Resident houbara bustard populations in Saudi Arabia: do summer ambient temperatures limit distribution?

It has been suggested that resident houbara bustards are restricted to zones with mean maximum temperatures less than 24°C. This is examined with reference to houbara populations in Saudi Arabia. Summer temperatures were compiled for three areas: the current distribution of resident houbara; the documented former distribution of houbara; and the Mahazat as-Sayd houbara reintroduction site. All three areas had mean maximum temperatures above the postulated limit. Resident houbara bustards in Saudi Arabia tolerate mean summer temperatures of 27 to 38°C. It is likely that vegetative cover is a better predictor of habitat suitability for houbara than ambient temperature.