About the Lesser Florican
The lesser florican, also known as the likh or kharmore, is the smallest in the bustard family and the only member of the genus Sypheotides. It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent where it is found in tall grasslands and is best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the monsoon season. The male has a contrasting black and white breeding plumage and distinctive elongated head feathers that extend behind the neck. These bustards are found mainly in northwestern and central India during the summer but are found more widely distributed across India in winter. The species is highly endangered and has been extirpated in some parts of its range such as Pakistan. It is…
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
A male in breeding plumage has a black head, neck and lower parts. However, his throat is white. Around three 4-inch (10 cm) long, ribbon-like feathers arise from behind the ear-coverts on each side of the head and extend backwards, curving up and ending in spatulate tip. The back and scapulars are mottled in white with V-shaped marks. The wing coverts are white. After the breedings season, the male tends to have some white in the wing. The female is slightly larger than the male.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see it
Peak activity in April · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Great Indian BustardArdeotis nigricepsThe great Indian bustard is a large ground bird with a height of about one metre.
Nubian BustardNeotis nubaThe Nubian bustard is medium-large with pronounced sexual size dimorphism.
Heuglin's BustardNeotis heugliniiIt is a fairly large species, at up to 89 cm (35 in) in length.
Learn the Lesser Florican for real
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