Southern black korhaan

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Southern black korhaan
Eupodotis afra -South Africa-8.jpg
CITES Appendix II (CITES) [2]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Otidiformes
Family: Otididae
Genus: Afrotis
Species:
A. afra
Binomial name
Afrotis afra
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
  • Otis afraLinnaeus, 1758
  • Eupodotis afra(Linnaeus, 1758)

The southern black korhaan (Afrotis afra), also known as the black bustard, is a species of bird in the bustard family, Otididae. [3] This small bustard is found in southwestern South Africa, from Namaqualand, south to Cape Town and east to Makhanda. [1] It prefers semi-arid habitats such as grasslands, shrublands and savannas where it can easily prey on ground-dwelling arthropods and eat seeds. [1] [4] It reproduces yearly in the spring and will lay about one or two eggs per breeding season. [5]

Contents

Numbers have declined rapidly as much of its habitat has been converted to agricultural land and remaining tracts are often fragmented. [1] [6] Due to this habitat destruction, the species is considered vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. [1]

Taxonomy

The southern black korhaan was one of the many bird species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in the 1758 10th edition of his Systema Naturae , where it was given the binomial name of Otis afra. [7] Formerly known as Eupodotis afra, it is now classified as Afrotis afra. [3] They belong to the bustard family, Otididae. [3]

It was previously thought that the southern black korhaan and the northern black korhaan were the same species (the northern black korhaan being a sub-species, E. afra afroaoides). [8] They are now classified as different species due to their disjunct ranges and habitats, and differences in plumage, vocalizations and social systems. [8] They also have differences in their mitochondrial DNA. [8]

"Southern black korhaan" has been designated as the official common name for the species by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). [9]

Description

The southern black korhaan is a ground-dwelling bird with some sexual dimorphism. [10] The male's main body plumage is of a checkered black and white with a black underbelly and neck. [11] It also displays some white on the underwings, on the cheeks and in stripes over the eyes. [11] The female, in contrast, has the whole of her head, neck and breast the same colour as her body, which is checkered brown and white. [11] Both the female and the male have bright yellow legs. [11]

The male is slightly larger than the female. [11] The male has a wingspan of 27 cm (10.6 in) to 28 cm (11.0 in) and the female a wingspan of 25 cm (9.8 in) to 26 cm (10.2 in). [10] The tail is about 12 cm (4.7 in) to 13 cm (5.1 in) long. [10] The male's bill is larger with a length of 3.8 cm to 3.9 cm (1.5 in), while the female's is about 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long. [10] The bill is of a reddish colour with a black tip. [10] Lifespan averages 10 years. [1]

Distribution and habitat

The southern black korhaan is endemic to southwestern South Africa, ranging from Namaqualand, south to Cape Town, and east to Makhanda. It occupies about 254,000 km2 (98,000 sq mi). [1] It prefers open, semi-arid habitats such as shrub-lands and savannahs where it can easily prey on grass-dwelling arthropods, also grasslands adjoining marshland. [1] [12] [13]

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Vocalisation has been described as a "continuous cackling sound". [14] It is mostly the male that calls, as it vocalizes very often and very loudly. [11] The call is a raucous "knock-me-down, knock-me-down". [11]

Breeding

The southern black korhaan is a polygynous species, which means males mate with multiple females. [15] [16] To attract females, males will display high flying. [16] They breed in the spring. [5] Females lays one or two eggs in a depression in the soil and covers them with strands of grass. The eggs are of an olive or brown colour with some dark black spots. [11] Only the females provide parental care as they take care of the eggs and then raise the chicks. [5]

Diet

Southern black korhaan (Afrotis afra) - male Southern Black Korhaan (Afrotis afra) male (31992155464).jpg
Southern black korhaan (Afrotis afra) - male

This is an omnivorous species. Two-thirds of its diet is made up of arthropods, and it will eat termites, beetles, grasshoppers and ants. [4] The rest of its diet is composed of plant matter, mostly seeds. [4] It partakes in a mutualistic relationship with Acacia cyclops, a species of Acacia; [17] the southern black korhaan benefits from the seeds as they are a readily available food source, and in return, disperses the seeds to good germination sites. [17] The southern black korhaan will also ingest grit and other small rocks to help in digestion by assisting the grinding process in the gizzard. A study has also shown that two thirds of birds have nematode parasites in their intestinal tract. [4]

Status and conservation

Recent studies have shown that the southern black korhaan's population has been decreasing lately, which has raised concerns about its conservation status. [18] The species was once very common but it is now becoming rarer as its habitat is being fragmented. [6] Hence, it has been deemed vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of threatened species since October 1, 2016. [1]

The primary threat to these species is the conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural lands as well as aquaculture. [1] This has caused habitat fragmentation and a reduction in available food sources. [1] This reduction in habitat also means less suitable breeding grounds, which has not only affected breeding success, but chick and egg survival rates. [6] Indeed, agricultural lands do not provide sufficient plant cover to protect them from predators such as the Pied Crow. [6]

Other threats include climate change, human disturbance and diseases. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bustard</span> Family of birds

Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large, terrestrial birds living mainly in dry grassland areas and on the steppes of the Old World. They range in length from 40 to 150 cm. They make up the family Otididae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kori bustard</span> Species of bustard native to Africa

The kori bustard is the largest flying bird native to Africa. It is a member of the bustard family, which all belong to the order Otidiformes and are restricted in distribution to the Old World. It is one of the four species in the large-bodied genus Ardeotis. In fact, the male kori bustard may be the heaviest living animal capable of flight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denham's bustard</span> Species of bird

Denham's bustard, Stanley bustard or Stanley's bustard is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and burnt fynbos. It is resident, but some inland populations move to lower altitudes in winter. The common names for this species refer to the English explorer, Major Dixon Denham, and the English naturalist Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arabian bustard</span> Species of bird

The Arabian bustard is a species of bustard which is found across the Sahel region of Africa and south western Arabia. It is part of the large-bodied genus, Ardeotis, and, though little known, appears to be a fairly typical species in that group.

<i>Eupodotis</i> Genus of birds

Eupodotis is a genus of bird in the bustard family Otididae. It contains two species, all restricted to Africa. Species in the genera Afrotis and Lophotis are sometimes included in this genus; however some authorities separate the Karoo korhaan, Rüpell's Korhaan and little brown bustard as a separate genus Heterotetrax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern black korhaan</span> Species of bird

The northern black korhaan, also known as the white-quilled bustard, is a species of bird in the bustard family, Otididae. It is widely distributed across Southern Africa. Its habitat is primarily open grassland and scrub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue korhaan</span> Species of bird

The blue korhaan or blue bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae which is native to South Africa. Its call is a series of frog-like croaks, usually uttered in flight. Its natural habitat is plateau grassland, dry shrubland, arable land and pastureland. Its preferred habitat is one with short grassland and flat topography.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buff-crested bustard</span> Species of bird

The buff-crested bustard is a medium-sized bird of East Africa belonging to the family Otididae. The populations are stable and the species is of least concern.

The little brown bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae. Found in Ethiopia and Somalia, its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland. As indicated by its name, this bustard is the world's smallest at 45 cm (18 in) and 600 grams (1.3 lb). It is threatened by habitat destruction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-bellied bustard</span> Species of bird

The black-bellied bustard, also known as the black-bellied korhaan, is an African ground-dwelling bird in the bustard family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rüppell's korhaan</span> Species of bird

Rüppell's korhaan, also known as Rüppell's bustard, is a species of bird in the family Otididae. The species is represented by a small bustard, only 60 cm long. The head and neck are grey, with black stripes down the throat, through the eye, and on the sides of the neck, and white cheeks. The body is sandy brown above, and white below. The legs are sandy yellow-brown. Rüppell's korhaan received its name to recognize Wilhelm Rüppell, a German explorer, collector and naturalist. It is native to southwestern Africa in Angola and Namibia, according to Collar, N. J. - "The bustards and their conservation." Bustard in Decline, Jaipur (1982): 244–255. It is one of 13 native bird species found in the western part of Namibia. Normally they inhabit areas with low rainfall such as deserts, plains, and savannahs, where their exceptionally well developed senses play a major role in their survival and safety. They are most likely to be found in the Namibrand Nature Reserve, at Mirabib and Ganab in the Namib-Naukluft Park, at Bloedkoppie, and in the Spitzkoppe surroundings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-crested korhaan</span> Species of bird

The red-crested korhaan or red-crested bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savile's bustard</span> Species of bird

Savile's bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae. Otididae are an Old-World and understudied family of birds mostly found in Afro-Tropical regions. It is found in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White-bellied bustard</span> Species of bird

The white-bellied bustard or white-bellied korhaan is an African species of bustard. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa in grassland and open woodland habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karoo korhaan</span> Species of bird

The karoo korhaan, also known as karoo bustard, is a species of bird in the bustard family, Otididae, from Southern Africa. There are two subspecies, the nominate race, from south-eastern South Africa, and H. v. namaqua, from north-western South Africa and southern Namibia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludwig's bustard</span> Species of bird

Ludwig's bustard is a species of bird in the bustard family, and named after Baron von Ludwig. It is a medium-to-large sized species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broad-tailed paradise whydah</span> Species of bird

The broad-tailed paradise whydah is a species of bird in the family Viduidae. It is found in woodland and acacia savanna habitat in Sub-Saharan Africa from Angola to Uganda, Tanzania and Mozambique. A brood parasite, it has a wide range and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed it as being of least concern.

<i>Lophotis</i> Genus of birds

Lophotis is a genus of bustard in the family Otididae. The genus contains three species, all found in Africa. All three species are sometimes placed in the genus Eupodotis, and are closely related to that genus and the genus Afrotis. One distinctive feature of the genus is a pink retractile crest.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 BirdLife International (2016). "Afrotis afra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T22691975A93331501. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22691975A93331501.en . Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. 1 2 3 del Hoyo, Josep; Collar, Nigel J. (2014). "Handbook of the Birds of the World and BirdLife International digital checklist of the birds of the world". Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International. 1: Non-passerines.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Kok, O. B.; Earlé, R. A. (1990-12-01). "Diet of the Black Korhaan Eupodotis Afra in the Orange Free State and North-West Cape". Ostrich. 61 (3–4): 107–110. doi:10.1080/00306525.1990.9634155. ISSN   0030-6525.
  5. 1 2 3 Hockey, P.A.R.; Dean, W.R.J.; Ryan, P.G. (2005). Roberts - Birds of southern Africa, VIIIth edition. Cape Town: The Trustees of the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Hofmeyr, Sally D (2012). Impacts of environmental change on large terrestrial bird species in South Africa: insights from citizen science data. University of Cape Town. OCLC   920646225.
  7. ↑ Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata (in Latin). Vol. v.1. Holmiae (Stockholm, Sweden): Laurentius Salvius. p. 155.
  8. 1 2 3 Crowe, T. M.; Essop, M. F.; Allan, D. G.; Brooke, R. K.; Komen, J. (1994). "'Overlooked' units of comparative and conservation biology: a case study of a small African bustard, the Black Korhaan Eupodotis afra". Ibis. 136 (2): 166–175. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919X.1994.tb01081.x. ISSN   1474-919X.
  9. ↑ Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2019). "Turacos, bustards, cuckoos, mesites, sandgrouse". World Bird List Version 9.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 16 October 2019.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Plates I to V". Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 23 (1). 1957-01-01. ISSN   0041-1752.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Layard, Edgar Leopold (1884). The Birds of South Africa. Bernard Quartich.
  12. ↑ Winterbottom, J. M. (2010-10-11). "On the birds of the Sandveld Kalahari of South West Africa". Ostrich. 40 (4): 182–204. doi:10.1080/00306525.1969.9634346.
  13. ↑ Allan, David G.; Harrison, James A.; Navarro, RenéA.; van Wilgen, Brian W.; Thompson, Mark W. (1997-02-01). "The impact of commercial afforestation on bird populations in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa — Insights from bird-atlas data". Biological Conservation. 79 (2): 173–85. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(96)00098-5. ISSN   0006-3207.
  14. ↑ Kemp, A.; Tarboton, W. (1976). "Small South Africa Bustard". Bomakierie. 28: 40–43.
  15. ↑ Raihani, Gina; Székely, Tamás; Serrano-Meneses, M. Alejandro; Pitra, Christian; Goriup, Paul (2006-04-01). "The influence of sexual selection and male agility on sexual size dimorphism in bustards (Otididae)". Animal Behaviour. 71 (4): 833–838. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2005.06.013. ISSN   0003-3472. S2CID   53199054.
  16. 1 2 Urban, E.K.; Fry, C.H.; Keith, S. (1986). The Birds of Africa, Vol II. London: Academic Press.
  17. 1 2 Knight, Richard S.; Macdonald, I. A. W. (1991-08-01). "Acacias and korhaans: an artificially assembled seed dispersal system". South African Journal of Botany. 57 (4): 220–225. doi: 10.1016/S0254-6299(16)30942-5 . ISSN   0254-6299.
  18. ↑ Shaw, Jessica M.; Jenkins, Andrew R.; Allan, David G.; Ryan, Peter G. (2016). "Population size and trends of Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii and other large terrestrial birds in the Karoo, South Africa". Bird Conservation International. 26 (1): 69–86. doi:10.1017/S0959270914000458. ISSN   0959-2709.
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