GRUIFORMES of Africa
The order Gruiformes contains a considerable number of living and extinct bird families with little in common. In fact, birds have been placed in this order just because it was not clear where else to put them! The rails, cranes, and limpkin are related and are considered part of the true Guiformes. However, the Bustards are unrelated to these true Guiformes.
Bustards
Order Gruiformes Family Otididae
Bustards are large terrestrial birds mainly associated with dry open country and steppes in the Old World. Bustards are omnivorous and nest on the ground. They walk steadily on strong legs and big toes, pecking for food as they go. They are not related to the true Gruiformes - the rails, cranes, and limpkin. [abstracted from Wikipedia]
Genus Ardeotis
Bustard, Kori Ardeotis kori Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Frank Vassen - Namibia 2, 3) Dick Daniels - Tanzania 4) Dick Daniels - Tanzania
5) Arno Meintjes 6) Sandy Cole - San Diego Zoo
Perhaps the world's heaviest flying bird.
Genus Eupodotis
Many of these Bustards are also known as Kohanns. For example, the Red-crested Bustard is also known sa the Red-crested Kohann.
Bustard, Black Eupodotis afra Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Andy Carter - South Africa 2) Alastair Rae
Bustard, Buff-crested Eupodotis gindiana aka Lophotis gindiana Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Steve Garvie - Kenya 2) Carol Foil - Kenya 3) Dick Daniels - Tanzania
Bustard, Red-crested Eupodotis ruficrista aka Lophotis ruficrista Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Francesco Veronesi - Etosha Namibiai 2) Terri Bird
1) Male 2) Female
Bustard, Rüppell's Eupodotis rueppellii Found: Africa
Photographed by: Alastair Rae - Namibia
Bustard, White-bellied Eupodotis senegalensis Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Tanzania 2) Dick - Tanzania 3) Jerry Friedman - Sweetwaters Game Reserve, Kenya
Bustard, White-quilled Eupodotis afraoides Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Hans Hillewaert - Botswana 2) Alistair Rae - Etosha, Namibia
1, 2) Male
Korhaan, Karoo aka Karoo Bustard Eupodotis vigorsii Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1, 2) Dick Daniels near De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
Genus Lissotis
Bustard, Hartlaub's Lissotis hartlaubii aka Eupodotis hartlaubii Found: Africa
Photographed by: Dick Daniels - Tanzania
1) Male
Bustard, Black-bellied Lissotis melanogaster Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1) Steve Garvie - the Mara, Kenya 2, 3) Arno Meintjes
1) Female 2, 3) Male
Genus Neotis
Bustard, Stanley aka Denham's Bustard Neotis denhami Found: Africa
Photographed by: 1, 2) David Cook - Uganda
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.