Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They make up the fami
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. They make up the family Otididae (formerly known as Otidae). They were renowned by the ancient Arabs for being unnaturally stupid. Bustards are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They have long broad wings with "fingered" wingtips, and striking patterns in flight. Many have interesting mating displays, such as inflating throat sacs or elevating elaborate feathered crests. The female lays three to five dark, speckled, eggs in a scrape in the ground, and incubates them alone. Bustards are gregarious outside the breeding season, but are very wary and difficult to approach in the open habitats they prefer. Most species are declining or endangered through habitat loss and hunting, even where they are nominally protected. Two great bustard eggs were recently laid in Britain for the first time in over 150 years, but were unfertilized—probably owing to the still juvenile male population. The last bustard in Britain died in approximately 1832, but the bird is being reintroduced through batches of chicks imported from Russia. Most species are declining or endangered through habitat loss and hunting, even where they are nominally protected. Two great bustard eggs were recently laid in Britain for the first time in over 150 years, but were unfertilized—probably owing to the still juvenile male population. The last bustard in Britain died in approximately 1832, but the bird is being reintroduced through batches of chicks imported from Russia. Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Otididae Rafinesque, 1815
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Photo credit: © 19th era / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
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