Introduction
The Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), also known as the Plains Turkey or Wild Turkey, is a large ground-dwelling bird of Australia and southern New Guinea. It inhabits open country and is one of Australia’s largest flying birds. Although still widespread in northern Australia, it has become uncommon or locally absent across parts of the south.
Physical Description
The Australian Bustard stands approximately 80–120 centimetres tall. It has a long neck and legs, a small head, a pale greyish neck and breast, a dark crown, and mainly grey-brown upperparts marked with fine darker speckling. The folded wings show bold black-and-white patterning, while the underparts are pale.
Males are substantially larger and heavier than females. Adult males may weigh about 4–7 kilograms, while females are commonly around 2–4 kilograms. Females also tend to have a less prominent dark breast band and a narrower, less strongly marked crown. Juveniles resemble females but may show additional pale or cream markings on the underparts.
When flushed, the Australian Bustard has a powerful flight and widely spread, up-curved primary feathers. Its deliberate, upright walk and high-held head are useful clues when it is encountered on the ground.
Range and Habitat
The Australian Bustard occurs across much of mainland Australia, particularly in the tropical north and inland regions, and also occurs in southern New Guinea. In Australia, it is associated with dry plains, grasslands, open woodland, savanna, sand plains and lightly grazed agricultural country.
It generally favours open, level landscapes where it can walk while searching for food and detect approaching danger. Populations are more continuous in northern and central Australia, while the species is less common and more fragmented in southern Australia. Its distribution and local abundance can change after rainfall, when food becomes more plentiful.
Australian Bustards are not strictly migratory. They may make broad seasonal or irregular movements in response to rainfall, food availability and local conditions. In some regions, numbers can increase rapidly before birds disperse again.
Where to See This Species
Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia
Australian Bustards have been recorded across the major management districts of Kakadu National Park. The park’s extensive floodplains, grasslands, savanna woodlands and open seasonally dry country provide suitable habitat. Look along quiet roads and open areas, particularly during the cooler parts of the day, while remaining alert to changing access conditions and park closures.
Nearby accommodation: Jabiru is the main practical base, with lodge-style accommodation, cabins, camping and other visitor facilities. Additional camping areas are available within the park when open.
Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, Northern Territory, Australia
The Australian Bustard has been recorded from Alice Springs Telegraph Station Historical Reserve, which protects open riverine country, scrub and low ranges on the edge of Alice Springs. The reserve is publicly accessible and offers walking tracks through suitable inland habitat. Sightings are unpredictable, so scanning open ground quietly is more productive than expecting a close approach.
Nearby accommodation: Alice Springs provides the nearest broad choice of hotels, motels, guest houses, caravan parks and self-catering accommodation.
Ngarkat Conservation Park, South Australia, Australia
South Australian park staff have specifically reported Australian Bustards in Ngarkat Conservation Park, including birds patrolling recently burnt ground. The park’s mallee, grassland and open semi-arid habitats can provide suitable foraging areas, particularly after favourable seasonal conditions. Observe from designated roads and tracks and do not approach birds on foot.
Nearby accommodation: Keith, Bordertown and nearby rural settlements provide practical options including motels, caravan parks, cabins and self-catering accommodation.
Behaviour and Diet
Australian Bustards may occur alone, in pairs or in small groups. They are generally wary and often walk away from a perceived threat before taking flight. Feeding commonly occurs around twilight and after dark, although birds may also be active during the day, especially in cooler weather.
Their opportunistic diet includes seeds, fruit, leaves, buds, insects and other invertebrates, as well as frogs, lizards and other small animals. During outbreaks of grasshoppers or mice, Australian Bustards may take advantage of the temporary abundance of prey.
Breeding is linked to local conditions and may occur after rain. The male establishes a display area and performs an elaborate courtship display, inflating a large throat sac, producing a deep booming or roaring sound, raising his tail and strutting before females. The female lays her eggs on bare ground or among low grass, usually in a simple scrape. She incubates the eggs and cares for the young without assistance from the male.
Identification Tips
- Look for a very large, long-legged bird walking upright across open ground.
- Note the grey-brown, finely marked plumage, pale neck and dark crown.
- In flight, the bold black-and-white wing pattern and strongly spread primary feathers are distinctive.
- Females are smaller and usually show less contrast in the crown and breast markings.
- Juveniles are generally duller and may have more noticeable pale markings below.
- Do not confuse it with the Australian Brush-turkey, which is smaller, darker and usually associated with dense forest or scrub. The Australian Bustard is much taller and more strongly adapted to open country.
Conservation Status
The Australian Bustard is currently assessed as Least Concern globally by the IUCN. This global category does not mean that all populations are secure. The species has declined or become uncommon across parts of southern Australia, where habitat alteration, historical hunting and changes in land use have reduced its former distribution.
Important conservation measures include protecting remaining grassland and open woodland, maintaining suitable habitat mosaics, managing fire and grazing carefully, reducing disturbance during breeding, and preventing illegal shooting. Local legal protection and conservation status vary between Australian states and territories. In New South Wales, for example, the species is listed as endangered under state conservation arrangements.
The species also has longstanding cultural significance for many Aboriginal communities. Any discussion of its conservation should recognise Indigenous knowledge, cultural authority and continuing connections with Country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Australian Bustard found?
It is found across much of mainland Australia, especially in northern and central regions, and also occurs in southern New Guinea. It is less common in many parts of southern Australia than it once was.
What does the Australian Bustard eat?
Its diet includes seeds, fruit, leaves, buds, insects, frogs, lizards and other small animals. It feeds opportunistically and may gather where grasshoppers or mice are abundant.
How large is an Australian Bustard?
Adults are approximately 80–120 centimetres tall. Males are considerably larger and heavier than females, with adult males commonly weighing about 4–7 kilograms and females about 2–4 kilograms.
Can Australian Bustards fly?
Yes. Despite their large size, they are powerful fliers. Their broad wings show bold black-and-white markings, and the primary feathers spread noticeably during flight.
Are Australian Bustards migratory?
They are not strictly migratory, but they can make extensive seasonal or irregular movements in response to rainfall and changing food supplies. Local numbers may fluctuate considerably.
What is the conservation status of the Australian Bustard?
The species is classified as Least Concern globally by the IUCN. However, it has declined in parts of southern Australia and has additional state or territory conservation listings in some regions.
References
- BirdLife Australia
- Australian Museum
- Northern Territory Government
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