Species

LESSER FLORICAN (Spheotides indica)

The Lesser Florican is the smallest bird of the bustard family inhabiting the grasslands. The male and female birds are easily distinguishable morphologically. The male bird has black neck, head, chest and abdomen, yellowish brown back with black spots, yellow legs and bill and a conspicuous black crest plumes. The female is larger in size than the male, dull pale brown in appearance without the crest plumes. The male bird is famous for its striking courtship display. During the breeding season the male bird jumps in the air and croaks like a frog to attract females birds. The air jumps at times are 8-10 ft high. They feed on small insects like beetles and termites.

INDIAN SARUS CRANE (Grus antigone)

Sarus Crane is the tallest flying bird of the world standing at an average height of 5'2". It is also the only resident crane of India. This long bird is mainly grey in colour with red legs, head and beak. The upper neck is also red in colour. The male and female birds are similar and hence cannot be distinguished easily. This is a bird of wetlands and paddy fields, feeding mainly on fresh paddy shoots, insects like locusts and grains. The Sarus Crane is popularly known for pairing for life, however it is a myth. The Sarus Cranes are found in small flocks and parties before the breeding season, however during breeding season they are generally sighted in pairs only. They make a nest of soft paddy shoots and other grasses on ground mostly near waterbodies. In Gujarat high concentration of Sarus Cranes is found in the paddy fields of Kheda, Anand and Ahmedabad.

GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD (Ardeotis nigriceps)

The Great Indian Bustard is the heaviest flying bird of India, weighing almost 18-20 kg. This bird is mainly brown in colour with long white thick neck, black crown and long yellow legs and beak. It is difficult to differentiate male and female birds morphologically. The characteristic white is visible from far in grasslands, which gives away the presence of this bird. This bird mainly feeds on insects, locust and other small animals like lizards and rodents. It also feeds on grains and wild berries. During the breeding season the male bloats its neck and walks in a stately manner with head held high to attract females. In Gujarat this bird is found in grasslands of Kutch and Jamnagar district. Both these areas have been declared as sancturies for the conservation of this highly endangered bird.

INDIAN GREY HORNBILL (Ocyceros birostris)

Indian Grey Hornbill is the only bird of hornbill family found in Gujarat. Mainly grey in colour the hornbill has thick grotesque beak with casque atop the upper mandible, giving it its name "Hornbill" meaning horn like bill." It has a long tail, and black, brown and yellow bill. The Hornbills have a peculiar type of nesting habit. The horbills nest in natural hollows in the trunk of big trees. The female bird enter the hollow to lay eggs. As it enters the hollow the male and female birds defeacate and seal the hollow of the tree with a small opening for the male bird to feed the female bird. The female keeps herself locked in this hollow till the eggs are laid and young ones are old enough to fly. Through out this phase the male bird feeds the female and the fledgelings. The hornbills mainly feed on fruits and berries and small reptiles. It prefers to stay in deciduous and tropical rain forests.