The MacQueen's bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) belongs to the family Otididae. The MacQueen's bustard species is distributed in India, Pakistan, Arabia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Persian Gulf.
Taxonomy of MacQueen's bustard
- Scientific Name: Chlamydotis macqueenii
- Common Name: MacQueen's bustard
- French: Outarde de Macqueen; German: Steppenkragentrappe; Spanish: Avutarda hubara asiática;
- Other names: Asian Houbara; Otis Macqueenii J. E. Gray, 1832;
- Family: Otididae › Gruiformes › Aves › Chordata › Animalia
- Species author: (J. E. Gray, 1832)
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| Indian birds - Image of MacQueen's bustard - Chlamydotis macqueenii |
Description
The MacQueen's bustards exhibit dimorphism and the males are larger than the females. The male bustard measures 65 to 75 cm in length and weighs 1,800 to 3,200 grams. The female bustard measures 55 to 65 cm in length and weighs 1,200 to 1,700 grams. It is pale sandy brown on the upper parts and white on the under parts. There is black neck strip on the side of the neck. It has a black tipped white crest. The fore neck and breast are blue-grey. The male MacQueen's bustard during display erects the long feathers of the crest and neck and withdraws his head into his chest. The males make calls and sounds during display.Habitat
The MacQueen's bustard species inhabit arid sandy semi-desert with tussock grass and flat stony plains dotted with dense growth of scrub vegetation.Feeding habits
These bustard species are omnivores and feed on seeds, berries, cereals, insects and other invertebrates and small vertebrates.Breeding
The breeding season of these MacQueen's bustard species is from March to June. The males are polygamous. The female constructs the nest, incubates the eggs and feeds the chicks. The clutch consists of 2–4 eggs.Distribution
The MacQueen's bustard species are distributed in Middle East nations, Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Iran, Mongolia and China. Wintering populations occur in Persian Gulf countries, Pakistan, Northwest India and Central China.Movement Patterns
The MacQueen's bustard species are partially migratory. The Middle East populations are largely sedentary. The central Asian populations are migratory, moving southwards for wintering.Status and conservation
There is sharp decline in these bustard population by 20 to 50% from 1984 to 2004 due mainly to hunting and land-use changes. The global population has recently been estimated at between 79,000 to 97,000 individual birds. Oil exploration, road building, oil and water pipelines, mining activities, power lines and human activities are the threats to conservation and survival.The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has categorized and evaluated these bustard species and has listed them as "Vulnerable".
| Biological classification of Chlamydotis macqueenii | |
|---|---|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Gruiformes |
| Family: | Otididae |
| Subfamily: | - |
| Genus: | Chlamydotis |
| Species: | C. macqueenii |
| Binomial name: | Chlamydotis macqueenii |
| Distribution: | India, Arabia, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, China and Persian Gulf; |
| Feeding habits: | large insects, seeds, berries, small vertebrates; |
| IUCN status listing: |  Vulnerable |
Image source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MacQueens_Bustard_in_Greater_Rann_of_Kutch,_Gujarat,_India.jpg
Image Author: Kannan AS | Image License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Current topic in Birds of India: MacQueen's bustard - Chlamydotis macqueenii.
