Great Indian Bustard
Ardeotis nigriceps
Immense and stately ground-dwelling bird of expansive grasslands; also found more infrequently in other open grassy habitats such as semi-desert and lightly worked fields. Brown-winged and pale-necked, with a dark cap; male has whiter neck than female. Often found in small flocks when not breeding. Unfortunately, critically endangered and declining throughout range.
Identification
The great Indian bustard is a large ground bird with a height of about one metre. It is unmistakable with its black cap contrasting with the pale head and neck. The body is brownish with a black patch spotted in white. The male is deep sandy buff coloured and during the breeding season has a black breast band. The crown of the head is black and crested and is puffed up by displaying males. In the female which is smaller than the male, the head and neck are not pure white and the breast band is either rudimentary, broken or absent.<p>Among bustards, this species is smaller only than the Kori bustard and the great bustard in size. It is also the largest land bird in its native range. The great Indian bustard stands at about 1 m (3 ft 3 in) tall, having a somewhat long neck and quite long legs. The female as in most members of the bustard family are typically considerably smaller.<p>Males have a well-developed gular pouch which is inflated when calling during display and helps produce the deep resonant calls.<p>Abnormally leucistic or near albino birds have been reported.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Ardeotis nigriceps
- Authority
- (Vigors, 1831)
- Order
- Otidiformes
- Family
- Otididae
- Genus
- Ardeotis
Range and habitat
This species was formerly widespread in India and Pakistan. In India, it historically occurred in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Today the bustard is restricted to isolated pockets in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan (shared with Pakistan).<p>Today, it occurs in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat states of India. Desert National Park, near Jaisalmer and coastal grasslands of the Abdasa and Mandvi talukas of Kutch District of Gujarat support some populations. Ghatigaon and Karera sanctuaries in Madhya Pradesh once held sizeable populations. Other sanctuaries with the species include Kutch Bustard Sanctuary of Naliya in Kutch, Karera Wildlife Sanctuary in Shivpuri district; Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary near Nannaj,It was also sighted near Solapur in Maharashtra, Shrigonda taluka in Ahmednagar district, near Nagpur and near Warora in Chandrapur district in Maharashtra and Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, and near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. A few birds were detected in a September 2013 survey of the Cholistan Desert in Pakistan.<p>It lives in arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation. It avoids irrigated areas. The major areas where it is known to breed are in central and western India and eastern Pakistan. The dry semi-desert regions where it was found in parts of Rajasthan has been altered by irrigation canals that have transformed the region into an intensively farmed area.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
The great Indian bustard is omnivorous. It prefers insects, consisting mainly of Orthoptera, but also beetles including Mylabris species. It also consumes grass seeds, berries, largely of the genera Ziziphus and Eruca, rodents and reptiles; in Rajasthan, it also hunts Indian spiny-tailed lizards Uromastyx hardwickii. In cultivated areas, it feeds on crops such as exposed groundnut, millets and pods of legumes.It drinks water if available and sometimes sits down to drink or suck water followed by raising up its heads at an angle. When threatened, hens are said to carry young chicks under the wing. Young birds have been recorded to dust-bathe frequently.<p>The male is polygamous. During the breeding season, it is solitary, but congregates to small flocks in winter. It is thought to use a mating system that has been termed as an "exploded or dispersed lek".<p>Great Indian bustards make local movements but these are not well understood; flocks disperse after the monsoon.<p>Breeding occurs between March and September, when the inflated fluffy white feathers of the male are inflated and displayed. Territorial fights between males may involve strutting next to each other, leaping against each other with legs against each other and landing down to lock the opponent's head under their neck. During courtship display, the male inflates the gular sac which opens under the tongue, inflating it so that a large wobbly bag appears to hang down from the neck. The tail is held cocked up over the body. The male also raises the tail and folds it on its back. The male periodically produces a resonant deep, booming call that may be heard for nearly 500m. The female lays a single egg in an unlined scrape on the ground. Only the females are involved in incubation and care of the young. The eggs are at risk of destruction from other animals particularly ungulates and crows. Females may use a distraction display that involves flying zigzag with dangling legs.
Conservation
The state of Rajasthan initiated "Project Great Indian Bustard" on World Environment Day 2013, identifying and fencing off bustard breeding grounds in existing protected areas as well as provide secure breeding enclosures in areas outside protected areas.<p>In 2020, nine chicks were incubated successfully creating a world record.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Taiwan Vivid Niltava
Niltava vivida
Sturdy flycatcher of dense forests, the only regularly occurring niltava on Taiwan. Male distinguished from other blue-and-orange niltavas by orange lower throat and peaked crown. Female’s white throat and lack of blue neck crescent (or white throat strap) are useful field marks. Like other niltavas, forages primarily in middle levels, often with other species.
Blanford's Rosefinch
Agraphospiza rubescens
Attractive medium-sized finch of subalpine coniferous areas; may move down to upper foothills in the winter. Male is predominantly pinkish raspberry-red with a white vent and lower belly. Female is plain brown all over with some rufous tones in the wings and on the rump; unlike female Vinaceous Rosefinch, she lacks streaking on the breast. Forages on the ground, in pairs in the summer and in flocks during the winter. Song is rich and consists of repeated whistled phrases; calls include persistent cheeps and metallic notes.
Thick-billed Longspur
Rhynchophanes mccownii
Sparrowlike ground-dweller; crouches low to the ground and walks with pattering footsteps. Breeding male is gray with contrasting head pattern, black breast, and rufous patch on shoulder. Females and nonbreeding birds are much more subtle. Pale buffy overall with grayer nape, thick pink bill, and plain unstreaked underparts. In flight, note mostly white tail (even more so than Chestnut-collared Longspur). Often found in flocks, sometimes mixed with other longspurs or Horned Larks. Breeds in shortgrass prairies. Winters in similar shortgrass habitat or dirt fields.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.