Photo: Original: SVKMBFLY; this edit: MPF / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Great Indian Bustard
Ardeotis nigriceps
Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) — Unusual & Unique Birds of South & Southeast Asia.
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The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a member of the Otididae family found in South & Southeast Asia. Adults weigh 7.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Critically Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Otidiformes
- Family Otididae Bustards
- Genus Ardeotis
- Species nigriceps
Quick facts
- Weight
- 7.2 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Otididae
- Order
- Otidiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Great Indian Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Great Indian Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is a species of bird in the Otididae family, part of the order Otidiformes. Its range spans South & Southeast Asia. Its distribution covers OR India.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 7.2 kg, with a wing length of about 61.9 cm and a tail of around 25.7 cm.
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 451,000 km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Great Indian Bustard?
The Great Indian Bustard is a very large bird that weighs around 7.2 kg.
Where does the Great Indian Bustard live?
The Great Indian Bustard is found across South & Southeast Asia with a range covering OR India, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Great Indian Bustard belong to?
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.
What does the Great Indian Bustard eat?
The Great Indian Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Great Indian Bustard migrate?
The Great Indian Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Great Indian Bustard endangered?
It is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Critically Endangered is the highest risk category before extinction in the wild.
How large is the Great Indian Bustard's range?
The Great Indian Bustard has a mapped global range of about 451,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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