Australian Bustard

Ardeotis australis

With its regal strut and impressive size, this iconic outback bird cuts a striking figure across Australia's open grasslands.

Share this bird:

Visual Identification

Appearance

The Australian Bustard is a large, ground-dwelling bird with long legs and a slender neck. Males are significantly larger, reaching up to 1.2 meters in height. They sport a distinctive black cap, white eyebrows, and a black breast band that contrasts with their grey-brown plumage.

Females are smaller and less conspicuous, with mottled brown and grey feathers providing excellent camouflage. Both sexes have a pale grey beak and long, yellow legs. Juveniles resemble females but have more streaking on their upperparts.

Size

Length

100cm to 140cm

Wingspan

190cm to 230cm

Weight

4.5kg to 12kg

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Brown Black White

Secondary Colour

Grey

Beak Colour

Grey

Leg Colour

Yellow

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Grey

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Grey

Leg Colour (Female)

Yellow

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Australian Bustard can be found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Australian Bustard can be found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Australian Bustard is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Australian Bustard can be found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Australian Bustards inhabit open country across Australia, including grasslands, sparse woodlands, and inland scrublands. They prefer areas with a mix of native grasses and open ground for foraging and displaying.

While primarily found in mainland Australia, they occasionally appear in southern New Guinea. Their distribution can vary seasonally, with birds moving in response to rainfall and food availability, showcasing their nomadic nature.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 1,000 meters

Climate zones

Arid, Tropical, Subtropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Australian Bustard. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons