African Houbara vs Hartlaub's Bustard

Chlamydotis undulata compared with Lissotis hartlaubii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute African Houbara Hartlaub's Bustard
Scientific Name Chlamydotis undulata Lissotis hartlaubii
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length — —
Wingspan 72.9 cm (28.7 in) 65.7 cm (25.9 in)
Weight 1875.0 g (66.14 oz) 1430.0 g (50.44 oz)
Diet Omnivore of North African desert; feeds on insects, small lizards, seeds, and succulent plant material. … Omnivore of East African grasslands; feeds on insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and shoots. Beetles and …
Clutch Size 1-3 2
Population Trend — —

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

African Houbara only

Hartlaub's Bustard only

None

Song & Call Comparison

African Houbara

Song

Loud, low booming call with hollow quality; deep resonant sound carrying across open Asian semi-arid terrain.

Hartlaub's Bustard

Song

Harsh, far-carrying call with nasal quality; loud resonant notes repeated insistently from elevated open perch.

Geographic Range & Migration

African Houbara

Found in semi-arid grasslands and steppe of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Resident and partial migrant.

Hartlaub's Bustard

Found in dry grasslands of the Horn of Africa from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Resident in open savanna.

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

African Houbara

Least Concern

Hartlaub's Bustard

About These Birds

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.

Hartlaub's Bustard

A medium-sized bustard (55-60 cm) found in dry grasslands of the Horn of Africa from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Males have a black belly and inflatable throat pouch. Closely related to Black-bellied Bustard. Named after the German ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub.

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