Buff-crested Bustard vs Denham's Bustard
Lophotis gindiana compared with Neotis denhami
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Buff-crested Bustard | Denham's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lophotis gindiana | Neotis denhami |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 50.6 cm (19.9 in) | 111.8 cm (44.0 in) |
| Weight | 788.75 g (27.82 oz) | 5567.75 g (196.40 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivore of open grasslands, eating insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers … | Omnivore of African grasslands; feeds on insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and … |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Buff-crested Bustard
Loud, deep booming bark; powerful guttural resonance carrying across open African woodland and scrub habitat.
Denham's Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call with dramatic quality; powerful bass notes audible across open African plains.
Geographic Range & Migration
Buff-crested Bustard
Found in dry savanna of East Africa from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Resident in open bushland.
Denham's Bustard
Found in grasslands and savanna across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to South Africa. Resident.
Conservation Status
Buff-crested Bustard
Denham's Bustard
How to Tell Them Apart
Buff-crested Bustard
Long-tailed Koel: males blue-black; females barred brown; very long graduated tail; red eye; Pacific island koel species
Denham's Bustard
Mangrove Cuckoo: olive-brown above; buff-orange below; long dark tail with white spots; yellow bill; black facial mask; Caribbean
About These Birds
Buff-crested Bustard
A small bustard (45-55 cm) found in dry savanna of East Africa from Ethiopia to Tanzania. Buff plumage with a short buff crest. Omnivore. Males perform conspicuous leaping displays. Named after its buff-colored crest feathers.
Denham's Bustard
A large bustard (80-116 cm) found in grasslands and savanna across sub-Saharan Africa. Brown plumage with grey neck and rufous hindneck patch. Omnivore. Named after Major Dixon Denham. The most widespread large bustard in Africa.