WG 8 — Small Landbirds

The Small Landbirds Working Group addresses a major conservation gap in the Central Asian Flyway, where migratory landbirds remain poorly studied and underrepresented in policy and conservation action.

Small landbirds comprise a large proportion of migratory bird diversity and play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning. Many species are experiencing rapid declines due to habitat loss, illegal killing, and climate change, yet lack coordinated monitoring in the CAF.

• Limited data on migration routes and key habitats

• Illegal killing and trade of passerines

• Lack of standardized monitoring methods

• Under-recognition in regional conservation frameworks

• Raise the profile of small landbirds in CAF conservation agendas

• Develop a comprehensive list of migratory landbirds in the CAF

• Promote bioacoustic monitoring and innovative survey tools

• Address illegal killing and trade through data and policy engagement

• Build research and monitoring networks across countries

The Working Group aims to bring small landbirds into the mainstream of flyway conservation through data-driven, habitat-based, and collaborative approaches