Fun Facts About Bird The Great Bustard Diet: Great Bustard Eat Poison to Attract Mate

Fun Facts About Bird

The great bustard, the heaviest flying bird in the world, is found in parts of Europe and Asia.
Its diet includes poisonous blister beetles, which produce a toxin called cantharidin.
To avoid fatal poisoning, the birds limit their intake to two or three beetles at a time.
Scientists have long known that the bustard eats blister beetles to rid itself of intestinal parasites like tapeworms.
Recent research shows that male bustards eat more and larger beetles than females.
The more poison the males ingest, the more attractive they become to potential mates.
During mating rituals, male great bustards gather on a lek and display bright white feathers on their chest and rump by twisting and turning their bodies.
Scientists observed that females focus more on the feathers around the rump during these displays.
Clean white feathers around the anal opening signal to the female that the male is free of parasites.
Researchers believe this inspection checks for intestinal worms and diarrhea.
The female great bustard is one of only three bird species known to perform this kind of clinical inspection.

In the fascinating world of the great bustard (Otis tarda), an unusual phenomenon occurs: male great bustards become more attractive to potential mates by ingesting small amounts of toxic plants. Here’s how and why this strange behavior benefits them

1. Diet and Self-Medication

Male great bustards have been observed eating certain toxic plants, such as blister beetles, which contain chemicals like cantharidin. These plants and insects are mildly poisonous and can cause illness if consumed in large quantities. However, male bustards consume them in small doses, using these toxins as a form of “self-medication” to rid their bodies of internal parasites, such as intestinal worms.

2. Health Signal to Females

By eating these toxins, male bustards are able to reduce their parasite loads and stay healthier overall. In the mating season, a male bustard’s health and physical appearance are important indicators of his suitability as a mate. Healthier males appear stronger, more vigorous, and have brighter plumage, all of which make them more attractive to females. Thus, by ingesting toxic plants and staying parasite-free, males signal their good health and resilience to potential mates.

3. Toxins as a Sexual Signal

This behavior functions similarly to a sexual signal, where males advertise their quality through behaviors that only the healthiest, strongest individuals can perform. Consuming these toxins without succumbing to illness demonstrates that a male has the strength and genetic fitness to handle the risk of toxicity, a quality that females find appealing.

4. Natural Selection and Mate Choice

In the context of natural selection, female bustards tend to choose mates based on indicators of health and genetic fitness to ensure the best chance of survival for their offspring. Thus, males who can handle toxins while appearing healthy and parasite-free are often selected by females over other males, giving them a reproductive advantage.

5. Risk of Over-Consumption

While beneficial in small doses, ingesting too many toxins could harm or even kill a bustard. This delicate balance shows the trade-off the males navigate: ingest enough toxin to control parasites and signal health, but not so much that it becomes dangerous. The behavior has evolved as an adaptive trait, allowing males to strike this balance to attract mates without serious harm.

In summary, male great bustards enhance their attractiveness to potential mates by consuming small doses of toxic plants to maintain good health and signal their genetic fitness. This unique courtship strategy is a powerful example of how animals use their environment to boost their appeal, demonstrating resilience and health that make them more appealing to females.

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