It is a fairly large species, at up to 89 cm (35 in) in length.

[4] Other than size, sexes differ considerably in appearance.

The striking male has a large back marking over the crown down the face to the chin with a bluish-grey neck.

[3] The Heuglin's bustard is found in Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

It occurs in pairs or small groups in arid or semi-arid grasslands, even ranging into desert-edge.