Houbara Bustard

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

Houbara Bustard
Conservation status
Vulnerable (VU)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Otidae Genus: Chlamydotis Species: C. undulata
Binomial name
Chlamydotis undulata (Jacquin, 1784)

The Houbara Bustard, Chlamydotis undulata, is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in the Canary Islands and north Africa. The Asian former subspecies has now been split as a separate species, Macqueen's Bustard, Chlamydotis macqueenii. These are the only members of the Chlamydotis genus.

The dividing line between the two species is the Sinai peninsula. Houbara Bustard is largely resident in its range.

This species breeds in deserts and other very arid sandy areas.

Houbara Bustard is 60 cm long with an 140 cm wingspan. It is brown above and white below, with a black stripe down the sides of its neck. In flight, the long wings show large areas of black and brown on the flight feathers. Houbara is slightly smaller and darker than Macqueen's.

Sexes are similar, but the female is smaller and greyer above. It is vocally almost silent.

Like other bustards, this has a flamboyant display raising the white feathers of the head and throat and withdrawing the head. 2-4 eggs are laid on the ground.

This species is omnivorous taking seeds, insects and other small creatures.

[edit] References and links

• Taxonomic recommendations for British birds (PDF format).