Wildlife
Great bustards are quite possibly the heaviest flying birds in the world. They're often described as magnificent, stately birds on account of the males' great size, cocked tails and large white whiskers. Hunted to extinction in Britain in the mid 19th century, these grand birds are now gradually being reintroduced from Russia on to Salisbury Plain. Populations of great bustards are scattered on open farmland across Europe and Asia.
Scientific name: Otis tarda
Rank: Species
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Back in the UK
Gordon Buchanan goes in search of great bustards, the world's heaviest flying birds.
Weighing in at between 10 and 16kg, with recorded examples at over 20kg, the male of this huge bird is the heaviest living flying animal, alongside the similarly sized Kori Bustard.
Back where they belong
After 177 years great bustards are breeding again in the UK.
After 177 years great bustards are breeding again in the UK.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Great bustard can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Asia, China, Europe, Mediterranean, Russia, United Kingdom. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Great bustard distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Vulnerable
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The Great Bustard (Otis tarda) is in the bustard family, the only member of the genus Otis. It breeds in southern and central Europe, where it is the largest species of bird, and across temperate Asia. European populations are mainly resident, but Asian birds move further south in winter. Portugal and Spain now contain about 60% of the world's population.
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Migration
Courtship display
Acoustic communication
Maternal care
Moulting
Egg layer
Polygynous
Active at birth
Sexual dimorphism
Visual communication