Seasonal changes in habitat use by Houbara Bustards Chlamydotis [undulata]macqueenii in northern Saudi Arabia

Habitat preferences by Houbara Bustards Chlamydotis [undulata] macqueenii i n Harrat al-Harrah reserve, in northern Saudi Arabia were determined from s ightings of birds in all seasons over three years. Vegetation and crawling invertebrate abundance were sampled in each habitat. Houbara Bustards showe d seasonally changing habitat preferences that appeared to be influenced pr imarily by vegetation phenology, abundance and cover. More densely vegetate d areas (10-17% cover) were preferred. Seasonal and inter-habitat variation s in invertebrate numbers were not reflected in differential habitat use by Houbara Bustards. The highest selection ratio for a single habitat (dry la kes) occurred in summer, coinciding with the fruiting of Shafallah Capparis spinosa. Selectivity of habitats was least in spring, when green vegetatio n was most widespread. Changes in Houbara Bustard habitat preferences in re sponse to marked seasonal changes in habitats brought about by well-defined patterns of rainfall indicate that studies of habitat selection should con sider the entire annual cycle. The importance of vegetative cover and the s ensitivity of Houbara Bustards to human disturbance suggest that reserves s et aside for Houbara Bustards should be extensive, diverse and largely free of livestock, human occupation and its associated disturbances.