Rüppell's Korhaan

Heterotetrax rueppelii - Outarde de Rüppell

Systematics

Order
:
Otidiformes
Family
:
Otididés
Genus
:
Heterotetrax
Species
:
rueppelii

Descriptor

Wahlberg, 1856

Biometrics

Size
: 60 cm
Wingspan
: -
Weight
:

Geographic range

Distribution

Identification

Rüppell's Korhaan has, according to some authors, two subspecies, Eupodotis rueppellii rueppellii and Eupodotis rueppellii fitzsimonsi.

The Rüppell's Korhaan male has a head and neck that are gray-blue. The nape and the upper part of the neck are a light beige. The beak is gray. Several dark lines come to contrast the region of the head and neck. A black eyebrow, more or less continuous, generally extends from the beak to the nape of the neck. A black band runs from the throat to the upper chest and another runs from the nape to the back. The upper part of the body is brown, the belly and chest are cream. The legs and the three toes are yellowish. During the breeding season the colors are more intense. The female has a head much less contrasted and duller plumage. The black band on the throat is finer. The juveniles resemble the females. This species can only be confused with Vigors's Korhaan (Eupodotis vigorsii) which differs by much lighter colors on the underside.

It is obvious that in the large desert areas it is not easy to distinguish them.

Subspecific information 2 subspecies

Heterotetrax rueppelii rueppelii (s Angola, nw Namibia)
Heterotetrax rueppelii fitzsimonsi (wc Namibia)

Foreign names

Outarde de Rüppell,
Sisón de Damaraland,
sisão-de-rüppell,
Rüppelltrappe,
Rüppell-túzok,
Rüppells Trap,
Otarda di Rüppell,
namibtrapp,
Namibtrappe,
drop korhan,
drop damarský,
Angolatrappe,
namibiantrappi,
Woestynkorhaan (Damarakorhaan),
sisó de Rüppell,
dropik namibijski,
Намибийский корхан,
コノドグロショウノガン,
鲁氏鸨,
魯佩氏鴇,

Voice song and call

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The song of the Rüppell's Korhaan is deep and rhythmic, similar to that of a frog's. It consists of two or three syllables, such as kraak-rak or cRook-rak-rak. The first syllable is emphasized and deeper. This song is heard at dawn and dusk. Pairs sing a deep and resonant "waaa-a-re-e, waaa-a-re-e..." the male beginning first and the female following with three vocalizations.
Its song is similar to the Eupodotis vigorsii's song, but it is delivered a bit louder.

Habitat

Rueppell's Korhaan is virtually endemic to southwestern Africa where it is found in semi-desert regions with stony and gravelly expanses.

DISTRIBUTION: it is found in Namibia and southwestern Angola.

Behaviour character trait

One can usually observe it in small groups of two to three individuals. After rearing the young, it is sometimes seen in larger flocks of up to seven or more. When disturbed, it runs but is quick to take flight when in a hurry. Usually it lands far from its point of take-off.

Flight

The bird is more adapted to walking and running than to flying due to its morphology.

Dietfeeding habits

Rüppell's Korhaan is omnivorous. It feeds on insects, leaves, and seeds. It looks for its food on the ground and is fond of succulent plants. It mainly catches flying invertebrates, such as butterflies, bees, wasps, grasshoppers, and ants.

Reproduction nesting

Rüppell's Korhaan is monogamous. Couples are formed for life. The female lays between one to three eggs which are pink in color. The nest is built in a shallow depression which she has scratched out in the ground, then lined with figs, straw and leaves. The location of the nest is chosen with a bush nearby to protect the young from potential predators. The breeding period for the young is between September and February.