CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES

(A) BIRDS:

5. BENGAL FLORICAN (Houbaropsis bengalensis)

Bengal Florican

Bengal Florican is a rare bustard species that is very well known for its mating dance. Among the tall grasslands, secretive males advertise their territories by springing from the ground and fl itting in the air to and fro.

CONSERVATION STATUS: Critically Endangered

HABITAT: Grasslands sometimes intersperesd with scrublands. 

DISTRIBUTION: Native to only 3 countries in the world - Cambodia, India and Nepal. In India, it occurs in 3 States namely Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

THREATS: Ongoing conversion of the bird’s grassland habitat for various purposes including agriculture is mainly responsible for its population decline.

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