White-bellied Bustard vs Great Bustard

Eupodotis senegalensis compared with Otis tarda

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute White-bellied Bustard Great Bustard
Scientific Name Eupodotis senegalensis Otis tarda
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Least Concern Endangered
Length
Wingspan 54.1 cm (21.3 in) 110.2 cm (43.4 in)
Weight 934.0 g (32.95 oz) 8100.0 g (285.72 oz)
Diet Omnivore of African savanna; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers … Omnivore of open steppes; eats insects, small vertebrates, green shoots, and seeds. Beetles, grasshoppers, and …
Clutch Size 1-3 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

White-bellied Bustard only

Great Bustard only

None

Song & Call Comparison

White-bellied Bustard

Song

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

Great Bustard

Song

Deep, resonant booming call; powerful bass notes audible at great distance across open semi-arid plains.

Geographic Range & Migration

White-bellied Bustard

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

Great Bustard

Found in open grasslands and steppes across Eurasia from Iberia to China. Partial migrant. Classified as Vulnerable.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

White-bellied Bustard

Endangered

Great Bustard

About These Birds

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.

Great Bustard

The heaviest flying bird in Europe (7-18 kg, up to 105 cm) with a massive grey-brown body and white underparts. Males have prominent whisker-like feathers. Found in open grasslands and steppes across Eurasia. Omnivore. Long-distance migrant. Classified as Vulnerable due to habitat loss.

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