The taxonomy of the bustards is poorly understood phylogenetically and has not been extensively evaluated using molecular methods. We sequenced part of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, the control region (central domain II), and an intron-exon crossing fragment of the nuclear chromo-helicase-DNA binding gene (CHD1) in 27 bustard taxa (including multiple subspecies) representing 11 genera and four gruiform outgroup species. Molecular datings suggest a Miocene origin for the family. Inferred phylogenetic relationships include the following: (i) the basal polytomy consists of 10 branches (mostly consistent with traditional genera), suggesting a rapid early radiation; (ii) sister relationships between several couplets of genera include Ardeotis with Neotis, Afrotis with Eupodotis (excluding E. rueppellii), Otis with Chlamydotis, and Houbaropsis with Sypheotides; (iii) the genus Eupodotis may be polyphyletic; and (iv) the currently delimited genera Ardeotis and Neotis do not form independent monophyletic lineages. Molecular evidence for the Afro-tropical origin of the Otididae is provided.