Fauna
Bird

Great Indian Bustard

Ardeotis nigriceps

Also known as Indian Bustard, Gudawan

Great Indian bustards stride through dry grasslands and agricultural margins with a stately, deliberate posture. Males perform elaborate courtship displays during the monsoon, inflating a large gular pouch that produces deep booms audible over long distances. High-voltage power lines, habitat degradation, and historical hunting have driven this iconic grassland bird to the brink of extinction.

GrasslandTall
Great Indian Bustard reference1 / 2
(c) Parth Kansara, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Parth Kansara · cc-by
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Critically EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXCritically EndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrasshopper, Beetle, Lizard
Predators
  • Feral Dog
  • Indian Fox
  • Golden Jackal
ThreatsPower line collisions, habitat loss, stray dogs
HabitatsDry grasslands, arid scrublands, agricultural margins
Life span12–15 years in the wild
Classification
  1. FamilyOtididae
  2. SpeciesArdeotis nigriceps
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a distance; keep back to prevent disturbing this critically endangered bird.
What to notice
Look for a tall, long-necked bird with a brownish body, white neck, and a prominent black crown patch on top of the head.
Support conservation
Observe strictly from vehicles or long distances using optics, keeping disturbance to zero near known breeding grounds.
Responsible observation
  • Maintain Distance: Stay far away to prevent causing flight stress to this highly sensitive bird.
  • Avoid Nest Disturbance: Ground nests are extremely vulnerable; never approach suspected breeding sites.
  • Report Sightings: Share location details with local wildlife authorities to assist active conservation efforts.
Related species
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