A fascinating steppe bird native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and central Asia, and it is the smallest member of the bustard family. Unlike its larger cousins, such as the great bustard, the little bustard is more secretive and harder to spot, preferring to skulk in tall grasses where its mottled brown plumage blends in perfectly with the dry steppe landscape.
What really makes this bird stand out is the male’s breeding display. In spring, the male develops a sharp black-and-white collar on its neck and performs short, dramatic jumps in the air—almost like a bounce—while calling with a distinctive, rasping “prrt” sound. These quick vertical leaps, repeated again and again, are both comical and impressive, designed to grab the attention of females. It’s one of the quirkiest courtship displays among birds, and it gives the Little Bustard a unique charm compared to its more stately relatives.
The little bustard is mostly a ground-dweller, feeding on a mix of seeds, shoots, and insects. This omnivorous diet allows it to adapt well to agricultural landscapes, but also puts it at risk as modern intensive farming reduces habitat diversity. Outside of the breeding season, the bird is much shyer, and its brown streaked plumage makes it almost invisible in tall grasses. It prefers to run rather than fly when threatened, but in the air, its fast, low flight and broad wings make it a powerful flyer over long distances.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Algeria
Official estimate
Armenia
Austria
Official estimate
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Official estimate
Belgium
Bulgaria
Official estimate
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Official estimate
Denmark
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Official estimate
Greece
Official estimate
Hungary
Official estimate
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Luxembourg
Malta
Moldova
Official estimate
Montenegro
Official estimate
Morocco
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Official estimate
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Serbia
Official estimate
Slovakia
Official estimate
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Tajikistan
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turkey
UAE
Ukraine
United Kingdom
UzbekistanAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
