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Wildlife Profile - Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis

Order: Gruiformes Genus: Ardeotid 
Family: Otididae Species: australis


Seeing an Australian Bustard in the wild is always a high point for any birder in Australia, local or overseas visitor. A look at the distribution map shows they are widespread, but they are also nomadic and highly mobile, dispersive. Also their numbers have plummeted from early European occupation days due to shooting.  


Australian Bustard Distribution MapDistribution

Even though the Australian Bustard has a very wide distribution, by far the majority of sightings are across the northern half of the country. 

Australian Bustard - Vic River (photo copyright Laurie Ross)
Australian Bustard - Vic River  (photo copyright Laurie Ross)

 

  

   


Ecology

Diet

Bustards are omnivorous and will eat almost anything. they will track outbreaks of food like locusts and mice, which is a great benefit to agriculture. Bustards have been observed eating whole Cane Toads, seemingly with no ill effects.

Male Australian Bustard with partially distended throat sac. (photo copyright Tony Hoban)
Male Australian Bustard with partially distended throat sac.  (photo copyright Tony Hoban)

Life cycle

Bustards are polygynous and the males form leks with other males in a suitable display ground or arena. The older males will have the best position and females choose who they think the fittest for fatherhood on the basis of size, display and plumage. The display is an amzing ritual involving strutting, inflation of a huge plume covered throat sac and emmitting a low booming vocalisation like a lion's roar, every 10 to 15 seconds.

Breeding Notes - Australian Bustard (photo copyright Mike Jarvis)
Breeding Notes - Australian Bustard  (photo copyright Mike Jarvis)
Breeding in the Top End usually occurs around in the late dry season, from September through to March.

'Best of Top End Birding' group relishing the moment, having just had great views of Australian Bustards (photo copyright Mike Jarvis)
'Best of Top End Birding' group relishing the moment, having just had great views of Australian Bustards  (photo copyright Mike Jarvis)

Habitat

Birds are highly nomadic and are usually seen in open areas of savannah woodland and floodplain.  

Sources – HANZAB,  Australian Bustard by Mark Ziembicki and my personal observations; Photos © Mike Jarvis, Tony Hoban, Laurie Ross

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