Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
houbara

houbara

1 9.9
A large ground bird with long legs that lives in deserts and performs a show to attract a mate
  • noun
  • UK
: hubara
  • The houbara bustard's long legs allow it to navigate the sandy terrain with ease.
  • houbara bustard

Examples

  • Another conservation concern is a decline in the houbara bustard, Chlamydotis undulata, the ultimate quarry for many Arab falconers.

    Academic text (2009)

  • In addition to hunting the birds outright, falconers trap live houbara to use in training their falcons.

    Academic text (2009)

  • Where the saker, the houbara, and hybrids are concerned, it may have gone a measure too far.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The houbara is known for its impressive courtship dance during mating season.

  • Wildlife enthusiasts traveled to the desert to observe the houbara in its natural habitat.

Surface Forms

houbara singular
houbara plural

Etymology

The word houbara comes from the Arabic name hubara, a local desert name for the bird. That's why English kept the local name for the large ground-dwelling bird with long legs that makes a striking show to attract a mate.