CRCritically EndangeredPartial review

Bengal Florican

Houbaropsis bengalensis

At a glance

IUCN category
CR · Critically Endangered
Animal group
Birds
Population trend
Decreasing
Last verified

Conservation overview

The Bengal florican is a rare grassland bustard famous for the male's spectacular leaping courtship display. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.

It depends on increasingly scarce natural grasslands.

Range & habitat

Grasslands of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Loss and conversion of grassland
  • Disturbance and collisions
  • A tiny population

Why it matters

A grassland bustard on the edge of extinction, the Bengal florican is a flagship for protecting the threatened grasslands of South and Southeast Asia.

Sources

Sources for Bengal Florican

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bengal florican's courtship display?
Males leap into the air above the grass in a bouncing, fluttering display to attract females, one of the most striking courtship performances among grassland birds.
Why is the Bengal florican Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite the loss and conversion of grassland, disturbance and collisions, and a very small population. See the IUCN Red List.

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