Arabian Bustard vs Heuglin's Bustard

Ardeotis arabs compared with Neotis heuglinii

Side-by-Side Comparison

Attribute Arabian Bustard Heuglin's Bustard
Scientific Name Ardeotis arabs Neotis heuglinii
Order Otidiformes Otidiformes
Family Otididae Otididae
Conservation Status Near Threatened Least Concern
Length
Wingspan 107.9 cm (42.5 in) 91.7 cm (36.1 in)
Weight 6733.333333333333 g (237.51 oz) 4400.0 g (155.21 oz)
Diet Omnivore of arid grasslands and semi-desert; takes insects, small lizards, seeds, and green shoots. Locusts … Omnivore of East African open grasslands; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and shoots. Beetles and …
Clutch Size 1-2 2
Population Trend

Habitat Comparison

Shared Habitats

Arabian Bustard only

None

Heuglin's 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.

Heuglin's Bustard

Song

Loud, rough barking call with guttural quality; deep resonant notes carrying well across open arid terrain.

Geographic Range & Migration

Arabian Bustard

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

Heuglin's Bustard

Found in semi-arid grasslands of the Horn of Africa from Djibouti to northern Kenya. Resident.

Conservation Status

Near Threatened

Arabian Bustard

Least Concern

Heuglin's 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.

Heuglin's Bustard

A large bustard (70-85 cm) found in semi-arid grasslands of the Horn of Africa and adjacent regions. Sandy-brown plumage. Omnivore. Named after the German explorer Theodor von Heuglin. Found in Somalia, Ethiopia, and northern Kenya.

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