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| − | + | '''Alternative name: Blue Korhaan''' | |
;[[:Category:Eupodotis|Eupodotis]] caerulescens | ;[[:Category:Eupodotis|Eupodotis]] caerulescens | ||
| − | |||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
Length 50-58 cm, mass 1.2-1.6 kg, males larger than females. | Length 50-58 cm, mass 1.2-1.6 kg, males larger than females. | ||
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East-central [[South Africa]] and western [[Lesotho]]. | East-central [[South Africa]] and western [[Lesotho]]. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
| − | + | A monotypic species. | |
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Short grassland and short Karoo shrubland, usually in flat terrain. Favours burnt grassland; sometimes in fallow fields and short cultivated pastures. | Short grassland and short Karoo shrubland, usually in flat terrain. Favours burnt grassland; sometimes in fallow fields and short cultivated pastures. | ||
| Line 25: | Line 24: | ||
'''Breeding''': Some pairs are monogamous, others breed co-operatively. Groups are territorial. The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, concealed by grass-tufts. One to three eggs are laid September to February. | '''Breeding''': Some pairs are monogamous, others breed co-operatively. Groups are territorial. The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, concealed by grass-tufts. One to three eggs are laid September to February. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: ''Eupodotis caerulescens''. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html http://www.birdlife.org] on 18/2/2008. | + | # BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: ''Eupodotis caerulescens''. Downloaded from [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html http://www.birdlife.org] on 18/2/2008. |
| − | + | # Hockey, P.A.R., W.R.J. Dean & P.G. Ryan (eds.). 2005. ''Robert's Birds of Southern Africa''. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund ISBN 0620340533 | |
| − | Hockey | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Eupodotis+caerulescens}} | {{GSearch|Eupodotis+caerulescens}} | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Birds]][[Category:Missing Images]][[Category:Eupodotis]] | |
| − | [[Category:Birds]] [[Category:Missing Images]] | ||
Revision as of 19:44, 15 July 2008
Alternative name: Blue Korhaan
- Eupodotis caerulescens
Identification
Length 50-58 cm, mass 1.2-1.6 kg, males larger than females.
Adult male: Face white with grey cheeks and black lores, forehead and throat. Neck, breast and belly grey-blue and upper parts brown.
Adult female: Duller than the male; the cheeks are brown, the crown buff, and the black throat patch is smaller.
Calls mostly in the early morning, also in the evening; a deep 'krok-kaa-krow'.
The grey-blue belly is diagnostic. In flight, this is the only African Bustard with blue on the wings.
Distribution
East-central South Africa and western Lesotho.
Taxonomy
A monotypic species.
Habitat
Short grassland and short Karoo shrubland, usually in flat terrain. Favours burnt grassland; sometimes in fallow fields and short cultivated pastures.
Status
Near-threatened in the 2007 IUCN Red List (BirdLife International, 2007): Habitat loss due to cultivation and afforestation (especially in the north and east of its range) is the main threat.
Behaviour
Usually seen in pairs or small groups, foraging on the ground for invertebrates, reptiles, seeds, leaves and flowers. Family groups roost in a huddle on open ground or in long grass.
Breeding: Some pairs are monogamous, others breed co-operatively. Groups are territorial. The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground, concealed by grass-tufts. One to three eggs are laid September to February.
References
- BirdLife International 2007. Species factsheet: Eupodotis caerulescens. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 18/2/2008.
- Hockey, P.A.R., W.R.J. Dean & P.G. Ryan (eds.). 2005. Robert's Birds of Southern Africa. 7th ed. Cape Town: John Voelcker Bird Book Fund ISBN 0620340533
