Denham's Bustard
Neotis denhami
The Denham's Bustard (Neotis denhami) is a rare bustard found in 25 countries, weighing about 4.0 kg. Denham's bustard, Stanley bustard or Stanley's bustard is a large bird in the bustard family.
About the Denham's Bustard
Denham's bustard, Stanley bustard or Stanley's bustard is a large bird in the bustard family. It breeds in much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a species of open ground, including agricultural land, grassland, flood-plains and burnt fynbos. It is resident, but some inland populations move to lower altitudes in winter. The common names for this species refer to the English explorer, Major Dixon Denham, and the English naturalist Edward Smith-Stanley, 13th Earl of Derby.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Denham's bustard is the largest species in the genus Neotis, although is smaller than the bustards in the genus Ardeotis (as well as the great bustard). The male is 9 to 10 kg (20 to 22 lb) and 100–116 cm (39–46 in), the female is much smaller at 3 to 4 kg (6.6 to 8.8 lb) and 80–87 cm (31–34 in). The back is brown, darker and plainer in the male, and the underparts are white. The neck is pale grey with an orange nape. Its grey crown is bordered with black, and a black line runs through the eye with a white line forming an eyebrow above. The long legs are pale yellow.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Guinea-Bissau.
When to see it
The Denham's Bustard can be seen all year round, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Denham's Bustard?
- Denham's bustard is the largest species in the genus Neotis, although is smaller than the bustards in the genus Ardeotis (as well as the great bustard). Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Denham's Bustard?
- The Denham's Bustard is a huge sized bird weighing about 4.0 kg.
- Where can you see a Denham's Bustard?
- The Denham's Bustard occurs in 25 countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Zambia, Malawi and Ghana.
- What birds look similar to a Denham's Bustard?
- The Denham's Bustard is most easily confused with the Ludwig's Bustard, the Heuglin's Bustard and the Nubian Bustard.
- Is the Denham's Bustard endangered?
- The Denham's Bustard is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Denham's Bustard for real
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