Great Indian Bustard – the king of grassland

Great Indian Bustards among the heaviest of the flying birds. Once common on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent, as few as 250 individuals were estimated in 2011 to survive and the species is critically endangered by hunting and loss of its habitat, which consists of large expanses of dry grassland and scrub. These birds are often found associated in the same habitat as blackbuck.

In Gujarat Great Indian Bustard are seen in Naliya Grassland. We tried many times to see them but we did not succeed.  When we visited the Naliya Grass land in November 2014, finally we saw these two beautiful Male. When we reached at the Great Indian Bustard sanctuary we saw the Macqueen Bustard. We run quickly to get glimpse of it but its run away and disappears. We did not able to find Macqueen Bustard but while searching what we encounter is the Great Indian Bustard. They are having extra large size but still easily camouflage with sandy brown colour of dry grass and ground. They were peacefully foraging in grasslands at the morning time. That sight was truly mesmerising. We carefully approach the bird and get few nice shots. There are only 17 -20 number of birds left in Naliya Grassland. The way Indian Bustard move and they looks, they are truly Kings of Grassland birds. And we sincerely hope that we can able to see them in future too...

22^nd November 2014

Naliya Grassland, Kutch District , Gujarat , India

Nikon D7100

AF-S Nikkor 300mm F/4D IF-ED + AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E

f/5.6, 1/1000, ISO - 500

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