Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

Great Indian Bustard (GIB) Latest News

Radheshyam Pemani Bishnoi, a 28-year-old wildlife conservationist from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, died in a road accident while on an anti-poaching patrol. He was a flag bearer in the GIB Community Conservation Programme.

About the Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

• The Great Indian Bustard(Ardeotis nigriceps) is a large terrestrial bird endemic to the Indian subcontinent.
• The bird is primarily found in dry grasslands and scrublands, which are rapidly declining due to agricultural expansion and development.
• Its core population (~100 individuals) survives in the Thar Desert, mainly in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts of Rajasthan.
• The total population is critically low, estimated to be around 100–150 individuals across India.

Physical Characteristics

• The Great Indian Bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
• It has a horizontal body posture, long bare legs, and resembles an ostrich in appearance.
• Distinctive features include:
  • A black crown on the forehead,
  • A pale head and neck,
  • A brownish body with grey, black, and brown patterns on the wings.
• Both sexes are similar in size, with the heaviest individuals reaching up to 15 kg (33 pounds).
• The bird has a lifespan of 12–15 years.

Reproductive and Feeding Behaviour

• GIBs breed during the monsoon, laying a single egg directly on open ground, making the nest highly vulnerable to predation and trampling.
• They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a varied diet depending on seasonal availability:
  • Grass seeds,
  • Insects such as grasshoppers and beetles,
  • Occasionally small rodents and reptiles.

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Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I species (highest level of protection under Indian law)
• CITES: Appendix I, indicating it is threatened with extinction and international trade is strictly regulated.

Great Indian Bustard FAQs

Q1. What is the conservation status of the Great Indian Bustard?
Ans: It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Q2. In which states is the Great Indian Bustard mainly found?
Ans: Mainly found in Rajasthan, and also in parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.

Q3. What is the main threat to the Great Indian Bustard?
Ans: The major threats include habitat loss, collisions with power transmission lines, and predation of eggs and chicks.

Source: IE