Great Indian Bustard

Great Indian Bustard Latest News

In a major milestone for the conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB), the Union Environment Minister recently released two captive-bred male GIBs into the wild at Sam in the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

About Great Indian Bustard

• Known locally as Godawan, it is a large terrestrial bird endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
• It is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.

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Great Indian Bustard Habitat and Distribution

• It is endemic to the Indian subcontinent, with its remaining population concentrated mainly in India. 
• Its core population survives in the Thar Desert, mainly in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan.
• Other important habitats occur in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. 
• The bird is primarily found in dry grasslands and scrublands, which are rapidly declining due to agricultural expansion and development.

Great Indian Bustard Features

• It has a horizontal body posture, long bare legs, and resembles an ostrich in appearance.
• Both sexes are similar in size, with the heaviest individuals reaching up to 15 kg.
• It can easily be distinguished by its black crown on the forehead contrasting with the pale neck and head. 
• The body is brownish and the wings are marked with black, brown and grey.
• Males have larger black crowns and a black band across the breast.
• Life Span: The bird has a lifespan of 12–15 years.
• Diet: These birds are opportunist eaters. Their diet ranges widely depending on the seasonal availability of food. They feed on grass seeds, insects like grasshoppers and beetles, and sometimes even small rodents and reptiles.

Great Indian Bustard Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ under the IUCN Red List.

News: DD