CR

Ardeotis nigriceps

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Great Indian Bustard faces catastrophic population decline primarily due to collision mortality with power lines, which kills an estimated 15% of the population annually. Habitat conversion of grasslands to agriculture and renewable energy infrastructure has fragmented remaining populations across just four states in India. Hunting pressure and disturbance from increased human activity in remaining habitat patches continue to impact breeding success and survival rates.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits open grasslands, semi-arid scrublands, and thorny scrub areas across the Indian subcontinent, particularly favoring short grass plains with scattered thorny bushes. Requires large territories of undisturbed grassland ecosystem for foraging and successful breeding.

Shrubland· majorGrassland· majorDesert· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSite/area managementHabitat & natural process restorationSpecies managementSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservationAwareness & communicationsLegislationCompliance and enforcementLinked enterprises & livelihood alternatives

Other threatened species in OTIDIDAE

VU

Nubian Bustard

Neotis nuba

Declining
Bengal FloricanCR

Bengal Florican

Houbaropsis bengalensis

Declining
LikhCR

Likh

Sypheotides indicus

Declining
Chlamydotis undulataVU

Chlamydotis undulata

Declining

Threatened in India

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
EN

Khaire's Black Shieldtail

Melanophidium khairei

Unknown
VU

Actinopyga miliaris

Declining
EN

Madura Earth Snake

Uropeltis madurensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Ardeotis nigriceps classified as Critically Endangered?
Ardeotis nigriceps is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The Great Indian Bustard faces catastrophic population decline primarily due to collision mortality with power lines, which kills an estimated 15% of the population annually. Habitat conversion of grasslands to agriculture and renewable energy infrastructure has fragmented remaining populations across just four states in India. Hunting pressure and disturbance from increased human activity in remaining habitat patches continue to impact breeding success and survival rates.
Where does Ardeotis nigriceps live?
Ardeotis nigriceps occurs in India, and Pakistan. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ardeotis nigriceps?
The main threats to Ardeotis nigriceps are 2.1, 2.3, 3.2, and 3.3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.