Blue Bustard vs Red-crested Bustard
Eupodotis caerulescens compared with Lophotis ruficrista
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue Bustard | Red-crested Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupodotis caerulescens | Lophotis ruficrista |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 64.6 cm (25.4 in) | 52.2 cm (20.6 in) |
| Weight | 1370.4 g (48.34 oz) | 617.0 g (21.76 oz) |
| Diet | Feeds on insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and forbs in South African grassland. Beetles and grasshoppers … | Omnivore of open grasslands, eating insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers … |
| Clutch Size | 1-3 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Blue Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep resonant notes carrying impressively across open dry savanna at dawn. Vocalization pattern typical of this species in its native habitat.
Red-crested Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep carrying bass notes audible impressively across open African savanna terrain.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue Bustard
Endemic to the grasslands of southern South Africa from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. Near Threatened.
Red-crested Bustard
Found in savanna and bushveld of southern and East Africa from South Africa to Kenya. Resident.
Conservation Status
Blue Bustard
Red-crested Bustard
How to Tell Them Apart
Blue Bustard
Jamaican Lizard-cuckoo: brown above; rufous below; very long graduated tail; red orbital ring; yellow bill; Jamaica endemic species
Red-crested Bustard
Channel-billed Cuckoo: largest cuckoo; pale gray-white; dark wings; massive curved bill; red orbital ring; long dark tail; unique bill
About These Birds
Blue Bustard
A medium-sized bustard (55-65 cm) endemic to the grasslands of southern South Africa. Distinctive blue-grey plumage, unique among bustards. Omnivore of highland grasslands. Classified as Near Threatened due to habitat loss from agriculture and urbanization.
Red-crested Bustard
A small bustard (45-55 cm) found in savanna and bushveld of southern and East Africa. Sandy-brown plumage with a distinctive red-orange crest on males. Omnivore. Males perform dramatic leaping courtship displays. One of the most common small bustards in southern Africa.