png\" alt=\"Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24274 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"399\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-orientalis-circle.png\" alt=\"Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24274\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-orientalis-circle.png 399w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-orientalis-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pterocles-orientalis-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-5\"><strong>Pin-tailed Sandgrouse<em>(Pterocles orientalis<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vulnerable. It occupies cereal and woody steppes. It requires areas with spatial heterogeneity and water points. In clear decline due to the transformation of its habitat to olive groves, irrigation and reforestation, especially in Ja\u00e9n and Granada.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-orientalis-800x234.jpg\" alt=\"Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Ortega Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45118 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"234\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-orientalis-800x234.jpg\" alt=\"Pin-tailed Sandgrouse Ortega Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45118\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-orientalis-800x234.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-orientalis-380x111.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Pterocles-orientalis.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pin-tailed Sandgrouse census in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default has-accent-3-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-556b52ad wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burhinus-oedicnemus-circle.png\" alt=\"Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24103 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"417\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burhinus-oedicnemus-circle.png\" alt=\"Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24103\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burhinus-oedicnemus-circle.png 417w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burhinus-oedicnemus-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Burhinus-oedicnemus-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-6\"><strong>Stone Curlew<em>(Burhinus oedicnemus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vulnerable. Bird of open environments, both cereal fields and pastures and meadows. More adaptable than other steppe birds, it tolerates a certain presence of trees. Its decline is mainly due to agricultural intensification and disappearance of boundaries.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Burhinus-oedicnemus-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Stone Curlew Census in Andalusia  \" class=\"wp-image-45121 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Burhinus-oedicnemus-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Stone Curlew Census in Andalusia  \" class=\"wp-image-45121\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Burhinus-oedicnemus-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Burhinus-oedicnemus-380x131.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Burhinus-oedicnemus.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Stone Curlew census in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melanocorypha-calandra-circle.png\" alt=\"Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24216 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"202\" height=\"202\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melanocorypha-calandra-circle.png\" alt=\"Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24216\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melanocorypha-calandra-circle.png 202w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Melanocorypha-calandra-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-7\"><strong>Calandra Lark<em>(Melanocorypha calandra<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the largest aukids. Abundant in cereal steppes, where it is usually dominant in the community. In regression due to the loss of fallow land and the use of agrochemicals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Melanocorypha-calandra-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Evolution of Calandra Lark in Spain\" class=\"wp-image-45124 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Melanocorypha-calandra-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Evolution of Calandra Lark in Spain\" class=\"wp-image-45124\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Melanocorypha-calandra-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Melanocorypha-calandra-380x131.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Melanocorypha-calandra.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Evolution of Calandra Lark in Spain (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-rufescens-circle-380x380.png\" alt=\"Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24107 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"380\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-rufescens-circle-380x380.png\" alt=\"Lesser Short-toed Lark (Calandrella rufescens)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24107\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-rufescens-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-rufescens-circle-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-rufescens-circle.png 398w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 380px) 100vw, 380px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-8\"><strong>Lesser Short-toed Lark<em>(Calandrella rufescens<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near threatened. Small aludid of coastal and marsh steppes. It forms lax colonies in soils with sparse vegetation. Its regression is remarkable in the Almeria coast due to the expansion of greenhouses and urban pressure.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>MIGRATORY STEPPE BIRDS IN SPAIN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-pygargus-circle.png\" alt=\"Montagu&#039;s Harrier (Circus pygargus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24141 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"461\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-pygargus-circle.png\" alt=\"Montagu&#039;s Harrier (Circus pygargus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24141\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-pygargus-circle.png 461w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-pygargus-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-pygargus-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 461px) 100vw, 461px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-9\"><strong><strong>Montagu&#8217;s Harrier<em>(Circus pygargus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vulnerable. Raptor that nests on the ground in cereal fields. Its main threat is early mowing, which destroys nests. Marking and nestling rescue programs have improved breeding success in some areas.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Circus-pygargus-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Montagu&#039;s Harrier Census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45127 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Circus-pygargus-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Montagu&#039;s Harrier Census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Circus-pygargus-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Circus-pygargus-380x131.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Circus-pygargus.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Montagu&#8217;s Harrier census in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Falco-naumanni-circle.png\" alt=\"Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24169 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"375\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Falco-naumanni-circle.png\" alt=\"Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24169\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Falco-naumanni-circle.png 375w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Falco-naumanni-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 375px) 100vw, 375px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-10\"><strong><strong>Lesser Kestrel (<em>Falco naumanni<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Near threatened. Small colonial falcon that breeds in rural and historic buildings. Its population has stabilized thanks to reintroduction programs, installation of nest boxes and conservation measures in architectural restorations.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Falco-naumanni-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Lesser Kestrel Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45130 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"276\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Falco-naumanni-800x276.jpg\" alt=\"Lesser Kestrel Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Falco-naumanni-800x276.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Falco-naumanni-380x131.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Falco-naumanni.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lesser Kestrel census in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Glareola-pratincola-circle.png\" alt=\"Collared Pratincole (Glareed Pratincole)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24185 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"391\" height=\"391\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Glareola-pratincola-circle.png\" alt=\"Collared Pratincole (Glareed Pratincole)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24185\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Glareola-pratincola-circle.png 391w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Glareola-pratincola-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Glareola-pratincola-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 391px) 100vw, 391px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-11\"><strong><strong>Collared<em>Pratincole (Glareed Pratincole<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wader that nests in bare soils peripheral to wetlands. Colonial and summer visitor. Very sensitive to nest predation and water fluctuations. Its main Andalusian nucleus is in the Guadalquivir marshes.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Glareola-pratincola-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Collared Pratincole Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45133 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Glareola-pratincola-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Collared Pratincole Census in Andaluc\u00eda\" class=\"wp-image-45133\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Glareola-pratincola-800x262.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Glareola-pratincola-380x125.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Census-Glareola-pratincola.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Collared Pratincole census in Andalusia (Source: SEO\/Birdlife).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default has-accent-3-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-556b52ad wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-brachydactyla-circle.png\" alt=\"Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24106 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"538\" height=\"538\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-brachydactyla-circle.png\" alt=\"Greater Short-toed Lark (Calandrella brachydactyla)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24106\" style=\"border-color:#d6ee20;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-brachydactyla-circle.png 538w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-brachydactyla-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Calandrella-brachydactyla-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 538px) 100vw, 538px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-12\"><strong>Greater Short-toed Lark<em>(Calandrella brachydactyla<\/em>)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small aukid closely related to rainfed crops and pastures. Together with the Calandra Lark, dominant in cereal steppes. Decline associated with agricultural intensification and disappearance of boundaries.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Coturnix-coturnix-circle.png\" alt=\"Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24152 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#ec9e0c;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"454\" height=\"454\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Coturnix-coturnix-circle.png\" alt=\"Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24152\" style=\"border-color:#ec9e0c;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Coturnix-coturnix-circle.png 454w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Coturnix-coturnix-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Coturnix-coturnix-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 454px) 100vw, 454px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-13\"><strong><strong>Common Quail<em>(Coturnix coturnix<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Migratory bird that breeds in herbaceous crops. Populations fluctuate considerably. Threatened by early mowing, pesticides and intensive hunting. Key species in the diet of steppe predators.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>WINTERING BIRDS, COMMON IN AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Grus-grus-circle.png\" alt=\"Common Crane (Grus grus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24186 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"396\" height=\"396\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Grus-grus-circle.png\" alt=\"Common Crane (Grus grus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24186\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Grus-grus-circle.png 396w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Grus-grus-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Grus-grus-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-14\"><strong><strong>Common Crane<em>(Grus grus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Large bird that winters in pastures and meadows in the north of C\u00f3rdoba and Ja\u00e9n. Its roosts in reservoirs and wetlands are of great importance. Sensitive to disturbance and habitat transformation.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-cyaneus-circle.png\" alt=\"Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24140 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"306\" height=\"306\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-cyaneus-circle.png\" alt=\"Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24140\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-cyaneus-circle.png 306w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Circus-cyaneus-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 306px) 100vw, 306px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-15\"><strong><strong>Hen Harrier<em>(Circus cyaneus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common wintering raptor in cereal steppes and marshes. It uses these open spaces to hunt small mammals and birds. Its winter presence adds value to these habitats.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pluvialis-apricaria-circle.png\" alt=\"European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24264 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"373\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pluvialis-apricaria-circle.png\" alt=\"European Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria)\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24264\" style=\"border-color:#5d5fde;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pluvialis-apricaria-circle.png 373w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pluvialis-apricaria-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-16\"><strong><strong>European Golden Plover<em>(Pluvialis apricaria<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wintering wader in wet grasslands and marshes. Forms numerous flocks. Depends on the conservation of wetlands and traditional livestock management that maintains open pastures.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>OTHER COMMON BIRDS IN ANDALUSIAN AGRICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Alectoris-rufa-circle.png\" alt=\"Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24067 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"266\" height=\"266\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Alectoris-rufa-circle.png\" alt=\"Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24067\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Alectoris-rufa-circle.png 266w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Alectoris-rufa-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 266px) 100vw, 266px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-17\"><strong><strong><strong>Red-legged Partridge<em>(Alectoris rufa<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common game species in agricultural and scrubland environments. Although not threatened, its populations have declined due to changes in agricultural management, overhunting and loss of boundaries. Indicator of steppe habitat quality.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elanus-caeruleus-circle.png\" alt=\"Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24160 lazyload\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"435\" height=\"435\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elanus-caeruleus-circle.png\" alt=\"Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus caeruleus)\" class=\"has-border-color has-accent-2-border-color wp-image-24160\" style=\"border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elanus-caeruleus-circle.png 435w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elanus-caeruleus-circle-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Elanus-caeruleus-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-18\"><strong><strong><strong>Black-shouldered Kite<em>(Elanus caeruleus<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Small unmistakable raptor with pale gray plumage, immaculate white and characteristic black spot on the shoulder, with intense red eyes. Although not strictly steppe, it frequents open environments with scattered trees such as pastures and countryside, where it hunts on the prowl. Infrequent, but expanding.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Avifauna of the low scrublands of the southeastern Iberian Peninsula<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--6 wp-block-paragraph\">Southeastern Andalusia is home to some of the <strong>most arid relief and mountain ranges in Europe<\/strong>, a landscape marked by extreme water scarcity and intense sunshine. On <strong>poor and poorly developed soils<\/strong>, the vegetation is reduced to a sparse herbaceous cover, giving rise to extensive formations of low scrub and the dominant presence of <strong>gullies and &#8220;badlands&#8221;<\/strong> &#8211; eroded land and furrowed by ravines &#8211; that define a unique ecosystem of great ecological fragility. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Oenanthe-leucura-800x556.jpg\" alt=\"Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura), a striking bird endemic to SE Spain.\" class=\"wp-image-45169 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Oenanthe-leucura-800x556.jpg\" alt=\"Black Wheatear (Oenanthe leucura), a striking bird endemic to SE Spain.\" class=\"wp-image-45169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Oenanthe-leucura-800x556.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Oenanthe-leucura-380x264.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Oenanthe-leucura.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Black Wheatear<em>(Oenanthe leucura<\/em>), a striking bird endemic to SE Spain.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Habitat characterization<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Environments dominated by low scrubland (espartales, tomillares, aulagares), with poor soils, scarce herbaceous cover and presence of badlands. Typical of the provinces of Almeria, Granada and east of Malaga. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eurasian Skylark ricot\u00ed<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Emblematic species and bioindicator of the health of the Iberian steppe ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-5b6ff4b4 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized has-custom-border is-style-rounded\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chersophilus-duponti-circle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24127 lazyload\" style=\"border-color:#ec9e0c;border-width:5px;width:250px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"354\" height=\"354\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chersophilus-duponti-circle.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"has-border-color wp-image-24127\" style=\"border-color:#ec9e0c;border-width:5px;width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chersophilus-duponti-circle.png 354w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Chersophilus-duponti-circle-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-19\"><strong><strong><strong>Eurasian Skylark<em>(Chersophilus duponti<\/em>)<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Endangered. Resident and very sedentary bird that nests exclusively in grasslands and low shrublands in arid steppe zones. Its populations are very small and in steep decline. Threatened by the transformation and fragmentation of its habitat (reforestation, intensive crops, infrastructure) and by the abandonment of extensive grazing.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chersophilus-duponti-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Eurasian Skylark census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45659 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chersophilus-duponti-800x262.jpg\" alt=\"Eurasian Skylark census in Andalusia\" class=\"wp-image-45659\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chersophilus-duponti-800x262.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chersophilus-duponti-380x125.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Chersophilus-duponti.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Eurasian Skylark census in Andalusia (Source: Junta de Andaluc\u00eda).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Avifauna of the low and arid scrublands.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Representative species: Black Wheatear, Spectacled Warbler, Trumpeter Finch, Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (in its woody facet). They present adaptations to aridity and a remarkable biogeographic singularity. <\/p>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Specific conservation problems<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Threatened by reforestation, the establishment of crops under plastic, overgrazing, nest predation and the development of energy infrastructures (wind farms).<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Adaptaciones-esteparias\">Adaptations of steppe birds<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--7 wp-block-paragraph\">In the grassy plains, open and arid environments, life faces extreme conditions: scarce and dispersed resources -especially water-, lack of shelter for resting or nesting, and constant vulnerability to predation.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax_tetrax_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) goes unnoticed because of its cryptic plumage.\" class=\"wp-image-45140 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax_tetrax_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"A Little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) goes unnoticed because of its cryptic plumage.\" class=\"wp-image-45140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax_tetrax_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax_tetrax_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Tetrax_tetrax_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A female Little Bustard<em>(Tetrax tetrax<\/em>) goes unnoticed because of its cryptic plumage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Highly specialized adaptations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steppe birds have developed a <strong>unique<\/strong> set of <strong>morphological and physiological adaptations<\/strong> to survive in open and arid environments. Their <strong>cryptic plumage<\/strong> mimics the ground and low vegetation, essential for species such as Great Bustards, Little Bustards and ground-nesting auklets. The <strong>stout legs<\/strong> of birds such as Great Bustard and Stone Curlew are adapted for walking long distances on flat terrain, while <strong>Pin-tailed<\/strong> Sandgrouse (Iberian and Ortega) have <strong>specialized ventral feathers<\/strong> with a fluffy structure that allow them to transport water to their chicks, a unique adaptation to aridity. Species such as the Trumpeter Finch Eurasian Bullfinch have developed an <strong>efficient metabolism<\/strong> that allows them to survive with little water, selecting seeds with high lipid content whose metabolism generates metabolic water. Steppe passerines (Eurasian Skylarks, terrestrials) preferentially orient their nests <strong>to the north<\/strong> to minimize direct insolation during the hottest hours of the day, reducing thermal stress on nestlings. These integrated mechanisms allow them to exploit structurally simple but ecologically demanding environments, although current anthropogenic transformations often exceed their adaptive capacity.     <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles_orientalis-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45156 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles_orientalis-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles_orientalis-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles_orientalis-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Pterocles_orientalis-in-flight_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pin-tailed Sandgrouse (<em>Pterocles orientalis<\/em>) in flight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The danger of predation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ground nesting<\/strong>, common in most steppe birds, carries a <strong>high risk of predation<\/strong> that has shaped their reproductive strategies. To compensate for this vulnerability, they have evolved evolutionary mechanisms such as <strong>frequent replacement clutches<\/strong>, <strong>short incubation periods<\/strong> and <strong>nestlings<\/strong> that leave the nest quickly after hatching. Outside the breeding season, many species exhibit <strong>gregarious behavior<\/strong>, forming flocks that favor <strong>collective detection of predators<\/strong>. These birds also develop <strong>anti-predator vigilance strategies<\/strong> based on living in groups and alternating between feeding and alert periods. Despite these adaptations, nest predation remains one of the main causes of reproductive failure, especially in simplified agricultural environments where opportunistic predators find few food alternatives.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Melanocorypha_calandra_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is one of the largest of the aloudids.\" class=\"wp-image-45146 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Melanocorypha_calandra_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Calandra Lark (Melanocorypha calandra) is one of the largest of the aloudids.\" class=\"wp-image-45146\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Melanocorypha_calandra_Julia-Guerra-Carande-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Melanocorypha_calandra_Julia-Guerra-Carande-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Melanocorypha_calandra_Julia-Guerra-Carande.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Calandra Lark<em>(Melanocorypha calandra<\/em>) the largest aukid in the Spanish fauna.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><strong>Food and living space<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Steppe birds have a <strong>generalist diet<\/strong> that includes seeds, insects and plant matter, which allows them to take advantage of seasonally variable resources. However, during their first weeks of life, <strong>nestlings are mainly insectivorous<\/strong>, depending critically on the availability of insects for their development. These birds make <strong>large daily movements<\/strong> between feeding, roosting and watering areas, using <strong>efficient navigation systems<\/strong> in open spaces without prominent visual landmarks. Their <strong>space use strategy<\/strong> is based on the exploitation of dispersed and variable resources, requiring extensive areas to satisfy their ecological needs. This feeding and movement pattern allows them to survive in landscapes where resources are scarce and unpredictable, although the fragmentation and reduction of their current habitat threatens this life strategy based on mobility and trophic flexibility.    <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-accent-3-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-00de0a55 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Retos-esteparias\">The three challenges for observing steppe birds in the plains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20\"><strong>1. Irregular distribution in immensities<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They move in extensive and open environments, with low densities and often in small groups. This makes their presence dispersed and unpredictable, forcing a systematic and conscious search of the territory, without obvious reference points. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21\"><strong>2. Extreme camouflage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their cryptic plumage blends in with the ground, dry grasses and arid soil, making them virtually invisible when standing still, even at close range. Observation requires trained eyes and magnifying equipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22\"><strong>3. Evasive and suspicious behavior.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They are extremely wary birds, maintaining long safety distances and fleeing or hiding at the first sign of human presence or suspicious movement. Their lowland ecology &#8211; without tree cover or nearby refuges &#8211; has made them experts at avoiding being seen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Overall, the ecology of the plains turns the observation of steppe birds into a technical and perceptual challenge, which requires patience, method and a deep knowledge of their behaviors and habitats.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Dos-Andaluc&#xED;a-esteparias\">The two Andalusian steppes<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--8 wp-block-paragraph\">Andalusia presents two biogeographical realities clearly differentiated by its mountains and plains, which configure equally distinct landscapes and steppe bird communities.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Western Andalusia: The cereal pseudo-steppes of the Guadalquivir<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/La-Janda-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Crane (Crane) flight over La Janda (C\u00e1diz).\" class=\"wp-image-40496 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/La-Janda-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Crane (Crane) flight over La Janda (C\u00e1diz).\" class=\"wp-image-40496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/La-Janda-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/La-Janda-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/La-Janda.jpg 1400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Crane<em>(Crane<\/em>) flight over La Janda (C\u00e1diz).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dominated by the broad plains of the Guadalquivir valley, this region is home to the main cereal pseudosteppes of Andalusia: the Campi\u00f1as of Cordoba and Seville (Utrera-Las Cabezas, Osuna), La Janda and the periphery of Do\u00f1ana. These are agricultural landscapes of rainfed arable crops, fallow land and pastures, which also include the salt marshes on the periphery of Do\u00f1ana. Here are concentrated the most relevant populations of steppe birds of open environments, such as the <strong>Great Bustard<\/strong>, the <strong>Little Bustard <\/strong>and the <strong>Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse<\/strong>, as well as dense populations of <strong>Montagu&#8217;s Harrier<\/strong> and <strong>Lesser Kestrel<\/strong>. It is the area with the greatest richness of agricultural steppe birds and an important wintering area for species such as the Crane.   <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Eastern Andalusia: High plains and arid woody environments.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440440-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Highlands of Granada.\" class=\"wp-image-45085 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440440-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Highlands of Granada.\" class=\"wp-image-45085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440440-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440440-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/P1440440.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Highlands of Granada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Characterized by the mountainous orography of the Sierras Beticas, this region presents a mosaic of high plateaus, plains and slopes with a more arid climate: Altiplano de Granada, Baza, Guadix, Hoya de Guadix, Tabernas. The cereal pseudosteppes are scarce and fragmented, coexisting with extensive areas of low open scrub (espartales, tomillares, badlands). It is home to a specialized and unique avifauna, adapted to arid conditions, such as the <strong>Eurasian Skylark<\/strong>, the <strong>Trumpeter Finch<\/strong> and the <strong>Little Bustard<\/strong>, together with residual populations of <strong>Little Bustard<\/strong>. This community, typical of arid woody environments, faces threats such as the abandonment of grazing, greenhouses and reforestation.   <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Otis-tarda-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42946 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"626\" height=\"417\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Otis-tarda-rotated.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42946\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Otis-tarda-rotated.jpg 626w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Otis-tarda-380x253.jpg 380w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 626px) 100vw, 626px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Great Bustard male.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes has-small-font-size\"><table><thead><tr><th><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Western Andalusia <\/strong><br\/><strong>(Guadalquivir Valley<\/strong>)<\/th><th><strong>Eastern Andaluc\u00eda<\/strong><br\/><strong>(Sierras B\u00e9ticas)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Predominant landscape<\/td><td>Extensive alluvial plains, open countryside.<\/td><td>High plateaus, pits, mountains, broken landscapes.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Main habitat<\/td><td>Cereal pseudosteppes (rainfed herbaceous crops).<\/td><td>Arid woody environments (esparto grasslands, tomillares, badlands).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Key poultry community<\/td><td>Birds of large grassy plains (Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse).<\/td><td>Birds of arid scrub and rocky environments (Eurasian Skylark, Black Wheatear, Trumpeter Finch).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>State of conservation<\/td><td>Nuclear populations, but in regression due to intensification.<\/td><td>Small, isolated populations at serious risk (especially the ricot\u00ed).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Main threats<\/td><td>Agricultural intensification, irrigation, intensive olive groves.<\/td><td>Abandonment of grazing, reforestation, greenhouses, wind farms.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Hotspots-esteparias-andaluc&#xED;a\">Important Areas for Steppe Birds in Andaluc\u00eda<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"is-style-text-subtitle has-large-font-size is-style-text-subtitle--9 wp-block-paragraph\">The technical documents defining and describing the ZIAE were prepared in 2005, within the framework of the &#8220;Program for the Conservation of Steppe Birds in Andalusia&#8221; (Programa de Conservaci\u00f3n de las Aves Esteparias en Andaluc\u00eda).<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mapa-Andalucia-fisico-Edebe-1024x835-1-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Map of Important Bird Areas for Steppe Birds in Andalusia.\" class=\"wp-image-45068 lazyload\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mapa-Andalucia-fisico-Edebe-1024x835-1-800x533.jpg\" alt=\"Map of Important Bird Areas for Steppe Birds in Andalusia.\" class=\"wp-image-45068\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mapa-Andalucia-fisico-Edebe-1024x835-1-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mapa-Andalucia-fisico-Edebe-1024x835-1-380x253.jpg 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Mapa-Andalucia-fisico-Edebe-1024x835-1.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Map of Important Bird Areas for Steppe Birds in Andalusia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important Steppe Bird Areas (ISAB)<\/strong> are not a legal figure of protection, but may coincide with protected areas. They correspond to hot spots for steppe birds and arid environments.   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The network comprises <strong>24 areas<\/strong> totaling <strong>more than 500,000 hectares<\/strong> spread over the eight Andalusian provinces. It has been a pioneering diagnosis that continues to be the fundamental reference for any conservation initiative in this area. <\/p>\n\n<div data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;autoclose&quot;: true, &quot;accordionItems&quot;: [] }\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/accordion\" role=\"group\" class=\"wp-block-accordion has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-10&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-10-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-10\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">HUELVA<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-10\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-10-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-23\"><strong>1. Andevalo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 15,500 ha. Area located south of Villanueva de los Castillejos, a territory that precedes the Sierra Morena, with steppe vegetation of grassland mixed with rockroses and small crops. It is home to a hybrid community of steppe birds such as Great Bustard and Ortega, along with forest birds of prey such as the Golden Eagle and the Cinereous Vulture.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-11&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-11-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-11\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">AREA SHARED BETWEEN HUELVA, SEVILLA AND CADIZ<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-11\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-11-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-24\"><strong>2. Dry marshes of Do\u00f1ana<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 107,660 ha of the terrestrial domain. In addition to wetlands and Mediterranean scrub, Do\u00f1ana is home to the best representation of dune steppes in Andalusia and hosts most of the region&#8217;s breeding Iberian Pin-tailed Sandgrouse. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-12&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-12-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-12\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">SEVILLE<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-12\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-12-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-25\"><strong>3. Camps de Tejada (Azn\u00e1collar &#8211; Gerena)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 15,000 ha. On the border of the western provinces, close to the first foothills of Sierra Morena. Small population of Great Bustards accompanied by representative species of the western steppes, especially Montagu&#8217;s Harriers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-26\"><strong>4. Guadalcanal Plains<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 5,000 ha. Small extension in the contact between Sierra Norte and the southern edge of the Meseta. Unique combination of herbaceous steppes for grazing, cereal crops, pastures and broom. It stands out for the presence of the scarce ortega in Western Andalusia.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-27\"><strong>5. Countryside of Carmona-Arahal<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 12,000 ha. Typical cereal plain with the presence of endorheic lagoons. Area known for its Great Bustards population, with a breeding population of around 10% of the Andalusian total. Notable for its Montagu&#8217;s Harrier population.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-28\"><strong>6. Countryside of Osuna-\u00c9cija<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 40,000 ha. Cereal fields with endorheic character. Main Great Bustard breeding center in Andalusia, with more than 25 adult males and about 100 individuals. One of the two most important localities for the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in the western region.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-13&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-13-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-13\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">C\u00c1DIZ<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-13\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-13-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-29\"><strong>7. J\u00e9rez-Lebrija Countryside<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 10,000 ha. Cereal fields very close to the marshes. It was the last documented enclave of Great Bustard nesting in the province of Cadiz. It is currently a breeding area for eight other species with some degree of threat.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-30\"><strong>8. La Janda<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 8,000 ha. Mixed cereal and grassland steppe with notable influence of its origin as a wetland. It is home to the last known adult male Great Bustard in the province of Cadiz, as well as rare species in this habitat such as the Tawny pipit.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-14&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-14-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-14\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">M\u00c1LAGA<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-14\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-14-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-31\"><strong>9. Navahermosa and Fuente de Piedra<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 18,000 ha. Area that includes protected wetlands. In its surroundings there are areas with cereal steppe characteristics and an important associated steppe bird community, especially notable for its densities of Little Bustard and Stone Curlew.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-15&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-15-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-15\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">C\u00d3RDOBA<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-15\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-15-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-32\"><strong>10. Plains of Alto Guadiato<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 40,000 ha. Flat land and small interspersed mountain ranges, where cereal crops and livestock pastures alternate. One of the most important areas in Andalusia for the conservation of the Great Bustard, with about 100 breeding individuals.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-33\"><strong>11. Pedroches Valley<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 24,000 ha. Western end of the Pedroches Valley with cereal crops, pastures and meadows. Remarkable for the presence of breeding Great Bustards (15% of the Andalusian total) and for its importance for the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in Western Andalusia.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-34\"><strong>12. Countryside of C\u00f3rdoba-Baena<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 47,000 ha. Large area that represents the typical cereal fields of Cordoba, with an increasing presence of olive groves in its eastern half. Good representation of western steppe birds, with outstanding populations of Little Bustard and Montagu&#8217;s Harrier.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-16&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-16-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-16\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">JA\u00c9N<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-16\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-16-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-35\"><strong>13. Countryside of Porcuna<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 13,800 ha. Area adjacent to the Cordoba countryside where olive groves are gaining presence. It is home to all the breeding Great Bustards of Ja\u00e9n (about 10% of the Andalusian population), closely linked to the population of C\u00f3rdoba.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-36\"><strong>14. Cazalilla countryside<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 7,500 ha. The olive grove coexists with the cereal steppe in gentle hills. Area of confluence of several steppe birds of interest, with a community composed of seven characteristic species such as Montagu&#8217;s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and Little Bustard.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-37\"><strong>15. Southeast of Ja\u00e9n (J\u00f3dar)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 10,500 ha. Predominantly dry woody steppe of esparto-tomillar, forming a mosaic with olive groves and small cereal plots. The population of Ortegas is considered the most important value of the area, with appreciable densities of Stone Curlew and Roller.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-17&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-17-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-17\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">GRENADA<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-17\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-17-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-38\"><strong>16. El Temple-Lomas de Padul<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 18,000 ha. An extension that combines cereal steppes with important redoubts of woody steppe. Rich steppe avifauna composed of 10 endangered species. The most important population of Eurasian Skylark in Andalusia is located in this area.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-39\"><strong>17. Hoya de Guadix<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 21,400 ha. Mixed steppe area with isolated areas of holm oaks. It has an interesting ornithic community that presents characteristics of all these environments, with ten breeding steppe species with some degree of threat.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-40\"><strong>18. Baza Valley<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 24,000 ha. Woody steppe, although with land dedicated to herbaceous crops. It is home to the most inland Andalusian populations of Lesser Short-toed Lark and has a rich steppe avifauna with ten species of interest.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-41\"><strong>19. El Altiplano (Ca\u00f1ado-Los Llanos)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Surface area: 19,500 ha. Mainly composed of dry woody steppes and dry grassy crops. Important area for the Pin-tailed Sandgrouse in Andalusia, and includes the main Lesser Kestrel colonies in Granada and Almeria.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-class--is-open=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-context=\"{ &quot;id&quot;: &quot;accordion-item-18&quot;, &quot;openByDefault&quot;: false }\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.initAccordionItems\" data-wp-on-window--hashchange=\"callbacks.hashChange\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-item is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-item-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"accordion-item-18-panel\" data-wp-bind--aria-expanded=\"state.isOpen\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.toggle\" id=\"accordion-item-18\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle\"><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-title\">ALMER\u00cdA<\/span><span class=\"wp-block-accordion-heading__toggle-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">+<\/span><\/button><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div aria-labelledby=\"accordion-item-18\" data-wp-bind--hidden=\"state.isHidden\" data-wp-on--beforematch=\"actions.handleBeforeMatch\" id=\"accordion-item-18-panel\" role=\"region\" class=\"wp-block-accordion-panel is-layout-flow wp-block-accordion-panel-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-42\"><strong>20. Tabernas Desert<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 11,460 ha. Excellent example of &#8220;badlands&#8221; landscape, with anfractuous terrain covered with woody steppe vegetation and an important proportion of bare soil. The population of Trumpeter Finch Eurasian Bullfinch is one of its most outstanding values.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-43\"><strong>21. Llanos de Canj\u00e1yar (Sierra de G\u00e1dor)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The smallest of the ZIAE (2,500 ha). Predominant habitat of woody steppe dominated by cushion scrub. Designated for hosting one of the only three confirmed populations of Eurasian Skylark in Andalusia.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-44\"><strong>22. Sierra Alhamilla<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 8,380 ha. Atypical mountainous area as a steppe zone with special importance for the reproduction of the Eurasian Bullfinch Trumpeter Finch in Andalusia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-accent-2-color has-custom-gris-f-6-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-45\"><strong>23. Cabo de Gata<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Area: 37,500 ha. Terrestrial portion with excellent representation of coastal woody steppes. The breeding pairs of Eurasian Skylark that inhabit the area are one of the main values of the space, given the extreme scarcity of the species in Andalusia.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-794e3cfa wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-thumbnail has-custom-border\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/libelula_horizontal-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8359 lazyload\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/libelula_horizontal-150x150.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8359\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/libelula_horizontal-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/libelula_horizontal-380x380.png 380w, https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/libelula_horizontal.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-default has-accent-4-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-acd5ac22 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default has-noto-sans-font-family\" id=\"FAQ-esteparias-Andaluc&#xED;a\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"lightweight-accordion wp-block-lightweight-accordion-lightweight-accordion\"><details name=\"FAQ\"><summary class=\"lightweight-accordion-title\"><h3><strong>What logistics are required?<\/strong><\/h3><\/summary><div class=\"lightweight-accordion-body\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Steppe birds are the group of birds that require the most logic and time spent in the field in Andalusia, with a moderate probability of success. In addition to being cryptic and often inconspicuous species. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><strong>4&#215;4 vehicle<\/strong> to access the countryside, especially in winter when the roads of the Guadalquivir Valley become muddy and impassable.<\/em> <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>High range telescope<\/strong> (70x magnification) to identify individuals at 500-1,000 meters distance.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px\"><em><strong>Hyper-local knowledge<\/strong> of &#8220;prey zones&#8221; (watering places, roosts, courtship areas) that are only discovered after systematic prospecting.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lightweight-accordion wp-block-lightweight-accordion-lightweight-accordion\"><details name=\"FAQ\"><summary class=\"lightweight-accordion-title\"><h3><strong>What is the best time of the year to observe steppe birds in Andalusia?<\/strong><\/h3><\/summary><div class=\"lightweight-accordion-body\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><strong>March to June<\/strong>: Ideal time. <strong>Spectacular courtship<\/strong> of Great Bustards and Little Bustards, birds in nuptial plumage, active nesting. Montagu&#8217;s Harriers are in the crops. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>September to November<\/strong>: <strong>Post-reproductive concentrations<\/strong>, flocks of Pin-tailed Sandgrouse and Little Bustards. Good weather and long days. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>December to February<\/strong>: For <strong>wintering birds<\/strong> such as cranes, Hen Harriers and European Golden Plovers. Fewer species but large concentrations of resident steppe birds. <\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lightweight-accordion wp-block-lightweight-accordion-lightweight-accordion\"><details name=\"FAQ\"><summary class=\"lightweight-accordion-title\"><h3><strong>Is it easy to observe steppe birds on your own?<\/strong><\/h3><\/summary><div class=\"lightweight-accordion-body\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Absolutely not.<\/strong> Steppe birds are <strong>the most challenging group<\/strong> for any birder, for two fundamental reasons:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><em><strong>Elusive biology<\/strong>: They are <strong>extremely wary<\/strong> species, with flight distances of hundreds of meters, cryptic plumage that blends in with the terrain and behaviors that prioritize anonymity.<\/em><\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><em><strong>Critical distribution<\/strong>: Their populations are <strong>increasingly scarce and localized<\/strong> in very specific points within immense tracts of land. What appears to be a uniform field may have only one group of Great Bustards in 1,000 hectares. <\/em><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lightweight-accordion wp-block-lightweight-accordion-lightweight-accordion\"><details name=\"FAQ\"><summary class=\"lightweight-accordion-title\"><h3><strong>What are the departure times?<\/strong><\/h3><\/summary><div class=\"lightweight-accordion-body\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em><strong>Sunrise<\/strong>: Departure 1-1.5h before sunrise to reach the territories at first light. Time of maximum activity of singing and movement. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>Sunset<\/strong>: Departure 3-4h before sunset to take advantage of the last light. Ideal to observe grouping behavior and flight to roosts. <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em><strong>We avoid central hours<\/strong> (11:00-16:00) when birds are less active.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"lightweight-accordion wp-block-lightweight-accordion-lightweight-accordion\"><details name=\"FAQ\"><summary class=\"lightweight-accordion-title\"><h3><strong>Where exactly are these birds found?  <\/strong><\/h3><\/summary><div class=\"lightweight-accordion-body\">\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>We work in <strong>specific areas within the ZIAE<\/strong> (Important Bird Areas for Steppe Birds), among them, and without being exhaustive: Campi\u00f1as de Osuna-Ecija (Seville), La Janda (Cadiz), periphery of Do\u00f1ana.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/details><\/div><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Acknowledgment: Julia Guerra Carrande for the photographs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the immense dry cereal fields that still dot the Spanish geography, a group of extraordinary birds struggles to survive. They are the steppe birds, specialists evolved to exploit the great open plains. On this page you will learn about: 1) The steppes of Andalusia, 2) What are the steppe birds, 3) The adaptations of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":45284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[597,613],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46029","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-birds","category-encyclopedia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=46029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45284"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=46029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=46029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/g3-guides.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=46029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}