The Critically Endangered Lesser Florican

The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) which is the smallest in the bustard family and is the only member of the genus Sypheotides, is a local migrant in the Indian Subcontinent where it is found in tall grasslands and is best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the monsoon season.

The lesser Florican’s courtship display makes for an interesting sight as the male leaps suddenly from the grass in a particularly unique fashion. Like other bustards, the decline in their numbers is mainly due to habitat loss amongst other factors.

The Lesser Florican’s courtship display makes for an interesting sight as the male leaps suddenly from the grass in a particularly unique fashion. Like other bustards, the decline in their numbers is mainly due to habitat loss amongst other factors. The IUCN has places the Lesser Florican in its "Critically Endangered" List.

The lesser florican's remarkable courtship display, characterized by a series of high jumps, serves as a potent indicator of the male's physical fitness and reproductive potential. This impressive feat is believed to play a crucial role in attracting suitable mates and ensuring the perpetuation of the species.

A Field Observation of the Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) in Sonkhaliya.

During a recent field expedition to Sonkhaliya, Ajmer, Rajasthan, we conducted a targeted search for the elusive Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus). Employing a locally rented vehicle as a mobile observation post, we patiently awaited the bird's appearance. Despite initial sightings reported by local residents, the florican remained elusive for several hours.

As the sky began to cloud over, the florican emerged from the tall grass. It stretched its neck cautiously, surveying its surroundings. Following a brief period of vigilance, the bird exhibited its characteristic courtship display: a sudden leap into the air, accompanied by a distinct croaking or knocking call and a fluttering of the wings. This remarkable spectacle provided a memorable highlight of our field investigation.

Insights Into the Lesser Florican's Lekking Behaviour

A research conducted on two males shows that the Florican shifts the displaying territory within an arena during a breeding season and spends considerable time in each territory.

The research speculates that Agricultural activities such as weeding, pesticides applications and growth of crops (like Millet) might have influenced the short distance territory shifts.

Its primary breeding habitat are grasslands where sufficient grass cover is available during the breeding season which coincides with the monsoon. Undisturbed grasslands with mixed vegetation cover appears to be of the greatest importance in habitat selection during the breeding season of the Lesser Florican (Sankaran, 1997a).

References

Kuppusamy, Sivakumar & Mohan, A.. (2017). Ecology and migration of Lesser Florican. 10.13140/RG.2.2.24926.18248.

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