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;Tetrax tetrax | ;Tetrax tetrax | ||
| − | [[Image:Little_Bustard.jpg|thumb| | + | [[Image:Little_Bustard.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by Steve G]] |
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| + | ==Identification== | ||
| + | The Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax, is a large bird in the bustard family, the only member of the genus Tetrax. Although the smallest Palearctic bustard, Little Bustard is still pheasant-sized at 45 cm long with a 90 cm 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 bustards resemble females. | ||
| + | ==Distribution== | ||
| + | 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, for example ranging north to Poland occasionally (Tomek & Bocheński 2005). It is only a very rare vagrant to Great Britain despite breeding in France. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| + | ==Habitat== | ||
| + | This bird's habitat is open grassland and undisturbed cultivation, with plants tall enough for cover. | ||
| + | ==Behaviour== | ||
| + | Both sexes are usually silent, although the male has a distinctive "raspberry-blowing" call "prrt". | ||
| + | |||
| + | 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. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs on the ground. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It has a stately slow walk, and tends to run when disturbed rather than fly. It is gregarious, especially in winter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
==Bird Song== | ==Bird Song== | ||
<flashmp3>Tetrax tetrax (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | <flashmp3>Tetrax tetrax (song).mp3</flashmp3><br /> | ||
Revision as of 13:58, 19 June 2007
- Tetrax tetrax
Identification
The Little Bustard, Tetrax tetrax, is a large bird in the bustard family, the only member of the genus Tetrax. Although the smallest Palearctic bustard, Little Bustard is still pheasant-sized at 45 cm long with a 90 cm 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 bustards resemble females.
Distribution
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, for example ranging north to Poland occasionally (Tomek & Bocheński 2005). It is only a very rare vagrant to Great Britain despite breeding in France.
Taxonomy
Habitat
This bird's habitat is open grassland and undisturbed cultivation, with plants tall enough for cover.
Behaviour
Both sexes are usually silent, although the male has a distinctive "raspberry-blowing" call "prrt".
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. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs on the ground.
It has a stately slow walk, and tends to run when disturbed rather than fly. It is gregarious, especially in winter.
Bird Song
<flashmp3>Tetrax tetrax (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
