Southern Black Korhaan

11 Replies

Afrotis afra

The ground-dwelling Southern Black Korhaan is endemic to South Africa’s Eastern, Northern and Western Cape Provinces. The IUCN sites a loss of habitat as the major cause for its declining population and considers the species to be vulnerable. It is very closely related to the Northern Black Korhaan and the two were previously considered races of the same species.

An inhabitant of the fynbos, Klein Karoo and Namaqualand, the Southern Black Korhaan is an omnivore that feeds on a variety of plant material (mainly seeds and shoots), insects and even small reptiles. They are usually seen alone, except for females with their latest chick. During spring and summer male Southern Black Korhaans mate with as many females as possible and play no role in the incubation of the eggs or rearing of the chicks. The female doesn’t build a nest and lays her single egg (2 eggs in a clutch is exceptional) on the bare ground in an area where she feels well hidden. Fully grown they’ll measure about 50cm in length and weigh around 700g.

Female Southern Black Korhaan
Immature Southern Black Korhaan
Male Southern Black Korhaan
Female Southern Black Korhaan

11 thoughts on “Southern Black Korhaan”

    1. DeWetsWild Post author

      The bird in the opening shot standing on the tarred road is a male, Tracy, so it definitely wouldn’t have been looking for a chick – it might have been trying to get away from one though!
      😀

      I think we were just lucky to be in that spot at the exact time that the Korhaan wanted to cross the road…
      😀

      Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

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