Houbara Bustard 

About Houbara Bustard 

• It is a large terrestrial bird.
• Scientific name: It is split into two distinct species as recognized by the IUCN:
  • one residing in North Africa (Chlamydotis undulata) and
  • the other residing in Asia (Chlamydotis macqueenii).
• Habitat: It lives in vast plains and semi-arid regions in pebbly, sandy deserts with scattered vegetation cover.
• Distribution: It is found in parts of Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
• Characteristics:
  • Appearance: It is a medium-to-large-sized bustard.
    • Its overall plumage is pale sandy-brown, which helps it blend into dry habitats.
    • It has a white neck with a distinct vertical black stripe, which is most prominent in adult males.
    • Females are slightly smaller and slimmer than males.
    • It closely resembles the African Houbara, but the two species are mainly distinguished by their geographic range.
    • During the breeding season, the male performs a unique courtship display by dancing in long, straight lines across open hills.
    • It breeds in dry steppes and semi-desert regions with scattered shrubs.
    • Its eastern populations are migratory and move seasonally.
  • Diet: It is omnivorous taking seeds, insects and other small creatures.
  • Behaviour: It is normally silent and rarely makes vocal sounds.
• Threat: The main reasons for the decline in the species are:
  • Poaching,
  • Unregulated hunting and the
  • Degradation of its natural habitat.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN: It is classified as Vulnerable.
  • CITES: It is listed in Appendix I under CITES.
  • CMS: It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
    •  It will be also included in the forthcoming Central Asian Red Data Book.