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.
Ek hou ook van daardie wawyd oop bekkie foto!
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Hy het behoorlik n keelgat opgesit!
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I imagine they are normally very well camouflaged, Dries. I wonder what that bird was doing on the road. Do you think there might have been a chick nearby?
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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!
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Hee hee. I couldn’t have restrained myself either. 🙂
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Your header shot is perfect!
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I was so excited to find one of these rare birds posing in the road, Anne
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Love the shot with the beak open. Do they make a loud noise?
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They do, Janet! Listen here:
https://xeno-canto.org/512661
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What an interesting bird, Dries. Terrific photos.
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That’s very kind and generous of you, Jane. Thank you very much.
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