Qatar Wildlife Guide | Animals and Conservation

Animals in Qatar A Complete Guide to Wildlife You Will Actually Find There

By neha - June 24, 2026

Houbara Bustard — A Bird Under Pressure

Houbara bustard Images - Free Download on Magnific (formerly Freepik)

The houbara bustard is a large, cryptically coloured bird that crosses Qatar during migration and in some areas breeds within its protected reserves. It is one of the most culturally significant wild birds in the Arabian Gulf, where it has been a traditional falconry quarry for centuries.

Houbara bustards move across open desert plains, stony terrain, and sandy areas with sparse vegetation. They eat insects, lizards, seeds, and plant material. Females are smaller than males and raise their chicks without any male involvement.

The species faces serious pressure from habitat loss and historical over-hunting across its range. Qatar's protected areas provide refuges for this bird during migration and residence periods. The Al Reem Biosphere Reserve is one of the most important sites for houbara in Qatar.

...[ Continue to next page ]