GRUIFORMES: Otididae

Ardeotis australis  

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)
click photo for larger image
© Kay Parkin 2014
Mirani, QLD (Mar, 2014)

Driving along the Mackay to Eungella Highway I was pleasantly surprised to see a pair of bustards casually crossing the road! They wandered into a cane field seemingly unphased by me leaping out of my car with camera in hand.

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

The winner takes all

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Look at me, Look at me

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

The fight

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

The deflated loser

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

I am the greatest

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

Australian Bustard

Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis)

A Bevy of Bustards