Karoo korhaan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Karoo korhaan
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Otidiformes
Family:	Otididae
Genus:	Heterotetrax
Species:	H. vigorsii
Binomial name
Heterotetrax vigorsii (Smith, 1831)
General range
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Synonyms
Heterotetrax vigorsii

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The Karoo korhaan (Heterotetrax vigorsii) is a type of bird that lives in Southern Africa. It is also known as the Karoo bustard. This bird belongs to the bustard family, called Otididae.

There are two main types, or subspecies, of the Karoo korhaan. The first type lives in south-eastern South Africa. The second type, called H. v. namaqua, is found in north-eastern South Africa and southern Namibia.

Where They Live

The Karoo korhaan lives in dry places like the Karoo region. They also live in other dry, bushy areas in eastern South Africa and Namibia. These birds like habitats with some plant cover. This cover is usually about 10 to 50 cm (3.9–19.7 in) tall. You can also find a small group of them in a plant area called fynbos in the SW Cape Province.

What They Look Like

The Karoo korhaan is a small bustard, about 60 cm (24 in) long. Male Karoo korhaans are bigger and heavier than females. Males weigh about 1,600 g (56 oz), while females weigh around 1,350 g (48 oz).

The first type of Karoo korhaan has a grey-brown head, neck, and chest. It has a black chin and throat with white edges. Its belly is a light pinkish-white, and its wings are brown. Female birds look similar to males but have less black on their throats. The second type, E. v. namaqua, has a greyer neck and chest.

What They Eat

Karoo korhaans eat both plants and insects, but mostly plants. They enjoy eating flowers, fruits, leaves, and underground plant stems called corms. Certain flowers are very important to their diet during different seasons. These include flowers from the Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, and Mesembrybryanthemaceae plant families.

Images for kids

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  Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden