Within the UAE degradation of its habitat is the main threat to the species (Aspinall 1996). However, any individuals that might visit the country as non-breeders (e.g. on passage) are affected by a range of other threats (see BirdLife International 2015). For instance, the clearance and burning of bushes, groves and hedges, and the drainage of of land for agricultural expansion has intensified within its European range, while pesticide use there may also adversely affect populations (BirdLife International 2015).

It is uncertain whether this species is impacted by any specific threats within UAE. It does face a range of threats across its global range, all of which could impact individuals that visit UAE, and these are described below.The species suffered a marked decline in northern Europe in the 19^th-20^th centuries, due to habitat loss and persecution (Snow and Perrins 1998, Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001). In Europe, changes in agriculture and land use have reduced the extent of suitable hunting habitat. In addition, snake populations have been reduced by increased cultivation of monocultures, hedge destruction, agricultural intensification and the abandonment of traditional farmland and subsequent afforestation. Habitat fragmentation in Europe has resulted from forest fires and road construction. Nest destruction and powerlines represent additional threats (Tucker and Heath 1994). It is also vulnerable to the effects of potential wind energy development (STRIX 2012).

All global threats are likely to be relevant to a discussion of the species's current status within UAE, as they may have historically contributed to its disappearance as a natural breeding species within the country, and may continue to impact individuals that visit the country naturally during the non-breeding season. The principal global threat outside of the UAE is from hunting, largely but not exclusively on the species's wintering grounds (Judas et al. 2009). Large numbers are also trapped, mainly in Pakistan and Iran, and shipped to Arabia for use in the training of falcons (Combreau 2007). In 2014 an illegal shipment of 240 birds was intercepted en route from Pakistan to Bahrain (Shafaeipour et al. 2015). In parts of the region, fast-paced development related to the growth of the petroleum industry has reduced the availability of undisturbed habitats and further exacerbated the species's decline. Oil exploration, road building, oil and water pipelines, mining and quarrying activities, powerlines and the general disturbance caused by four-wheel drive vehicles have all been identified as significant auxiliary threats. Powerlines in particular may be a significant threat (Aspinall 1996, M. Koshkin in litt. 2016). Preliminary data from Uzbekistan suggests that powerlines may contribute to species mortality (Burnside et al. 2015).Livestock grazing is reported to have a negative impact on the species, both indirectly, by degrading the desert vegetation on which birds rely for food and concealment, and directly, through the trampling of nests and disturbance of nesting females (Lavee 1988). Recent research on the effects of pastoralism on this species in the Kyzylkum Desert in Uzbekistan, however, has found that low intensity livestock grazing may not widely degrade rangelands at a landscape scale (Koshkin et al. 2014) and has no effect on male abundance and female nesting success (Koshkin et al. 2016a,b). In Iran, loss of habitat to croplands, mainly through the planting of pistachio, has been judged to be a significant threat (Mansoori 2006); however, it has also been found that the species exploits other crops such as alfalfa and salad rocket (Aghanajafizadeh et al. 2010). In Saudi Arabia, eggs and nests are predated by a range of mammalian predators (M. Zafar-ul Islam in litt. 2016).Within the UAE itself, the main threats that have been identified come from habitat loss, although conversion of its habitat to agricultural land could actually benefit the species as they may use alfalfa fields for feeding. The tiny breeding population size itself creates the risk for genetic drift. There are also risks that need to be carefully monitored surrounding to what extent released individuals may be adapted to human care - for instance increasing the risk of collisions with vehicles if released individuals approach too closely - and there is a risk of disease spreading through the population when individuals congregate in high densities in certain areas, such as feeding stations.

The species is mainly threatened as a consequence of changes to farming practice such as agricultural intensification (Donald and Forrest 1995, Hagemeijer and Blair 1997, Madge and de Juana 2017). And harvesting practices at breeding sites within the UAE likely lead to the loss of nesting attempts (Aspinall 1996).

Development in montane regions is a potential threat to this species.

The threats that have driven this decline are essentially unknown.

As for Greater Hoopoe-Lark Alaemon alaudipes, the most severe threat to this species comes from land-use changes to its desert habitat (Aspinall 1996). Overgrazing outside of Protected Areas could also be an issue.

Given how inaccessible its habitat is, it is not thought to be under significant risk from any threat (see Aspinall 1996). However, development in montane areas may potentially pose a threat, and overgrazing outside of Protected Areas potentially could have an impact.

Across the species's global range, most of its breeding colonies are inaccessible or in protected areas so it would appear that global declines are due to pressures in wintering grounds or on migration. Radio-tagging of birds in Oman suggested that only about 12% of fledglings survived to the average age of first breeding, and that most of first-year mortality occurred during the first migration or soon after they reached their destination. This low apparent survival of immature birds could result in low recruitment to the breeding population, contributing to population declines (McGrady et al. 2016).However, Aspinall (1996) does note that breeding sites in UAE have been under threat from development and disturbance. Introduced mammals, such as cats, could have an impact and should be removed from breeding sites (Aspinall 1996).;The species has suffered from persecution, and the collection of nestlings for falconry could also contribute impact the remaining population (Aspinall 1996).

A number of threats have been highlighted for outside of UAE, which could have an impact within the country.;Juveniles suffer high mortality from collisions with power lines (Rollan;et al. 2010). Declining prey availability, increasing human disturbance and poaching at nest sites, and agricultural intensification are thought to be key factors in the species's global decline (Ferguson-Lees and Christie 2001, Orta;et al.;2016). It was affected by pesticide use in the mid-20^th;century, and since then populations have not recovered to their pre-organochlorine levels, although within the UAE itself this is not thought to be a significant threat.