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Australian Bustard

Did you know?

If there is a plague of mice or grasshoppers, Australian Bustards will gorge themselves on the plentiful food supply.

Calls
Bustards are usually silent, but males roar or boom during courtship displays.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
80cm
Maximum Size: 
120cm
Average size: 
100cm
Average weight: 
4 500g
Breeding season: 
October to December, or after rain
Clutch Size: 
1
Incubation: 
23 days
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Ardeotis australis
Atlas Number: 
176
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Australian Bustard is one of Australia's largest birds. It is a mainly grey-brown bird, speckled with dark markings, with a pale neck and black crown, with a slight crest and a white eye-brow. There are bold black and white markings on the wing. The female is slightly smaller than the male. Newly hatched chicks are striped dark and light. The Bustard has a 'snooty' appearance as it walks sedately along, holding its head and neck high. When disturbed, it will walk away slowly, still watching. When it does fly, the flight is strong, with the ends of the wing feathers characteristically spread and up-curved. It may be found in small groups or singly. This species is also called the Plains Turkey or Wild Turkey.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Australian Bustard is a bird of the inland and tropical north of mainland Australia. It is also found in southern New Guinea.

Habitat: 

Australian Bustards are found on dry plains, grasslands and in open woodland.

Seasonal movements: 

They are nomadic, searching for food and numbers may sometimes irrupt (build up rapidly) and then disperse again. In some areas, such as the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, there is regular seasonal movement.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

Australian Bustards are omnivorous, eating leaves, buds, seeds, fruit, frogs, lizards, and invertebrates. They walk slowly, picking at food items as they wander, usually at twilight and after dark.

Breeding: 

Australian Bustards breed once a year. When mating, the males clear a display area, then inflate a large throat sac, producing a loud, deep roaring noise, while they strut around with their tails cocked high. The large, olive-green egg may be laid on bare ground or in grass, but usually where the parent bird has a good view of approaching predators. The female sits low, well camouflaged, and she incubates and cares for the young.

Living with us

Australian Bustards were once extensively hunted and shot for food and with habitat changes made by introduced mammals such as rabbits, cattle and sheep, they are now limited to inland areas. This species is listed as endangered in New South Wales.

References: 
Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs.
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 2 (Raptors to Lapwings).
The Birds of Prey and Ground Birds of Australia.
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