Southern Black Korhaan
Afrotis afra
Karoo Renosterveld. Red bill on mostly black bird; bright yellow legs; buffy above.
VU
Endemic
Description
Common endemic resident. On the ground indistinguishable from close relative [Northern Black Korhaan], but in flight and seen from above, both sexes differ from [Northern Black Korhaan] in having entirely black primary wing feathers. Male is unmistakable; female told from other female korhaans by bright yellow legs and pink bill with a pale tip, this feature also present in the immature. The male calls a raucous ‘krra-a-a-aak wet-de-wet-de-wet-de…’ in flight or from a slightly elevated position on the ground. It frequents Karoo scrub and coastal dunes.
Quick Facts
Size
53 cm - L
Names
A: Swartvlerkkorhaan
Ss: Tlatlawe Ya Borwa
G: Gackeltrappe
Bird Family
Large, long-legged, long-necked terrestrial birds, cryptically coloured, with short tails and feet having three forward-facing toes. Most have elaborate courtship displays involving plumage transformations, flights or unusual calls. The smaller species are called korhaans locally.
Distribution
Gallery
Behaviour
Breeding
Habitat
It frequents 'Karoo' scrub and coastal dunes.
