Ardeotis nigriceps, commonly known as the Great Indian bustard (GIB), is a species with scattered populations, facing significant threats from human activities and climate change. We used ecological niche models through an ensemble approach to understand the current and potential future distribution of the species throughout four Indian states (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan). Also, we evaluated possible range shifts to assess the species' response to climate change and to suggest conservation measures that could contribute to the survival of the GIB population. In our study, we considered current and future scenarios for 2050 and 2070 under low and high greenhouse gas emissions (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway-SSP 126 and SSP 585, respectively). Based on current climatic suitability, the GIB's potential habitat spans approximately 70,092 km(2) across arid regions of India and Pakistan. Under SSP 126 and SSP585 scenarios, habitat loss is expected to reach 8.1% and 3.2% by 2050 and 3.5% and 2.7% by 2070, respectively. However, our results indicated a projected gain of 44.1% and 50.8% by 2050 and 50.0% and 53.6% under the SSP126 and SSP585 scenarios in preferred GIB habitats by 2070, reflecting a range shift toward the West. Precipitation of the coldest quarter emerged as a critical factor influencing GIB habitat suitability. It is crucial to recognize that threats such as invasive species, hunting, nest predators, human encroachment, and most importantly, infrastructure development, continue to pose a threat to isolated GIB populations, even though our model predicts a positive trajectory of projected habitat gains.