African Houbara vs Savile's Bustard
Chlamydotis undulata compared with Lophotis savilei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | African Houbara | Savile's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chlamydotis undulata | Lophotis savilei |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Vulnerable | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 72.9 cm (28.7 in) | 48.9 cm (19.3 in) |
| Weight | 1875.0 g (66.14 oz) | 712.1 g (25.12 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivore of North African desert; feeds on insects, small lizards, seeds, and succulent plant material. … | Omnivore of open grasslands, eating insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers … |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
African Houbara
Loud, low booming call with hollow quality; deep resonant sound carrying across open Asian semi-arid terrain.
Savile's Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep resonant sound carrying well across open semi-arid African grassland habitat.
Geographic Range & Migration
African Houbara
Found in semi-arid grasslands and steppe of North Africa from Morocco to Egypt. Resident and partial migrant.
Savile's Bustard
Found in arid savanna of the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia. Resident in dry woodland and grassland.
Conservation Status
African Houbara
Savile'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.
Savile's Bustard
A small bustard (45-55 cm) found in arid savanna of the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia. Sandy-buff plumage with a short black-and-white crest. Omnivore. Males inflate their throat pouches during display. Named after the British ornithologist Alfred Savile.