Australian Bustard (Australian Natural History)

The Australian bustard is Australia’s heaviest flying bird. It is an icon of the Australian outback where it is more commonly known as the bush or plains turkey. It is also culturally and spiritually significant to Aboriginal people, who prize it as a favorite bush tucker.This book provides the first complete overview of the biology of the Australian bustard. Based on the first major study of the species, the author explores the bustard’s ecology and behavior, its drastic decline since European settlement, and the conservation issues affecting it and its environment. Color photographs of juvenile and adult birds complement the text as well as showcase particular behaviors, such as the spectacular display routines of males when mating, which are unique among Australian birds. Australian Bustard is the perfect book for natural history enthusiasts. Key features • A complete overview of the ecology and behavior of the bustard and its historical and contemporary significance to Aboriginal and outback communities• Great color photographs and sketches of the species behavior including the spectacular display of males at leks• Details of the first satellite tracking study of the species, and one of the most detailed satellite tracking studies of any Australian terrestrial bird to date