Fun Lesser Florican Facts For Kids

There are a total of 25 species of bustards that originated in Africa. Two subspecies of smaller bustard have been classified as floricans namely the Bengal florican (Houbarobsis bengalensis) and the lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus). This article will look at some fun and interesting facts about the lesser florican. The lesser florican is an endangered migratory species.

The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) population has been impacted greatly due to loss of habitat as well as appropriate adequate grasslands to forage on. They were represented on the Indian postage stamp and likewise, various other species of animals have been showcased on stamps. Animals showcased are usually a symbol of national heritage. This was a way of popularizing the usage of stamps in the earlier times among people and also informing them about animal species. Bears and beavers were among the first to appear on a postage stamp. Although stamps are not utilized much now they are collected by stamp collectors worldwide from communities to discuss and learn more from stamps. You can also learn more about this bird if you continue reading!

If you find this article interesting then don't forget to check out our Swallow-Tailed kite and Pelican articles as well.  

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What type of animal is a Lesser Florican?

The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) is a type of bustard species of birds animal and belongs to the kingdom Animalia

What class of animal does a Lesser Florican belong to?

The lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) is a type of bird species that belongs to the Aves class of species family Otididae and genus Sypheotides. The lesser florican is the only member of its genus.  

How many Lesser Floricans are there in the world?

Global populations of these birds are estimated at 1000 birds as of data collected in 2017 and they are classified as an Endangered species by the IUCN red list. Their populations are predicted to decline further as the years pass due to habitat degradation and hunting.

Where does a Lesser Florican live?

The Lesser florican lives primarily in grassland habitat and open crop fields located in India. They are seen in states including Madhya Pradesh, Nepal, Gujrat, Rajasthan, and Andra Pradesh. They move to more dense vegetative regions during breedings season.

What is a Lesser Florican's habitat?

The Lesser florican habitats are in grasslands, wetlands, and open fields including that of lentils and cotton fields as well. Such species feed on insects as well as other plant-based matter which they find in the grasslands.

Who do Lesser Floricans live with?

Lesser floricans are largely solitary birds and live by themselves and only come together when they are migrating or when they mate utilizing courtship display/ breeding display. They also don't travel too far away from their ringing sites.

How long does a Lesser Florican live?

These species have been recorded to live an average lifespan of 12-13 years of age. Their lifespan depends on various factors like their diet and their environment.

How do they reproduce?

Breeding season begins during the monsoon season from September to October in parts of Northern India and April to May in parts of Southern India. The Lesser florican leap display is a part of the breeding display made in the early morning or late evening time wherein they make a peculiar rocking sound, flutter their wings in breeding plumage, and fall slightly backward. These jumps are repeated in intervals. Males have seasonal plumage change. Males hold a territory of about one to two hectares.  

Females showcase a defensive display at the nest involving the spreading of wings, neck, and tail feathers and produce a whistling call to attract males. Mating of the lesser florican occurs sexually. The female then gives birth to three to four eggs in breeding areas and is taken care of solely by their mother. The juveniles have an incubation period of 21 days and gradually develop wings and feathers.

What is their conservation status?

As per the IUCN red list, the lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus) species of birds are classified as Endangered species. IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

What do Lesser Floricans look like?

Lesser floricans are often confused with certain species of ducks however they are different. They have a horizontal body carriage and are largely seen in the grasslands. They are called grass peacocks (Khar-mor) in some areas. Males have black head feathers, neck feathers, and lower parts. Their back has V shaped details mottled in white. Their throat is white as well as the wing coverts. Their ear coverts are located slightly below their eyes. Females tend to be slightly larger than male species. They have pale yellow legs and yellow iris.

How cute are they?

These birds of the world are rare to be seen and aesthetic to look at. You wouldn't call them cute at first however the juveniles are, although they are seldom seen out in the open.

How do they communicate?

They have various means of communication both via songs and calls. They also make use of body language through elaborate displays during mating season. Their display sites are largely in grassland habitats.

How big is a Lesser Florican?

The Lesser florican is 26-27 in (66-68 cm) in length which is 50 times bigger compared to the smallest bird in the world the bee hummingbird which is 2.4 in (6.1 cm) tall.

How fast can a Lesser Florican fly?

The Lesser florican flies at relatively good speeds and flies faster than other species of bustards. These species related to bustards give a duck-like impression while in flight. Lesser florican jumping is commonly seen and can cross heights of 1.5-2 m through jumping.

How much does a Lesser Florican weigh?

Males lesser floricans weighs 2.6-3.3 lb (1.2-1.5 kg) and females weigh 3.7-4.2 lb (1.7-1.9 kg). This is primarily due to sexual dimorphism.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The lesser florican female and male are not addressed differently however there exist differences between the two namely females tend to be slightly larger than male species and they also differ in reproductive functions.

What would you call a baby Lesser Florican?

A baby lesser florican can be referred to as a chick or a nestling in the initial few weeks. They are completely dependent on their mother in the initial few weeks and have a U-shaped mark on their neck near the throat.

What do they eat?

The lesser florican feeds on small lizards and snakes, centipedes, caterpillars, and worms. They also consume plant-based food such as berries, seeds, and herbs. The Bengal floricans tend to eat grasses. Conversely, the rock eagle-owl is a predator to these species. It is considered good for eating for humans as well however their meat is considered to be inferior to the meat of the Bengal falcon.

Are they poisonous?

No, they are not poisonous however they are territorial beings and don't appreciate large numbers of visitors. Their instant response to any form of danger is their flight instinct. It's best to maintain a safe distance from them while observing them.

Would they make a good pet?

No, they are innately wild birds and their production level is optimum in their natural habitat which is in the wild. Their population is decreasing hence it's best to visit them in sanctuaries or regions where they are native.

Did you know...

Common names of these bird species are called 'Likh' or 'Kharmore'. They are mostly seen in the Indian subcontinent however, they are also seen in regions of Pakistan, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

There is an online website called the Merlin app or the bird website which assists you in identifying bird species by just referring to the search button on the menu. You just need to answer few questions in order to access more information related to the bird species you spotted. You can visit the bird website to find a map that will help you better in locating these species. The app provided a clear map of where they are present largely in which regions. Using the map is an efficient way of finding these species as well as other species of birds.

Are Lesser Floricans endangered?

Lesser floricans are classified as endangered species primarily due to habitat degradation, loss of adequate grassland, hunting, and other illegal practices. They are protected under the wildlife protection Act 1972, however, their populations have continued to deteriorate substantially.

How did Lesser Floricans get their name?

They get the name lesser for being small in size. The word florcians means a small bustard family bird. Florican refers to the two species of birds in the family namely the Bengal florican (Houbarobsis bengalensis) and the lesser florican (Sypheotides Indicus). If you too wish to see these species of you could visit regions native to these species and view them in real-time.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our western bluebird facts and Hyacinth macaw interesting facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Lesser florican coloring pages.

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