Little Brown Bustard

Heterotetrax humilis

Little Brown Bustard (Heterotetrax humilis) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.

The Little Brown Bustard (Heterotetrax humilis) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 698 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

NT Near Threatened

Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Otidiformes
Family Otididae Bustards
Genus Heterotetrax
Species humilis

Where it lives

Eastern Ethiopia and northern, central Somalia

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 698 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Otididae
Order: Otidiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Near Threatened

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Little Brown Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of open grassland, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Little Brown Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Little Brown Bustard (Heterotetrax humilis) is a species of bird in the Otididae family, part of the order Otidiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF e Ethiopia and n, c Somalia.

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 698 g, with a wing length of about 23.2 cm and a tail of around 10.8 cm.

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened. That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 447,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Little Brown Bustard?

The Little Brown Bustard is a large bird that weighs around 698 g.

Where does the Little Brown Bustard live?

The Little Brown Bustard is found across Africa with a range covering AF e Ethiopia and n, c Somalia, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Little Brown Bustard belong to?

The Little Brown Bustard (Heterotetrax humilis) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.

What does the Little Brown Bustard eat?

The Little Brown Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Little Brown Bustard migrate?

The Little Brown Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Little Brown Bustard endangered?

The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened That means it is close to qualifying as threatened and is worth keeping a careful eye on.

How large is the Little Brown Bustard's range?

The Little Brown Bustard has a mapped global range of about 447,000 km².