Birds Active during the day

Australian Bustard

Ardeotis australis

iNaturalist eBird Wikipedia

The Australian Bustard is the regal giant of the outback, standing a metre tall with a stately, dignified walk. A nomadic wanderer of the grasslands, it is one of Australia's most impressive and elusive ground-dwelling birds.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Height: 80–130 cm (31–51 in); Wingspan: 1.7–2.3 m (5.6–7.5 ft); Weight: Males 5–14.5 kg (11–32 lb), Females 2–5 kg (4.4–11 lb)

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Colors

Mottled brown, black, and white wings; white or pale grey underparts; grey neck with a black breast-band; black crown on head.

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Key Features

Tall, upright 'stately' posture when walking
Large black crown and white stripe above the eye
Thick, pale legs with only three forward-facing toes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern Active during the day

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Peak hours 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

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Season Year-round, but most detectable during the dry season or after local rains

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Diet Opportunistic omnivore. It forages by walking slowly and pecking at large insects (especially grasshoppers and crickets), lizards, mice, seeds, and wild fruits like the 'conkerberry.'

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Habitat Open grasslands, grassy woodlands, spinifex plains, and low-intensity agricultural country.

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Where Does the Australian Bustard Live?

Native primarily to the Australian continent and parts of southern New Guinea, the Australian Bustard thrives across the tropical north and the arid central regions. While they were once common in southern Australia, their range has contracted significantly due to habitat alteration, and they are now most frequently encountered in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. As a nomadic species, they do not have fixed territories and will travel hundreds of kilometres to find suitable feeding grounds after rain.

Basemap © OpenStreetMap contributors

3 Countries

6.2M km² Range

Least Concern Conservation

AU Australia Papua New Guinea ID Indonesia

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iNaturalist / Verified observation data

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Behavior

The Australian Bustard is a dignified and cautious ground-dweller, often seen walking with a slow, measured gait and its head tilted slightly back. Known colloquially as the 'Bush Turkey,' it is a master of camouflage despite its large size. When it senses danger, the bustard often freezes, relying on its mottled plumage to blend into the dry grass, or it may walk away slowly rather than taking flight. They are strong flyers but prefer to remain terrestrial unless they need to travel long distances.

These birds are highly nomadic, following the 'green flush' of new growth and insect outbreaks that follow erratic rainfall in the Australian interior. During the breeding season, males are solitary and perform elaborate 'lekking' displays to attract females. They inflate a large sac in their throat until it reaches the ground, fan their tails, and emit low-frequency booming sounds that can be heard from a significant distance.

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Camera Tips

Because Australian Bustards are tall birds that spend their lives on the ground, camera placement is critical. Set your camera on a fence post or a low tree trunk about 50 to 70 centimeters (20-28 inches) off the ground. Angle the camera horizontally or slightly upward to capture the full height of the bird. If the camera is too low and tilted down, you might only get shots of their thick, scaly legs. Ensure you have a wide field of view, as these birds have a wide stride and can move through a frame quickly despite their slow appearance.

These birds are attracted to water sources in arid environments and areas with high insect activity. Placing a camera near a stock trough or a known 'soak' is an excellent strategy. During the breeding season (typically after rain), look for open 'display' areas where males might gather. These are often slightly elevated spots with short grass. While you shouldn't use food bait, cameras placed near fruiting native shrubs like Santalum or Carissa species can be very effective.

Set your camera to a high-sensitivity motion trigger and use a rapid-fire burst mode. Bustards are often cautious and may stop to investigate a clicking sound, giving you a perfect profile shot. Since they are most active during the cooler parts of the day, ensure your camera's exposure settings handle the long shadows and golden light of early morning and late afternoon well. If your camera supports it, 4K video is highly recommended to capture the subtle, booming throat-sac display of the males.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Australian Bustard.

Brolga

The Brolga is taller and more slender with a distinct red patch on the back of the head, whereas the bustard is bulkier with a black crown.

Bush Stone-curlew

Much smaller (approx. 55cm), with large yellow eyes and a preference for nocturnal activity, unlike the diurnal bustard.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Australian Bustards are primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They are most frequently seen foraging in the early morning and late afternoon when temperatures are cooler. During the heat of the midday sun, they typically rest in the shade of trees or tall shrubs.

Bustards are very wary and rarely enter suburban backyards. However, if you live on a large rural property, maintaining native grasslands, avoiding heavy pesticide use (which kills their insect food), and providing a low-profile water source can encourage them to visit.

They are omnivorous and have a varied diet. Their favorites include large insects like grasshoppers and crickets, but they also eat small lizards, mice, young birds, and a variety of native fruits, seeds, and flowers.

No, they are generally absent from urban and suburban areas. They require large, open spaces with minimal human disturbance. They are most common in the sparsely populated regions of Northern and Inland Australia.

While both are tall and greyish, the Brolga is a crane with much longer legs, a slender neck, and a distinctive red patch on its head. The Australian Bustard has a much stockier build, a horizontal posture when walking, and a prominent black crown on its head.

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