Buff-crested Bustard
Lophotis gindiana
Did you know?
- Buff-crested bustards are a part of the Otididae family, which they share with other bustards.
- They are named for the crest of feathers that males have on their heads.
- They live in a variety of semi-deserts, savannahs and woodlands in Africa.
- They can grow to be over one-and-a-half feet tall.
- A female will lay one to two eggs per clutch.
Adaptations
Buff-crested bustards have a variety of black, white, and brown feathers that provide ideal camouflage in dry, desert-like habitats. They do not migrate, but instead thrive in many habitats in their range year-round.
Young and Family
Buff-crested bustards have an unusual courtship display. Males will dart up into the air, somersault onto their backs, and drop towards the ground. They correct themselves just before hitting the ground and flash their buff-colored crest of feathers. A female will usually lay one to two eggs per clutch.
Threat Level
- Unknown
- Common
- Near Threatened
- Threatened
- Endangered
- Critically Endangered
- Extinct in the Wild
Common
The Buff-crested Bustard is widespread and abundant.
Range
Africa
Habitat
semi-desert, bush, savannah and woodlands
We care about Buff-crested Bustards
We support Buff-crested bustards in the Bird House at the Zoo. Learn more about how we are helping wildlife around the world.
Find this animal in Historic Hill
SAINT LOUIS ZOO ZONE
Historic Hill
Historic Hill is a lovely stroll through one of the oldest parts of the Saint Louis Zoo. From the 1904 World’s Fair Flight Cage to the Spanish architectural flavor of the 1920s in the Bird House, Primate House and Herpetarium to the finishing touches of our thoroughly modern exhibits, this area of the Zoo has a unique ambiance and a nostalgic history that make it a great destination.