Why this rare bird performs acrobatic leaps to attract a mate in the monsoon

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The lesser florican is a master of the monsoon, known for the dramatic, leaping courtship displays of its males. Once widespread across the Indian Subcontinent, this small bustard is now highly endangered. Its unique behavior makes it a spectacle, but that same visibility has historically made it an easy target.

The lesser florican, or Sypheotides indicus, is the smallest member of the bustard family. It is a monotypic species, meaning it has no recognized subspecies. Males are particularly striking during the breeding season, sporting a black head and neck with a contrasting white throat and distinctive, ribbon-like feathers that curve behind their ears. In contrast, females are slightly larger and display a buff-colored plumage with black streaks, a pattern that both sexes share outside of the breeding period.

The species is famous for its dispersed lek breeding system. During the monsoon, males claim small territories of one to two hectares, where they perform repetitive, acrobatic jumps. At the peak of these leaps, the male arches his neck backward and folds his legs as if sitting, accompanied by a croaking call. These displays are most frequent in the early morning or late evening, though cloudy weather can trigger activity throughout the day. Females, who handle all incubation and chick-rearing duties, are attracted to these sites and may signal their presence with a whistling call.

Today, the lesser florican is restricted to fragmented pockets of grassland in India and parts of southern Nepal. Their survival is threatened by habitat degradation and historical hunting, as their predictable display sites made them vulnerable to local hunters. While they were once common enough to be pursued by British sportsmen, their populations have plummeted. Conservation efforts now focus on managing grasslands with rotational grazing and maintaining a mix of croplands to provide the specific, low-vegetation environments these birds require to thrive.

Despite their rarity, the birds remain fascinating for their diet and movement patterns. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming everything from insects like locusts and flying ants to small vertebrates such as lizards and frogs. Their presence in any given area can be erratic, as they move in response to rainfall. Understanding these movements is crucial, as the species has already been extirpated from parts of its former range, including Pakistan.

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