Great Bustard: One Of The Largest Endangered Flying Birds
Bustards are very interesting birds that stand out for their terrestrial habits and their large size. This group includes 26 different species that make up the Otididae family and, unfortunately, are seriously threatened. The Indian bustard is one of the most worrying in terms of conservation, as it appears to be on the brink of extinction.
This animal is considered one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. It is second only to the Great Bustard, whose populations are found mainly in the Iberian Peninsula, and the Great Bustard, endemic to Africa. If you want to know more about this bird, as vulnerable as it is unique, read on.
Characteristics of the Great Bustard
The Indian Bustard ( Ardeotis nigriceps ) is a large bird, leaner and more graceful in appearance than the larger members of its family. It stands out for its long legs, body parallel to the ground and long, thin neck.
Males and females of this species reach a similar size, with a maximum height of about 1.2 meters and a weight of 15 kilos. These dimensions are enormous for a bird capable of flying.
In terms of color, the bustard’s body is brown on the back, while the legs are bare and yellowish. The wings are brown, black and gray above and whitish below. This same pale color also appears on the ventral part of the body, neck and head.
Finally, the head is surmounted by a black crown, very characteristic of this species, which is larger in males. Males also have a black chest band and a gular sac around their neck, which they can swell to attract females in the breeding season.
Habitat and ecology of the Great Bustard
Previously, A. nigriceps was widely distributed in India and Pakistan. However, after intense population declines and local extinctions, this bird was restricted to 10% of its previous range. It is now only present in Rajasthan and Gujarat, with some very small populations elsewhere.
This bustard, like the rest of its family members, preferentially lives in very flat open spaces, such as arid and semi-arid meadows or steppes, which may have shrubs. It can also be found in moderately agricultural areas, but reproduces only in areas undisturbed by human activity.
Their diet is very varied and adapts to foods that are more abundant according to the season of the year, as they are omnivorous and opportunistic animals. Some of its common foods are seeds, grasses, various arthropods – such as beetles and locusts – and small vertebrates.
During reproduction, males can group into leks on which they flaunt, puff up their necks, and sing to attract females. After breeding, females usually lay a single egg in a simple nest located in an open field. Females are the ones who take care of the young.
conservation state
These bustards are in a very precarious situation: they could disappear from the planet in the coming decades. Therefore, it is classified as a critically endangered species by the IUCN ( International Union for Conservation of Nature ), the highest level of alert.
Its population has suffered a very sharp decline, from 1260 individuals in 1969 to fewer than 300 today. In addition, this bird is locally extinct in most of its distribution area. Small surviving populations are isolated and have low genetic diversity, which makes them more vulnerable.
Among the causes of its decline is rampant hunting, both for sport and for food. This practice started centuries ago and continues today. In addition, the situation was aggravated by the allowed access of modern vehicles to remote areas.
Human development is another major threat to this species. In particular, the expansion of intensive agriculture and livestock, and the popularization of irrigation have destroyed the arid steppes necessary for the survival of the bustard.
Other advances such as industrialization, mining, the construction of roads and plants – or the installation of electrical networks – have also increased the mortality of these animals and destroyed or replaced their habitable areas.
They also highlight the mismanagement of the steppes, which in some cases there was an attempt to turn them into forests for economic benefits, and the lack of support and even opposition from local communities to the species’ conservation.
As in many other cases, to conserve this very special bird it is essential to have the support of the local population. Therefore, it is very important to establish education and awareness plans, always taking into account the economic impact that certain conservation actions can have on the inhabitants of regions that have undergone interventions.
