Bustard
Large terrestrial birds of dry grasslands and steppes.
Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large, terrestrial birds living mainly in dry grassland areas and in steppe regions. They make up the family Otididae (formerly known as Otidae). Bustards are omnivorous and opportunistic, eating leaves, buds, seeds, fruit, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. There are 26 species currently recognised.
- family
- Otididae
- number_of_species
- 26
- diet
- omnivorous and opportunistic
- habitat
- dry grassland areas and steppe regions
- heaviest_flying_birds
- kori bustard and great bustard
Lore & Background
The word bustard comes from the Old French bistarda and other languages such as abetarda (Portuguese) and avutarda (Spanish) used for the great bustard. The word tarda comes from tardus in Latin meaning 'slow' and 'deliberate', describing the typical walking style of the species. Some Indian bustards are also called floricans, though the origin of the name is unclear. Thomas C. The Hobson-Jobson dictionary casts doubt on this theory, suggesting that the name Flercher may be a clerical error for some form of floriken. Otididae and before that Otidae come from the genus Otis given to the great bustard by Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae in 1758, from the Greek word ὠτίς ōtis.
Reader's Guide
Bustards are notable as among the most sexually dimorphic groups of birds, with males substantially larger than females in most species, often about 30% longer and sometimes more than twice the weight. In only the floricans is the sexual dimorphism reversed, with the adult female slightly larger and heavier than the male. Bustards are gregarious outside the breeding season but are very wary and difficult to approach in open habitats. Most species are declining or endangered through habitat loss and hunting, even where nominally protected. Genetic dating indicates that bustards evolved about 30 million years ago in either southern or eastern Africa, from where they dispersed into Eurasia and Australia. Their wings have 10 primaries and 16–24 secondary feathers, with 18–20 feathers in the tail. The plumage is predominantly cryptic. They make their nests on the ground, laying three to five dark, speckled eggs in a scrape, and the female incubates them alone.
Did You Know?
- The word bustard derives from Latin avis tarda, meaning 'slow bird', given by Pliny the Elder.
- The two largest species, the kori bustard and the great bustard, are often cited as the world's heaviest flying birds.
- In floricans, the sexual dimorphism is reversed: the adult female is slightly larger and heavier than the male.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a bustard?
Bustards are a group of large, ground-dwelling birds belonging to the family Otididae (once called Otidae). They include well-known members like floricans and korhaans, and they're built for life on open ground rather than in trees.
How many bustard species exist?
There are currently 26 recognised species across the family. They span a range of sizes, from the relatively modest korhaans up to the truly massive kori and great bustards.
What do bustards eat?
They're opportunistic omnivores, grabbing whatever is handy: grass leaves, buds, seeds, fruit, small vertebrates, and invertebrates. Their diet shifts a lot depending on what's available in their habitat at the time.
Where do bustards live?
They're tied to dry, open country—grasslands and steppe regions are their go-to environments. You'll rarely find them in dense forest; they need wide, flat ground to forage and display.
Are bustards the heaviest birds that can fly?
Yes—the kori bustard and the great bustard hold that record. Despite their bulk, both species are fully capable of sustained flight, which is remarkable given how heavy they get.
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