White-bellied bustard facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-bellied bustard |
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| Male calling at Maasai Mara, Kenya | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Eupodotis
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| Species: |
senegalensis
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| Synonyms | |
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Eupodotis barrowii |
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The White-bellied Bustard (also known as the White-bellied Korhaan) is a special bird found in Africa. Its scientific name is Eupodotis senegalensis. These birds live across a large area in sub-Saharan Africa. You can often spot them in open areas like grasslands and light woodlands.
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What Does the White-bellied Bustard Look Like?
This bird is not very big for a bustard. It measures about 48 to 61 centimeters (19 to 24 inches) long. Its back and chest are a brownish-yellow color. Its belly is white, and its legs are cream-colored.
Young White-bellied Bustards have light brown necks and heads. Adult birds have blue-grey necks.
Differences Between Males and Females
Adult female bustards have a grey top of the head. They also have a brown line under their eyes and black spots on their throat.
Adult male bustards have a black top of the head. They have black lines on their white cheeks and a black patch on their throat. Their beak is a pinkish-red color.
Sounds They Make
These birds often make loud calls in the early morning or late evening. Their call sounds like "k'whuka WHUKa, k'wuka WHUKa" or "k'warrak, k'warrak."
Family Life
White-bellied Bustards usually live in pairs or small family groups. Their young birds stay with their parents for a longer time than other bustards in the area.
Different Types of White-bellied Bustards
There are five different types, or subspecies, of the White-bellied Bustard. They live in different parts of Africa:
- E. s. senegalensis: Found from southwestern Mauritania and Guinea to the Central African Republic and central Sudan.
- E. s. canicollis: Lives in Ethiopia south to northeastern Tanzania.
- E. s. erlangeri: Found in southern Kenya and western Tanzania.
- E. s. mackenziei: Lives from eastern Gabon and central Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zambia, Angola, and northern Namibia.
- E. s. barrowii: Found in Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, and Lesotho. This type is sometimes called Barrow's Korhaan.
