Photo: Allan Drewitt / CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Arabian Bustard
Ardeotis arabs
Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.
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The Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 5.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Near Threatened.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Close to qualifying for a threatened category in the near future.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Otidiformes
- Family Otididae Bustards
- Genus Ardeotis
- Species arabs
Quick facts
- Weight
- 5.9 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Otididae
- Order
- Otidiformes
- Habitat
- Grassland & open country
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Arabian 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 Arabian Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs) belongs to the Otididae family of the order Otidiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF w, c ne.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 5.9 kg, with a wing length of about 54 cm and a tail of around 27.6 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 3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Arabian Bustard?
The Arabian Bustard is a very large bird that weighs around 5.9 kg.
Where does the Arabian Bustard live?
The Arabian Bustard is found across Africa with a range covering AF w, c ne, where it favours open grassland, scrub and lightly vegetated country.
What family does the Arabian Bustard belong to?
The Arabian Bustard (Ardeotis arabs) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.
What does the Arabian Bustard eat?
The Arabian Bustard is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Arabian Bustard migrate?
The Arabian Bustard is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Arabian 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.
What sound does the Arabian Bustard make?
1 real field recording of the Arabian Bustard — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Arabian Bustard's range?
The Arabian Bustard has a mapped global range of about 3 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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