Hawk Conservancy Trust red kite logo
The Hawk Conservancy Trust
Charity No: 1092349 - Company No: 4304161
Sarson Lane, Weyhill, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 8DY, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1264 773850.   Fax: +44 (0) 1264 773772.   Email info@hawkconservancy.org
The Trust
Conservation
Education
Rehabilitation
Research

Great Bustard Aviary

The Hawk Conservancy Trust has joined forces with the Great Bustard Group in an effort to promote the Great Bustard, the world’s heaviest flying bird, and the project to reintroduce the species back into the UK.

The aviary was officially opened in April 2009 by Hawk Conservancy Trustee and zoologist, Chris Packham. It is the only public Great Bustard aviary in the UK and an estimated 50,000 visitors a year are expected to see it.

JavaScript is needed to display this video
Chris Packham introduces the Bustards
This is a large video - please pause playing until it is fully loaded

The aviary houses two male Great Bustards – Jean-Claude and Fergus.

Jean-Claude, was given to the Great Bustard Group by Belgian authorities after a large illegal bird collection was discovered and confiscated. A genetic study revealed him to have Spanish origins and it is believed he is 20 years old and has always lived in captivity.

Fergus was reared in Russia in 2004, but before he could be released into the wild in the UK, as part of the project to re-introduce the species back onto Salisbury Plain, he suffered a bad injury to his shoulder, which prevents his wing fully opening. Neither of these birds are able to exist in the wild in the UK.

This is the first time the Great Bustard Group has been able to display captive birds to the public, and gives the project a new and much needed public window. David Waters, Director of the Great Bustard Group, said ‘by building this aviary we are aiming to increase people’s awareness of the species and of our work to reintroduce the Bustards onto Salisbury Plain. Education is a significant part of our project and the aviary will facilitate this.’

Ashley Smith, Chief Executive of the Hawk Conservancy Trust, said ‘We are pleased to be working with the Great Bustard Group and helping to support this worthwhile project by providing the visitor centre hosting that will enable people to experience a unique encounter with a Great Bustard!’

Chris Packham cuts the ribbon Chris Packham & Fergus Great Bustard Fergus Great Bustard Fergus
Chris Packham opens the aviary and poses with Fergus
The Bustards (photo on right by Thea Love)

The Hawk Conservancy Trust would like to thank Veronica and Michael Gibbes for their generous contribution to the costs of building the aviary.