[Discovery of a little Bustard (Tetrax tetrax) in the province of Venice (Italy) and review of Venetian reports]

Abstract

[We report the recovery of a wing and the body of a Little Bustard between March 31st and April 7th 2012 in Isiata, San Donà di Piave (VE), it was a female in first winter plumage. Death was almost certainly caused by a collision with electric cables. At the end of 19th century Little Bustard was regular in Veneto, but sightings of this species became progressively scarcer during 20th century, so it was classified as “B40” (species not recorded since 1949) at the suggestion of AERC (Association of European Rarities Committees). The recovery of the corpse in this note is the 4th sighting in Veneto in last 50 years, and we know of 2 additional observations. Between 1950 and the present day there have been 10 regional sightings, so we suggest changing the status of this species in the Veneto to “A30”, according to AERC.]

Keywords

• Little Bustard
• Veneto. Italy.