Alto Guadiato Area of Special Protection for Birds is one of the two most important territories in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia, for the great and little bustard, as well as being home to populations of Montagu´s harrier, and lesser kestrel, though the latter has a very general distribution which is dispersed and widespread throughout much of Andalusia. It has an area of 33,930 hectares, distributed throughout Los Blázquez, Fuente Obejuna, La Granjuela and Valsequillo.

The area consists of flat or slightly undulating landscapes, which are largely restricted to the cultivation of herbaceous crops on dry land, such as cereals. They form a mosaic with pastures that are for the most part dedicated to hay production. This area is by and large inhabited by man, but is also the habitat of some steppe birds such as the great bustard, which uses steppe environments throughout its life cycle. Others, such as the lesser kestrel, the greater short-toed lark and the chalk-browed mockingbird thrive in steppe enclaves, although they occupy various habitats in the region. These territories also support populations of other threatened species in Europe, such as the little bustard, pin-tailed sandgrouse, black-bellied sandgrouse, stone curlew and Montagu´s harrier. It is also an area frequented by the common crane during the winter.

The fact that almost all the steppe species typical of western Andalusia are seen in these areas is largely due to the good practices of farmers and cattle farmers. The conservation and growth of these populations will therefore depend on the agricultural, livestock and forestry practices that the owners of these lands undertake and maintain.