White-bellied Bustard
Eupodotis senegalensis
Visual Identification
Appearance
The White-bellied Bustard is a fairly small bird with a distinctive appearance. Males have a distinctive head pattern, greyish-blue neck, and tawny-buff upperparts that contrast with their white bellies. The wings show black flight feathers with some white on the inner parts and tawny-buff coverts.
Females are more subtly marked and have less distinct head patterning. Both sexes share the characteristic white belly that gives the species its name, though their overall colouring varies across their African range, with some populations considered possibly distinct species.
Size
Length
48cm to 61cm
Wingspan
110cm to 120cm
Weight
1.1kg to 1.4kg
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
White-bellied Bustards inhabit open grasslands, savannahs, and lightly wooded areas across sub-Saharan Africa. They are found from Senegal east to Ethiopia and south to Tanzania and northern Mozambique.
These birds prefer areas with short grass and scattered trees or bushes. They are non-migratory, maintaining year-round territories in suitable habitats throughout their range.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,000 meters
Climate zones
Tropical, Subtropical
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a White-bellied Bustard. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Whilst preferring to walk or run, the White-bellied Bustard demonstrates considerable agility in its ground movements, particularly during courtship displays. Their ability to navigate through grasslands swiftly and execute quick evasive manoeuvres when threatened shows good manoeuvrability, though they're not exceptional flyers.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
For their size category, these bustards possess decent strength, evidenced by their ability to inflate their necks significantly during displays and their robust ground-dwelling lifestyle. Their weight range of 1.1-1.4 kg suggests moderate muscle mass for their medium build.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
These birds show remarkable adaptability through their excellent camouflage abilities, varied diet, and capacity to thrive in different elevations up to 2000 metres. Their ability to survive in both grasslands and lightly wooded areas, plus their clever defensive freezing behaviour, demonstrates strong adaptive capabilities.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Whilst males display territorial behaviour during breeding season, White-bellied Bustards are generally non-aggressive birds, preferring to avoid confrontation by hiding or fleeing. They're typically solitary or found in small peaceful groups, showing limited aggressive tendencies.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Their ground-dwelling lifestyle requires good endurance for continuous foraging and territorial patrols. The ability to maintain year-round territories and perform energetic courtship displays indicates solid stamina, though they're not known for particularly long-distance movements or extended physical activities.
Diet
The White-bellied Bustard has an omnivorous diet. It primarily feeds on insects, particularly grasshoppers and beetles, but also consumes small reptiles, seeds, and plant material.
They forage by walking slowly through grasslands, picking food items from the ground or vegetation.
Behaviour
White-bellied Bustards are typically solitary or found in small groups. They are ground-dwelling birds, preferring to walk or run rather than fly when disturbed.
During the breeding season, males perform elaborate courtship displays, inflating their necks and making short, strutting runs to attract females.
Vocalisation
The White-bellied Bustard has a distinctive call, described as a far-carrying 'woop-woop' or 'whoop-whoop'.
Males often vocalise during courtship displays, producing a series of deep, resonant hoots that can be heard from a considerable distance across the grasslands.
Nesting & Breeding
Breeding season for White-bellied Bustards varies by region but often coincides with the rainy season. Males establish territories and perform elaborate displays to attract females.
The nest is a simple scrape on the ground, often hidden in tall grass or under a bush. Females typically lay 1-2 eggs, which are olive-brown with dark blotches.
Incubation lasts about 23 days, carried out solely by the female. Chicks are precocial and can leave the nest shortly after hatching but remain with the female for several months.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While currently listed as Least Concern, the White-bellied Bustard faces threats from habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and overgrazing.
Conservation efforts focus on preserving grassland habitats and reducing human disturbance in key breeding areas.
Population Data
Global Population Estimate
Unknown
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for White-bellied Bustards in open grasslands and savannahs
- Listen for their distinctive, far-carrying 'woop-woop' call
- Observe early morning or late afternoon when they are most active
- Use binoculars to spot their distinctive white belly against the grass
- Be patient and still, as they can be shy and quick to hide
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
White-bellied Korhaan
Family:
OtididaePredators
Main predators include large raptors such as eagles and hawks, as well as terrestrial carnivores like jackals and wildcats.
Did You Know?
- Male White-bellied Bustards can inflate their necks to three times their normal size during courtship displays.
- These birds have excellent camouflage and will often freeze in place when threatened, relying on their plumage to blend with their surroundings.
- White-bellied Bustards are capable of drinking water through capillary action without needing to tilt their heads back.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2024. Eupodotis senegalensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T22691996A263667271.
View source - 2
report, 1996: del Hoyo et al.
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