Photo: Jimfbleak / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
African Houbara
Chlamydotis undulata
African Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
Found on 1 guide in our atlas — open it for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The African Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Otidiformes
- Family Otididae Bustards
- Genus Chlamydotis
- Species undulata
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.5 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Otididae
- Order
- Otidiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The African Houbara is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of arid, desert country, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The African Houbara is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The African Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata) is a member of the Otididae family, within the order Otidiformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF n.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.5 kg, with a wing length of about 36.4 cm and a tail of around 22.2 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.4 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the African Houbara?
The African Houbara is a very large bird that weighs around 1.5 kg.
Where does the African Houbara live?
The African Houbara is found across Africa with a range covering AF n, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the African Houbara belong to?
The African Houbara (Chlamydotis undulata) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.
What does the African Houbara eat?
The African Houbara is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the African Houbara migrate?
The African Houbara is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the African Houbara endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the African Houbara make?
1 real field recording of the African Houbara — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the African Houbara's range?
The African Houbara has a mapped global range of about 3.4 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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