Arabian Bustard vs African Houbara
Ardeotis arabs compared with Chlamydotis undulata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Arabian Bustard | African Houbara |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardeotis arabs | Chlamydotis undulata |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 107.9 cm (42.5 in) | 72.9 cm (28.7 in) |
| Weight | 6733.333333333333 g (237.51 oz) | 1875.0 g (66.14 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivore of arid grasslands and semi-desert; takes insects, small lizards, seeds, and green shoots. Locusts … | Omnivore of North African desert; feeds on insects, small lizards, seeds, and succulent plant material. … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-3 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Arabian Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call with carrying quality; powerful bass notes audible at impressive range across open savanna.
African Houbara
Loud, low booming call with hollow quality; deep resonant sound carrying across open Asian semi-arid terrain.
Geographic Range & Migration
Arabian Bustard
Found in dry grasslands and semi-desert across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Resident and nomadic.
African Houbara
Found in semi-arid grasslands and steppe of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Resident and partial migrant.
Conservation Status
Arabian Bustard
African Houbara
How to Tell Them Apart
Arabian Bustard
Ash-colored Cuckoo: gray-brown above; pale gray-white below; long graduated gray tail; yellow bill; neotropical cuckoo species
African Houbara
Dark-billed Cuckoo: dark bill; dark brown above; pale buff below; graduated tail; South American relative of Black-billed Cuckoo
About These Birds
Arabian Bustard
A very large bustard (up to 90 cm, 7-15 kg) found in dry grasslands and semi-desert across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Sandy-brown plumage with a distinctive black crown. Omnivore of open arid habitats. Classified as Near Threatened due to hunting and habitat loss.
African Houbara
A medium-sized bustard (55-65 cm) found in semi-arid grasslands and steppe of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Sandy-buff plumage with intricate black markings. Omnivore. Classified as Vulnerable due to hunting and habitat loss. Known for its spectacular courtship display.