Flying out of sight

The Great Indian Bustard, a rare and endangered species, is the state bird of Rajasthan. Commonly known as Godawan in Rajasthan and Maldhok ...

The Great Indian Bustard, a rare and endangered species, is the state bird of Rajasthan. Commonly known as Godawan in Rajasthan and Maldhok in Maharashtra, it is fond of open grasslands in dry regions. Bustards are well-built with the male (cock) standing at 122 cm and the female (hen) at 92 cms. They are omnivorous and feed mainly on grasshoppers, among insects.

But their diet also includes snakes, lizards and scorpion. Among cereals, wheat, bengal gram and millets are mostly preferred. They also relish ber fruits. They are well adapted to a dry environment where water is not available. Bustards can live without water for days together, but where water is available it drinks almost daily, especially in summer.

During the breeding season, the cock has a marvellous courtship display to attract hens and repel competitors. In the courtship display the cock struts around with his tail raised above his back. The neck pouch below his chin is elongated to dangle like a large balloon in front of his legs.Every year, the hen lays one or two eggs on bare ground. They do not construct any nest for laying eggs.

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The chicks have camouflaging colours to merge with the surroundings but still they fall prey to eagles. Earlier, bustards were commonly seen in all the short grass plains of India, but now the population has shrunk. The Great Indian Bustard are now restricted to only six Indian states — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. This majestic bird is facing extinction as its habitat is being destroyed. Due to increased human population more and more grasslands are being brought under cultivation. Adding to this problem is overgrazing of existing grasslands by domestic cattle. Illegal hunting is also taking its toll. The bustard enjoys protection under the Wildlife (protection ) Act. Shooting, hunting or trapping it is illegal. Despite this, the bird is excessively hunted for its flesh.

BNHS has been conducting studies on the Great Indian Bustard for six years.

Asa result, conservation measures have been implemented to protect this handsome bird. All the states have declared Bustard sanctuaries but the protection given to them is not adequate. During the last 10 years there appears to be a decline of almost 50 per cent in the number of bustards in Rajasthan.

For more information on bustards, please refer to the BNHS publication: Book of Indian Birds and Booklet on Great Indian Bustard by Asad R Rahmani.