day. Reproduction The breeding season varies with the onset of the Southwest Monsoon and is September to October in northern India and April to May in parts of southern India. During the breeding season, males leap suddenly from the grass with a peculiar croaking or knocking call, flutter their wings and fall back with slightly open wings. At the apogee of the leap the neck is arched backwards and the legs folded as if in a sitting posture. These jumps are repeated after intervals of about three or more minutes. The displays are made mainly in the early mornings and late evenings, but during other parts of the day in cloudy weather. The breeding system is said to be a dispersed lek with each male holding a territory of about 1-2 hectares. Males are said to favour particular display sites and shooting of these displaying birds has led to sharp declines in the populations in the past. Lek sites tend to have flat ground with low vegetation and good visibility and well used sites usually show signs of trampling. Females have a defensive display at nest which involves spreading their wings, tail and neck feathers. The females are said to produce a whistling call which attracts males. Males are aggressive towards other males in the neighbourhood. The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground and 3-4 (1.88 x 1.6 inches) eggs are laid. The nest location is usually in dense grass. Females take sole part in incubation and rearing the chicks. The incubation period is about 21 days. References https://news.mongabay.com/2019/04/phasephardhis-and-the-lesser-florican-commentary/ External links Photographs and videos Sounds, photographs and videos lesser florican Birds of India Birds of Pakistan lesser florican lesser florican