Rüppell's korhaan

Rüppell's korhaan
From Namib-Naukluft National Park
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Otidiformes
Family:	Otididae
Genus:	Heterotetrax
Species:	H. rueppelii
Binomial name
Heterotetrax rueppelii (Wahlberg, 1856)
general range: the Namib desert
Synonyms
Eupodotis rueppellii

Rüppell's korhaan (Heterotetrax rueppelii), 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.

Description

Rüppell's korhaan is a small bustard, only 60 cm (24 in) long. The head and neck are grey, with black stripes down the throat (less marked in females), through the eye, and on the sides of the neck, and with white cheeks. The body is sandy brown above, and white below. The legs are sandy yellow-brown.

Habitat

Rüppell's korhaan is native to southwestern Africa in Angola and Namibia. It is one of 13 native bird species found in the western part of Namibia. The bird’s habitat is areas with low rainfall such as deserts, plains, and savannahs, where it’s exceptionally well developed senses play a major role in its survival and safety. It is commonly found in the Namibrand Nature Reserve, at Mirabib and Ganab in the Namib-Naukluft Park, at Bloedkoppie, and in the Spitzkoppe surroundings.

Behaviour

Rüppell's korhaan is usually monogamous but sometimes breeds in large family groups. It lays eggs all year round with a peak season from February to May. Nests are made among rocks and stone with some occasional plant coverage. It can lay 1-3 eggs in one breeding cycle and these are incubated solely by the female. Rüppell's korhaan is omnivorous, having a diet of mostly invertebrates such as small reptiles and termites, though it also eats leaves and seeds. Eating is usually done while pecking at the ground as it walks.

Conservation

Bustards are highly susceptible to the loss or modification of habitat, nearly always as a result of increasing pressures from agriculture, hunting, poaching for sport and food - especially during breeding season. As a result of their elusiveness, natural shyness, large home ranges, combined with their camouflage, they are one of the most difficult groups on which to obtain any sufficient biological, population, or mortality data.

• 
  adult male
• 
  juvenile male

Further reading

• del Hoyo, J., et al., eds. (1996). Handbook of the Birds of the World 3: 268–269. Lynx Edicions.
• Burger, Pompie. “Bird's-Eye View - Rüppell's Korhaan.” Travel News Namibia, 30 Sept. 2015, www.travelnewsnamibia.com/activities/birding/birds-eye-view-ruppells-korhaan/.
• “Eupodotis Rueppellii (Rüppell's Korhaan).” Biodiversity Explorer The Web of Life in Southern Africa, www.biodiversityexplorer.org/birds/otitidae/eupodotis_rueppellii.htm.
• “Ruppell's Korhaan | Namibia.” Cardboard Box Travel Shop, 1998, www.Namibian.org/travel/birds/ruppells-korhaan.html.

External links

• Rüppell's Korhaan - Species text in The Atlas of Southern African Birds