Great Indian Bustard

Ardeotis nigriceps (Vigors, 1831)

Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps is a bustard that breeds in India, where it survives in scattered pockets across the country’s arid and semi-arid grasslands and open country. It is a large ground-dwelling bird with long bare legs and a horizontal build, and the black cap set against a pale head and neck makes it easy to pick out. Males are deep sandy buff and show a black breast band in the breeding season. The species is now confined to isolated areas after a major decline caused by hunting and loss of habitat.

Order

Otidiformes

Family

Otididae — Bustards

Breeding range

Oriental Region: India