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. r.
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. The species is represented by a small bustard, only 60 cm 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 white cheeks. The body is sandy brown above, and white below. The legs are sandy yellow-brown. Rüppell's korhaan received its name to recognize Wilhelm Rüppell, a German explorer, collector and naturalist. It is native to southwestern Africa in Angola and Namibia, according to Collar, N. J. - "The bustards and their conservation." Bustard in Decline, Jaipur (1982): 244–255. It is one of 13 native bird species found in the western part of Namibia. Normally they inhabit areas with low rainfall such as deserts, plains, and savannahs, where their exceptionally well developed senses play a major role in their survival and safety. They are most likely to be found in the Namibrand Nature Reserve, at Mirabib and Ganab in the Namib-Naukluft Park, at Bloedkoppie, and in the Spitzkoppe surroundings.

Rüppell's korhaan are usually monogamous but sometimes breed 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 are omnivorous, having a diet of mostly invertebrates such as small reptiles and termites and they also eat leaves and seeds. Eating is usually done while pecking at the ground as they walk.

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 breading 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. The conservation of these animals is almost entirely the responsibility of Namibia.

• 
  adult male
• 
  juvenile male

References

• 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/.
• Collar, N. J. "The bustards and their conservation." Bustard in Decline, Jaipur (1982): 244–255.
• “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