Who we are
Support the Great Bustard Group
The Great Bustard Group is a Registered Charity (number 1092515) and is committed to protecting and promoting the interests of the Great Bustard.
We have received significant support from the public and our supporters including our Patron HRH The Prince of Wales. We are developing a captive breeding programme to provide stock to allow restoration projects in new parts of the UK and have plans for a Visitor and Education Centre to inform and inspire future generations.
Almost all the work undertaken by the GBG is supported or carried out by volunteers.
What is the Great Bustard?
What is the Great Bustard? A natural wonder; the Great Bustard is the world’s heaviest flying bird with reliable records of individuals weighing over 20 kgs. A fully grown male stands over 1 metre tall and has a wing span of over 2 metres. The species also has the greatest sexual dimorphism of any bird – that is the difference between the size of the male and the female, with the male being up to 5 times the weight of a female.
The male bustard is famous for its perfect plumage and distinctive moustache during mating season. Its back and wings are covered with an easily identifiable deep brown colour, flecked with black, while its breast is a rich white. On the ground, the bustard is large with a stately appearance, but in the air, it flies with grace and poise that belies its size. On land or in the air, the bustard is one of Britain’s most intriguing, beautiful, and beloved bird species.