White-bellied bustard | |
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Male calling at Maasai Mara, Kenya | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Otidiformes |
Family: | Otididae |
Genus: | Eupodotis |
Species: | E. senegalensis |
Binomial name | |
Eupodotis senegalensis (Vieillot, 1821) | |
Synonyms | |
Eupodotis barrowii |
The white-bellied bustard or white-bellied korhaan (Eupodotis senegalensis) is an African species of bustard. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa in grassland and open woodland habitats. [3] Despite its wide distribution and easily identifiable characteristics, very few studies have been conducted on this species and little is known about its life history and behavior.
It is one of the smaller bustards, 48 to 61 centimetres (19 to 24 in) long. [4] All are tawny brown above and on the breast and white on the belly, with cream-coloured legs; juveniles have light brown necks and heads, and adults have blue-grey necks. The adult female has a grey crown, a brown and buff line below the eye, and black speckling on the throat. The adult male has a black crown, black lines on the white cheeks, a black throat patch, and a pinkish-red bill. This species exhibits sexual dimorphism; the males are larger than the females. [5] The call, often given in the early morning and late evening, has been described as "a very loud, guttural k'whuka WHUKa, k'wuka WHUKa..., or k'warrak, k'warrak... [6] [4]
This species is usually seen in pairs or family groups, as young stay with their parents much longer than those of other bustards in the region. [6]
White-bellied bustards are one of the 26 recognized species of bustards in the Family Otididae (bustards, floricans, korhaans). The species was first named Eupodotis caffra, but was later renamed Eupodotis senegalensis. [7] They are most closely related to the Blue bustard ( Eupodotis caerulescens, sometimes called Blue korhaan). Although taxonomists have sometimes included other bustard species in Eupodotis, the White-bellied and Blue bustard are currently recognized as the only two species of this Genus. [8]
The species is subdivided into subspecies based on distribution and visual differences. The color of the feathers, beak, and legs can be different, as well as the breeding and foraging areas. [7]
Five subspecies are recognized: [9]
This last subspecies is sometimes referred to as its own species (E. barrowii, Barrow's bustard, or Barrow's korhaan), but there have not been enough studies done on the population to confirm its status. [7] [10]
White-bellied bustards are found exclusively on the African continent. Apart from smaller isolated groups, their large range is generally separated in four zones with distinct populations: [7]
White-bellied bustards enjoy mostly tall grasslands and savannah. They prefer open areas or bushland with dwarf trees. The West African population is better adapted to more arid weather conditions, and sometimes ventures into the desert during the rainy season. Other populations stick to greener areas of dense tall grass and can also be seen in river plains or cultivated areas. Individuals have been recorded at high elevation (up to 2 000 meters above sea level) in certain parts of Eastern Africa, but most sightings are at 1 500 meter elevations or less, depending on the weather patterns of each region. [7]
Home ranges or territories for breeding pairs or groups of White-bellied bustards are estimated to be around 40 ha but in certain areas groups were observed to stay 100 ha from each other, potentially indicating a bigger territory.
The White-bellied bustard's calls can be heard year-round, mostly at dusk or dawn or during rainfall. Both males and females vocalize. The most recognizable of its sounds is a croaking call (a guttural "kuk-kur-ruk" or "kuk-kaaah"), which is used in territorial defense among other purposes. This very loud sound can be heard form a distance and often triggers responses from other bustard groups far away. [7]
White-belied bustards are considered omnivores, as most other species of bustards. They usually eat small invertebrates (mainly beetles, but also termites, locusts, caterpillars, spiders) and plants (seeds, bulbs, berries, flowers). These birds forage by moving low to the ground to find food, sometimes in recently burnt areas. [7]
Most aspects of this species' breeding and mate selection are currently unknown. The time of year at which they breed varies greatly depending on the region and subspecies; from March - June in Northeast Africa to October - February in South Africa. Nests are usually a simple unlined scrape in the ground and situated in or under vegetation so that the eggs, chicks, and female can be hidden from predators. This way, the female can leave the nest and escape to safety without drawing attention to its eggs if she is in danger. [7]
The White-bellied bustard's eggs are pale to dark olive-colored with darker brown or gray markings. They are usually laid in clutches of one to three. [11] The eggs are incubated by the female. The incubation period is about 23 days in captivity, but has not been studied in the wild. [7]
The species is considered "Least concern" by the IUCN () due to their large range. In South Africa, White-bellied bustards populations have been classified as "Vulnerable" by the SANBI in 2015 due to local population decline. [12] Human-induced land use change through agriculture, overgrazing, grass burning, and urbanisation are thought to be the main causes of this decline. [13] [14]
In certain countries, White-bellied bustard chicks have been successfully raised until adulthood in captivity (mostly during the 1990's). [15] There are specific guidelines to be respected by zoos and scientific facilities in these cases. [16] The blood composition, [17] bone structure, [18] and internal organ structure [5] of White-bellied bustards has been studied at different life stages to improve care for injured or sick individuals in captivity.
Bustards, including floricans and korhaans, are large, terrestrial birds living mainly in dry grassland areas and in steppe regions. They range in length from 40 to 150 cm. They make up the family Otididae.
The great Indian bustard or Indian bustard is a bustard occurring on the Indian subcontinent. It is a large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs, and is among the heaviest of the flying birds. Once common on the dry grasslands and shrubland in India, as few as 150 individuals were estimated to survive as of 2018, reduced from an estimated 250 individuals in 2011. It is critically endangered due to hunting and habitat loss. It is protected under the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
The Asian houbara, also known as MacQueen's bustard, is a large bird in the bustard family. It is native to the desert and steppe regions of Asia, west from the Sinai Peninsula extending across Iran and further north toward Kazakhstan and Mongolia. In the 19th century, vagrants were found as far west of their range as Great Britain. Populations have decreased by 20 to 50% between 1984 and 2004 mainly due to hunting and changes in land-use. The Asian houbara is a partial latitudinal migrant while the African houbara is more sedentary. Both species are the only members of the genus Chlamydotis. The Asian houbara used to be regarded as a subspecies of the African houbara.
The Cape canary is a small passerine bird in the finch family. It is a resident breeder in southern Africa and has been introduced to Mauritius and Réunion.
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.
The southern black korhaan, also known as the black bustard, is a species of bird in the bustard family, Otididae. This small bustard is found in southwestern South Africa, from Namaqualand, south to Cape Town and east to Makhanda. It prefers semi-arid habitats such as grasslands, shrublands and savannas where it can easily prey on ground-dwelling arthropods and eat seeds. It reproduces yearly in the spring and will lay about one or two eggs per breeding season.
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.
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.
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.
The buff-crested bustard is a medium-sized bird of East Africa; Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya belonging to the family Otididae. The populations are stable and the species is of least concern.
Hartlaub's bustard is a species of bird in the family Otididae. It is a medium-sized bustard with a long, think neck, and long legs. It is found in open, tall grassland, range from 1600 meters to 2000 meters in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
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.
The black-bellied bustard, also known as the black-bellied korhaan, is an African ground-dwelling bird in the bustard family.
Rüppell's korhaan, also known as Rüppell's bustard, is a species of bird in the family Otididae. It is named to recognize Wilhelm Rüppell, a German explorer, collector, and naturalist.
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.
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.
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.
Lissotis is a genus of bird in the bustard family, Otididae. Some authorities, such as the IUCN, consider it part of Eupodotis; the separation adopted here follows the Handbook of the Birds of the World.