Asian Houbara vs White-bellied Bustard

Chlamydotis macqueenii compared with Eupodotis senegalensis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Asian Houbara White-bellied Bustard
Scientific Name Chlamydotis macqueenii Eupodotis senegalensis
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Vulnerable Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 76.7 cm (30.2 in) 54.1 cm (21.3 in)
Weight 2068.75 g (72.97 oz) 934.0 g (32.95 oz)
Diet Omnivore of Asian steppe and desert; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles … Omnivore of African savanna; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers …
Clutch Size 2-6 1-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Asian Houbara only

White-bellied Bustard only

Song & Call Comparison

Asian Houbara

Song

Deep, resonant booming call with carrying quality; powerful bass notes audible at considerable range across plains.

White-bellied Bustard

Song

Loud, low booming call; resonant bass notes carrying across open grassland habitat with remarkable power.

Geographic Range & Migration

Asian Houbara

Found in arid steppes from the Middle East through Central Asia to western China. Long-distance migrant.

White-bellied Bustard

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

Conservation Status

Vulnerable

Asian Houbara

Least Concern

White-bellied Bustard

About These Birds

Asian Houbara

A medium-sized bustard (55-65 cm) found in arid steppes from the Middle East to Central Asia. Sandy-buff plumage with fine dark markings. Omnivore. Long-distance migrant. Classified as Vulnerable due to hunting, powerline collisions, and habitat loss across its vast Asian range.

White-bellied Bustard

A medium-sized bustard (52-60 cm) found in savanna grasslands across sub-Saharan Africa. Sandy-brown plumage with a white belly. Males have a distinctive black-and-white head pattern during breeding. Omnivore. One of the most widespread African bustards.

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