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White-bellied bustard facts for kids

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White-bellied bustard
White bellied bustard calling.jpg
Male calling at Maasai Mara, Kenya
Conservation status
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Genus:
Eupodotis
Species:
senegalensis
Synonyms

Eupodotis barrowii
Eupodotis caffra

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.

Description

Eupodotis senegalensis1
E. s. canicollis, male, Sweetwaters Game Reserve, Kenya
White bellied bustard
Male from Maasai Mara, Kenya
White-bellied Bustard, female
E. s. erlangeri, female, Serengeti, Tanzania
White-bellied Bustard, male
E. s. erlangeri, male, Serengeti, Tanzania

It is rather small for a bustard, 48 to 61 centimetres (19 to 24 in) long. 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. 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...

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.

Subspecies

Five subspecies are recognized:

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