The Great Bustard, Otis tarda, is a very large bird in the bustard family, the only member of the genus Otis. It breeds in southern and central Europe and across temperate Asia. European populations are mainly resident, but Asian birds move further south in winter.

This species is declining due to habitat loss throughout its range. It used to breed more widely and was extinct in the British Isles between 1832 and an artificial reintroduction to Salisbury Plain in 2004.

The male of this huge bird is 1 m long with a 2.4 m wingspan, and weighs up to 18 kg. It is brown above and white below, with a long grey neck and head. The breast and lower neck sides are chestnut. In the breeding season, the male has long white neck bristles. In flight, the long wings show large areas of white.

The female is 30% smaller and half the weight. The breast and neck are buff. Both sexes are usually silent. Immature birds resemble the female.

The Great bustards breed in March, and a single male may mate with up to 5 females. Before mating, the male bustards moult into their breeding plumage around January. All breeding bustards moult from June to September as well. Males put on elaborate shows for the females; flashing their white under plumage and dancing around is the usual behaviour in attracting a female.

This species is omnivorous, taking seeds, insects and other small creatures, including frogs and beetles. Like other bustards, the male Great Bustard has a flamboyant display showing much white, mainly from the undertail, and withdrawing the head. 2-3 olive or tan coloured, glossy eggs are laid in a small scrape in the dirt. The female incubates the eggs by herself for around 4 weeks. The chicks almost immediately leave the nest after they hatch, although they don't move very far from their mother until they're at least 1 year old. Males usually start to mate from about 5 years old. Great bustards can live for around 10 years, but some have been known to live up to 15 years or more.

This bird's habitat is open grassland, although it can be found on undisturbed cultivation. It has a stately slow walk, and tends to run when disturbed rather than fly. It is gregarious, especially in winter.

References

• Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable

External links

• ARKive - images and movies of the great bustard (Otis tarda)
• Reintroducing Great Bustard to Salisbury Plain
• The Great Bustard Project
• BirdLife Species Factsheet

Otididae

Дропла | Drop velký | Großtrappe | Otis tarda | Granda otido | Grande outarde | Avetarda | 느시 | სავათი | Didysis einis | Grote trap | Drop | Abetarda | Drop fúzatý | Isotrappi | Stortrapp | 大鸨