Savile's Bustard vs Ludwig's Bustard
Lophotis savilei compared with Neotis ludwigii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Savile's Bustard | Ludwig's Bustard |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lophotis savilei | Neotis ludwigii |
| Order | Otidiformes | Otidiformes |
| Family | Otididae | Otididae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Endangered |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 48.9 cm (19.3 in) | 101.7 cm (40.0 in) |
| Weight | 712.1 g (25.12 oz) | 3450.0 g (121.70 oz) |
| Diet | Omnivore of open grasslands, eating insects, small vertebrates, seeds, and green shoots. Beetles and grasshoppers … | 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
Savile's Bustard
Loud, low booming call; deep resonant sound carrying well across open semi-arid African grassland habitat.
Ludwig's Bustard
Deep, resonant booming call; far-carrying bass notes audible across broad open African savanna at dawn.
Geographic Range & Migration
Savile's Bustard
Found in arid savanna of the Sahel from Senegal to Ethiopia. Resident in dry woodland and grassland.
Ludwig's Bustard
Found in the arid Karoo and Namib regions of southern Africa from Namibia to South Africa. Classified as Endangered.
Conservation Status
Savile's Bustard
Ludwig's Bustard
How to Tell Them Apart
Savile's Bustard
Asian Koel: males glossy blue-black; females dark brown barred white; red eye; long graduated tail; no wing bars; strongly dimorphic
Ludwig's Bustard
Gray-capped Cuckoo: gray cap; brown above; pale below; graduated dark tail; South American cuckoo species; forest dweller
About These Birds
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.
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.