Kori Bustard vs African Houbara
Ardeotis kori compared with Chlamydotis undulata
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Kori Bustard | African Houbara |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardeotis kori | Chlamydotis undulata |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 142.0 cm (55.9 in) | 72.9 cm (28.7 in) |
| Weight | 9300.0 g (328.05 oz) | 1875.0 g (66.14 oz) |
| Diet | Africa's heaviest flying bird; feeds on insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and forbs in open savanna. … | 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
Kori Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call; powerful far-carrying bass sound audible several kilometres across open flat terrain.
African Houbara
Loud, low booming call with hollow quality; deep resonant sound carrying across open Asian semi-arid terrain.
Geographic Range & Migration
Kori Bustard
Found in open grasslands and savanna of eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. Resident.
African Houbara
Found in semi-arid grasslands and steppe of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Resident and partial migrant.
Conservation Status
Kori Bustard
African Houbara
How to Tell Them Apart
Kori Bustard
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: olive-brown above; white below; yellow bill; rufous wing patches; white-spotted dark tail; North American 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
Kori Bustard
Africa's heaviest flying bird (up to 135 cm, 11-19 kg). Found in open grasslands and savanna of eastern and southern Africa. Grey-brown plumage with a black crest. Omnivore, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and seeds. An iconic sight on the African plains.
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.