Little Bustard
Tetrax tetrax
The Little Bustard is a rare and occasional visitor to Britain, typically seen in the southern regions during the spring and autumn migrations. It is more commonly found in its breeding grounds in Southern Europe and Western and Central Asia.
Field Identification Guide
Use these features to identify Little Bustard in the field.
The Little Bustard can be identified by its stout body, long legs, and distinctive white patches on its wings and neck, as well as its brownish-grey plumage with a black neck stripe.
The Little Bustard is larger than a Grey Partridge, but smaller than a Grey Heron.
The male Little Bustard has a distinctive black neck stripe and white patches on its wings, with a brownish-grey back and white belly, and its plumage remains relatively consistent throughout the year.
The female Little Bustard is similar to the male, but with less pronounced black neck stripe and white wing patches.
The Little Bustard's call is a deep, booming "poo-oo", often heard during the breeding season.
The Little Bustard is a ground-dwelling bird that feeds on insects, seeds, and small invertebrates, and is known for its slow and deliberate walking gait, as well as its swift and direct flight when disturbed.
The Little Bustard can be confused with other bustard species, but can be distinguished by its smaller size and distinctive white wing patches, and its black neck stripe, which is not found in the Great Bustard or other similar species.
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