Fauna
Bird

Houbara Bustard

Chlamydotis undulata

Also known as African Houbara, African Houbara Bustard

Houbara bustards are cryptic desert birds that blend seamlessly into sandy steppes and arid plains across North Africa and the Canary Islands. Males perform extravagant courtship displays, puffing out brilliant white neck feathers and running in circles to attract mates. High pressure from falconry and habitat degradation has reduced their numbers, making quiet, respectful distance essential when encountering them.

DesertTerrestrial
Houbara Bustard reference
(c) Carles Pastor, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyLocusts, Beetles, Lizards
Predators
  • Golden Eagle
  • Desert Fox
  • Caracal
ThreatsOverhunting, falconry harvesting, habitat loss, livestock overgrazing
HabitatsArid plains, semi-deserts, stony steppes, sandy plains
Life span15–25 years
Classification
  1. FamilyOtididae
  2. SpeciesChlamydotis undulata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a distance; very skittish and prone to disturbance.
What to notice
Identified by sandy camouflage, black side-neck stripes, and a crested white head patch.
Support conservation
Keep a wide berth, stay inside vehicles when possible, and never approach displaying males.
Responsible observation
  • Observe from Afar: Use a high-power optic or telephoto lens to view birds without causing flight.
  • Respect Nesting Ground: Stay on marked roads to avoid crushing camouflaged ground nests.
  • Minimize Disturbance: Leave immediately if a displaying male stops moving or freezes in alarm.
Related species
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