Little Bustard

The Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax, is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in southern and central Europe and into western and central Asia. Southernmost European birds are mainly resident, but other populations migrate further south in winter.

This species is declining due to habitat loss throughout its range. It used to breed more widely. It is only a very rare vagrant to Great Britain despite breeding in France.

Although the smallest Palearctic bustard, Little Bustard is still pheasant-sized at 45cm long with a 90cm wingspan. In flight, the long wings are extensively white. The breeding male is brown above and white below, with a grey head and a black neck bordered above and below by white.

The female and non-breeding male lack the dramatic neck pattern, and the female is marked darker below than the male. Immature resemble the female. Both sexes are usually silent, although the male has a distinctive "raspberry-blowing" prrt call.

This species is omnivorous taking seeds, insects and other small creatures. Like other bustards, the male Little Bustard has a flamboyant display with foot stamping and leaping in the air. 3-5 eggs are laid on the ground.

This bird's habitat is open grassland and undisturbed cultivation, with plants tall enough for cover. It has a stately slow walk, and tends to run when disturbed rather than fly. It is gregarious, especially in winter.