- Great Indian Bustard
Taxobox
name = Great Indian Bustard
status = EN | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = down
image_width = 250px
image_caption = The Great Indian Bustard atGhatigaon Sanctuary ,Madhya Pradesh
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo =Gruiformes
familia =Otididae
genus = "Ardeotis "
species = "A. nigriceps"
binomial = "Ardeotis nigriceps"
binomial_authority = (Vigors, 1831)
range_
The Great Indian Bustard ("Ardeotis nigriceps") also known as Maldhok (माळ्ढोक)is a
bustard found inIndia and possiblyPakistan . It is threatened by loss of its habitat, large expanses of grassland and low scrub.Description
It is a large ground dwelling bird with a long neck and long bare legs like that of an ostrich. It stands at about a metre high and is a large, brown and white bird, the male is about 122 cm (48 in) in length, its weight is 18–32 lb (8–14.5 kg) and the female 92 cm (36 in) in length, its weight is 7.8–15 lb (3.5–6.75 kg). The sexes are similar in appearance although the male is deep sandy buff coloured. The crown of the head is black and crested. In the female which is smaller than the male, the head and neck are not pure white and the breast band is either rudimentary or absent.
The male is polygamous. The female lays only single egg once in a year and incubates it for about 27 days. Nests are situated in the open ground and males take no part in incubation or care of the developing young. The eggs are at risk of destruction from other animals. The fledglings tend to remain with their mother until the following breeding season.
It lives in arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation. It avoids irrigated areas.Rasmussen, P.C. & J.C. Anderton. 2005. Birds of South Asia: the Ripley guide. 2 vols. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.] It is omnivorous in diet feeding on seeds of grasses, small shrubs, insects, rats, grams, groundnuts, millets etc. depending on the season.
Breeds during March to September during which time the inflated fluffy white feathers of the male are inflated and displayed. The male also raises the tail and folds it on its back. The neck is folded and the male periodically produces a resonant deep, booming call.
The current population is estimated at less than 1,000 [http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/21/stories/2008092150250100.htm] . The main threat is habitat loss. The bird is found in
Rajasthan ,Karnataka ,Maharashtra andMadhya Pradesh states of India.Ghatigaon andKarera santuaries in Madhya Pradesh no longer appear to have any birds, whereas they used to have a sizeable population in the past. Other sanctuaries with the species includeKarera wildlife sanctuary inShivpuri district;Nannaj , 18 km fromSolapur inMaharashtra andShrigonda taluka inAhmednagar district of Maharashtra.References
Other sources
* "Ecology and Behavior of Bustard" "B.N.H.S Journal" Vol 78(2),28-8-81,375-77
External links
*ARKive - [http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/birds/Ardeotis_nigriceps/ images and movies of the great Indian bustard "(Ardeotis nigriceps)"]
* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2767&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet]
*Indian Birds - [http://www.wildsaurashtra.com Images and videos of Great Indian Bustard and other Indian birds.]
*Care4nature.org - [http://www.care4nature.org/wildindia/bustard.htm Great Indian Bustard]
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