great bustard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical / Scientific (Ornithology)
Quick answer
What does “great bustard” mean?
A large, heavy bird of the bustard family, *Otis tarda*, found in open grasslands and farmland.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A large, heavy bird of the bustard family, *Otis tarda*, found in open grasslands and farmland.
The term is used almost exclusively as the name for this specific bird species. It is the heaviest flying bird native to Europe.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The bird's common name is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
None beyond the ornithological referent. It may evoke conservation efforts in the UK, where it is a rare reintroduced species.
Frequency
Slightly more likely to be encountered in British media due to specific conservation projects, but remains a very low-frequency term in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “great bustard” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] great bustard [VERB].A great bustard of [NOUN].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in biological and ecological texts discussing bird species, habitats, and conservation.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation unless specifically discussing rare birds.
Technical
The standard common name for the species in ornithology, field guides, and conservation literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “great bustard”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “great bustard”
- Misspelling as 'great busterd' or 'great bustard' (incorrect capitalisation).
- Using 'great' as an intensifier instead of part of the fixed name (e.g., 'a very great bustard').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not closely related. It belongs to the family Otididae (bustards), which is distinct from galliform birds like turkeys.
Yes, despite its large size and weight, it is a powerful, if reluctant, flier.
They are found in parts of Europe (e.g., Spain, Hungary) and Asia. In the UK, a small reintroduced population exists on Salisbury Plain.
The 'great' distinguishes it as the largest species within the bustard family.
A large, heavy bird of the bustard family, *Otis tarda*, found in open grasslands and farmland.
Great bustard is usually technical / scientific (ornithology) in register.
Great bustard: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈbʌstəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪt ˈbʌstɚd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GREAT big bird that BUSTs through the grass. It's a BUSTARD.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'great bustard'?