great bustard

The great bustard (Otis tarda) was once widespread across much of Britain including the Brecklands of East Anglia, but overhunting led to its extinction in this country during the late 1830s. One of the heaviest flying birds, male specimens reaching around 18kg. They can grow to around 105cm (3 feet 5 inches) tall and have a 2.5 metre wingspan. The females are up to 50 per cent smaller than their male counterparts. This female specimen is thought to have been trapped at Cavenham Heath, Suffolk in 1820 and prepared by the ‘Animal Preserver’ B.Corbett of 63 Piccadilly, London. It was acquired by Mr Johnson for £46 during a sale of Sir Thomas Thornhill’s collection at Riddlesworth Hall. This fine example was a donation from Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the founder of Ancient House Museum and son of the last Maharajah of the Punjab.