Arabian Bustard vs Little Brown Bustard

Ardeotis arabs compared with Heterotetrax humilis

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Arabian Bustard Little Brown Bustard
Scientific Name Ardeotis arabs Heterotetrax humilis
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Near Threatened
Length
Wingspan 107.9 cm (42.5 in) 46.5 cm (18.3 in)
Weight 6733.333333333333 g (237.51 oz) 700.0 g (24.69 oz)
Diet Omnivore of arid grasslands and semi-desert; takes insects, small lizards, seeds, and green shoots. Locusts … Omnivore of open grasslands, eating insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers …
Clutch Size 1-2 2-3
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

None

Arabian Bustard only

Little Brown Bustard only

Song & Call Comparison

Arabian Bustard

Song

Deep, resonant booming call with carrying quality; powerful bass notes audible at impressive range across open savanna.

Little Brown Bustard

Song

Loud, grating bark with deep resonant character; carrying calls audible across open dry Southern African plains.

Geographic Range & Migration

Arabian Bustard

Found in dry grasslands and semi-desert across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Resident and nomadic.

Little Brown Bustard

Found in the Horn of Africa from Ethiopia to Somalia. Resident in semi-arid grasslands. Near Threatened.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Arabian Bustard

Near Threatened

Little Brown Bustard

About These Birds

Arabian Bustard

A very large bustard (up to 90 cm, 7-15 kg) found in dry grasslands and semi-desert across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Sandy-brown plumage with a distinctive black crown. Omnivore of open arid habitats. Classified as Near Threatened due to hunting and habitat loss.

Little Brown Bustard

A small bustard (42-48 cm) found in the Horn of Africa, from Ethiopia to Somalia. Sandy-brown plumage. Omnivore of semi-arid grasslands. The smallest African bustard. Poorly studied due to its remote habitat. Classified as Near Threatened.

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