Arabian Bustard vs Black-bellied Bustard

Ardeotis arabs compared with Lissotis melanogaster

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Arabian Bustard Black-bellied Bustard
Scientific Name Ardeotis arabs Lissotis melanogaster
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 107.9 cm (42.5 in) 66.4 cm (26.1 in)
Weight 6733.333333333333 g (237.51 oz) 1552.5 g (54.76 oz)
Diet Omnivore of arid grasslands and semi-desert; takes insects, small lizards, seeds, and green shoots. Locusts … Omnivore of tall-grass savanna; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers …
Clutch Size 1-2 1-2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Arabian Bustard only

Black-bellied Bustard only

Song & Call Comparison

Arabian Bustard

Song

Deep, resonant booming call with carrying quality; powerful bass notes audible at impressive range across open savanna.

Black-bellied Bustard

Song

Loud, low booming call; deep resonant notes carrying far across open grassland in South Asian landscape.

Geographic Range & Migration

Arabian Bustard

Found in dry grasslands and semi-desert across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Resident and nomadic.

Black-bellied Bustard

Found in grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to South Africa. Resident.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Arabian Bustard

Least Concern

Black-bellied Bustard

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.

Black-bellied Bustard

A medium-sized bustard (58-65 cm) found in grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa. Males have a black belly and inflatable blue throat pouch used in dramatic courtship displays. Omnivore. One of the most widespread African bustards.

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