Bengal Florican
Houbaropsis bengalensis
The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a rare bustard found in 3 countries, weighing about 2.0 kg. The Bengal florican, also called the Bengal bustard, is a bustard species native to the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
About the Bengal Florican
The Bengal florican, also called the Bengal bustard, is a bustard species native to the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because fewer than 1,000 individuals were estimated to be alive as of 2017. It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The male Bengal florican has a black plumage from the head and neck to underparts. Its head carries a long lanky crest, and the neck has elongated display plumes. The upperside is buff with fine black vermiculations and black arrowhead markings, and there is a conspicuous large white patch from the wing coverts to the remiges. In flight, the male's wings appear entirely white except for the dark primary remiges. The feet and legs are yellow, the bill and irides are dark.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, December, with peak activity in March. It is a passage migrant species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Bengal Florican?
- The male Bengal florican has a black plumage from the head and neck to underparts. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Bengal Florican?
- The Bengal Florican is a huge sized bird weighing about 2.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Bengal Florican?
- The Bengal Florican occurs in 3 countries, including India, Cambodia and Nepal.
- What birds look similar to a Bengal Florican?
- The Bengal Florican is most easily confused with the Rüppell's Korhaan, the Asian Houbara and the Hartlaub's Bustard.
- Is the Bengal Florican endangered?
- The Bengal Florican is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Bengal Florican for real
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