Red-crested Korhaan

Appearance

It is a stripe that extends from southern Angola to northeastern Namibia, all the way to Mozambique and Eswatini. The Savile's bustard is one of the closest relatives. The red-crested bustard is approximately fifty centimeters tall and has an average weight of 680 grams. The plumage is very special and has many small cream-colored V-shaped spots on the upper body. On the neck, the front side is gray and the back is beige. The belly is black and the beak is gray. The animal owes its actual name to the red crest. However, this is only visible in male animals and only when the red-crested bustard is upright. Thanks to the inconspicuous yet special plumage, red-crested bustards are not easily visible in nature and are thus difficult for enemies to spot.

Diet and Reproduction of the Red-crested Bustard

The bird mainly feeds on insects, beetles, grasshoppers and ants, as well as berries and seeds. The breeding season is from October to April. Usually one to two eggs are laid. The red-crested bustards always build their nests on the ground near a tree or a bush. The red-crested bustard prefers to inhabit thorny areas or the dry regions of the savannas, as well as areas near bodies of water. There is currently no need to fear the extinction of these animals, as there are many red-crested bustards. In Zimbabwe, fewer of these birds are found, which is due to the fact that many areas there have been grazed for some time. This is why these animals, which once lived there, have moved to new areas. Among the various bustard species, the red-crested bustard is one of the most widespread.