Population
Estimated population is 250 - 999 (2010) and decreasing.
Status CR
Extensive loss and modification of grasslands through drainage, conversion to agriculture and plantations, overgrazing, inappropriate cutting, burning and ploughing regimes, heavy flooding, invasion of alien species, scrub expansion, dam construction and inappropriate and illegal development, hunting are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
Croaks and strange, deep humming during display. Sometimes shrill metallic 'chik-chik-chik' when disturbed.
Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) [XC881503]
by Frank Lambert from Manas National Park, Assam, India (flight call)
Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) [XC156994]
by Frank Lambert from Prolay, Kouk Thlok Kraom, Cambodia (flight call)
Subspecies
Genus sometimes merged with Eupodotis, but differs notably from all other bustards except Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) in showing reversed sexual size dimorphism.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
bengalensis (Gmelin, 1789) - Patchily along border of southern Nepal with India, and into lowland north-eastern India.
Similar Species
Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) which is smaller and longer-necked. Male has spatulate-tipped head plumes, white collar across upper mantle and white wing-coverts. Female has more prominent pale wing-coverts.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet