Lesser Floricans give MP a miss due to truant monsoon

With the monsoon rains playing truant, leading to absence of tall grasslands, the 'Lesser Florican' birds have suspended their annual visit to Madhya Pradesh's Sardarpur sanctuary.
These birds, a highly endangered species, usually arrive at the sanctuary developed at Sardarpur in Dhar district by July-end every year for breeding and stay on for about four months, Dhar's divisional Forest Officer Gaurav Choudhary said.
However, this year, the birds have not been spotted so far, he said.
"The tall grasslands have not been able to develop at the Sardarpur sanctuary owing to a delayed monsoon coupled with less rains. This is being regarded as the main reason for no Lesser Florican being spotted there," he said.

The forest department is making efforts towards facilitating a conducive environment for these birds of the bustard family, the DFO said.
According to a wildlife expert, the Lesser Floricans are among the group of birds who choose grasslands for breeding. These birds shy away from human beings and try to hide upon seeing a person in its vicinity, but watching the activities of these feathered creatures is a wonderful experience.
The Lesser Florican is characterised by its long slender neck. The male bird has a contrasting black and white breeding plumage and distinctive elongated head feathers that extend behind the neck. It tries to attract the female bird by its jumping activities several times in a day, the expert said.

These birds are best known for the leaping breeding displays made by the males during the monsoon season.