Red-crested Bustard vs Denham's Bustard
Lophotis ruficrista compared with Neotis denhami
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Red-crested Bustard | Denham's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lophotis ruficrista | Neotis denhami |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 52.2 cm (20.6 in) | 111.8 cm (44.0 in) |
| Weight | 617.0 g (21.76 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
Red-crested Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep carrying bass notes audible impressively across open African savanna terrain.
Denham's Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call with dramatic quality; powerful bass notes audible across open African plains.
Geographic Range & Migration
Red-crested Bustard
Found in savanna and bushveld of southern and East Africa from South Africa to Kenya. Resident.
Denham's Bustard
Found in grasslands and savanna across sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to South Africa. Resident.
Conservation Status
Red-crested Bustard
Denham's Bustard
How to Tell Them Apart
Red-crested Bustard
Channel-billed Cuckoo: largest cuckoo; pale gray-white; dark wings; massive curved bill; red orbital ring; long dark tail; unique bill
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
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.
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.