Blue Bustard vs Savile's Bustard
Eupodotis caerulescens compared with Lophotis savilei
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Blue Bustard | Savile's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eupodotis caerulescens | Lophotis savilei |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 64.6 cm (25.4 in) | 48.9 cm (19.3 in) |
| Weight | 1370.4 g (48.34 oz) | 712.1 g (25.12 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.
Savile's Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep resonant sound carrying well across open semi-arid African grassland habitat.
Geographic Range & Migration
Blue Bustard
Endemic to the grasslands of southern South Africa from the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal. Near Threatened.
Savile's Bustard
Found in arid savanna of the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia. Resident in dry woodland and grassland.
Conservation Status
Blue Bustard
Savile's 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
Savile's Bustard
Asian Koel: males glossy blue-black; females dark brown barred white; red eye; long graduated tail; no wing bars; strongly dimorphic
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.
Savile's Bustard
A small bustard (45-55 cm) found in arid savanna of the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia. Sandy-buff plumage with a short black-and-white crest. Omnivore. Males inflate their throat pouches during display. Named after the British ornithologist Alfred Savile.