The Great Bustard is the heaviest flying bird species in Europe. The hen has a weight of 4 to 6 kg, while the weight of old cocks can reach even 16 kilograms. The male’s breast, the lower parts of its neck’s side, and the small coverts are rusty, while the head and the upper parts of the neck are bluish-grey. From the gape long, bristle-like moustache stretches backwards. On its crop a rusty belt runs through while the lower parts of the body are white.

When displaying the cock „turns out” its feathers, so it looks like a huge white ball.

The hen has smaller body and its colours seem to be paler. There is no belt on its crop, and no moustache feathers either. The Bustard has long, massive legs, with only three fingers, which is in relation with the walking and running life-style.