Great Bustard - The queen of plains
The great bustard is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world, with large males weighing up to 20 kg (44 lb). Extremadura holds about 25% of the Spanish population, around 15% of the birds worldwide.
Great Bustard (Otis tarda)
Photo: Great Bustard. Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
The great bustard (Otis tarda) lives in open plains and extensive pastureland.
Spain is home to 65% of the global population of great bustards. Extremadura is the second most important region in Spain, with 25% of the Spanish population, or about 15% of the birds worldwide.
As winter comes to an end, in February, groups of males and females gather in courtship leks. These groups can number in the hundreds, mainly in March and April.
There are many places in Extremadura where you’ll find great bustards:
- Llanos de Belén, north of Trujillo
- Llanos de la Albuera, south of Badajoz
- The Campiña Sur and La Serena areas, in southeastern Extremadura
All of these places are good for birdwatching, not only for great bustards but for many other species too.