Hartlaub's Bustard

Eupodotis hartlaubii

Other Names

    Outarde de Hartlaub   Hartlaubtrappe   Sisón Ventrinegro de Hartlaub   Hartlaubs trapp   Hartlaubs Trap   Otarda di Hartlaub

World: Eastern Sudan, Ethiopia and western Somalia, north-eastern Uganda, Kenya, central and north-eastern Tanzania.

Kenya: Local and uncommon, mostly in the South-East but also in the central highlands and, after rains, at Meru and Marsabit.

Very similar to, and easily confused with, the more common Black-bellied Bustard. Hartlaub's generally prefers drier country but both may be seen in the same areas after the rains. Male Hartlaub's has more white in the closed wing and more distinctive markings on the face with a thick black post-ocular line, another thick black line from the eye down to the throat and definite white spot in between. The females are very difficult to tell apart but Hartlaub's has a pale line down the front of the neck. Amboseli seems to be one of the easier places to see it.