Heuglin’s Bustard

Neotis heuglinii

Heuglin's Bustard (Neotis heuglinii) — Unusual & Unique Birds of Africa.

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The Heuglin’s Bustard (Neotis heuglinii) is a member of the Otididae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 4.1 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 Neotis
Species heuglinii

Where it lives

Eritrea to Somalia and northern Kenya

Africa

Quick facts

Weight: 4.1 kg
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Otididae
Order: Otidiformes
Habitat: Grassland & open country

How to identify

Similar birds

Endangered

Biology & behaviour

Diet

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

The Heuglin’s Bustard (Neotis heuglinii) is a member of the Otididae family, within the order Otidiformes. It occurs naturally across Africa. Its distribution covers AF Eritrea to Somalia and n Kenya.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 4.1 kg, with a wing length of about 45.9 cm and a tail of around 20.5 cm.

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

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 989,000 km².

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Heuglin’s Bustard?

The Heuglin’s Bustard is a very large bird that weighs around 4.1 kg.

Where does the Heuglin’s Bustard live?

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

What family does the Heuglin’s Bustard belong to?

The Heuglin’s Bustard (Neotis heuglinii) belongs to the Otididae family, in the order Otidiformes.

What does the Heuglin’s Bustard eat?

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

Does the Heuglin’s Bustard migrate?

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

Is the Heuglin’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 Heuglin’s Bustard's range?

The Heuglin’s Bustard has a mapped global range of about 989,000 km².