Alternative name: Karoo Korhaan
- Heterotetrax vigorsii
Eupodotis vigorsii
Identification
Length 56-60 cm (22-23¾ in); mass 1.6 kg (males), 1.35 kg (females).
A grey-brown bustard with a black throat and black patch on the nape.
In flight, wings show a black-and-buff pattern.
Similar species
Rueppell's Bustard is whiter below, paler above, and has a blue-grey neck.
Distribution
Africa: found in Lesotho, southern Namibia and South Africa.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies1:
- H. v. namaqua - southern Namibia and northwestern South Africa
- H. v. vigorsii - southwestern South Africa.
Habitat
Mainly stony Karoo shrublands.
Behaviour
Diet
Usually seen in pairs or small groups. Forages for invertebrates, reptiles, grass and seeds while walking.
Breeding
Monogamous; cooperative breeding may occur. The nest is a shallow scrape, usually in stony ground with scattered rocks or small shrubs. A single egg is laid June to February. Incubated by the female; after hatching, chick and parents forage together.
References
- Clements, J. F., P. C. Rasmussen, T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, A. Spencer, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2023. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2023. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Hockey, PAR, WRJ Dean, and PG Ryan, eds. 2005. Roberts' Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund. ISBN 978-0620340533
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Karoo Bustard. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 29 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Karoo_Bustard
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
