Otis tarda
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Turkey-sized heavy body, sandy-rufous back finely barred black, with a grey head and neck
Adult male grows long white whisker-like bristles at the base of the bill, longest in spring
In flight the wing is largely white with black tips, a contrast visible far across the steppe
Walks away when disturbed and takes off heavily after a run, then flies low with powerful steady beats
In spring the male turns his plumage inside out into a white ball visible for kilometres across the steppe
Almost silent, only low grunts during display
