Houbara bustard  (Chlamydotis undulata)

A striking bird resembling a turkey in shape, the houbara bustard is at its most magnificent during the courtship display. It has a long neck and tail, narrow wings, and long black and white feathers drooping over the neck. The head is small with a short, black and white crest and large eyes. Males are slightly larger and have ornate bristles on the head and neck. The body is brown with wavy, black barring on the back and white on the underside. Juveniles resemble adult females (2).

There are three subspecies of houbara bustard: Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii is found in the deserts of Russia and the Middle East, C. u. undulata is found in North Africa and C. u. fuertaventurae is found in the eastern Canary Islands. They differ slightly in their size and colouration, but are not consistent in their migratory tendencies (4). North African and Middle Eastern birds are resident or partially migratory, moving short distances to find fresh vegetation, whereas other Asian populations are fully migratory (5).

Adapted to arid conditions with little vegetation, the houbara bustard is found in sandy and stony semi-desert regions (5).

A largely solitary bird, the houbara bustard feeds alone or in small groups on beetles, ants and plants. In the breeding season, males and females meet only to choose a mate and to breed. Courtship takes place between December and March and involves a sophisticated display (4). The male ruffles the feathers of his crest, neck and head and raises the wings. He walks steadily and calmly in a large circle or straight line, with the tail raised and fanned out, occasionally lowering the wings. Abruptly, the male then begins to leap back and forth as he attempts to attract the attention of the female. Once the female has made her choice and mated with a male, neither bird will mate again that season (2). The female leaves the male after mating and both sexes remain solitary for the remainder of the breeding season. Between February and April the female lays two or three eggs in a small scrape (4). After hatching, the chicks follow the female for protection as she feeds, as they are vulnerable to predators, including eagles, falcons, foxes, wolves, monitor lizards, snakes and kestrels (5).

The traditional practice of hunting for houbara bustards by Middle Eastern falconers has reduced populations significantly, mainly on the wintering grounds. This over-hunting has been compounded by habitat loss and degradation. The subspecies C. u. fuertaventurae has been particularly affected by habitat degradation as a result of tourist activities and associated development, as well as by military exercises, over-grazing, sand-extraction, and road-development. Further threats include collisions with power lines, and nest-predation by introduced mammals (5).

C. u. fuertaventurae has benefited from improved protection from poaching and improved habitat management within protected areas. C. u. macqueenii has been the subject of several studies into its status, ecology and migration routes. It has also been involved in captive breeding programmes for restocking areas where it is heavily hunted. No conservation measures are known to have been put into action for C. u. undulata. A whole species action plan has yet to be produced although there is a European action plan for C. u. fuertaventurae. Managed hunting preserves are crucial to the recovery of the houbara bustard (5).

For further information on this species see BirdLife International:
http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2769&m=0

And the Houbara Conservation Programme:
http://www.qp.com.qa/raslaffan/rlc.nsf/85797bc91b29bb56432569c1003d7dad/1ac69d5669b50f3343256aa7001ac105/$FILE/Conservation%20of%20Houbara.pdf

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk