Bustards

Characteristic features of bustards

Bustards are predominantly native to Africa, but some species can also be found in the semi-deserts and steppe regions of other continents. The body size of bustards varies greatly. There are very small species such as the little bustard, which only grows to 45 cm, and the great bustard living in Europe with a wingspan of up to 2.6 meters and a body size of up to 1.0 meters. Bustards have a short beak, a long neck, strong legs and a short tail. Their plumage is usually brownish in color. Bustards feed on plants, but also on small animals such as insects, rodents or reptiles.

Bustards usually breed on the ground and either look for a protected space behind rocks or bushes, but often breed completely unprotected in the open, without even building a nest. Bustards lay approximately 2 to 3 eggs.

Population of bustards

The population of bustards has declined sharply in Europe over the last few decades. This was mainly a result of the intensification of agriculture and the massive use of pesticides. Great bustards in particular have had a hard time: in some European countries such as Switzerland or Poland they have now become extinct. In Germany, their population has recovered again. One species – the flag bustard – is currently considered endangered.