Hartlaub's bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae. It is a medium-sized bustard with a long, think neck, and long legs. It is found in open, tall grassland, range from 1,600 to 2,000 metres in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Region
East African Highlands
Typical Environment
Occurs patchily in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, and northern Tanzania, mainly in open, tall grasslands and lightly bushed savannas. It prefers areas with long, tussocky grasses and scattered shrubs, often near agricultural edges if disturbance is low. Recently burned grasslands may be used for foraging once regrowth begins. The species is typically localized, with strongholds in highland plateaus and upland plains.
Altitude Range
1600–2000 m
Climate Zone
Highland
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Named after the German ornithologist Gustav Hartlaub, this medium-sized bustard is a shy inhabitant of East Africa’s highland grasslands. It favors tall, undisturbed grasses and is often detected by its display calls at dawn and dusk rather than by sight. Like many bustards, it nests on the ground and relies on cryptic plumage and stillness to avoid predators. Habitat loss from cultivation and frequent burning can negatively affect local populations.
Hartlaub's bustard expands its wings, revealing a black rump.
Temperament
wary and elusive
Flight Pattern
strong flier with short rapid wingbeats followed by brief glides
Social Behavior
Usually solitary or in pairs outside the breeding season. Ground nester with a simple scrape concealed in tall grass, typically laying 1–2 eggs. Males perform display bouts in open patches, while females handle incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations include low, booming or grating croaks and short series of hoarse notes, most often at dawn and dusk. Display calls carry over grasslands and can reveal birds that remain hidden in cover.
