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The Houbara Bustard is a large bird native to desert regions like Saudi Arabia, India, Pakistan, and North Africa. The Houbara Bustard measures about two feet in length with a wingspan of around five feet (60 inches). It has a brown upper-surface and white underneath. The Houbara Bustard also has patches and stripes of black that make up its plumage. It is omnivorous and eats insects and seeds. During each breeding period, two to four eggs are laid. In its mating display, the white feathers around the throat are raised and the head is drawn back. These displays can be very flamboyant.
The Houbara Bustard is listed on the IUCN Red List as Vulnerable. In Arabia, its history of being hunted by humans has greatly influenced its prevalence. Its meat was said to be an aphrodisiac. It is regarded at the provincial bird of Pakistan and is highly regulated in neighboring countries. Houbara Bustard offspring are produced by artificial insemination and then released into the wild in order to sustain their population numbers.
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