Hartlaub’s Bustard

Lissotis hartlaubii

Hartlaub's Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.

Field guide · LocationsWhere to see this bird

Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.

Regional checklists

Birds of Kenya Birds of Tanzania

See what's near you right now

The Hartlaub’s Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

LC Least Concern

Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Otidiformes
Family Otididae Bustards
Genus Lissotis
Species hartlaubii

Where it lives

Sudan and South Sudan to Somalia and Kenya

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 1.2 kg
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Otididae
Order: Otidiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Critically Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Hartlaub’s Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii) belongs to the Otididae family of the order Otidiformes. It is found across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Sudan and South Sudan to Somalia and Kenya.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 32.8 cm and a tail of around 15 cm.

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 606,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Hartlaub’s Bustard?

The Hartlaub’s Bustard is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.

Where does the Hartlaub’s Bustard live?

The Hartlaub’s Bustard is found across Africa with a range covering AF Sudan and South Sudan to Somalia and Kenya, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.

What family does the Hartlaub’s Bustard belong to?

The Hartlaub’s Bustard (Lissotis hartlaubii) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.

What does the Hartlaub’s Bustard eat?

The Hartlaub’s Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the Hartlaub’s Bustard migrate?

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

Is the Hartlaub’s Bustard endangered?

The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.

How large is the Hartlaub’s Bustard's range?

The Hartlaub’s Bustard has a mapped global range of about 606,000 km².