Introduction
The African Houbara, Chlamydotis undulata, is a medium-sized bustard of the family Otididae. It is native to the arid and semi-arid landscapes of North Africa, where it inhabits open plains, steppes, stony deserts and sparsely vegetated sandy areas. The species is resident or locally nomadic across most of its range, rather than a long-distance migrant like the closely related Asian Houbara.
Physical Description
The African Houbara has a long neck, long legs and a compact, powerful body adapted to walking across open terrain. Adults are generally about 55 to 75 centimetres long, with a broad wingspan of approximately 135 to 170 centimetres. Exact measurements vary between sexes and geographical populations.
The upperparts are sandy brown, grey-brown and finely mottled, providing effective camouflage among stones, dry grasses and desert shrubs. The underparts are mainly pale, with darker markings on the breast and sides. In breeding males, elongated feathers on the head, neck and upper breast can be raised during courtship to create a conspicuous ruff. Females are smaller and generally duller, with less-developed ornamental feathers. Juveniles resemble females but are usually more heavily marked and lack the full display plumage of adult males.
Range and Habitat
The African Houbara occurs across North Africa, including Morocco, Western Sahara, northern Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt west of the Nile. A separate subspecies occurs in the eastern Canary Islands, where it is confined mainly to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and nearby islands.
It favours open, dry country with sparse vegetation, including desert margins, semi-desert plains, steppes, sandy hammadas, stony wadis and areas of low shrub or halophytic vegetation. It is generally associated with low and middle elevations, although local altitude varies with terrain and regional conditions.
Most North African populations are considered resident or locally nomadic. Birds may move in response to rainfall, food availability and seasonal conditions, but the species does not undertake the regular long-distance migrations associated with the Asian Houbara.
Where to See This Species
Sightings are difficult because the African Houbara is wary, well camouflaged and often prefers to run rather than fly. Observation should be carried out from a distance, particularly during the breeding season, and local access and wildlife regulations should always be followed.
Jebil National Park, Kébili Governorate, Tunisia
Jebil National Park protects extensive Saharan steppe and dune habitats where the African Houbara has been recorded and has bred. The species is rare in Tunisia, so sightings are not guaranteed, but the park is one of the recognised protected areas in the country where it can be sought. Early morning and late afternoon are the most suitable periods for scanning open ground.
Nearby accommodation: Douz and Kebili are the nearest practical gateway towns, offering hotels, guest houses, desert camps and other visitor accommodation.
Sidi Toui National Park, Médenine Governorate, Tunisia
African Houbara has been confirmed in Sidi Toui National Park, a protected area of southern Tunisia containing arid plains and desert-edge habitats. The bird is local and uncommon, so visits are best planned with local conservation authorities or experienced naturalists familiar with recent records.
Nearby accommodation: Ben Gardane and the wider Médenine region provide the most practical base, with hotels, guest houses and small-scale self-catering accommodation.
Souss-Massa National Park, Souss-Massa Region, Morocco
The African Houbara has been recorded in the arid and semi-desert habitats of the Souss-Massa region, and the park is associated with protection and management of North African houbara populations. Open steppes and sparsely vegetated areas away from the main wetland birding sites offer the most appropriate habitat, although the species is secretive and may require dedicated searching.
Nearby accommodation: Agadir is the principal gateway, with a wide range of hotels and guest houses. Rural accommodation is also available in settlements around the park.
Behaviour and Diet
The African Houbara is primarily terrestrial. It usually walks or runs through open habitat and may remain motionless when alarmed, relying on its cryptic plumage. It is most active during the cooler parts of the day, especially in hot weather, and often avoids unnecessary flight.
Its diet is opportunistic and varies with season and local food availability. Plant material, including leaves, shoots, flowers, seeds and other vegetation, can form a substantial part of the diet, particularly outside the breeding season. The bird also takes insects and other invertebrates, and may occasionally consume small reptiles or other small vertebrates.
Males perform elaborate courtship displays in which they erect the feathers of the head, neck and breast, lower or withdraw the head into the raised plumage, and run in a straight or curved path. Displays may be accompanied by low-frequency calls. Females select mates, and males do not incubate the eggs or rear the chicks.
Nesting takes place on the ground, usually in a shallow scrape with little or no nest lining. A clutch normally contains one to three eggs, most often two or three. The female incubates the eggs, and the chicks are precocial, leaving the nest soon after hatching and following the female while feeding independently.
Identification Tips
Look for a large, long-legged bird moving through open desert or steppe habitat. The most useful field marks are:
- Sandy, grey-brown and finely mottled upperparts that blend with dry ground.
- A pale underside contrasting with a darker, marked breast.
- A long neck, long legs and a relatively small head.
- A preference for walking or running, with flight usually following close approach or strong disturbance.
- An upright, deliberate gait and a cautious, low-profile posture.
Adult males are larger and more striking during the breeding season because of their raised head and neck feathers. Females and young birds are smaller and less ornamented. The African Houbara should be separated from the Asian Houbara, Chlamydotis macqueenii, primarily by geography and range, because the two species can be difficult to distinguish in the field where their distributions do not overlap naturally.
Conservation Status
The African Houbara is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The main threats are hunting, poaching, habitat degradation, agricultural expansion, disturbance, overgrazing and the loss or fragmentation of open steppe and desert-edge habitats. Illegal or poorly regulated hunting remains a concern in parts of its range, including areas where houbara hunting is linked with falconry traditions.
The species is protected by national legislation across much of North Africa and is included in international conservation and trade-control measures. Conservation actions include protected areas, habitat management, monitoring, anti-poaching measures and captive-breeding or release programmes. Releases may support some populations, but their long-term demographic and genetic effects require continued assessment. The IUCN assessment also notes that reliable current population estimates are difficult to obtain, so numerical claims should be treated cautiously.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the African Houbara live?
It lives mainly in the arid and semi-arid regions of North Africa, including Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt west of the Nile. A separate subspecies occurs in the eastern Canary Islands.
Is the African Houbara migratory?
Most North African African Houbara populations are resident or locally nomadic. Individuals may move in response to rainfall and food availability, but the species is not normally a long-distance migrant.
What does the African Houbara eat?
It eats a broad range of plant material and animal prey. Leaves, shoots, flowers, seeds and other vegetation are important foods, while insects and other invertebrates are also regularly taken. Small reptiles and other small prey may be eaten opportunistically.
How does the African Houbara breed?
The male attracts females with a display involving raised neck and head feathers and distinctive running movements. The female lays one to three eggs in a shallow ground scrape, incubates them and leads the precocial chicks after hatching.
Why is the African Houbara threatened?
The principal threats are hunting and poaching, habitat loss and degradation, agricultural expansion, overgrazing and disturbance. Its ground-nesting habits also leave eggs and chicks vulnerable to predators and human activity.
Is the African Houbara the same species as the Asian Houbara?
No. The African Houbara is Chlamydotis undulata, while the Asian Houbara is Chlamydotis macqueenii. They were formerly treated together by some taxonomic authorities, but current major bird lists generally recognise them as separate species.
References
- IOC World Bird List
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Journal of Arid Environments
Related posts
