Kori Bustard vs Ludwig's Bustard
Ardeotis kori compared with Neotis ludwigii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Kori Bustard | Ludwig's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Ardeotis kori | Neotis ludwigii |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 142.0 cm (55.9 in) | 101.7 cm (40.0 in) |
| Weight | 9300.0 g (328.05 oz) | 3450.0 g (121.70 oz) |
| Diet | Africa's heaviest flying bird; feeds on insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and forbs in open savanna. … | Omnivore of Karoo and semi-arid scrubland; eats insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and forbs. Beetles and … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Kori Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call; powerful far-carrying bass sound audible several kilometres across open flat terrain.
Ludwig's Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call; far-carrying bass notes audible across broad open African savanna at dawn.
Geographic Range & Migration
Kori Bustard
Found in open grasslands and savanna of eastern and southern Africa from Ethiopia to South Africa. Resident.
Ludwig's Bustard
Found in the arid Karoo and Namib regions of southern Africa from Namibia to South Africa. Classified as Endangered.
Conservation Status
Kori Bustard
Ludwig's Bustard
How to Tell Them Apart
Kori Bustard
Yellow-billed Cuckoo: olive-brown above; white below; yellow bill; rufous wing patches; white-spotted dark tail; North American species
Ludwig's Bustard
Gray-capped Cuckoo: gray cap; brown above; pale below; graduated dark tail; South American cuckoo species; forest dweller
About These Birds
Kori Bustard
Africa's heaviest flying bird (up to 135 cm, 11-19 kg). Found in open grasslands and savanna of eastern and southern Africa. Grey-brown plumage with a black crest. Omnivore, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and seeds. An iconic sight on the African plains.
Ludwig's Bustard
A large bustard (75-90 cm) found in the arid Karoo and Namib regions of southern Africa. Brown plumage with rufous hindneck. Omnivore of semi-arid grasslands. Classified as Endangered due to powerline collisions, which are the primary cause of mortality.